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He was an almost one-of-a-kind bowler, who heightened the effect of raw pace to a degree rarely seen at the highest level of the game

Karthik Krishnaswamy05-Aug-2020Come to Think of it, we bring new perspectives to bear on received cricket wisdom. This week: was Shoaib Akhtar undervalued?There’s a fairly widely held strand of public opinion that would view Shoaib Akhtar as a wasted talent. It isn’t just armchair fans who might think this – just look at his ESPNcricinfo profile.”But that he will end his career an ‘if only’ or a ‘coulda been’ is the great tragedy,” it says, fairly high up. “He had it all and he blew it.” It ends with these lines: “So much so that what he did on the field had long ago ceased to matter and has been eclipsed by his scrapes off the field. For any sportsman, that is a damning indictment.”There are reasons to feel this way, of course, and the profile lists them succinctly: “doubts about his action, ball-tampering offences, beating up his own team-mates, courtroom battles against his board, long bans and heavier fines, serious career-threatening injuries and most damagingly, doping charges.”None of this is untrue, and that list doesn’t even include the time Akhtar’s board sent out a press release explaining his absence from a squad, and, rather than reach for one of a thousand bland corporate euphemisms, spelled out the exact nature and location of the skin condition that was keeping him out.Akhtar’s post-retirement public persona has done little to burnish his legacy. At the time of writing, he’s in the news for claiming that he turned down a lucrative county contract with Nottinghamshire so that he could fight in the Kargil War. He… what? Yeah.But hard as it seems, it’s actually possible to disentangle all that from the thing that really matters, and properly appreciate Akhtar for the magnificent cricketer he was.There was the pace, of course, and it was a strange and magical coincidence that he came along at the exact historical moment when bowling speeds were first being measured and displayed on live TV as a matter of course. You didn’t just know he was quick; you knew he was quicker than anyone else, probably ever.It was also Akhtar’s fate that another purveyor of extreme pace, Brett Lee, came along at pretty much the same time. For the first two or three years of this millennium, the two of them pushed themselves, each other, and the limits of the human body to bowl faster and faster still.The pace race was thrilling to witness, but in a WWE sort of way, bordering on silliness and fetishising pace for pace’s sake. Watch the five balls that this video packages in ascending order of speed. Are they, as claimed, the five fastest deliveries in cricket history? Who knows. Do they make the batsmen cower in fear? Not particularly, and the quickest of them, bowled by Akhtar to Nick Knight during the 2003 World Cup, clocking 161.3kph, is nudged routinely to midwicket.In the race to be the fastest bowler, one of these two purveyors of pace lost out•Hamish Blair/Getty ImagesPace is pace, , but it’s how you use it that counts. The pace race had an inevitable intertwining effect on the careers of Akhtar and Lee, but in doing so, it did one of them a considerable disservice. One was fast and hard-working and a fine first change behind Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie. The other was fast and scary, utterly impossible to take your eyes off, and utterly unplayable on his day.Akhtar was the superior bowler, unarguably, but even a surface reading of their Test numbers would tell you as much. The point isn’t that Akhtar was better than Lee. It’s that he was an almost one-of-a-kind bowler who heightened the effect of raw pace to a degree rarely seen at the highest level of the game.There was, of course, the effect on the spectators, achieved via that run-up, that exaggerated sideways leap and javelin-thrower wind-up, the theatrics between deliveries – occasionally during his run-up – and even that hair. But all that would have come to nothing without his effect on batsmen.When Akhtar was fully switched on, in rhythm, and at his physical peak, the pace was almost all he needed to have that effect. Pace aimed with thrilling directness at the base of the stumps. It sounds simple, but there’s a reason why only a tiny fraction of other bowlers have ever really pulled it off – or even attempted it – on a regular basis. Bowling yorkers at high pace takes a lot out of your body, and there isn’t a whole lot of margin for error. Get it wrong and it’s a lot of energy expended, and probably a lot of runs conceded, with little left in the tank for the rest of the day’s exertions.ALSO READ: The sound of Shoaib (2015) Akhtar’s genius lay in being able to beat the very best batsmen with that direct, route-one method. I mean, come on. Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar in the space of two balls? Ricky Ponting, both Waughs and Adam Gilchrist in the space of 11?In between, there were six wickets in Lahore, which sent New Zealand crashing to 73 all out on a pitch where Pakistan had made 643. Only once has a bigger first-innings lead been secured by a team bowling second, and that happened in a timeless Test.Watch those wickets again: bowled, bowled, bowled, bowled, lbw, bowled; four pinpoint yorkers, the other two balls also full enough to just about fall under that classification, all of them beating the batsman for pace, with little or no reverse in play – New Zealand’s innings only lasted 30.2 overs. This was the definition of taking the conditions out of the equation, and few did it as well as Akhtar.There might even be a way to measure this.When Akhtar took wickets, he took them quickly, as have the other four names on the table below. Vernon Philander and Dale Steyn have run through numerous teams, the latter in all conditions; Stuart Broad routinely goes on inspired bursts of wicket-taking; and Andy Caddick was a memorable blow-hot, blow-cold performer.

Four Lads Had A Dream have named their “biggest fear” at Rangers after another disappointing result in Europe this week.

Rangers fans want Thelwell and Stewart out

Gers supporters will have been hoping for a new manager bounce from Danny Rohl on Thursday, but instead, another woeful performance saw their team lose 3-0 away to Brann in the Europa League.

The pressure is building on sporting director Kevin Thelwell and CEO Patrick Stewart coming under fire, with Heart & Hand Podcast’s David Edgar calling for them to be relieved of their duties.

It is a sorry situation at Rangers, with Rohl coming in with so much to deal with, and Ally McCoist calling this his nadir as a fan on Friday.

“Last night is probably as depressed as I have been during this whole debacle, because I actually feel for the manager.I don’t know what he is going to do. He might improve them in terms of a little bit of organisation – set plays, you can do all that, bits and pieces, but I do not think there is anywhere near the level of improvement in that team that will even be required to get them up the league domestically, to tell you the gospel truth.”

"Biggest fear" at Rangers revealed

Writing on X, Four Lads Had A Dream claimed that Andrew Cavenagh is also a huge issue alongside Thelwell and Stewart at Rangers, due to him being blinded by the current problems surrounding them.

“We are in a really bad position, every game is a lottery & sadly not in our favour. Ally summed it up, we look like a team of young kids. He was also spot on when he said recruitment was horrendous. I fear more ‘nights/afternoons’ like tonight, which was painfully embarrassing.

“The spotlight continues to shine on the running of the club, those that have overseen this position and those heading up recruitment on and off the pitch taking us here. Yes Patrick and Kevin that means you. The biggest fear, Andrew Cavanagh is so entrenched he doesn’t see it either. “That’s wider than tonight. But tonight is in indication of exactly where they have taken us.”

Each Rangers fan will have their own person in mind when it comes to who is most to blame for the ongoing woes at Ibrox, but Cavenagh is clearly doing an unsatisfactory job as chairman.

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Some would like to see him depart, as well as Thelwell and Stewart, allowing the Gers to start from fresh, and it is hard to argue his corner right now.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Campeonato Brasileiro, no formato mais próximo do que conhecemos hoje era ainda uma criança. Estava na sua quinta edição. E o Internacional já tinha um terceiro e dois quarto lugares na competição. Com Rubens Minelli na casamata e um time com Manga no gol, Elias Figueroa na zaga, Falcão e Carpegiani no meio, e Valdomiro, Flávio Bicudo e Lula na frente, o Colorado cruzou definitivamente o rio Mampituba naquele 14 de dezembro de 1975. A história dos 50 anos do primeiro título brasileiro do Alvirrubro começou, porém, antes. O Lance! lembra como foi aquele título. 

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasInternacionalExclusivo: os oito dias que salvaram o Internacional da Série BInternacional13/12/2025InternacionalInternacional aguarda por resposta de TiteInternacional12/12/2025InternacionalGigante argentino está de olho em lateral do InternacionalInternacional12/12/2025

➡️Tudo sobre o Colorado agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Internacional

Antes da história alvirrubra na competição, que começou em 20 de agosto, vale uma explicação da fórmula. É jovens, eram anos de formulismo, nada de pontos corridos. Assim, vamos a ela:

1ª fase: dois grupos de dez times e dois de 11. Turno único com enfrentamentos cruzados entre as chaves (A x B e C x D). Os cinco primeiros passavam;2ª fase: dois grupos de dez, turno único com jogos dentro da chave, seis primeiros passavam;3ª fase: dois grupos de oito, turno único com duelos dentro da chave, o dois primeiros de cada vão a semifinal;Semifinal: jogo único na casa do time de melhor campanha;Final: jogo único na casa do time de melhor campanha.

Vocês pensam que terminou, não. Naquele ano, a então CBD – antecessora da CBF – decidiu inovar. Vitórias com mais de um gol de diferença valiam três pontos. Vitórias por apenas um gol de diferença, dois. Empate, um.

continua após a publicidadeBom, vamos à campanha colorada

O título colorado teve uma caminhada de 30 partidas juntando todas as fases. Foram 19 vitórias, oito empates e somente três vitórias. O time de Minelli marcou 51 gols e sofreu 12. O centroavante Flávio Minuano foi o goleador da competição, com 16 bolas na rede.

Primeira fase

O Inter teve 11 jogos, com oito vitórias, dois empates e uma derroga, somando 23 pontos, com 24 gols a favor e cinco contra.

Os resultadosInter 3×1 FigueirenseVitória 0x5 InterGoiânia 0x1 InterPortuguesa 0x2 InterInter 1×1 GrêmioInter 1×0 Santa CruzInter 1×0 SantosInter 5×0 SergipeAmérica-RN 1×1 InterCampinense 0x3 InterFlamengo 2×1 InterSegunda fase

O Alvirrubro somou 19 pontos em dez jogos, com cinco vitórias, quatro empates e uma derrota. Foram 15 gols para os vermelhos, que tomaram quatro.

continua após a publicidadeOs resultadosAtlético-MG 0x2 InterInter 2×0 TiradentesInter 1×1 CruzeiroInter 4×0 RemoInter 3×1 FluminenseInter 1×1 CorinthiansAmérica-RJ 1×0 InterCoritiba 0x0 InterInter 2×0 GuaraniPalmeiras 0x0 InterTerceira fase

Falcão e cia chegaram a 12 pontos em sete jogos, com quatro vitórias, dois empates e uma derrota. Nove gols a favor e três contra.

Os resultadosSanta Cruz 1×0 InterInter 3×1 Sport RecifeSão Paulo 0x0 InterInter 1×0 GrêmioNáutico 0x1 InterInter 1×1 FlamengoInter 3×0 PortuguesaSemifinal – Superando a Máquina Tricolor

O desafio da semifinal era gigante. O Inter enfrentava a Máquina Tricolor. Naquele ano, o Fluminense comandado pelo técnico Didi, meio-campista bicampeão do mundo, 1958 e 1962, tinha estrelas com Rivellino, Paulo César Caju e Félix, todos presentes no tri do Brasil em 1970.

O Inter, porém, foi superior. Enquanto o volante Caçapava anulava Rivellino, o ponta-esquerda Lula e o meia Carpegiani faziam os gols que deram a vitória ao time gaúcho.

✅ FICHA TÉCNICA

FLUMINENSE 0 X 1 INTERNACIONAL
SEMIFINAL – CAMPEONATO BRASILEIRO 1975
🗓️ Data: 7 de dezembro de 1975
📍 Local: estádio Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro (RJ)
🥅 Gols: Lula (33’/1°T) e Carpegiani (30’/2°T)
🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Público: 97.908.
⚽ ESCALAÇÕES
FLUMINENSE (Técnico: Didi)
Félix; Toninho, Silveira, Edinho e Marco Antônio; Zé Mário (Carlos Alberto Torres), Paulo César Caju e Rivelino; Gil, Manfrini e Zé Roberto (Cléber).
INTERNACAIONAL (Técnico: Rubens Minelli)
Manga; Valdir, Hermínio, Figueroa e Chico Fraga; Caçapava, Carpegiani e Falcão; Valdomiro (Jair), Lula e Flávio.

Final – O título do gol iluminado

Então, chegamos a este domingo, há 50 anos na verdade. O histórico, para os colorados, 14 de dezembro de 1975. O Cruzeiro, que havia passado pelo Santa Cruz-PE na semifinal, era um adversário temido. Ainda era o famoso Trem Azul, a música de Lô Borges. Tinha craques da estirpe de Raul, Nelinho, Piazza, Palhinha e Joãozinho.

O jogo foi truncado, com poucas chances para os dois times e um duelo particular entre o goleiro Manga e o lateral e exímio cobrador de faltas Nelinho. O Inter chegou ao gol da vitória aos 11 minutos da etapa final, com gol de cabeça de Elias Figueroa após cobrança de falta de Valdomiro. O famoso Gol Iluminado.

✅ FICHA TÉCNICA
INTERNACIONAL 1 X 0 CRUZEIRO
FINAL – CAMPEONATO BRASILEIRO 1975
🗓️ Data: 14 de dezembro de 1975
📍 Local: estádio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre (RS)
🥅 Gols: Figueroa (11’/2°T)
🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Público: 82.568.
⚽ ESCALAÇÕES
INTERNACAIONAL (Técnico: Rubens Minelli)
Manga; Valdir, Figueroa, Hermínio, Chico Fraga; Caçapava, Falcão, Carpegiani; Valdomiro (Jair), Flávio e Lula.
CRUZEIRO (Técnico: Zezé Moreira) Raul; Nelinho, Darci Menezes, Morais, Isidoro; Piazza, Zé Carlos, Eduardo; Roberto Batata, Palhinha e Joãozinho.

Tudo sobre

BrasileirãoFutebol NacionalInternacionalLancepedia

Over the last couple of years, Tottenham Hotspur have splashed the cash in the attacking department to try and soften the blow of Harry Kane’s departure in 2023.

The Lilywhites spent £55m on the services of Mohammed Kudus this summer, with the Ghanaian occupying a starting role under Thomas Frank off the right-hand side of the frontline.

He’s already made an immediate impact in North London, as seen by his tally of one goal and four assists in the Premier League – with the latter the joint-highest of any player in the division.

However, club-record signing Dominic Solanke has struggled for fitness this campaign, with the £65m addition currently being restricted to just 31 minutes of league action due to an ongoing ankle issue.

Despite the struggles of the Englishman, one first-team member who’s been injury-free has often struggled to meet the high expectations he’s set for himself at the club.

How Johnson compares to Premier League wingers in 2025/26

Last season was arguably the best of Brennan Johnson’s professional career, with the winger ending the campaign on a total of 18 goals across all competitions.

Such a tally was the highest in the first-team squad, which undoubtedly helped catapult the Lilywhites to Europa League glory under Ange Postecoglou’s guidance.

However, many expected the Welshman to kick on after scoring the winner in the final, but Kudus and Frank’s arrival has seen a huge decline in his numbers during the first few months of 2025/26.

The 24-year-old has only registered a total of 0.9 shots per 90 in the league this season, with such a tally ranking him in the 12% percentile – meaning 88% of wingers have managed more in the Premier League.

He’s also created just 0.7 chances per 90 to date, placing him in the 18th percentile, which has restricted him to registering zero assists for his teammates at present.

Johnson has massively struggled to get past the opposition, with his tally of 0.5 dribbles completed per 90 showcasing his lack of impact – subsequently placing him in the 23rd percentile compared to other wingers.

As a result of his dismal form in North London, the club have been constantly on the lookout for other talents, which has resulted in one player appearing on their radar.

Frank's answer to Semenyo

In recent weeks, Spurs have been just one side touted with a potential winter move for Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo after his incredible start to the current campaign.

The Ghanaian has been Andoni Iraola’s shining light to date, as reflected in his remarkable tally of six goals and three assists in just his first 11 matches of 2025/26.

Such form has captured the attention of numerous Premier League outfits, with Arsenal, Liverpool and the Lilywhites just three clubs on red alert for his signature.

It was reported this week that the 25-year-old has a £65m release clause that becomes active from January 1st, which could see one of the aforementioned sides grab themselves a bargain.

However, with competition being fierce for his services, it’s unclear how much of a chance Frank’s men will have in completing a deal for one of the country’s hottest prospects.

Should the Lilywhites miss out on a deal, the fans shouldn’t worry, with the club already having their answer to Semenyo in the form of winger Wilson Odobert, a player described as “a mixture of [Bradley] Barcola and Aaron Lennon” by one Sky Sports analyst.

The Frenchman joined the club in a £25m deal from Burnley last summer, but has had to bide his time in North London, often resorting to minutes off the substitutes bench.

However, in recent weeks, he’s made a major impact on Frank’s side, registering an assist against Manchester United and subsequently securing a point in the 2-2 draw.

Despite his lack of action, Odobert has been labelled a “super talent” by former boss Postecoglou, with Frank needing to hand him a more consistent starting role.

When comparing his stats to those of Semenyo, the 20-year-old has managed to outperform the in-form star in numerous key areas – subsequently showcasing the talent he possesses.

Odobert has managed to achieve an average of 4.5 progressive carries and 4.3 progressive passes per 90 – with both of the aforementioned tallies higher than the Cherries star.

How Odobert & Semenyo compare in the PL (2025/26)

Statistics (per 90)

Odobert

Semenyo

Games played

10

11

Goals & assists

1

9

Progressive carries

4.5

3.1

Progressive passes

4.3

3.5

Pass accuracy

84%

69%

Key passes made

1.4

0.9

Passes into final third

26

1.1

Take-ons completed

54%

42%

Carries into final third

1.9

1.8

Stats via FBref

He’s also completed more of the passes he’s attempted, with more of his efforts being key passes per 90 – subsequently offering a more creative threat in attacking areas.

The Frenchman’s dominance is further reflected in his higher take-on success rate, with Frank desperately needing to place more faith in the youngster.

£65m for Semenyo would still be an excellent deal in the current climate, but ultimately, the Lilywhites should look to avoid a move for the winger in the near future.

Such a transfer would only halt Odobert’s progress in North London, with the youngster still having bags of potential to fulfil during his period under Frank’s guidance.

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Aston Villa are now lining up a January move for a “sensational” £50m striker, with Unai Emery looking to bring in a long-term replacement for Ollie Watkins.

Villa eyeing new striker amid Watkins' slow start

Watkins isn’t having the season he would’ve wanted ahead of the World Cup next summer, having scored just one goal in the Premier League thus far, and Donyell Malen has been doing a lot of the heavy lifting for Villa going forward as of late.

Indeed, Malen is in a rich vein of form at the moment, having scored a brace to secure a 2-1 victory against Young Boys in the Europa League, following on from an impressive cameo against Leeds United, assisting Morgan Rogers’ equalising goal.

However, given that Malen isn’t an out-and-out striker, Emery wants to bring in a more traditional centre-forward in the January transfer window, with one of the Premier League’s breakout stars recently being identified as a target.

That is according to a report from The Mirror, which states Aston Villa are now lining up a January move for Brentford striker Igor Thiago, although it could be a costly operation, with a £50m fee being touted.

Emery is a big fan of the striker, having been keen to bring in a new forward since last summer, while Villa may also need to refresh their forward line due to concerns over Watkins’ form.

Thiago could be "sensational" Watkins heir

It is perhaps a little early to lose faith in the England international, as he is still only 29, but it is important to plan for the future, and the Brentford star has emerged as one of the most prolific strikers in the Premier League this season, scoring 11 goals in 13 outings.

Most recently, the Brazilian bagged a brace to ensure his side overcame Burnley in a 3-1 victory, and he is now behind only Manchester City star Erling Haaland in the Premier League’s goalscoring charts.

Brentford manager Keith Andrews has been left impressed by the 24-year-old’s performances too, saying: “He has been pretty good, hasn’t he? He is growing in stature and confidence and he has been pretty sensational this season,”

Thiago is at the right age to be a long-term success at Villa Park, and having proven himself in the Premier League, Aston Villa should undoubtedly launch a January move.

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Dominic Lund

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Emery has never really managed to replace Jhon Duran since the striker signed for Al-Nassr back in January, and with the Villans looking to compete in both the Premier League and Europe, it would certainly be beneficial to bring in another striker this winter.

Manchester United reportedly rejected the chance to sign Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia as part of a proposed swap deal for Alejandro Garnacho during the summer. Despite actively searching for midfield reinforcements, concerns over the Belgian's injury record led the Red Devils to refuse the swap and push ahead with a standalone £40 million sale of the Argentine winger instead.

GettyMan Utd rejected Lavia swap for Garnacho

Manchester United allowed Garnacho to join Chelsea in August after the winger fell out of favour under Ruben Amorim, agreeing a deal worth £40m. However, according to ESPN, Chelsea initially tried to negotiate a player-plus-cash offer involving Romeo Lavia as part of the transfer. The Blues were prepared to reduce the fee if the Red Devils accepted the 21-year-old midfielder in return.

United assessed the offer but ultimately turned it down due to concerns surrounding Lavia's prolonged battle with fitness issues. The Liverpool-target-turned-Chelsea-signing has endured repeated setbacks since arriving at Stamford Bridge, meaning United felt he would not provide the reliable midfield upgrade needed. Instead, they pushed through a straight-cash deal, ensuring they secured a guaranteed return on Garnacho.

The Argentine winger struggled to make an immediate mark at Chelsea despite featuring regularly early in the campaign; however, he has picked up form recently. Meanwhile, Lavia has struggled again with injury and has been limited to minimal minutes since the swap-deal proposal was dismissed. For United, the decision highlighted a preference for avoiding long-term medical risks despite their well-documented midfield weaknesses.

AdvertisementAFPMan Utd's immediate need for a defensive midfielder

United's refusal to move for Lavia stemmed largely from the club's growing frustration with persistent midfield instability. Senior figures inside Old Trafford recognise the need for a dedicated defensive midfielder who can provide structure, control and reliable availability. Casemiro's age and physical decline have increased the urgency to identify a long-term successor capable of anchoring Amorim's system at a high level.

Without such a figure, United have been forced into makeshift solutions that compromise tactical balance. Bruno Fernandes has dropped deeper to partner Casemiro, reducing his creative influence in attacking zones where he has historically been most impactful. Attempts to integrate younger options have delivered inconsistency, as players continue to adapt to new roles and responsibilities.

In that context, Lavia's profile, a deeper, possession-based midfielder with Premier League experience, naturally held appeal. However, the defining concern for United was his track record of lengthy injury absences, which threatened to leave them no better prepared for the future than before. They require a near-ever-present starter in a demanding role, rather than another medium-term gamble.

Lavia's horrific injury record at Chelsea

Lavia's Chelsea tenure has been dominated by physical setbacks since his £58m ($76m) move from Southampton in 2023. After arriving with huge expectations, he missed large stretches of the season due to a hamstring problem suffered in training, delaying his debut for months. When he did finally make his first appearance, a severe ankle issue soon followed – ending his campaign almost instantly.

Those issues carried into the 2024/25 season, undermining attempts to establish rhythm or earn a consistent place in the squad. Lavia has never completed a full 90-minute match for Chelsea, and his total competitive playing time remains extraordinarily low for a player of his profile and price tag. This season, he was ruled out again after sustaining a quadriceps injury in the Champions League against Qarabag.

His talent, however, remains clear: press-resistant, intelligent, and proactive in defensive duels, with an impressive passing range for a player his age. Chelsea still believe he can grow into a midfield cornerstone once his body stabilises. For now, though, his availability continues to be a major concern.

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Getty Images SportMan Utd continue targeting potential options

Manchester United continue to prioritise the recruitment of a specialist holding midfielder who fits both their tactical plan and durability criteria. Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton and Brighton's Carlos Baleba mentioned as potential signings for the summer of 2026.

Chelsea, meanwhile, will hope Lavia's recovery progresses cleanly so that he can contribute meaningfully in the latter stages of the season. The Belgian remains under a long-term contract and still represents a significant part of their project, provided he can stay fit.

Tottenham striker Randal Kolo Muani has suffered a fractured jaw following a clash with Manchester United defender Harry Maguire during Saturday’s 2-2 Premier League draw. The French forward, who was substituted at half-time, has been ruled out of France’s World Cup qualifiers and replaced by Florian Thauvin in the squad after scans confirmed the injury was 'more serious than expected'.

Kolo Muani in the wars

Tottenham’s 2-2 draw with Manchester United has come at a heavy cost, with Kolo Muani sustaining a fractured jaw in an off-the-ball first-half collision involving Maguire. The 26-year-old France international started his third consecutive Premier League match under Thomas Frank but appeared to struggle after a robust aerial challenge midway through the opening period. Despite attempting to continue, Kolo Muani was visibly uncomfortable and was substituted at half-time for Wilson Odobert.

Initial post-match assessments from Tottenham suggested the injury was minor, with Frank downplaying concerns by describing it as "nothing big." However, further examinations conducted on Sunday revealed the true extent of the damage, confirming a fracture that will require an extended spell on the sidelines. The news is a major setback for both club and country, as Kolo Muani was due to join the France squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Azerbaijan.

His withdrawal marks another blow in what has been a stop-start season for the forward, who only recently returned to fitness following an earlier thigh injury. The incident compounds Spurs’ growing injury list as they struggle to build consistency in attack.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportKolo Muani set to miss more time with Tottenham

For Tottenham, the loss of Kolo Muani represents a significant disruption to their attacking balance at a crucial point in the season. Signed on loan from Paris Saint-Germain in September, the French striker had been gradually building match fitness and integrating into Frank’s system after earlier fitness issues. His versatility and link-up play had made him a valuable asset, particularly with the club still searching for a reliable focal point following Harry Kane’s departure.

Kolo Muani’s absence will test the squad’s depth, with Richarlison and Mathys Tel now expected to share central duties in the coming weeks. Odobert, who bagged an assist in the game, is another option but lacks experience at the highest level. Tottenham’s forward line has already faced scrutiny for its inconsistency this campaign, and losing a player of Kolo Muani’s calibre and experience is an untimely setback as they chase a European qualification spot.

At the international level, Didier Deschamps’ France side also faces another selection headache. Kolo Muani’s injury means one of their most experienced forwards — with 31 caps and nine international goals — will miss the upcoming fixtures. The French Football Federation has confirmed Thauvin as his replacement, further highlighting how Deschamps’ attacking depth has been tested by recent injuries to Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, and Marcus Thuram.

Kolo Muani's worrying injury record

Kolo Muani’s latest setback continues a worrying pattern of fitness interruptions that have blighted his season since arriving in north London. The 26-year-old joined Tottenham on a season-long loan from PSG after a successful spell at Juventus, where he scored 10 goals and added three assists in 22 appearances. His arrival was seen as a low-risk, high-reward deal, with Spurs paying a €5 million loan fee and no permanent purchase clause included.

However, his adaptation to the Premier League has been slow. Kolo Muani has made eight appearances in all competitions without scoring in the league, along with contributing just one assist in the Champions League against Copenhagen. His lack of rhythm, compounded by a thigh problem in September, meant it took time to reach full fitness — only for this jaw injury to halt his progress once again.

For a player already battling to prove his long-term value to both Tottenham and PSG, the timing could hardly be worse, as it could also affect his standing in the French national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

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Getty ImagesTottenham still optimistic about Kolo Muani's future

Kolo Muani is set for several weeks on the sidelines as he recovers from his fractured jaw, ruling him out of France’s November internationals and Tottenham's clashes after the international break. Spurs' medical team will monitor his recovery closely, but early estimates suggest he may not return to action until late November or early December.

The club remain optimistic that Kolo Muani’s injury will not derail their long-term plans to negotiate a permanent transfer next summer. For now, the Frenchman’s focus will be on rehabilitation duty and returning to full strength.

The new law will be integrated into the playing conditions this month and into the MCC’s Laws in October 2026

Nagraj Gollapudi13-Jun-2025The spectacular boundary catches taken by Michael Neser and Tom Banton – with an assist from Matt Renshaw – in the Big Bash League (BBL) will not be legal under the updated law regarding boundary catches that is set to become operational later this month.As per the updated law, which will be integrated into the ICC’s playing conditions this month and then into the MCC’s laws in October 2026, a fielder who is airborne can only touch the ball once beyond the boundary and will need to come back inside the field for the catch to be called fair. The “bunny hop” that Neser pulled off – palming the ball up as a second contact while airborne outside the boundary but also landing outside – will no longer be legal.During BBL 2023, Neser, playing for Brisbane Heat, was chasing a lofted drive at wide long-off from Sydney Sixers’ Jordan Silk. Neser caught the ball with both hands but his momentum took him over the rope. Neser, attuned to the Boundary Law, tossed the ball up initially while airborne, landed outside the boundary, jumped again, and palmed the ball back into the field with both feet in the air before hopping back into the playing field to finish the catch. Silk was ruled out, and he walked back shaking his head.Neser said he was inspired by fellow Heat player Renshaw’s effort to catch Hobart Hurricanes’ Matthew Wade during BBL 2020 at the Gabba. Responding to a powerful lofted stroke from Wade, Renshaw ran to his left towards wide long-on and caught the ball a yard inside the boundary line. He then lost his balance and skipped over the rope but before that he lobbed that ball up. Realising the ball would land outside the boundary line, he skipped again to spike the ball back into play for Banton to complete the catch, while he himself landed outside the boundary line.ESPNcricinfo LtdThe fairness of both catches was debated widely and there were strong calls on both occasions to tweak the existing law, which was last updated in 2010. As per Law 19.5.2, the fielder’s last contact with the ground before they first touch the ball must be within the boundary (this part of the law will remain in the new iteration). As things currently stand, the fielder cannot touch the ball and the ground outside the boundary at the same time. If the fielder meets those criteria and completes the catch, the catch is legal.Earlier this year, however, the ICC cricket committee asked the MCC, the custodians of the laws, to review the law in question and the two bodies have worked together on the new version. An MCC note, which was sent to member boards by the ICC, said that while the existing rule had “led to some spectacular” fielding, it had also created room for “some unusual-looking catches that, to the majority of the cricketing public, feel unfair”.Describing the Neser catch, the MCC said, the Heat fielder “bunny hopped” before completing the catch “inside” the boundary. While it fulfilled the law, the note said it “felt like the fielder had – quite literally – gone too far”.Matt Renshaw provided a spectacular assist to Tom Banton to dismiss Matthew Wade during BBL 2020•Getty ImagesWhile there have been suggestions, including from players such as Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, to dial back to the law to what it was before 2010, the MCC said doing that was “probably too draconian”. Before 2010, if a fielder stepped outside the boundary after their first contact with the ball, they needed to have touched the ground inside the boundary again before making any subsequent contact. According to the MCC, that would “rule out some spectacular fielding that feels like it is now fully part of the game. Examples include catches from Harleen Deol (vs England in 2021) and Alex Hales (in BBL 2020), where the fielders don’t reground themselves inside the boundary before taking the catch, but land inside the boundary to complete it.”By way of a “solution”, the MCC has said that if a fielder goes outside the boundary and jumps up to make a subsequent contact with the ball, they must land within the field of play; otherwise a boundary will be scored. “Multiple touches” outside the boundary will no longer be allowed, as was the case when Neser caught Silk, the MCC note said.Related

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“MCC has devised a new wording where the ‘bunny hop’ wholly beyond the boundary is removed, but these catches where the fielder pushes the ball up from inside the boundary, steps outside and then dives back in to catch the ball, are permitted.”Our solution has been to limit any fielder who has gone outside the boundary to touching the ball while airborne only once, and then, having done so, to be wholly grounded within the boundary for the rest of the duration of that delivery.”The same would apply in the case of relay catches. The fielder who has touched the ball outside the boundary would need to jump back inside the field, even if the catch is completed by a team-mate. “Even if the ball is parried – to another fielder or inside the field of play – if the fielder lands outside the boundary, or subsequently steps outside, then a boundary will be scored. For clarity, that means the fielder gets one chance, and one chance only, to touch the ball having jumped from outside the boundary. After that point, the boundary becomes a hard line – and any time they touch the ground in that delivery, whatever else happens, they must be inside.”While the ICC playing conditions will be updated as early as the new WTC cycle, which starts with Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh on June 17 in Galle, the law itself will take effect from October 2026, when the next round of changes will come into play.