England coach brushes aside spin concerns ahead of third Test against Pakistan

Pakistan’s Noman Ali, right, and teammates celebrates after winning the second test cricket match against England, in Multan on October 18, 2024. (AP/File)
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Updated 20 October 2024
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England coach brushes aside spin concerns ahead of third Test against Pakistan

  • Pakistani spinners played key role in their side’s 152-run victory over England in Multan during second Test
  • Multan loss meant England have lost as many as five of their last seven Test matches in the subcontinent

ISLAMABAD: England Head Coach Brendon McCullum has backed his side to tackle Pakistan’s spin attack in the upcoming Rawalpindi decider Test next week after the home side cruised to a 152-run victory on Friday. 
Pakistan’s radical changes which included dropping star cricketers Babar Azam, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi for spinners Sajid Khan, Nauman Ali, Zahid Mehmood and batter Kamran Ghulam paid off handsomely for the second Test in Multan. 
Khan and Ali shared 20 wickets among themselves as Pakistan played on a turning pitch in Multan. Pakistan’s win against England meant Ben Stokes’ side had lost five matches out of the last seven Tests they had played in the subcontinent. England side lost 4-1 on their away tour to India in January this year. 
“It’s hard to make that assessment,” McCullum told reporters on Saturday when asked whether English batters had been found out on Multan’s turning track. 
“But I know these guys play spin very well. Yes, we’ve been beaten a few times, but we weren’t the only team to go to India and get beaten by India in spinning conditions.”
Pakistan play the third and final Test match of the series in Rawalpindi from Oct. 24-28. Skipper Shan Masood earlier hoped the green shirts would get a turning track in the eastern Pakistani city too, which has historically favored seamers more. 
“I don’t know if I’ve seen it turn in Rawalpindi,” Masood said. “That’s another issue. You want a side that can win anywhere… We want to get 20 wickets wherever we play, and we want to back that up with the bat.”


Karim Benzema joins Al-Hilal

Updated 03 February 2026
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Karim Benzema joins Al-Hilal

RIYADH: Karim Benzema has joined Al-Hilal after leaving Al-Ittihad, the Riyadh club announced early Tuesday.

The former French international was introduced with a post on social media, “Karim Benzema is officially Hilali.”

The 2022 Ballon d’Or winner, who scored eight goals in 14 league matches this season, joined on a free transfer, his new club added.

Though this chapter comes to an end “respect and gratitude will always remain,” the Frenchman said.

“Thank you to the club, the staff, my teammates, and especially the fans for the welcome, the love, and the energy you gave me every day,” Benzema wrote on social media.

“This journey gave me a lot, both personally and professionally. I leave with my head held high, proud to have worn these colors and of everything we shared.”

Benzema moved to Saudi Arabia in 2023 after 14 seasons with Real Madrid. Last season he scored 21 goals as Al-Ittihad won the league.
This season Al-Ittihad trail leaders Al-Hilal by 12 points. 

— with input from Reuters