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The game was supposed to be on April 6, but Kolkata Police asked for a change because of a clash with a festival in the city

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Mar-2025Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will host Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at Eden Gardens on April 8, instead of on April 6 as originally scheduled. The game remains an afternoon game, moving from 3.30pm IST on Sunday to Tuesday. The change was made after a request from Kolkata Police, who said their personnel, who would be needed to police the game, would be occupied elsewhere in the city because of a festival.The IPL said in a statement. “The decision follows a request from Kolkata Police to the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) regarding the deployment of personnel across the city [on April 6] owing to festivities. The authorities have recommended that the game be moved to Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 3.30pm, and the request has been accommodated accordingly. The rest of the schedule remains unchanged.””I had several rounds of talks with the Kolkata police, and they said they won’t be able to provide enough security on that day [April 6],” Snehasish Ganguly, the CAB president, told earlier this month. “If there’s no police protection, accommodating and managing a 65,000-strong crowd becomes impossible.”LSG host Mumbai Indians on April 4, and their next game after the KKR match is on April 12, again at home against Gujarat Titans. On either side of the LSG game, KKR play Sunrisers Hyderabad at Eden Gardens on April 3 and Chennai Super Kings on April 11 in Chennai.The IPL and/or BCCI moving a game because police personnel are otherwise occupied is not unprecedented. It happened last season too, in Kolkata, incidentally because of the same festival, Ram Navami.

She cited personal reasons for her unavailability

Danyal Rasool25-Apr-2025Nida Dar, one of Pakistan’s greatest women’s cricketers, is taking an extended break from the game citing personal reasons to protect her mental health. Dar, who has not played since October last year, issued a statement on X, announcing the decision, without specifying how long she would be unavailable for.”I would like to inform that a lot of things have happened in the past with me personally and professionally and this has affected my mental health,” Dar said. “For this reason I am taking a break for a while from cricket to focus on myself.”Pakistan’s next assignment is a T20I series in Ireland in August, with the ODI women’s World Cup starting in September. They secured qualification for the World Cup earlier this month, winning all five games in the qualifiers, which they hosted. Dar was not selected for the event.Related

• Sana's all-round heroics take Pakistan to ODI World Cup

ESPNcricinfo understands the current set-up within the women’s management hierarchy do not consider Dar, 38, a part of their immediate plans. She was unlikely to have been selected for either the tour to Ireland or the World Cup that followed, with the team looking towards the future. The management is also understood to lost faith in her fitness, especially in the ODI format, with ESPNcricinfo learning she did not pass a fitness test earlier this year.Dar’s form has been under scrutiny for much of the past couple of years, particularly with the bat. Long considered one of Pakistan’s best big hitters, her ability to take the bowlers on has waned significantly, as has her consistency of scoring. In her last 24 T20I innings, she has not crossed 30 once, averaging under 17 with her strike rate dropping a touch below 100. Her bowling average and economy rate, meanwhile, has also ticked upwards in both formats since 2023.The decision, which is understood to have been made public without informing the PCB beforehand, is not officially a retirement, even if when she plays next remains unclear. Either way, her legacy as Pakistan women’s greatest allrounder is firmly secure. Having made her debut in 2010, Dar has been a mainstay of the Pakistan team, captaining the side in 24 WT20Is and 13 WODIs.She is the highest wicket-taker in Pakistan women’s T20I history (144), second globally just behind Megan Schutt (151). She is also Pakistan’s second-highest ODI wicket-taker with 108 strikes, behind only Sana Mir. The runs charts also see her close to the top of the table, with her 2091 second only behind Bismah Maroof in WT20Is for women, and fourth in the Pakistan women’s ODI list with 1690.

Zafar Gohar keeps hosts in touch with 4-34, but the missed stumping off his bowling to reprieve Peter Handscomb may yet prove costly

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay17-May-2025Not for the first time, Peter Handscomb returned to haunt his old county as Leicestershire kept their noses in front on an absorbing day two against Middlesex at Lord’s.Handscomb made only two 50s in 21 innings over two seasons for the Seaxes, but added to his century here last season with a defiant 87. It marked his 100th score of 50 or more in first-class cricket. Ian Holland (37) and Ben Green (36) lent support in stands of 93 and 59 respectively to carry the visitors to 274.Former Pakistan international spinner Zafar Gohar kept the hosts in touch with figures of 4-34, but the missed stumping off his bowling which reprieved Handscomb on 54 may yet prove costly.Middlesex openers Sam Robson and Max Holden survived a nervy four over before the close, reducing their arrears by 10 runs in the process.Leicestershire were initially bogged down as the new ball regularly whistled past both edges of the bat. Sol Budinger opted to counter-attack, depositing one from Dane Paterson over mid-on for six, but the former South African international reaped rapid vengeance, bowling him with a beauty which clipped off-stump.Toby Roland-Jones came on as the day’s first change and struck with his second delivery, a lack of footwork from Rehan Ahmed, coupled by a tentative poke at the ball resulting in an inside edge onto the stumps.With the hosts now on top, debutant Naavya Sharma should have enjoyed a dream start, finding the edge of Lewis Hill’s bat in his opening over in first-class cricket, only for the usually safe hands of Sam Robson to grass the chance at first slip. Hill though didn’t make the most of the reprieve, Roland-Jones bowling him off the inside edge soon afterwards.Handscomb though found an ally in Holland as the early afternoon developed into a game of patience, stoic defence resisting frugal bowling by the hosts. Thirteen runs were squeezed out in 11 overs before a lovely cover drive by Handscombe raised the 50-stand and Holland mimicked his captain’s shot as the scoreboard began to tick over.Another boundary took Handscomb to his landmark half-century, but he should have gone on 54, wicketkeeper Jack Davies missing a stumping chance after he gave Gohar the charge. A huge lbw shout to the next delivery also went unheeded, after which Handscombe re-entrenched.His stand with the obdurate Holland reached 93 before the all-rounder was bamboozled by one from Gohar which beat his defences and dislodged the off-bail.
It was part of a lovely spell by the left-arm spinner either side of tea in which he also snared Ben Cox and Logan Van Beek, both leg before.At 197 for 7, Middlesex were even scenting a narrow first-innings lead, but new batter Green opened his shoulders, clubbing Hollman over the short boundary.
The new ball was dispatched with similar distain, a straight drive back past Roland Jones, one of the shots of the day.Handscomb appeared to be inching towards his century, but was undone on Australia’s unlucky number 87, lofting the first ball of Gohar’s new spell to the hands of mid-on.Green’s enterprising innings ended when he was pinned in front by Higgins, before Sharma returned to scatter Tom Scriven’s stumps and claim the maiden first-class wicket he should have had earlier in the day.

Alba or Marcelo? Busquets or Casemiro? And is there any place for Bale? Find out who makes the Clasico's best combined starting line-up

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  Marc Andre ter Stegen

  There is little argument possible on the Clasico's best shot-stopper. Ter Stegen has undergone an astonishing transformation over the last 12 months, stepping out of Claudio Bravo's shadow to become one of the most proficient goalkeepers in world football. If the German continues in the same vein Manuel Neuer may have a fight on his hands to keep the No. 1 jersey for the World Cup.

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  Dani Carvajal

  While Barcelona have struggled to find Dani Alves' replacement at right-back, there is no doubt over who controls that flank at the Bernabeu. Carvajal is now one of the first names on the Madrid team-sheet, and his absence has been sorely felt whenever he has been unable to play.

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  Gerard Pique

  A player that only seems to get better with age. Pique may still make the headlines for his flamboyant off-pitch behaviour, but on it he is a consummate professional and the inspiration behind a Barcelona defence that has yielded just seven goals in 16 Liga outings this season. He makes the XI comfortably ahead of Raphael Varane, who is struggling to build on early promise at the Bernabeu.

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  Sergio Ramos

  One of the toughest choices to make in this combined line-up. Samuel Umtiti has taken to life at Barca like a duck to water, forming a formidable partnership with Pique. But it is instead the centre-back's Spain partner who makes the cut, a recognition of his standing as Madrid captain and ability both in defence and as a set-piece weapon.

As we near ever closer to the finals in Russia, Goal takes a look at the oldest players to have represented their countries at the tournament

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  17Mario Yepes – Colombia – 38y 5m 21d

  Former Paris Saint-Germain centre-back Mario Yepes registered 102 international appearances for Colombia, making his senior debut in 1999 and ending it in 2014 following his side's exit from the Brazil World Cup.

  Colombia took on the hosts during the quarter-final stage of the competition, with Yepes captaining the side at the age of 38.

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  16Vitor Damas – Portugal – 38y 8m 3d

  Portugal played three games at World Cup 1986, beating England 1-0 but losing the other two and ultimately dropping out of the tournament at the bottom of Group F. Damas played in both of the defeats as a stand-in for the injured Manuel Bento but would retire on his return from Mexico.

• 15David Seaman – England – 38y 9m 2d

  The England squad of 2002 was dubbed a Golden Generation by supporters and looked value for money as they eased into the quarter-final stage of the Korea/Japan World Cup.

  Seaman, the most senior member of the Three Lions XI at 38, would ultimately play a part in his country's abrupt exit, though, as Brazil's Ronaldinho floated a ball over the top of the former Arsenal goalkeeper from distance in the 50th minute of the tie, sending the Brazilians through to the final four.

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• 14Jan Heintze – Denmark – 38y 9m 20d

  Ex-PSV full-back Jan Heintze recorded 86 appearances for Denmark, ending his international career after the 2002 Korea/Japan World Cup.

  Heintze captained Denmark to a 1-1 draw with Senegal during a Group A meeting, aged 38, but then failed to register another appearance as Denmark went on to be knocked out by England in the Round of 16.

If you're keen to try your hand as a manager in FIFA 20, we've got the clubs you should consider leading to glory

Though struggling to compete with Ultimate Team in recent years for popularity, the lure of career mode remains strong in FIFA 20. 

The ability to manage any club in the world is a tantalising one and, with all that choice, it's important to pick the right side.

From star-studded rosters to academies with promising players, Goal breaks down 10 of the best clubs to manage in career mode. 

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  Ajax

  Though they've lost some of their key players over the off-season, Ajax remain a breeding ground of footballers and the perfect place for a budding FIFA 20 manager to make their name.

  With so much young talent, managers can help players live up to their potential and ultimately reap the profits in the transfer market.

  On the pitch, Ajax's attacking style makes them a fun side to control too with the Eredivisie trophy an easy enough one to win with PSV their only real competition. 

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  Arsenal

  With a lightning-quick attack, Arsenal are the perfect club for FIFA 20 managers looking for a speedy side to oversee. 

  Though defensively weak, the Gunners will give their gaffers enough cash to invest during transfer windows to ensure they can be turned into a strong side across the pitch. 

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  Atletico Madrid

  This could be Atletico Madrid's season in La Liga and they loom as an enticing prospect for managers on FIFA 20.

  With young gun Joao Felix complementing an experienced attack, Diego Simeone's side are title contenders again and who doesn't want to guide the underdogs to silverware? 

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  Barcelona

  Boasting the best player in FIFA 20, Lionel Messi, and a ridiculously strong squad across the pitch, Barcelona are a hard team to resist not taking charge of. 

  Considering Ernesto Valverde is struggling with the Catalans in real life, career mode gives you a chance to right whatever wrongs may be going at Camp Nou. 

  The emergence of Ansu Fati also makes for a prospect managers can nurture to super stardom. 

Only four fixtures are due to be played due to clubs' FA Cup commitments, before attention shifts to the international break later in the month.

Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur will be in action over the weekend as the Premier League ushers in its matchday 30 games.

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  Wolves vs Leeds United

  Wolves have won four of their last five Premier League games played on a Friday (D1), keeping four clean sheets in this run, which includes a 1-0 victory over Leeds in this exact fixture last season.

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  Aston Villa vs Arsenal

  Against no side has Aston Villa’s Philippe Coutinho scored more Premier League goals than he has against Arsenal (4), though three of his four strikes against the Gunners have been at the Emirates Stadium.

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  Leicester City vs Brentford

  Leicester have won each of their last five Premier League games against promoted sides, including all three this season. They’ve never won six consecutive top-flight games against promoted sides before.

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  Tottenham Hotspur vs West Ham United

  Harry Kane has scored eight goals in his six home league games for Tottenham against West Ham – it’s the most home goals he’s scored against a specific opponent in the competition.

Who has Kasper Hjulmand picked as Denmark prepare for 2022 World Cup?

Denmark will be appearing at the World Cup for the sixth time in their history.

They made their debut in the 1986 edition held in Mexico and remarkably progressed to the knockouts, winning all three group-stage games, including a 2-0 victory over the mighty West Germans.

However, their best performance came in the 1998 edition, when they reached the quarter-finals. In the last eight, they were edged out by Brazil following a hotly contested fixture that ended 3-2.

Can the Danes do even better in Qatar?

They have been drawn in Group D along with defending champions France, Australia, and Tunisia.

Apart from the fixture against France, Denmark will be the favourites against the other two teams and will fancy their chances of reaching the knockouts.

Let's take a look at the 26 players that Kasper Hjulmand has chosen to represent the country in Qatar, with five more set to be added before the deadline.

ALSO READ:World Cup 2022 Group D: Fixtures, results, standings, squads & full details

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  GOALKEEPERS

  Kasper Schmeichel is the first-choice keeper for Hjulmand. The veteran shot-stopper is one of the captains of the national team and was once more superb for Denmark in the World Cup qualifiers and the Nations League.

  Oliver Christensen of Hertha BSC and Frederik Ronnow of Union Berlin have been chosen as the backup keepers.

  Frederik Ronno

  Name	Club
  Kasper Schmeichel	Nice
  Oliver Christensen	Hertha BSC
  Frederick Ronnow	Union Berlin

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  DEFENDERS

  Hjulmand has tried a variety of defensive formations depending on the opponent and the players at hand. In September, in the Nations League against France, he opted for a straightforward back four, whereas against Croatia he shifted to a back-five.

  Crystal Palace's Joachim Andersen and Barcelona's Andreas Christensen have been used mostly at the heart of defence along with veteran Simon Kjaer, while 23-year-old Victor Nelsson represents another solid centre-back option.

  Rasmus Kristensen has landed the main right-back berth, while Joakim Maehle of Atalanta is the trusted option at left-back.

  Jens Larsen is another dependable full-back who adds experience to the squad along with Brondby's Daniel Wass.

  Name	Club
  Joachim Andersen	Crystal Palace
  Victor Nelsson	Galatasaray
  Simon Kjaer	AC Milan
  Joakim Maehle	Atalanta
  Andreas Christensen	Barcelona
  Rasmus Kristensen	Leeds United
  Jens Larsen	Trabzonspor
  Daniel Wass	Brondby
  Alexander Bah	Benfica

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  MIDFIELDERS

  Christian Eriksen's has made Denmark's final squad to complete his remarkable recovery since suffering cardiac arrest on the pitch at Euro 2020.

  Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is the other contender at the centre of the park, while Jesper Lindstrom has also got the nod after impressing with Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga.

  Thomas Delaney has been ruled out of the World Cup that he sustained against Tunisia in their campaign opener.

  Name	Club
  Jesper Lindstrom	Eintracht Frankfurt
  Mathias Jensen	Brentford
  Christian Eriksen	Manchester United
  Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg	Tottenham
  Christian Norgaard	Brentford

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  ATTACKERS

  Former Barcelona striker Martin Braithwaite, who is now on the books at Espanyol, is set to lead the line alongside Kasper Dolberg of Sevilla.

  Mikkel Damsgaard and Andreas Olsen will be deployed on the flanks, while Andreas Cornelius is a veteran of the game whose experience will be invaluable at a massive tournament like the World Cup.

  RB Leipzig's Yussuf Poulsen has been named in the final squad.

  Name	Club
  Martin Braithwaite	Denmark
  Andreas Skov Olsen	Club Brugge
  Kasper Dolberg	Sevilla
  Mikkel Damsgaard	Brentford
  Andreas Cornelius	Copenhagen
  Jonas Wind	VFL Wolfsburg
  Jesper Lindstrom	Eintracht Frankfurt
  Yussuf Yurary Poulssen	RB Leipzig

With the World Cup break now over, GOAL has selected our best combined XI from Europe's 'big five' leagues from the campaign's first few months

The first half of the European season flew by at a frenetic pace, with more than a few surprises thrown up as top European clubs dealt with the demands of a gruelling fixture schedule in the lead-up to Qatar 2022.

Arsenal and Napoli upset the established order to lead the way in the Premier League and Serie A, respectively, while Paris Saint-Germain's all-star front three appears to be reaching its full potential and Bayern Munich are finally clicking as a collective under Julian Nagelsmann.

A new crop of exciting young talent is blossoming and the household superstars have raised their level, which has made for one of the most exciting campaigns in recent memory.

GOAL has collated the best of the best in our European Team of the Season so far…

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  GK: Brice Samba (Lens)

  Samba left Nottingham Forest fans heartbroken when he decided against signing a new contract in the summer, having played a key role in their return to the Premier League after a 23-year absence.

  The Frenchman hasn't looked back since joining Lens, though, helping them emerge as the nearest challengers to PSG in Ligue 1 with 11 wins from their first 15 games.

  Lens have the second-best defensive record in the division and Samba has kept seven clean sheets already, while his replacement at Forest, Dean Henderson, has shipped 30 goals in 15 Premier League games.

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  RB: Kieran Trippier (Newcastle)

  Newcastle's meteoric rise under Eddie Howe should not be simply dismissed as another example of money delivering instant results, but smart recruitment at St James' Park has certainly been a significant contributing factor.

  Trippier was snapped up for the bargain price of £12 million from Atletico Madrid in January, and began the season like a man possessed after seeing his start on Tyneside disrupted by serious injury.

  The 32-year-old has taken on vice-captaincy duties and been the model of consistency at the back as Newcastle have staked a claim for a place in the top four.

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  CB: Kim Min-jae (Napoli)

  Kim was faced with the daunting task of replacing Napoli favourite Kalidou Koulibaly after arriving at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium from Fenerbahce in the summer, but has been more than up to the task.

  The South Korean has been colossal in the heart of the defence and has also contributed two goals at the other end of the pitch as Napoli have stormed to the top of the Serie A standings and made it through to the Champions League knockout stages.

  Fellow summer signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has said of Kim's impact: ''For me, he is one of the best in the world. If he is in the defence, you are in front of an iron barrel!''

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• CB: William Saliba (Arsenal)

  No player was more important to Arsenal during their rise to the Premier League summit than Saliba, who made the transition from Ligue 1 to the Premier League look easy after his return from a loan spell at Marseille.

  Mikel Arteta has been rewarded for taking a patient approach with Saliba, who was initially signed in 2019, as the Frenchman has emphatically shaken off the tag of promising youngster.

  Saliba is very much the finished article in terms of his positional sense and composure in possession, with his pace and strength making him a nightmare for strikers across the English top flight.

  The 21-year-old's potential is seemingly limitless, and Arsenal's latest generational talent is on track to become the symbol behind their long-awaited return to the very top of the game.

Lionel Messi scored the opener and could have added more, with the Argentine's star showing covering up Gianluigi Donnarumma's errors in a 4-2 win

PSG scored twice inside the first 20 minutes. Messi was first, latching onto a rebound to poke the ball home from close range. The second came shortly after, with Jaouen Hadjam turning the ball into his own net.

But Nantes refused to crumble. Ludovic Blas skewed a cross into the net, beating an out-of-sorts Donnarumma at the near post to halve the lead. They equalised after 39 minutes from a corner.

The home side then reestablished control in the second half and found the lead again after Danilo Pereira headed in from a Kylian Mbappe cross. The latter added a fourth in second-half stoppage time to secure a 4-2 win.

GOAL rates PSG's players from the Parc des Princes…

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  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Gianluigi Donnarumma (4/10):

  Should have stopped the first, almost gave up another, and could have done better on the second. Not the first mistake he's made this year…

  Nuno Mendes (7/10):

  Full of energy, made one terrific recovering tackle. His understanding with Mbappe is constantly improving.

  Marquinhos (6/10):

  Reliable, but went straight down the tunnel after appearing to hurt his back in the second half. PSG will hope it's not serious ahead of their Champions League clash with Bayern Munich this week.

  Sergio Ramos (6/10):

  Solid in the middle of a back-three. Played it safe, establishing some much-needed control.

  Danilo Pereira (7/10):

  Put PSG back in front with a well-taken header, and conducted his centre-back duties comfortably.

  Nordi Mukiele (6/10):

  His pressure forced Hadjam into an own goal, but he also lost Ganago at the back post for Nantes' equaliser. Came off with a lower leg injury after 70 minutes.

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  Midfield

  Fabian Ruiz (8/10):

  Tackled efficiently, kept the ball moving, and created two chances. His best performance for a while.

  Warren Zaire-Emery (7/10):

  Filled the Marco Veratti role well, winning the ball back and orchestrating play from deep.

  Vitinha (7/10):

  Energetic, showed attacking promise with some driving runs into the final third.

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  Attack

  Kylian Mbappe (8/10):

  His usual slew of tricks and turns weren't working in the first half. Much-improved in the second, almost lashing one in from 35 yards. Scored the fourth to become PSG's all-time leading goalscorer.

  Lionel Messi (9/10):

  Poked the ball home from seven yards out to open the scoring. Nearly added a second with an audacious chip. Had a free-kick saved. Effortlessly excellent.

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• Subs & Manager

  Carlos Soler (6/10):

  Replaced the injured Mukiele and slotted in at right-wing-back.

  E.C Bitshiabu (6/10):

  Mature cameo after entering the contest for Marquinhos

  Timothee Pembele (N/A):

  Enjoyed a run out. Might be required midweek against Bayern if Mukiele and Marquinhos are both injured.

  Christophe Galtier (7/10):

  Went back to his standard 3-5-2, but could do little to prevent his squad from throwing away a 2-0 lead. Oversaw a far better second half showing. Underwhelming, but will take the three points. Bayern next.