Manchester City have monopolised football in recent seasons, buying some of Europe’s best talents as they have dominated the Premier League. It has certainly reaped the benefits.

The Citizens have won the Premier League in six out of the past seven years, with their four consecutive titles a new record. They also won their first Champions League back in 2022/23.

Pep Guardiola’s men have had some of Europe’s best players in that time. Arguably the best of the bunch is Kevin De Bruyne, who has played 388 games for the club, scoring 103 goals and registering 171 assists. In recent years, there has been another player who has arguably become even more important than De Bruyne, however.

Erling Haaland’s Manchester City record

The player in question here is City’s Norweigan striker Erling Haaland. The 24-year-old has been simply extraordinary since joining the club from Borussia Dortmund in 2022, and cannot stop scoring.

He has played 104 games for City so far and has scored an incredible 99 goals, grabbing 14 assists, too, which gives him more than one goal involvement per game. He has also scored 11 hat-tricks in all competitions in the sky blue of City.

In the Premier League, the Norway international has eight hatp-tricks and is now just four behind Sergio Aguero who currently has the most in Premier League history, with 12.

Most Premier League hat-tricks of all time

Player

Games

Hat-tricks

Sergio Aguero

275

12

Alan Shearer

441

11

Robbie Fowler

379

9

Erling Haaland

70

8

Theirry Henry

258

8

Harry Kane

320

8

Michael Owen

326

8

Stats from Premier League

Haaland has won the Premier League Golden Boot in both of his completed top-flight seasons. In the 2022/23 campaign, he scored 36 goals in 35 games and scored 27 goals in 31 games last term.

City’s number nine is simply extraordinary and does not seem like stopping any time soon. Incredibly, the eight-time Premier League winners almost signed a player back in 2019 who is now arguably better than their star striker, Kylian Mbappe.

When Man City missed out on Kylian Mbappe

Yes, that is right, the Citizens wanted to sign the player many regard as the best in the world, back in 2018.

According to a report at the time from The Sun, Guardiola wanted the club to bid £200m for the Frenchman in January 2019, with his then-club Paris Saint-Germain potentially facing consequences for Financial Fair Play breaches.

The striker now plays at Real Madrid, after a long-awaited summer move from the French giants on a free transfer. He has already made a superb start to life at the Santiago Bernabeu, winning a trophy, the UEFA Super Cup, and scoring five goals in seven games.

His record at PSG was exemplary, and he became their all-time top goalscorer in March 2023. The France captain left the club having played 308 times, scoring a whopping 256 goals and grabbing 108 assists. As football statistician Statman Dave said, Mbappe is “inevitable”.

Had they signed the great forward in January 2019, the Citizens could have seen him eventually form a deadly partnership with that man Haaland.

The Real Madrid number nine enjoys playing on the left wing and with Haaland central, it could have proven to be a formidable duo, with fluid rotations, smart link-up play and lots of goals.

Nowadays, the pair have both been nominated for the 2024 Ballon d’Or. They are set to go up against current club teammates Vinicius Junior and Phil Foden for the esteemed prize, which neither have won at this stage of their career.

As City fans watch Haaland bang in the goals week in, week out, they might well sit there and think about what could have been if, four years ago, Guardiola had convinced the club’s ownership to break the world record transfer fee and sign Mbappe.

Related Worse than Savinho: 5/10 Man City star who lost 100% duels let Pep down

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Posts 2 ByDan Emery Sep 19, 2024

Manchester City are considering tabling a huge £83m+ offer for an “exceptional” new attacker, according to an eye-catching new transfer report.

Man City still top after Arsenal drama

Pep Guardiola’s side played out a thrilling 2-2 draw at home to Arsenal on Sunday afternoon, as they just about managed to stay top of the Premier League table. Having taken the lead through a brilliant Erling Haaland goal, things unravelled for City when Rodri picked up what looked like a serious injury. Goals from Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel turned the game on its head, but thankfully, John Stones equalised in the dying seconds after a painful second half.

It means the Cityzens top the pile by a point ahead of Liverpool and Aston Villa, as well as retaining their two-point advantage over Arsenal, with Guardiola’s men still very much the team to beat in the title race this season.

Away from the on-pitch action, players continue to be linked with moves to the Etihad, with 17-year-old Sporting CP ace Geovany Quenda reportedly being eyed up as a long-term replacement for Bernardo Silva. Meanwhile, Barcelona centre-back Ronald Araujo has been backed to move to City in a swap deal involving Haaland, but it would surely be a shock if the striker left any time soon.

Man City considering £83m+ bid for Musiala

According to TEAMtalk, Manchester City are weighing up making an £83m+ bid for Bayern Munich superstar Jamal Musiala, having been linked with him during the summer transfer window.

The Premier League champions are said to be “firmly in the race” to snap up the Germany international, with Real Madrid providing stern competition. It is the Blues who are described as the “most informed” team in the report, however, suggesting Txiki Begiristain stands a good chance of getting his man.

Musiala is one of the world’s most exciting young players currently, so the idea of him joining Guardiola at City is so exciting. The 21-year-old already has three goals in four appearances in the Bundesliga this season, while Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund has heaped praise on him.

“Jamal Musiala is a world-class player, an exceptional player. Jamal is a player that spectators go to the stadium for because of the way he plays. He can decide games, he’s an absolute team player. He is an exceptional player. He can become one of the best players in the world. Both FC Bayern and Germany are lucky to have him.”

Meanwhile, Ilkay Gundogan is believed to want Musiala with him at City, following his return to the club on loan from Barca, and there really are few negatives to them snapping him up.

Worse than Dias: Pep must drop 3/10 Man City star who had a "stinker"

The Cityzens defender could find himself out of the team after that performance.

1 ByDan Emery Sep 22, 2024

Assuming he avoids serious injury, there is no reason why the Bayern maestro can’t go on to have a legendary career, and he would be an upgrade on the likes of Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish on the left wing, given his status as a truly world-class footballer with years ahead of him.

Former Barcelona winger Ludovic Giuly pointed out one thing that Ousmane Dembele is missing that could make him a Ballon d'Or contender.

Article continues below

Article continues below

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• Dembele scored the winner against Monaco
• Ex-Barca star praised the PSG winger
• One thing Dembele needs to become Ballon d'Or contender

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The France international scored a late winner to guide Paris Saint-Germain to their first trophy of the 2024-25 campaign as they beat AS Monaco 1-0 in the final of the Trophee des Champions. Since Kylian Mbappe's departure in the summer, Dembele has been the key player up front for the Ligue 1 champions. In the current season, he has scored nine goals across all competitions and has provided six assists.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  After Dembele's incredible performance against Monaco, former France international and ex-Barca star Ludovic Giuly praised the winger while pointing out one aspect the 27-year-old is missing that could transform him into a Ballon d'Or contender.

• WHAT HAS BEEN SAID

  Speaking to , Giuly said: "We are happy to have him in Ligue 1, he is an incredible dribbler who has both feet and speed. If he had that finishing, he would be one of the great players in Ligue 1 and above all could claim the Ballon d'Or."

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• AFP
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR PSG?

  Luis Enrique's side will be back in action next Sunday in the Ligue 1 as they take on St-Etienne at Parc des Princes.

Everton may have picked up their first point of the Premier League season during the weekend draw against Leicester City, but the pressure is certainly building on Sean Dyche.

With it being the final season at Goodison Park, the supporters would have been expecting a chance of reaching the top half of the table, rather than yet another relegation scrap.

While they were better against the Foxes, Dyche must start to pick up wins in the top flight sooner rather than later, no doubt about that.

With a new ownership group on the way in the form of The Friedkin Group (TFG), they may well be considering a potential replacement for the former Burnley manager. Now, it looks as though an Englishman currently out of work seems to be keen on the job…

Former Chelsea boss keen on Everton

According to Football Insider, Graham Potter is reportedly ‘very interested’ in taking the Everton job if it becomes available in the next few weeks.

The 49-year-old has been out of management since being sacked by Chelsea towards the end of the 2022/23 campaign, despite only taking charge of the Blues a few months prior.

Manager

Games in charge

Frank Lampard

44

Rafa Benitez

22

Carlo Ancelotti

67

Marco Silva

60

Sam Allardyce

26

It is clear he is waiting for the right opportunity before jumping back into the game, but Everton could be an excellent project for Potter to get stuck into.

Could it finally be time for the former Brighton and Hove Albion boss to return to the dugout?

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How much each Premier League gaffer earns.

ByCharlie Smith Oct 21, 2025 Graham Potter’s managerial statistics

David Moyes has been linked with a move to Merseyside, 11 years after he departed the club to take over Manchester United.

While Moyes enjoyed an excellent spell with West Ham United, he is certainly approaching the end of his managerial career, which makes the more attacking-minded Potter a much better appointment.

The Englishman made his name at Swedish side Ostersunds, taking them from the lower leagues into the top flight and Europe, winning the Swedish Cup too.

It was his time at Brighton that Potter established himself as one of the brightest young managers on the continent. He built the foundations for the club to become one of the most difficult to beat teams in the division, leading them to a top-half finish during the 2021/22 campaign.

Potter was hailed by journalist Sam Morton following the sales of Marc Cucurella and Yves Bissouma, saying: “It was a shame to see Cucurella and Bissouma leave Brighton but Graham Potter is the only irreplaceable asset at the club, you feel. The man is a genius.”

Although Roberto De Zerbi took the club into Europe, Potter’s influence at the club allowed the Italian to continue the progress made by the 49-year-old.

Moyes may be the nostalgic choice, returning to a club in which he took from the doldrums to European qualification and an FA Cup final. But given the choice, surely the supporters would rather Potter be the man chosen to replace Dyche.

The next few weeks could be very interesting indeed.

Report: "Amazing" manager could be in the frame to replace Dyche at Everton

Would he be an ideal successor to the under-pressure boss?

1 ByHenry Jackson Sep 22, 2024

The 27-year-old definitely needs to get out of Old Trafford as soon as possible, but is San Siro really the right destination?

Just a couple of years ago, a struggling winger quit a massive Premier League club and moved to Milan in a desperate attempt to kickstart his career. It proved an inspired choice. Right now, Christian Pulisic is in the form of his life, having just scored in both the semis and final of the Supercoppa Italiana, as AC Milan upset Juventus and then, even more impressively, city rivals Inter to claim their first trophy since winning the 2022 Serie A title.

The question now is whether Marcus Rashford might follow in Pulisic's footsteps? Whereas Pulisic was deemed surplus to requirements at Chelsea, Rashford has become an outcast at Old Trafford and is in dire need of a January transfer, as the 27-year-old has acknowledged himself.

According to the latest reports, Rashford's representatives are already in Milan discussing a possible switch to San Siro, most likely on loan until the end of the season. And while such a deal might be difficult to finalise, it's certainly easy to understand why the move is of interest to the Englishman. The Rossoneri remain one of the biggest clubs in the game and there are few more iconic places to play football than the Giuseppe Meazza. However, does this proposed transfer really make sense for either party?…

Getty Images SportIs there room for Rashford at San Siro?

It needs to be immediately acknowledged that Milan don't have an awful lot of money, and certainly not enough to sign Rashford on a permanent basis – or even just cover his wages for the duration of a six-month loan. Consequently, there's no chance of the former Stretford End icon becoming a cult hero on the Curva Sud unless United agree to subsidise his salary until the end of the season.

Truth be told, given the club's financial constraints, it's strange that Rashford has even emerged as a serious transfer target for Milan – particularly when one considers that they are not exactly lacking in wingers. On the contrary, the Rossoneri are arguably better stocked in wide areas than in any other part of the pitch.

AdvertisementGettyReplacement for Okafor?

Of course, the word is that Noah Okafor, who has been directly involved in just three goals this season, is on his way out of San Siro, with RB Leipzig his most likely destination. Samuel Chukwueze has also proven infuriatingly ineffective since joining from Villarreal in 2023, while teenager Alex Jimenez, who has been used on the left wing in recent weeks, is a full-back by trade.

Nonetheless, there are two significant obstacles standing in the way of Rashford and regular game time in a wide role at Milan, one of whom is Pulisic.

GettyUndroppable Pulisic

When Pulisic first arrived at Milan, there was some doubt over where exactly he would be deployed. After all, the American's preferred position was on the left flank, which was the sole preserve of Rafael Leao at San Siro.

However, Pulisic, to his enormous credit, has shown himself to be a fantastically versatile forward, excelling on both the right wing and as a No.10. Indeed, the United States star is now Milan's most consistent attacker and their most reliable source of goals and assists, of which he has 15 in total in all competitions this season – more than anyone else at the club despite losing four games in December to a calf problem.

Basically, there is just no way Rashford gets into the Milan attack ahead of Pulisic on current form.

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Getty ImagesEnigma

Leao is a slightly different case to Pulisic. The Portuguese polarises opinions. His output and attitude have been an almost constant cause for concern this term, a topic of almost incessant debate among supporters and pundits divided over whether the club should cash in on their most valuable asset or continue trying to build a team around him.

Leao was even repeatedly benched in October by former coach Paulo Fonseca because of his substandard defensive work. However, the ex-Roma boss was subsequently sacked due to a dismal run of results in Serie A just before the turn of the year and, as Leao so thrillingly underlined with his Supercoppa heroics against Inter, he remains Milan's most talented player – and by some distance.

The Rossoneri were 2-0 down when the 25-year-old came off the bench against Inter but ended up triumphing 3-2 thanks in no small part to a typically devastating dribble from Leao that left Tammy Abraham with an injury-time tap-in to win the game.

MatériaMais Notícias

A temporada 2021 ainda não acabou, mas isso não impede o Internacional de pensar no que fazer em 2022.

+ Veja no aplicativo do LANCE! o resultado dos jogos da rodada

Mesmo com o time na briga para garantir uma vaga na cobiçada Libertadores da América, a diretoria começa a projetar a chegada de reforços e uma nova comissão técnica.

Enquanto inúmeras especulações surgem nos bastidores, a única certeza é que Diego Aguirre não fica no Beira-Rio.

A insatisfação com o trabalho do uruguaio é enorme e a ideia é contratar um treinador mais ‘ofensivo’ e que possa dar fôlego ao time.

Alguns nomes surgem nos corredores do Beira-Rio e o favorito é Pablo Vojvoda, que brilha no Fortaleza.

Em relação ao elenco, a ideia é não vazar nenhuma informação sobre dispensa para que o time não ‘desanime’ nas rodadas finais e brigue até o fim para chegar ao torneio continental.

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علق سمير عدلي، المدير الإداري للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي الأهلي، على مواجهة الأهلي والهلال السوداني في ربع نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

وأسفرت قرعة دوري أبطال إفريقيا التي أقيمت اليوم بالعاصمة القطرية الدوحة، عن مواجهة الأهلي لـ الهلال السوداني، بالدور ربع النهائي للمسابقة.

وقال سمير عدلي في تصريحات عبر قناة “بي إن سبورتس”: “نحترم كل الفرق والهلال السوداني له تاريخ كبير مع النادي الأهلي في جميع المباريات، ونحن لنا سياستنا، جماهيرنا دائمًا تطالبنا بالبطولات”.

طالع أيضاً.. صراع الأرقام والقيمة السوقية بين الأهلي والهلال السوداني.. من يحسم بطاقة نصف نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا؟

وتابع: “لدينا نظام نسير عليه ونحترم كل الفرق ونلعب كل مباراة كأنها بطولة وقبل أن ننهي المباراة جماهير الأهلي تطالب باللقاء الذي يليه”.

وأضاف: “نحن نحترم كل الفرق ولا يوجد فرق سهلة، كلها قوية، نستعد بشكل جيد ونحترم الخصم ونلعب على البطولات دائمًا من أجل حصد الألقاب”.

وأتم: “التوفيق للجميع وإن شاء الله سنقدم مباراة جيدة ونحصد البطولة”.

Amid a busy transfer deadline day, Leeds United are reportedly ready to table an offer for one final reinforcement after agreeing a deal to sign Isaac Schmidt.

Leeds transfer news

Leeds started their deadline day by signing Ao Tanaka from Fortuna Dusseldorf in a move that could replace both Glen Kamara and Georginio Rutter to kill two birds with one stone late on in the summer. They've not waited around to admire their new man for long, however, instead turning their focus straight towards full-back Schmidt.

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1 ByKelan Sarson Aug 30, 2024

According to reports, the St. Gallen left-back is on his way to Elland Road to complete a medical before sealing the move. His ability to play both left and right-back should prove to be invaluable for Daniel Farke, as will his ability to step into defensive midfield.

Even after Schmidt, however, those in Yorkshire may not be done with a busy deadline day. According to Maghrebactu, Leeds are ready to table a €6m (£5m) bid to sign Bachir Belloumi from Portuguese side Farense in the final stages of the summer transfer window.

The right-winger would complete the Whites' attacking rebuild alongside the likes of Largie Ramazani and Manor Solomon. Lining up with a new look frontline, Daniel Farke's side will have their sights on reaching promotion from the Championship at the second time of asking.

Belloumi would play a large part in that too. The 22-year-old Algerian winger, who can play on the left, right and in attacking midfield, is undoubtedly one to keep an eye on this season.

"Exciting" Belloumi would complete new Leeds attack

Losing Summerville and Rutter was an undoubted blow but since adding Solomon, Tanaka, Ramazani and perhaps even Belloumi should be seen as a solid comeback on the attacking depth front at Elland Road. Of course, there's still plenty of steps to take before Belloumi is a Leeds player, but given that they're reportedly ready to launch their bid, things could move quickly.

The young Algerian has earned plenty of praise during his time in Portugal, with analyst Ben Mattinson dubbing him an "exciting RW in the mould of Zhegrova" back in April.

If Belloumi does complete a late move, he'll be looking to pick up where he left off in Portugal at Elland Road, having scored seven goals and assisted a further five in all competitions for Farense last season. Only time will tell whether he gets the chance to replicate those numbers in Yorkshire, however.

England’s spinners combined to secure a series-levelling victory in the second T20I of the series against Pakistan in Leeds. Adil Rashid, Matt Parkinson and Moeen Ali claimed five wickets for 87 runs in their 11 overs combined as England defended a total of 200 to secure a 45-run win.It means the series will be decided in the third and final game to be played at Emirates Old Trafford on Tuesday.For much of the afternoon, this was a pitch that looked full of runs. Certainly seamers gained little joy from it, with England’s total of 200 appearing little better than par when Pakistan’s openers started their chase by plundering 43 from their first five overs.But England’s spinners gained a surprising amount of assistance from the surface. Sohaib Maqsood and Azam Khan were both stumped off Rashid and Parkinson respectively, while Fakhar Zaman was bowled by a beauty from Moeen, which gripped, turned and took his off stump. With Mohammad Rizwan hitting a full toss back at Rashid and Mohammad Hafeez mishitting to the leg-side boundary, Pakistan lost 5 for 34 in six overs in the middle of their innings, which effectively defined the game.On a surface on which seamers experienced little other than heartache – Chris Jordan bowled only one over in the Pakistan innings – it was a performance that showed the depth and versatility of England’s bowling attack and will, perhaps, provide some encouragement ahead of the T20 World Cup on the slow, dry wickets of the UAEEarlier, a high-quality half-century from Jos Buttler helped England to a competitive total of 200 on another decent batting track. Buttler had not played a game since sustaining a calf injury during the victory over Sri Lanka in Cardiff almost a month ago, but you would never have known it to watch him.Timing the ball beautifully, Buttler produced a series of conventional – if unusually sweetly hit – strokes off front and back foot, as well as scooping Mohammad Hasnain for a six over fine leg.Although nobody went on to make an especially large individual score, Player of the Match Moeen Ali’s 36 from 16 balls followed by Liam Livingstone’s 38 from 23 ensured the innings retained momentum and England ended the 14th over with 150 on the board.While the innings fell away a little from that point – England subsided from 137-3 to 200 all-out, managing only 10 from the final two overs of their innings – it proved more than enough as Pakistan’s batters struggled against the spin.What next for Morgan?
As a key character in the revolution that took England from world chumps to World Champs, Eoin Morgan’s reputation is assured. He remains a figure of huge authority within the England set-up, too, and will probably remain once after his playing days are over.But his decision to leave himself out for this match was intriguing. While he had indicated ahead of the first game of this series that England intended to use it to take a look at different combinations and options, the fact is he has reached 30 only twice in his 17 most-recent international innings. And in his last 15 T20Is, he is averaging 12.10 at a strike-rate of 124.74.None of this means his place in the side is in immediate doubt. Batting in the middle order is notoriously tough in T20 cricket and England have very few contenders for the spot. Morgan has a vast amount of credit in the bank.But, given the competition for places among England batters – the likes of Alex Hales, Joe Root and Tom Banton are among those currently unable to break into the side and Ben is Stokes currently out as he continues his rehabilitation from a finger injury – and Jos Buttler’s presence a natural replacement as captain, that is a run of form that is bound to start raising concerns.Moeen Ali played an aggressive cameo•Getty Images

Imad’s contribution
At first glance, Imad Wasim’s figures of 2 for 37 don’t look especially pretty. He conceded almost 10 an over, after all, and was struck for three sixes. At one stage in his first over, he had bowled only three legitimate deliveries and already conceded 11 runs; he could have been forgiven for thinking he was in for a rough afternoon.But he also claimed two important wickets. And, despite bowling two overs in the Powerplay, delivered 11 dot balls. Nobody in the game bowled more. On another flat surface with relatively short boundaries, it was an impressive contribution and, on another day, those early wickets of Jason Roy and Dawid Malan could have proved decisive.Tailing off
One of the characteristics of England’s limited-overs cricket in recent years has been their commitment to the positive approach. This has routinely seen the lower-middle order continue to attack even if the top order have been blown away with batters as good as Adil Rashid (who has 10 first-class centuries) sometimes coming in as low as No. 11.Might that be changing a little? While there is no obvious alteration in England’s approach – they continue to attack all the way down the order – there are, perhaps, one or two questions about the depth of their batting.In this side, for example, Tom Curran came in at No. 7 (he had only batted as high in one previous T20I) and Rashid came in at No. 9. It meant the top order didn’t have quite the same safety net as before and might, in time, result in them playing slightly more careful cricket.This was not England’s first choice side, of course. The likes of Sam Curran and Chris Woakes might well come into the side ahead of the T20 World Cup. But the fact that they were bowled out in successive matches for the first time in their T20I history – albeit having made 200 on each occasion – was a reminder, perhaps, about the value of such batting depth.Eyes on Livingstone
So vital a player has Liam Livingstone suddenly become in this side, that even his dismissals are entertaining. Having just hit a vast six – the ball disappeared over the top of the new stand which borders the rugby ground; as big a hit as most have seen – he was run out when an attempted scoop somehow found its way to square leg. And while Haris Rauf had knocked off one bail with his elbow before completing the run-out, the other one remained in place to ensure the stumps could still be broken. The groan that went round the ground suggested that Livingstone has quickly become something of a crowd favourite – a remarkable thing for a Lancashire man in Leeds.

“After looking at the pitch, I expected it to turn on the fourth or fifth day, which is why I decided to bat first”

Mohammad Isam12-Jul-2021Bangladesh needed eight batters to deal with the first day pitch in Harare, according to their captain Mominul Haque. The visitors eventually won the Test by 220 runs against Zimbabwe, but despite an unusually long batting line-up, they still ran into trouble on the first day, slipping to 132 for 6.Mahmudullah, batting at No 8, led the fightback with an unbeaten 150, and put up partnerships of 138 and 191 runs for the seventh and ninth wickets with Liton Das and Taskin Ahmed, respectively. Das and Ahmed both made career-best scores as Bangladesh finished on 468 in the first innings.Related

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“After looking at the pitch, I expected it to turn on the fourth or fifth day, which is why I decided to bat first,” Haque said. “We had belief that our spinners could take advantage of those conditions. It would have been difficult to make a combination in these conditions without Shakib . Looking at the wicket, I thought that some of us might struggle but with a long batting line-up, we could get away from it.”Haque hailed the contributions of Mahmudullah, Das and Ahmed, saying that their efforts made batting very easy for Shadman Islam and Najmul Hossain Shanto in the second innings.”Riyad s partnership with Liton was critical as we were 132-6 at that stage. Riyad played an outstanding innings. Taskin’s 75 was also important to win this Test match.”Staying ahead in the first innings keeps you in the game for long. Shanto and Shadman played well in the second innings without pressure, which is how it should be. I think they utilised the situation very well by batting normally,” he said.The long batting line-up also meant that Bangladesh had only four frontline bowlers in the XI. This, despite Shakib being in the side and Mehidy Hasan Miraz having improved his batting. The team management’s decision to drop Abu Jayed was also called into question.Ebadot Hossain was picked in his place, despite the bowler having taken only seven wickets at an average of 90.71 in seven Tests prior to Harare. Jayed averages 35.13 in 12 Tests, and is generally considered an improved bowler in all conditions. This was the first overseas Test he missed since his debut in 2018.”It was a flat and slow wicket, we preferred a faster bowler like Ebadot. So we decided to leave out Rahi but he is not out for good,” Haque said, while also explaining that they had a hard time dislodging the Zimbabwe batters in the match because the pitch was flat and slow from the second day.”The wicket has been flat since the second day of this Test. We would have leaked runs if we went too hard for wickets. I had to contain the runs and we needed time to bowl them out. More runs would have helped them, not us. One has to take a bit of time to set up batsmen to get them out. I think the bowlers did very well,” he said.Still, it was a welcome win for Bangladesh after losing three of the four Tests this year. Haque said that it would help them to build up towards the second cycle of the World Test Championship, which for Bangladesh begins after the T20 World Cup.”This Test win will build confidence in everyone ahead of the World Test Championship. They would know their role better. We are trying to improve small processes, rather than plan big.”