Liverpool are "closely" monitoring a hugely exciting young player who is believed to be "more talented than Cristiano Ronaldo", according to a fresh talent update.

Liverpool transfer news

The Reds have been relatively quiet in the transfer market in recent years, with Jurgen Klopp generally happy with the squad at his disposal, but that changed during last summer's window, in order to alter their Premier League fortunes for the better after a poor 2022/23 campaign.

The Liverpool manager clearly saw that there were huge issues with his midfield, in terms of their ability to cover ground like they once did, so he made noticeable changes there. Not only did the likes of Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Naby Keita move on, but four new players came in, with Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister making the biggest impression so far.

While a proper defensive midfielder could still be on the agenda moving forward – Mac Allister hasn't always shone in that role this season – it could be that Klopp begins to focus on bolster different areas of the pitch, including adding depth to his central defensive and attacking options.

A fresh transfer claim has now emerged regarding the Reds' pursuit of one massive prospect, as they look to seal further eye-catching business.

Liverpool want Kenan Yildiz

According to a new update from Calciomercato [via Sport Witness], Liverpool are keen on signing highly-rated Juventus youngster Kenan Yildiz, with the Reds thought to be "closely" watching him at the moment.

The 18-year-old is believed to have been scouted by numerous top clubs across Europe, but it is the Merseysiders who currently look to be showing the most interest.

Liverpool's sporting director Jorg Schmadtke has been monitoring the progress of Yildiz since his Bayern Munich days, with the teenage attacking midfielder moving to Juve from the Bundesliga giants last year.

The report also states that Yildiz "would be compatible" with fellow youngster Ben Doak at Anfield, suggesting both could be stars of the future at the club alongside each other. For now, there is only "preliminary interest" from the Reds, but a bid for him at this point "still cannot be ruled out".

This could be such a statement signing if Liverpool manage to pip other big clubs to the signature of Yildiz, considering how high his ceiling is, having been described as "more talented than Cristiano Ronaldo" by former coach Sokyan Baskar.

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At just 18 years of age, the Reds transfer target is already making waves at both club and international level, scoring once in three caps for Turkey, with his first strike for his country coming in a recent 3-2 victory over Germany. He has also made five appearances for Juventus' first team, despite still being so young, showing that he is already good enough to be featuring for one of Europe's biggest clubs.

Yildiz would be considered one for the future by Klopp, arriving as a squad player and slowly maturing into something more influential, and the sky looks to be the limit for the attacking maestro if he continues on his current trajectory.

Bayer Leverkusen completed one of the biggest fairytales in football history winning their first-ever Bundesliga title, and Xabi Alosno explains how.

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• Bayer Leverkusen win Bundesliga title
• Alonso talks about how he handled pressure
• Leverkusen in the hunt for a treble this season

• Getty
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  When the season started, not even Bayer Leverkusen fans would have thought that they would be celebrating winning the Bundesliga, that too with five games to go until the end of the season. However, that is now a reality for Die Werkself, and Alonso has explained how he handled the pressures of having to lead a club that was chasing down their first league title while being hounded down by the most successful club in Germany, Bayern Munich. He also talked about getting rid of the 'Neverkusen Curse' that has seen the club drop titles despite being in commanding positions.

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• WHAT ALONSO SAID

  Speaking to ESPN after the title win, Alonso said: "Well, it feels great because I have this feeling that this is not just for us, this is for so many people that have been chasing this dream for so many years. I have in mind the old coaches, Christoph Daum, Klaus Augenthaler, and Roger Schmidt. They were here and they are a part of it as well and for me, it's so great to bring success and to be part of this success with this team.

  "It is always special when it's the time of everything and when it's the first time of a Bundesliga title, that is the most difficult title probably. And I'm so happy to enjoy it with the players, with the fans, with the club and so many people that deserved to really, really enjoy that moment.

  "The mentality of losing key matches? Because I was not here for so long, that was not in my veins so deep, so probably I was lighter. The weight of history wasn't that heavy inside me. So I was hearing that, but I said, okay, let's see what happens. And I had a feeling that this year we started from scratch, taking many right decisions, and building a great team, the club, Simon, Fernando, and Mister Menning, were really supportive. We had from the beginning of the season that it could be a good season, that we had a good team to play a good season.

  "For sure the expectations, we have overcome the expectations and to play and to win Bundesliga, five games to go with our numbers, with the way we have played, with the way we have totally deserved most of the results, it's unbelievable. It's difficult to put in words, but all the credit to so many people and I'm really happy to be part of it."

• (C)Getty images
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Leverkusen hired Alonso partway through the start of the 2022-23 season after having parted ways with Gerardo Seoane, who left them fighting relegation eight games into the season. Alonso eventually turned around the club's fortune as he led them to the Europa League spots. After a bit of recruitment and signings, Leverkusen turned up to the title fight and amidst Bayern Munich's inconsistent form they ran away with the league title with their 5-0 win over Werder Bremen.

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• WHAT NEXT FOR LEVERKUSEN?

  Die Werkself may have won the league title but they still have their work cut out for them as they look to win the Europa League and the DFB Pokal to complete a treble. They will be in action up next against West Ham on Thursday, April 18 in the Europa League.

كشفت صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو” الكتالونية أن المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي برشلونة، هانز فليك، أمام ورطة دفاعية قبل بداية الموسم الجديد 2024/2025.

وأعلن برشلونة بالأمس أولى صفقاته الصيفية وهي التعاقد مع صانع ألعاب منتخب إسبانيا ونادي لايبزيج السابق، داني أولمو، لمدة 6 سنوات حتى 30 يونيو 2030.

ولكن المشكلة ليست في ذلك بل في خط الدفاع، حيث إ١ن على مدرب برشلونة، هانز فليك، حسم مستقبل لاعبين وهما إينيجو مارتينيز وكليموه لينجليه.

اقرأ أيضًا.. جوندوجان يثير التكهنات بشأن مستقبله مع برشلونة

لينجليه شارك كثيرًا في مباريات برشلونة الودية خلال الجولة الأمريكية بل وارتدى شارة القيادة، ولكن مستقبل الفرنسي غامض مع وجود عروض من قبل ناديي أتلتيكو مدريد وفياريال.

وخرج لينجليه في الموسمين الماضيين للإعارة مع توتنهام وأستون فيلا ولكنه عاد من جديد إلى برشلونة، وهو يفضل الاستمرار في أوروبا عن الانتقال إلى الدوري السعودي.

ورغم كل هذا لا يزال على فليك حسم مستقبله بالبقاء أم الرحيل عن برشلونة على سبيل الإعارة للمرة الثالثة على التوالي في ظل عدم تسجيل إينيجو مارتينيز في قائمة الفريق نظرًا لقانون اللعب المالي النظيف.

إذا فضل فليك عدم تسجيل إينيجو مارتينيز قد يبقى لينجليه في برشلونة هذا الموسم لتدعيم صفوف الفريق دفاعيًا خاصة وأن عقده مستمر حتى 30 يونيو 2026.

MatériaMais Notícias

Oexecutivo de futebol do São Paulo, Raí, concedeu entrevista coletiva na tarde desta quinta-feita, após a goleada sofrida para o Internacional por 5 a 1, no Morumbi, o que fez o Tricolor perder a liderança do Campeonato Brasileiro.

A principal questão que o dirigente respondeu foi sobre a permanência do técnico Fernando Diniz, que está sob pressão no cargo depois de eliminações seguidas e o desempenho irregular nessa primeira metade de janeiro.

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– Tanto na conversa depois do jogo e hoje de manhã, que a diretoria se reuniu com o Diniz, nem se tocou nesse assunto. A confiança é total, o foco é na recuperação, o que pode ser melhorado. Quando você tem uma queda de rendimento do nível que chegamos e tem a queda que teve, é difícil apontar uma razão apenas. A confiança é total – afirmou Raí.

O dirigente foi lembrado também sobre a demissão do uruguaio Diego Aguirre, em 2018, na reta final do Brasileirão. Na época, o Tricolor também disputava o título e acabou na quinta colocação, fora da zona de fase de grupos da Libertadores da América.

Para o ex-camisa 10 do São Paulo, a situação de Aguirre pode ter sido um erro e serve como experiência na questão do momento de Fernando Diniz.

– Já assumi que pode ter sido um erro ali, são momentos diferentes, profissionais diferentes e já assumi que foi um erro. São situações diferentes e que a gente aprende. Tudo que o Diniz fez até, neste um ano e meio, faz com que a gente acredita na volta por cima – concluiu.

Vale lembrar que conforme apurado pelo LANCE!, uma reunião nesta quinta-feira pela manhã decidiu pela permanência de Diniz até o jogo contra o Coritiba, sábado, às 19h, no Morumbi. Um tropeço pode encurtar o caminho do treinador no CT da Barra Funda.

أوضحت صحيفة “سبورت” الكتالونية موقف جناح الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي برشلونة، لامين يامال، من المشاركة في مباراة فالنسيا بالجولة الأولى من بطولة الدوري الإسباني.

وعاش يامال ساعات عصيبة بسبب ما تعرض له والده، منير النصراوي، حيث تلقى عدة طعنات وأصيب بجروح وتم نقله للمستشفى في مدينة “بادالونا” ولكن حالته مستقرة.

اقرأ أيضًا.. سكاي توضح قرار كومان بشأن مفاوضات برشلونة

وبحسب الصحيفة الشهيرة فإن عائلة يامال متواجدة في المستشفى وتستفسر بشكل متواصل عن حالة النصراوي وأبلغهم الأطباء أن حالته ليست خطيرة مع تواجد مستشار برشلونة، أليخاندرو إيشيفاريا، المقرب من خوان لابورتا مع العائلة.

وبالتالي، عاد لامين يامال إلى تدريبات برشلونة اليوم بشكل طبيعي ويستعد مع زملائه من أجل المشاركة في مباراة السبت أمام فالنسيا، وجميع اللاعبين يدعمونه بسبب ما عاشه في الساعات الماضية.

كان اللاعب لديه تخوفات حول حالة والده ولكن مع مرور الوقت اطمأن من أكثر من شخص في عائلته، ولم تعد هناك مشكلة في تواجده مع الفريق.

It's been reported that an "important" member of Ange Postecoglou's squad is being tempted by a big club in January, with his agent in Tottenham exit talks.

Bissouma, Sarr and Son set to miss Tottenham's January fixtures

One major topic at N17 over this last month has been Postecoglou's severe lack of depth, an issue discussed more and more as we approach the January transfer window.

Yves Bissouma, Pape Sarr and Son Heung-min will be travelling to represent their nations at AFCON and the Asia Cup next month, with both tournaments commencing soon after the new year.

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A plethora of Tottenham injuries and suspensions since early November have also really highlighted Postecoglou's shortage of options behind his traditional starting eleven.

Both James Maddison and Micky van de Ven are sore misses in particular, with Spurs also now having to cope without Rodrigo Bentancur yet again after the midfielder's ankle ligament damage.

However, despite these issues, it's rumoured that Tottenham departures are still possible in the winter window. Eric Dier, Richarlison and Giovani Lo Celso are some players linked with Spurs exits in the past week alone, while some reports suggest Bologna are chasing a deal for summer signing Alejo Veliz.

Another player to be repeatedly linked with a move away is midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. The Dane has actually featured in nearly every Premier League game with 15 appearances under his belt this season, but the vast majority have come from the bench.

Hojbjerg tempted by Juventus with agent in Spurs talks

According to Italian news outlet Calciomercato, Tottenham consider Hojbjerg an "important player" and don't want him to go unless it's for a suitable bid. Regardless, Juventus and their director Cristiano Giuntoli won't give up on signing him, and he's in ongoing talks with the 28-year-old's agent.

Hojbjerg has an "appreciation" for Juventus as a Spurs exit option, according to Calciomercato. This factor, combined with his representative's willingness to negotiate, are said to be "two cards" playing in favour of Guintoli who appears determined to strike a deal.

Juve, though, wish to sign Hojbjerg on loan with the north Londoners showing no willingness to green-light such a deal thus far. As well as the report, Postecoglou himself as previously described the former Southampton star as a crucial member of his squad.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's standout Spurs stats – 2023/2024 (via SofaScore)

Accurate passes per game – 36.2 (91% success rate)

Accurate passes in own half – 17.1 (94% success rate)

Accurate passes in opposition half – 19.1 (86% success rate)

Balls recovered per game – 2.9

“It is obvious someone that has played regularly would have wanted to play more but ultimately our performances have been strong and he has had to bide his time," said Postecoglou on Hojbjerg earlier this season.

“He has also been very important in a lot of the games that we’ve won late or had to shore up late. He has been one of the people who has helped us and it is not like he hasn’t contributed at all. He’s been a really important part for us. We wouldn’t be in this position if we were just reliant on our starting XI.

“With Pierre, he is a professional and very determined."

Monday was an unforgettable night for Wolverhampton Wanderers but for all the wrong reasons as Gary O'Neil's side succumbed to a late penalty to lose 3-2 away at Craven Cottage.

The Midlands club conceded two questionable spot-kicks in the second half which head coach O'Neil labelled as "mind-boggling" in his post-match press conference, admitting he has "turned against VAR".

However, one of the manager's greater concerns will be the injury to Rayan Ait Nouri, who has been a key player at Molineux season, having limped off early in the first half with a suspected ankle sprain.

The Algerian defender is still being assessed and his return date is unknown, but it has recently been reported that Wolves could lose the 22-year-old outright in January, leaving O'Neil in a bit of a pickle with regard to his wingback situation.

Rayan Ait Nouri transfer links

Ait Nouri moved to Molineux back in 2020, initially on loan, but eventually signed permanently for £10m from French outfit Angers and was a squad player in his first three seasons with The Wanderers.

However, the Algeria international has grown into his own this term under O'Neil and has become one of the first names on the teamsheet, starting 92% of Wolves' games in the Premier League this season.

However, according to Sports Zone, Ait Nouri has become a top target for Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain ahead of the January transfer window, with Nuno Mendes currently sidelined for another two months, having undergone surgery on a hamstring problem he sustained at the end of September.

The wingback is Wolves' most valuable player and his market value has risen to £21.6m as recent as October, as per Transfermarkt, meaning the club could recuperate more than double the money they paid for him two-and-a-half years ago.

If Wolves lose one of their star defenders, O'Neil could be forced to turn to an old flame in the second half of the campaign.

Potential replacements for Ait Nouri at Wolves

Jonny Otto is one of the only players left at Wolves who featured during the club's first season back in the top flight, having joined midway through the 2018/19 campaign for £18m from Atletico Madrid.

The Spaniard has been a key player for the Midlands side for a large bulk of his time at the club, having featured on the left and right of both a back five and a back four.

However, this season, the 29-year-old has made merely three appearances in all competitions, playing just four minutes of football in the Premier League, casting his future in doubt at Molineux. Despite his limited game-time, O'Neil revealed that Jonny is a "hard-working professional", admitting that the Spanish defender trains really hard.

Nonetheless, there has been a steep decline in Jonny's minutes on the field during his six seasons with the club, particularly in the current campaign.

Season

Minutes In All Comps

2018/19

3,304

2019/20

3,656

2020/21

544

2021/22

1,023

2022/23

1,598

2023/24

184

Stats via Transfermarkt

The Spain international didn't feature much during the 2020/21 and 20201/22 seasons, having torn his ACL on two separate occasions, but was still an important player before and after his spell on the sidelines.

Following Ait Nouri's early injury, O'Neil opted to bring Matt Doherty off the bench on Monday night which didn't pan out as well as he'd hoped. Doherty lost possession 13 times during his 71 minutes on the field, completed merely one tackle and failed to put a single cross into the box as Wolves struggled to create chances, eventually conceding a late penalty to drop three points.

At just 29, Jonny has plenty still left in the tank and could offer much more solidity on the flanks instead of Doherty should Ait Nouri leave in January.

Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney was spotted giving an emotional speech as the club's successful League Two campaign came to an end.

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Wrexham secured promotion to League OneMcElhenney has invested heavily alongside Ryan ReynoldsBeat champions Stockport on final dayWHAT HAPPENED?

The 47-year-old actor – who took over the club alongside Hollywood co-star Reynolds – was present at Wrexham's win over Stockport on the final day of the League Two season. McElhenney was captured on video delivering a speech expressing his gratitude for everyone's hard work this year before sinking a shot of whiskey with a Red Dragons scarf wrapped around his neck.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

They may not have finished in first place, but Wrexham proved they have quality in abundance compared to the other teams in the fourth division. Phil Parkinson's side had a 10-point cushion to MK Dons in the first play-off spot and you wouldn't bet against them to compete in a tougher division next term.

WHAT ROB MCELHENNEY SAID

McElhenney's emotional moment was captured on video and posted to Instagram. Addressing those he had watched the game with, he said: "Every single person here plays and has played a role in this club. Going from the National League to League One in three years is just absolutely incredible. Everybody here at the club puts in maximum effort shift after shift. Nick Grad is here, he works at FX and is a very important part of the process. So to everybody, cheers!"

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Instagram @paulmullin12WHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?

Wrexham have achieved back-to-back promotions and will play in League One for the first time since 2005. Their 15-year absence from the EFL is but a distant memory and their 15 wins in the 2023-24 campaign was only bettered by champions Stockport. Next season, the Dragons will have trips to Reading, Blackpool and Huddersfield to look forward to as they take their next step under their famous owners.

Glasgow Rangers will be looking to win three Premiership matches in a row this afternoon as Dundee are the visitors to Ibrox.

Philippe Clement’s men won 1-0 in midweek over Hearts, yet if it were not for some wasteful finishing, they could have easily scored more.

Tom Lawrence had to come off injured against the Jambos, however, and this was the only blemish on a productive evening.

The lack of central midfielders who are fit is worrying and Clement may need to go back to the drawing board.

Rangers team news vs Dundee

The Belgian confirmed that Borna Barisic and Lawrence are both suffering from muscle injuries and they will both be monitored, meaning they could both miss the tie against Dundee if they do not recover in time.

Nicolas Raskin is also missing after his recovery is not going as smoothly as anticipated, while Scott Wright continues to be absent.

Ryan Jack has missed the previous few matches with an injury and the weekend clash against the Dens Park outfit could come too quick for him to make a return.

John Lundstram is fit and healthy, and he could be deployed in the engine room, while the 49-year-old can soften the Lawrence blow by unleashing Jose Cifuentes alongside him.

Jose Cifuentes’ season in numbers

It is safe to say the £16k-per-week midfielder has not quite hit the heights expected of him since he made the move to the Light Blues during the summer.

During the embryonic stages of his career, he was praised by journalist Tim Vickery following his displays for Ecuador at the U20 World Cup in 2019, who said: “He was the beating heart of that side and I think he’s a terrific midfielder. He’s strong, he’s got quality, he’s got a good engine – he’s one of the best all-round midfielders, potentially, that I’ve seen come out of South America in a while.”

Across 18 appearances so far this season, however, he has grabbed just one assist and the midfielder needs to be showing more.

The 24-year-old has managed 1.1 shots per game, although he has yet to score for the club, while the Ecuadorian has created two big chances and has an 88% pass success rate, proving that he is showing some signs of his talents.

Although coming into the game as a substitute after Lawrence was taken off in midweek, Cifuentes finished the game with the most pressures (31), counter pressures (seven), and tackles and interceptions (seven) across everyone on the field of play and perhaps there is hope yet that he can become a key member of the team.

These statistics show that he has the engine and dive to put pressure on the opposition in order to win possession back quickly for his side, which can then provide the attackers with more opportunities to work their magic in the final third.

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To do this, however, he will need a consistent run in the starting XI and this means dropping Jack to the bench. The Scot has been solid when carrying out his duties for the Gers this season, yet his constant injury issues may mean he could have to rely on making appearances from the bench when he is fit.

Cifuentes can cement his place in the centre of midfield against Dundee today, and he should take confidence from his midweek performance.

Pakistan fought back after being bowled out for 181, reducing South Africa to 127 for 5 at stumps

The Report by Liam Brickhill26-Dec-2018

Dale Steyn is carried on Kagiso Rabada’s shoulders after his South Africa record of 422nd Test wicket•Getty Images

The Boxing Day Test match moved rapidly forward on a frenetic first day in Centurion, South Africa and Pakistan’s seam attacks trading blows on a surface that offered encouragement for the quicks. After the early celebrations for Dale Steyn’s ascent to the top of South Africa’s Test bowling records, Duanne Olivier starred with a career-best 6 for 37 and Babar Azam’s fluent 71 in his first innings on South African soil was the only innings of substance as the visitors folded for 181.Whatever advantage South Africa had gained with the ball was swiftly put in perspective when Pakistan’s bowlers cut a swathe through the top order. A 69-run stand between Theunis de Bruyn and Temba Bavuma repaired the innings somewhat, but a deficit of 54 remained when stumps were called with the match in the balance.The hype on Wednesday morning had been focused around Steyn’s attempt at surpassing Shaun Pollock’s 421 Test dismissals – one that has been drawn out over the past year as Steyn fought his way back to full fitness. But once the game was under way, the wait wasn’t long and with his 19th delivery Steyn found the outside edge of Fakhar Zaman’s bat to move to 422 and break a record that has stood for a decade.Steyn’s emotion at the milestone was clearly evident. There were no crazy eyes, and no chainsaw celebration, but he was embraced by his team-mates and raised aloft by Kagiso Rabada as Tina Turner’s was belted out over the ground’s PA system. As he had promised, Steyn didn’t waste too much time settling and getting back to his mark to focus on taking the next wicket. He didn’t get another, but Olivier’s efforts rattled Pakistan thereafter.ALSO READ: Duanne Olivier, South Africa’s ‘other bowler’ who stole the showOlivier came on as the change bowler after the first hour and soon struck in consecutive overs to start Pakistan’s wobble. His first dismissal was fortuitous, the ball ricocheting off Shan Masood’s thigh pad and then glove and onto the stumps, but there was nothing lucky about the in-dipper that trapped Asad Shafiq in front of his stumps in Olivier’s next over.After lunch, Olivier dug one in at Azhar Ali to force a skewed edge that de Bruyn snaffled brilliantly, diving to his right from third slip, and half the visiting line-up was back in the change-room with just 86 on the board. Sarfraz Ahmed could not last the first over he faced, poking tentatively at a back-of-a-length delivery from Olivier to send an inside edge onto his stumps, and Mohammad Amir was given a thorough working-over before Olivier slipped a full one through his defences to collect his fifth.Olivier’s speeds matched those of his illustrious team-mates throughout: he operated consistently in the 140s and bowled as fast as 146kph as he vexed the tail, Amir being struck a stinging blow that immediately brought up a purple bruise on the little finger of his right hand before he had his stumps disturbed.Pakistan were seven down before reaching 100 yet on the board when Amir fell, but vitally Babar was still at the crease and he rose to the situation to shepherd what remained of the tail. Babar was the only visiting batsman to play the pull with any authority, and also took Steyn on in thrilling fashion in the afternoon.Babar’s riposte to Steyn’s return to the attack for a third spell in the 39th over was a flurry of attacking strokes that mixed venomous intent with a silken touch. Babar generally kept the ball along the turf with controlled aggression, but there was remarkable freedom in his strokeplay as he spanked Steyn out of the attack with 10 fours in four overs.Mohammad Amir celebrates•AFP

Invigorated by the battle with an increasingly wide-eyed Steyn, Babar raced to a 58-ball fifty, surviving a desperate review for caught behind when the ball had only flicked his trouser pocket. After Steyn had been removed from the attack, it was Rabada who finally got the better of Babar, a rare poor shot resulting in an edge to Faf du Plessis at first slip. Hasan Ali swung gamely for his 21 not out, but Shaheen Afridi feathered an edge to give Olivier his sixth wicket and bring the innings to an end.At that point, it was advantage South Africa, but a touch of variable bounce as early as the second session would not have escaped the attention of Pakistan’s bowlers and Hasan and Amir bristled in their new-ball spells. Hasan nipped one off the seam to trap Aiden Markram in front in the sixth over after tea, but it was the combination of Amir and Afridi that pressed the game forward.Amir’s return for a second burst brought immediate reward, the ball flying off the leading edge of Hashim Amla’s bat to be caught by Babar at gully. Afridi then found the edge of Dean Elgar’s bat even as he tried to shoulder arms, and with his very next delivery got one to spit off a length, taking the shoulder of du Plessis’ bat as the South African captain fell for a golden duck.South Africa were in serious strife at 43 for 4, and Bavuma and de Bruyn had to contend with a cauldron of pressure in the middle. They responded in fine style, gritting out the early exchanges before the runs started to come and the pressure eased. Their concentration was unfazed by a short stoppage for a passing shower, and de Bruyn greeted Yasir Shah’s introduction with a pull for six when the legspinner dropped short.Bavuma added back-to-back fours of his own off Yasir, the second of which brought up the fifty stand, and then shimmied down the track, slapping a drive through cover to bring up the team’s 100. Yasir leaked 24 from his first four overs, and Sarfraz once again turned to Amir in fading afternoon light.He broke through once again almost straightaway, catching de Bruyn in two minds at the crease to find the edge, and parity was restored once more with South Africa’s innings in the balance at 112 for 5. The focus returned to Steyn, now with bat in hand after being shunted ahead of Quinton de Kock as nightwatchman. He sliced two streaky boundaries, but survived to fight another day alongside Bavuma, who was unbeaten on 38.