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Thomas Frank issued a concerning injury update on Mohammed Kudus ahead of their Manchester United clash this weekend. The Ghanaian playmaker, who joined Spurs from West Ham United in a £55 million ($72.5m) summer move, has become one of the club’s most consistent performers this season. He has scored once and set up five goals across 15 appearances. But just as he seemed to gain momentum, disaster struck again.

• Spurs sweating on Kudus fitness

  Kudus picked up a knock during training last week, ruling him out of Tuesday’s emphatic 4-0 Champions League win over FC Copenhagen. Now, his participation against United is also uncertain. 

  Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday, Frank cut a cautious figure and said: "Kudus is touch and go for tomorrow, we’ll see."

  In Kudus' absence, Brennan Johnson, who started on the right flank in midweek, is expected to retain his spot. The Welshman impressed with his intensity against Copenhagen and should be a handful for United defenders. 

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  Tottenham's injury list grows longer

  The north London side’s growing injury list continues to stretch the squad thin. Radu Dragusin, Dejan Kulusevski, and James Maddison all remain long-term absentees, while Yves Bissouma and summer recruit Kota Takai are still awaiting their first minutes of the season. To make matters worse, promising youngster Lucas Bergvall will sit out the United game after suffering a concussion during last weekend’s narrow 1-0 defeat to Chelsea. 

  Frank also offered an update on Dominic Solanke’s slow recovery. The striker has been limited to a total of 59 minutes this season. Solanke’s ankle problems have kept him sidelined since pre-season, and he even underwent a minor surgery on October 1. And while his rehabilitation is progressing, Frank insists the club won’t rush his return.

  "I think the international break will be the big decider, because we have two weeks there, to push with the next steps," said Frank.

  "It was clear that he was not ready before the international break, it’s more that we look after the international break, that’s what we’re aiming for. I think you always want to get it right, I think it’s important to get it right so he’s out there, can help the team, and we need him back." 

  However, he did offer some positive updates as well. 

  "The ones that have been out for a small spell, Cuti (Cristian Romero) and Destiny (Udogie), responded well, so fit and available," he said. 

• Amicable resolution with Van de Ven and Spence

  Frank has also had to manage an internal situation involving defenders Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence. In the aftermath of the disappointing defeat to Chelsea, the Spurs head coach encouraged his players to perform a lap of appreciation for the fans. However, television cameras caught Van de Ven and Spence walking away, apparently ignoring the manager’s request. At the time, Frank refused to publicly criticise the pair, choosing instead to defuse the incident.

  "All the players are, of course, frustrated," he had said after the match. "They would like to do well, they would like to win, they would like to perform. I understand that. I think it’s difficult to be consistent in good times and bad times, that’s why I went around to the fans as I did, it’s more fun when we win, I can tell you that."

  He added, "I understand why you ask the question. But I think that’s one of, how you can say, small issues. We have Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence doing everything they can. They’ve performed very well so far this season. Everyone is frustrated. We do things in a different way, I don’t think it’s a big problem."

  However, the two players have apologised to the manager to reach an amicable solution.

  "Micky and Djed came into my office yesterday and just said they wanted to say sorry for the situation," he informed. "They didn't want it to look bad or any misconception that you can get in this beautiful media world. So there was no disrespect meant at all towards me or the team. They were just frustrated with the performance from us and the booing during the game."

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  A pivotal match for Spurs

  Tottenham’s 1-0 loss to Chelsea was another frustrating afternoon for the fans, who voiced their displeasure at full-time. Saturday’s showdown against United now carries enormous weight for both sides. A win could reignite Tottenham’s momentum and strengthen their Champions League ambitions. They remain sixth in the Premier League table with 17 points from 10 games and are level with Manchester United but eight behind leaders Arsenal.

Bayern Munich wonderkid Lennart Karl, who has been called the 'German Lionel Messi', has played down comparisons to the Argentine GOAT after he made Bundesliga history against Freiburg on Saturday. Karl contributed a goal and an assist as Vincent Kompany's side registered a dominating 6-2 win and maintained their unbeaten record in the league this season.

• Starlet's progress at Bayern has been sensational

  Karl has made rapid strides at Bayern Munich ever since he joined the club's youth academy as a promising 14-year-old in 2022. Last season, he made 26 appearances in all competitions for Bayern's Under-17 and U19 outfits, scoring 32 goals and delivering 10 assists. His exquisite displays earned him a place in Bayern's squad for the Club World Cup over the summer, where he made his debut against Auckland City. 

  Ahead of the 2025-26 season, he was promoted to the first team by Kompany and has made 15 appearances in total already, making five starts and clocking 531 minutes on the pitch – evidence that the Bayern boss counts on the youngster to become an important piece of the rotational puzzle amid a demanding schedule. He became the youngest Bayern goal scorer in Champions League history in October, backing it up with another goal in the 3-0 win over Borussia Monchengladbach to become the third-youngest goal scorer in club history in the Bundesliga.

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  Karl compared to Barcelona legend Messi

  The 17-year-old's sensational form in his maiden season and his graceful movements on the pitch have often drawn comparisons to Barcelona and Argentina legend Messi. However, addressing the comparisons now, the Bayern sensation told after the Freiburg clash: "Other people said that, I can't compare myself to Messi. Messi is right at the top and there's a long way to go to reach that. He's my idol."

• Karl makes Bundesliga history in Freiburg thrashing

  At just 17 years and 273 days, Karl became the youngest ever player in history to score and provide an assist in a Bundesliga game. Speaking on Karl's progress after the game, Kompany said: "It's very important that he enjoys this moment. If there's a lot of hype, then that's okay. It's all from outside. He just has to keep his entourage and enjoy football. And when things don't work out for him, we'll support him. Comparisons with Messi? Lenny is Lenny. It's not about comparing him to other players. We want him to become the best version of Lennart Karl he can be."

  Bayern star Aleksandar Pavlovic then added: "I've never seen a teammate with so much self-confidence at his age. He's an amazing player. It's so much fun playing with him. I have nothing but good things to say about him."

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  Did Karl suffer an injury against Freiburg?

  The teenager was substituted in the 71st minute. Nicolas Jackson replaced and eventually the Chelsea loanee scored the team's sixth goal. The attacking midfielder looked a bit uncomfortable during the match and Kompany provided an update on the youngster's condition as he said: "He took a knock in training and felt it again during the game. He laughed a lot and was happy after the game. So I hope it's nothing bad."

  Bayern will be back in action on Wednesday as they take on Arsenal in a Champions League top-of-the-table clash at Emirates Stadium. Karl would hope to recover from his knock and travel to London in midweek. 

Essex seamer will be hoping to seize his chance after lengthy wait for recognition

Andrew Miller02-May-2025It’s worth noting that Sam Cook is only 27, because – given the narrative that has pursued him throughout his remarkable county career – you’d be forgiven for assuming he was at least four years older.Cook has been worthy of an England call-up since at least 2019, when – aged 22 – his 32 wickets at 21.03 helped propel Essex to their second County Championship title in three years. And with every season since, his skill has been honed like his focus on the top of off stump, to the extent that when he claimed his 300th first-class wicket for Essex against Nottinghamshire last month, he did so with an average of less than 19.And yet, the more those wickets piled up, the further from the Test conversation Cook seemed to get. It was as if his success, achieved without express pace or cloud-snagging height, doomed him to membership of that sub-genre of county seamers dominated by David Masters and Alan Richardson, rather than earning him the sort of plaudits reserved for Chris “Wizard” Woakes, the man whose absence has finally created the conditions for his call-up.Related

• Jordan Cox recalled to England Test squad for Zimbabwe

• Cook rested by Essex as prospect of England Test debut grows

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The nadir was arguably reached after the 2021-22 Ashes, when the folly of taking a platoon of English right-arm medium-pacers to Australia – Mark Wood being the honourable exception – was exposed by a second 4-0 series thumping in as many trips. Pace in abundance, and failing that, genuine points of difference, such as Josh Hull’s left-arm angle and beanpole release point, became the requisites for selection.But, as Luke Wright, the national selector, explained on Friday after Cook’s maiden call-up to the Test squad, genuine skill can be a point of difference in itself, when it comes to creating the sort of “complementary attack” that England will need to compete across ten defining Tests against India and Australia this year.”He’s performed outstandingly well, consistently,” Wright said. “We’ve obviously made no bones about looking to add some pace into the attack and, yes, at 85-86mph, he’s not up there which is fine. What he has got is incredible skill.”The thing I like about Cooky is he’s not just a swing bowler. He swings and seams the ball as well, and he’s actually a bigger lad than some people realize. He gets bounce. He’s obviously known for his accuracy, but you speak to any top-order batters around county cricket, he’s the one that everyone fears the most.”And so now, unless Brendon McCullum has other ideas for his final XI, that chance will now come against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge, the venue where Cook produced arguably the defining performance of his career to date.Against Nottinghamshire in early April last year, in the same round of Championship fixtures in which Sam Northeast made 334 not out at Lord’s, Cook manipulated the Kookaburra ball with an aplomb that no other bowler in the country could match. He served up a decisive 10-wicket haul, including 6 for 14 in a crushing second-innings display, at which point the pigeonholing ceased.

“He’s non-stop done everything that’s been asked of him, including with the Kookaburra ball when he’s gone to Sri Lanka or Australia on the A tour. He’s kept getting performances and knocking that door down. He’s been outstanding”Luke Wright on Sam Cook

His selection for this winter’s Lions tour of Australia was a case in point. Four years earlier, and despite a season’s haul of 58 wickets at 14.43, including a stunning 10 for 41 as Northamptonshire were beaten in barely more than a day at Chelmsford, Cook had been a notable absentee from that trip Down Under, and even when he was belatedly sent an invite, he alone of the uncapped seamers in England’s shadow Ashes squad was omitted from the unofficial Test against Australia A.This time, on the other hand, he was front and centre of the action, claiming a creditable 3 for 58 in 21 overs of a match that was ultimately ruined by the Lions’ first-innings batting. Before that, however, he trapped Australia A’s opener, Tim Ward, lbw for 0 with the fifth ball of the match, thereby proving instantly that his wicket-to-wicket methods could yet have a role beyond this home summer.”He’s non-stop done everything that’s been asked of him,” Wright said, “including with the Kookaburra ball when he’s gone to Sri Lanka or Australia on the A tour. He’s kept getting performances and knocking that door down. He’s been outstanding. So yes, he’s had to be patient, but there’ve been some fine bowlers ahead of him as well. So I’m delighted for him, and I’m sure he’s hoping to get the opportunity in that XI and take it with both hands.”It is true that circumstances have stacked up to offer Cook this opportunity. The enforced retirement of James Anderson was one aspect, given that his lock on the role of low-80s mph skill merchant had allowed no room for others to take on that mantle. And that, to a certain extent, included Woakes – himself now 36 – whose wiles would have been called upon to lead the line this summer had he not been missing from action since the SA20 in January.But there’s been loyalty and perseverance at play from Cook himself too. He could have taken the franchise shilling this winter gone, with offers on the table from at least three competitions around the world. But instead, with his lines of communication with the England hierarchy open – including with Wright and Rob Key the managing director – he committed himself to Lions availability and is now reaping the rewards of that faith.Cook has had to bide his time despite his county success•Getty Images”From my point of view, it’s been two years of working with Cooky that we’ve spoken regularly,” Wright said. “He reached out as soon as any other bowler got picked, and we’ve kept that dialogue going, explaining what our thinking was.”I know Rob Key’s spoken a lot at length about having a complementary attack. Before him, we had Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad there. Then he’s had Woakesy and then Pottsy [Matthew Potts].”But we spoke to him at the end of the summer, because we knew we had that Lions trip to Australia. I said to him, I’d love him to go and keep pushing his case, but it was a tough decision for anyone.”He’d already lined up some franchise cricket but, fair play to him, he rang me back a few days later and said, ‘Look, England’s my number one. I’ll give up the franchise, and I want to try and do everything I can’. He came away to that Australia trip and performed well again, and I’m delighted for him that he’s going to get an opportunity.”His selection will also be a boost for the often-beleaguered county circuit, especially in light of England’s recent left-field thinking, most specifically the fast-tracking of Shoaib Bashir and Hull on the strength of their “high ceilings”.He will approach the crease from a significantly lower trajectory than either, but as the likes of Vernon Philander and Mohammad Abbas have amply shown in recent years, there can always be a role for relentless accuracy, allied to high skill and a perfect seam presentation.And even if Cook will hear the thunder in the distance, as England’s absentee 90mph fast bowlers begin to be drip-fed back into narrative ahead of Australia – among them Wood, Brydon Carse and maybe even Jofra Archer during the Lions matches against India in June – there’s the small matter of five Tests against India on home soil to factor in first.This, after all, was perhaps the key mistake made by England in the lead-up to the last Ashes in 2021-22. The failure to focus on the contest at hand back then bled directly into their shortcomings Down Under. Winning the here-and-now will suffice for Cook. He’s waited long enough to be given that chance to do so.

Enrique Hernández returned to the Dodgers lineup for the first time in nearly two months on Tuesday after five rehab appearances in Triple A. The Dodgers beat the Reds 6-3 in Hernández's first game back for their third straight win. Hernández went 2-for-3 at the plate, driving in a run and scoring another.

Hernández was also tested in the field as he handled a bouncing ball hit by Spencer Steer in the top of the eighth and had to hurry a throw to Freddie Freeman at first. Hernández's throw hit the grass in front of first and took a hard bounce towards Freeman who made a great play to snag it just before Steer hit the bag.

Hernández's face was a combination of amazement and agony. And probably some other complex emotions. It's actually hard to tell because it's just such a funny face to see a person make.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are now reportedly prioritising a deal to sign Lazio goalkeeper Christos Mandas, who is now available at a cut-price ahead of the January transfer window.

It’s been a whirlwind couple of weeks for those in the Midlands. After sacking Vitor Pereira, Wolves went on the hunt for a new manager and landed on Rob Edwards, who controversially left Middlesbrough to take the vacant position. He’s since claimed that no other job would have lured him away from Riverside and he now has the chance to keep his dream club afloat in the Premier League.

Fosun in contact to sign £30m Premier League ace who Wolves feel is perfect

The Old Gold haven’t got the reply they’d have wanted.

By
Charlie Smith

Nov 21, 2025

Speaking to reporters after arriving, Edwards said: “It feels amazing to be back. I’m really proud. I’m genuinely proud and I’ve told all the staff and players that. I won’t lie about it, it has been an aim of mine since I first got the under-18’s job here 11 years ago. It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do.

“But this was something that I’ve wanted to do for a long, long time, and I didn’t know if this job would ever come up again for me. The opportunity might never, ever come up for me to be the head coach of this club. I didn’t want to look back in 10, 15, 20 years, and think I turned down a chance to manage Wolves in the Premier League.

“I didn’t want to regret that, so here I am. I know the size and the scale of the task, but I’m really enthused by it, I’m excited by it, and this week has been really enjoyable. But now the games start, so let’s see.”

He will be well aware that the task on his hands is far from easy, but Wolves are seemingly willing to back their new manager when the January transfer window arrives – starting with a new shot-stopper.

Wolves prioritising Christos Mandas move

As reported by Ben Jacobs for GiveMeSport, Wolves are now prioritising a move for Mandas in January as they search for a new goalkeeper. The shot-stopper is open to a move away from the Serie A club after going from the No.1 under Maurizio Sarri to without a league appearance all season under Marcos Baroni.

Unlike in the summer, Wolves also have the chance to land a bargain deal. When those in the Midlands previously set their sights on Mandas, they were quoted a £22m fee. Now, as Lazio look to climb out of their financial struggles, he’s set to be available for a maximum of £12m when January arrives.

Described as “reactive” by his agent, Diego Tavano, Mandas arguably needs Wolves just as much as they need him. The one-time Manchester City target would provide Edwards with an instant upgrade on Jose Sa, who is 32 years old and struggling for consistency.

At 24, there’s also every chance that Mandas rediscovers his best form by leaving Lazio. The Italians sit mid-table in Serie A and the goalkeeper still hasn’t been able to win back his starting place.

Wolves now want to sign £20m set-piece specialist compared to Declan Rice

Barcelona’s 3-1 comeback win over Atletico Madrid at the Camp Nou on Tuesday night was marred with concern as Dani Olmo suffered a painful shoulder injury while scoring the second goal. Having finished a sweeping team move with an exquisite left-footed strike from the edge of the box, Olmo lost his balance mid-shot and crashed awkwardly onto his left shoulder.

• A win that came at a cost

  Atletico drew first blood inside 20 minutes when Alex Baena timed his run to perfection before coolly sliding the ball past Joan García. But the lead didn’t last long. Pedri carved Atletico open with a superb through ball that released Raphinha, who danced past Jan Oblak and tucked home the equaliser. The hosts were gifted a chance to turn the scoreline on its head late in the first half after Olmo was tripped inside the penalty area. Yet Robert Lewandowski, usually ice-cold from the spot, blasted his attempt well over the bar in a moment he will want to forget. The miss didn’t derail Barca, though. Just after the hour mark, Olmo produced a moment of quality that restored their lead, but hurt himself in the process and was subsequently replaced. Barca held on for the three points, but celebrations were dampened when early assessments confirmed the midfielder had suffered a dislocation and is expected to miss at least four weeks. 

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• Barca issue statement

  Barcelona have confirmed the recovery timeframe for Olmo in an official statement: "The first team player Dani Olmo suffered a dislocated left shoulder in the game on Tuesday against Atlético Madrid.  After tests, it has been decided to follow a conservative course of treatment. Recovery time is approximately one month."

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  History repeating itself for Olmo?

  For Olmo, the injury is especially disheartening given his history. During his time at RB Leipzig, he endured a similar dislocation to the same shoulder, an issue that ultimately required surgery and left him sidelined for two months. Tuesday’s setback has revived those concerns, with Barcelona anxious about what further scans may reveal.

  The timing is also problematic for Flick, who is already without Fermin Lopez. Should Olmo be ruled out for an extended period, the Barca manager would be left with only Dro Fernandez as a natural attacking midfielder, though Raphinha could be repurposed into a central role if necessary.

  Flick acknowledged the concern while speaking after the match. "Pedri is fine, just a little tired. Dani Olmo has shoulder problems…we’ll see," he said cautiously.

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• Flick lauds Barca's courage and control

  Despite the injury setback, Flick was effusive when reflecting on his side’s performance. The Barca head coach described the victory as "perfect", praising the squad for delivering on the tactical plan crafted ahead of the match.

  He said: "It was perfect. The players have been at a great level. We played against a great team but we fought and fought together. It’s been great, I’d say fantastic. We did what we had talked about before the game and that makes me happy. I am very satisfied. We controlled with the ball, we created more space than in other games and we took our chances. This was a key match. It’s always important to gain confidence."

  On the opposition bench, Diego Simeone was gracious in defeat as he reflected on his team's efforts: "We started well, but they managed to hurt us inside, with the ball filtered inside. In the second half, it was the opposite: they started a little better but, after 20 minutes, we were the ones who looked for the game. We couldn’t complete it, but I liked the team. We know that they have very good feet and that they play with a lot of people inside so that disorder appears in the rival centre-backs, and today it worked very well for them. But I feel very calm and happy with what the team did."

The selectors will have a big call to make after the early success of the Head-Weatherald combination

Alex Malcolm and Andrew McGlashan09-Dec-20251:00

Clarke: Not sure I’d go back to Khawaja

Australia coach Andrew McDonald has suggested that Usman Khawaja could be considered as a middle-order option in Adelaide after overcoming the back spasms that ruled him out of the Gabba contest as the selectors face a key decision over the batting line-upKhawaja’s return to fitness will create an intriguing conversation ahead of the third Test. He will turn 39 during the Adelaide Test and will be the first Australian Test player in 40 years to play at that age if selected.However, the success of Travis Head and Jake Weatherald at the top as created a conundrum. The new pair have shared two 70-plus stands in Perth and Brisbane in rapid time to take both games away from England. Australia had only had three half-century stands in their previous 14 Tests since David Warner retired, with Head involved in one of them with Khawaja in Sri Lanka.Related

• Carey expects England to 'refresh the batteries' in four-day Noosa break

• Cummins, Lyon likely for Adelaide, but what about Khawaja?

• McCullum in firing line as England batten down hatches

• Hazlewood out of Ashes, Cummins confirmed for Adelaide

“It worked at this point in time,” McDonald said. “Pink-ball Test at the Gabba, we felt like that combination was right for those conditions and the opposition. We will always ask ourselves the question that the selection table as we move in. At our strategy meetings, we’ll continue to ask questions on what the best line-up is for that point in time. And we’re taking this Test by Test.”The assumption is that Uzzie can only open as well. So I think that he does have the flexibility. And we like to think that all our batters have the flexibility to be able to perform anywhere in that order. So we’ve got a collective sort of group of batters there that as a series wears on, the opposition may create some different challenges for us. We’re open to what it will look like for us moving forward.”Usman Khawaja didn’t recover in time for the second Test•Getty Images

Khawaja’s form was under scrutiny heading into the series – he is now averaging 31.84 since the end of the 2023 Ashes with one century in 45 innings – but he had been consistent for Queensland earlier in the season.When Khawaja was recalled to the Test side in early 2022 during the previous Ashes in Australia he came in at No. 5 when Head missed the SCG Test with Covid. Twin centuries made him undroppable and he moved up to open in place of Marcus Harris when Head returned.McDonald said that since that time there had not been consideration given to returning Khawaja to the middle order. Much of the focus after Warner’s retirement in early 2024 has been finding a partner for Khawaja, which was set to be Weatherald until Khawaja suffered back spasms in Perth.”He’s been a stable piece up there, so we haven’t discussed moving him previously,” McDonald said. “But we’re open to what the batting model would look like moving forward should there be any moving parts. Whether Trav opens, whether he goes back to the middle, that will all play out. We’re taking it Test by Test.”One of the themes of this season has been talk, led by McDonald and Pat Cummins, of potentially having flexible batting line-ups with both coach and captain believing set positions are over-rated.If Khawaja was to return it would be at the expense of Josh Inglis who batted at No. 7 at the Gabba where he made an uncertain 23. However, he pulled off a brilliant direct hit run out to remove Ben Stokes on the opening day.Australia’s squad is expected to be confirmed on Wednesday with Cummins set to be added to the 14 who were on duty in Brisbane ahead of a likely return for the captain.

At just 23, the Pakistan women’s captain has turned personal tragedy into resolve, leading her side while elevating her own game

Firdose Moonda30-Sep-2025Fatima Sana’s last conversation with her father was during the 2024 T20 World Cup and it was about cricket.”We had a video call. He watched our match against Sri Lanka and also our game against India and we discussed everything. But then suddenly…” Her voice trails off.Three days after that conversation, her father had a heart attack and passed away in a Karachi hospital. Sana left the T20 World Cup to be at his funeral and grieve with her family, with no intention of returning to the tournament. “But my mother told me that when my father was in hospital, he told the doctors, ‘My daughter is playing for Pakistan’ and that it was his wish for me to go back and play the next match,” Sana says. “I said to her, ‘No mom, I can’t do that’, but she told me, ‘It was your father’s wish, so you have to go.’ My mother supported me at that time, so I think she is braver than me.”With Pakistan already knocked out of the competition, Sana returned to Dubai and led the team in their final match, against New Zealand. She was stoic as she lined up alongside her team-mates for the national anthems but as soon as the first notes of “” started, tears streamed down her face. Her father was a pilot in the country’s air force and a patriot. The pain of losing him was too much to bear.Related

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• Fatima Sana: 'The new approach we have taken makes me hopeful for ICC events'

• Fatima Sana named Pakistan captain for Women's T20 World Cup

But already she had proven her age was no barrier to her willingness to take on responsibility, and her returning to the field underlined the commitment she made when she had agreed to lead Pakistan, just weeks before.Sana was named Pakistan’s captain in August 2024 (she had captained in two ODIs before), a little over a month before the T20 World Cup. She replaced the vastly experienced Nida Dar, who was removed following Pakistan’s loss to Sri Lanka in the semi-final of the Asia Cup and has since taken an indefinite break from cricket. “I was very shocked when our coach told me,” Sana says. “I just went back home, and discussed it with my family and they all told me they thought I could do it. I didn’t have time to talk about it to anyone else. But I was a little bit nervous at that time, because it was so sudden.”Having accepted the role, she wanted to step up and do it as well as she could, and might have bitten off more than she could chew. “The coaches told me that I have to manage my workload,” she says.In her seven matches since being appointed captain, Sana has taken a four-for and consecutive three-wicket hauls•Getty ImagesHer numbers reflect how seriously she took the role. Before the recent series against South Africa, where she went wicketless, Sana captained Pakistan in seven ODIs, took 14 wickets at an average of 17.71 significantly better than her 63 wickets overall at 29.74. She has also led in nine T20Is, where she has ten wickets at 20.20 (also an improvement on her overall average of 25.40, though her economy rate is fractionally worse as captain). She’s currently the second most prolific fast bowler for Pakistan, just seven short of Asmavia Iqbal at the top, a gap she could close during the upcoming World Cup.But it’s the batting stats that really stand out. Two of her three ODI fifties have come after she was appointed captain, and almost half her T20I career runs, at a strike rate of 146.37, compared to an overall strike rate of 118.46.Her improved performances have brought calls for her to put herself permanently at No. 5 to stabilise the middle order, and she’s hoping she can soon make the role her own. “I am still working on my batting a lot,” she says. “When I started playing in the Pakistan team, I was at No. 8, then I moved up to seventh, then sixth and then fifth, so hopefully I will be able to bat higher.”If she’s looking for a role model, she need go no further than a woman she looks up to already: Sana Mir, who, though she was moved up and down the order, started and ended her career at No. 5. Mir has been a sounding board for Sana since the earliest days of her career.