West Ham United and technical director Tim Steidten have made their first move to sign a £100,000-a-week attacker for Julen Lopetegui.
West Ham want more forwards after Guilherme
Luis Guilherme was officially announced as West Ham’s first summer signing earlier this month, with the Brazilian teenager arriving from Palmeiras.
However, the Irons and Steidten aren’t planning on making Guilherme their only signing in the final third ahead of Lopetegui’s first season in charge at the London Stadium.
For example, bids have reportedly been submitted to sign former Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha, now at Galatasaray, and Colombian forward Jhon Arias from Fluminense. West Ham officials have also held talks over a move to sign Lille’s Jonathan David, with a host of Premier League clubs eyeing the Canada international.
West Ham agree deal for 33 y/o who Klopp called "incredible"
The Hammers have made another breakthrough.
ByCharlie Smith Jun 20, 2024
Alongside the three attackers named, the Hammers also now appear to have their eye on Arsenal winger Reiss Nelson and have made their first move over a potential transfer.
West Ham make contact for Reiss Nelson
According to Football Insider, West Ham have been in contact with Arsenal over a deal to sign Nelson, with Nottingham Forest doing the same. Brighton & Hove Albion also have an interest in the winger, who has told the Gunners he’s keen on a move away from the Emirates this summer.
Arsenal value Nelson between £25m-£30m but now appear willing to cash in on the 24-year-old, who started once in the Premier League last season, playing just 257 minutes in the top flight.
Former Arsenal forward Reiss Nelson.
Nelson, who picks up £100,000-a-week, was described as a “special player” by Mikel Arteta last year, saying he “can eliminate players one on one”.
“We have pace in a few players up front. Reiss [Nelson] is a special player and can eliminate players one on one. He's been out for a while but he's back now and he showed what he's capable of doing. I'm really enjoying working with this group of players. It's a process. I know [people think] everything has to be today or yesterday but in football it doesn't happen like this.”
Primarily a right-winger who can also play on the left or as an attacking midfielder, Nelson would provide plenty of versatility for Lopetegui, while also boasting top-flight experience. He’s made 89 senior appearances for Arsenal after progressing through their academy and has also spent time on loan at Hoffenheim and Feyenoord.
In total, he’s won four games out of a possible seven when playing against the Hammers throughout his career so far, but by the looks of things, he could soon be an Irons player, should they pip Forest and Brighton to a deal over the coming months.
تلقى فريق الكرة الأول بنادي بيراميدز، هزيمة أمام الترجي التونسي بهدفين دون رد، خلال المباراة التي انتهت منذ قليل ببطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا.
بيراميدز حل ضيفًا على الترجي على استاد رادس الأولمبي في العاصمة تونس، في ثالث جولات دور المجموعات من دوري أبطال إفريقيا.
وسجل يوسف البلايلي الهدف الأول للترجي في الدقيقة 36، بعد اختراق رائع من وسط الملعب ومن ثم تسديدة من داخل منطقة الجزاء سكنت مرمى أحمد الشناوي.
طالع أيضاً.. مدرب باتشوكا: فزنا على الأهلي بسببين.. ومباراة ريال مدريد “معقدة”
وتقدم إلياس موكونا بالهدف الثاني لصالح الترجي في الدقيقة 45، بعد انفراد رودريجيز بأحمد الشناوي حارس بيراميدز والذي تصدى للكرة قبل أن تصل لمسجل الهدف.
ويتواجد فريقا بيراميدز والترجي في المجموعة الرابعة رفقة ساجرادا إسبيرانسا الأنجولي ودجوليبا المالي.
بهذا الفوز، يحتل الترجي التونسي صدارة ترتيب المجموعة برصيد 7 نقاط، بينما يتواجد بيراميدز بالمركز الثاني، ولديه 4 نقاط. أهداف مباراة بيراميدز والترجي اليوم في دوري أبطال إفريقيا
Diante da desvantagem existente contra o Fortaleza na Copa do Brasil, torna-se muito importante contar com a maior quantidade de alternativas para montar a equipe como é o caso do CRB para o jogo desta quarta-feira (4) no Estádio Rei Pelé.
RelacionadasCRBGuilherme Romão quer intensidade do CRB em jogo de volta contra o Fortaleza pela Copa do BrasilCRB03/08/2021CRBWesley, do CRB, quer grande jogo contra Fortaleza pela Copa do BrasilCRB02/08/2021Futebol NacionalVolante Claudinei quer o CRB fazendo jogo perfeito para avançar na Copa do Brasil 2021Futebol Nacional02/08/2021
>Aplicativo de resultados do LANCE! está disponível na versão iOS
O técnico Allan Aal não tem nenhum problema relacionado a cartões ou contusões para formar o 11 inicial e ainda pode contar com um importante reforço ofensivo: o experiente centroavante Júnior Brandão, atleta que estava atuando no futebol europeu.
Apesar do atleta ter se desvinculado do Rio Ave-POR antes de fechar com o CRB, mesmo assim a transação é considerada como de ordem internacional.
Por isso, apesar de ter sido anunciado no início do mês de julho, ele só teve sua inscrição no Boletim Informativo Diário (CBF) quando se iniciou o mês de agosto, data de abertura da janela.
Desta forma, a escalação conta comDiogo Silva; Reginaldo, Gum, Caetano e Guilherme Romão; Marthã, Jean Patrick, Diego Torres e Renan Bressan; Erik e Nicolas Careca (Júnior Brandão).
When David Willey was told last year that he had been left out of England’s T20I series in New Zealand, he thought his international career was over.Willey had been a white-ball regular for England for the previous four years, but was dropped immediately before the World Cup after Jofra Archer’s impressive start to his international career left him surplus to requirements.He lost his sense of enjoyment during the summer, lacking motivation after his omission and finding himself desperate to get off the pitch in county cricket, but held out hope of selection during the winter after impressing in his recent T20I outings for England.”The last-but-one T20 I’d played for England, I took 4 for 7,” Willey explains. “To then be left out was pretty tough. Did I think my international career was over? Yeah, I did. It looked like I was probably done.”His exclusion from that tour left him at his lowest point, playing in the Abu Dhabi T10 in November. “I just didn’t want to be there,” he recalls. “I didn’t want to go to the ground. When I was at the ground, I didn’t want to be there, and I wanted to get back to the hotel. I’d fallen out of love with the game, I think. It was time for me to take a break.”And that was exactly what he did. Willey withdrew his name from franchise league drafts and decided that after years of non-stop travel with England, with appearances in T20 tournaments squeezed in between tours, he needed time away from the game.ALSO READ: Willey’s omission ‘a very tough call’ – Smith“I just wanted every game to be finished – I wasn’t too bothered about my own performance or what the result was, I just wanted it to finish. When you’re playing sport in that headspace, you’re not going to do very well.”I’d had five years of 12 months a year. I wasn’t happy with how I was playing, and the culmination of that was missing out on the World Cup. I was just done.”With the Covid-19 lockdown delaying the start of the county season by four months, Willey has had a rare chance to enjoy spending time at home with his family – wife Carolynne and their two young children. More recently, he has been gearing up for the summer by watching footage of his bowling action and working out how to get back to his best form.”I’ve been looking back at old footage. It’s mainly my release point. I’d ended up being past perpendicular, which is probably why I wasn’t swinging the ball as much. I’ve been looking to get my release point back over my left hip, which feels weird when you change something.”But it feels like I’m getting there, and the ball’s swinging again, which is good. I’m just keeping tabs on that and trying to work on it.”After a winter off, it came as “a nice surprise” to Willey when he took a call from James Taylor, one of England’s selectors, in May telling him that he had been included in an enlarged 55-man training group ahead of this summer’s internationals. He admits he was worried that it would prove a false dawn – “that would have been pretty tough” – but was included in the ODI training squad earlier this month, and is in the Ageas Bowl bubble preparing for next week’s series against Ireland.David Willey bowls in the intra-squad warm-up at the Ageas Bowl•Getty Images
He played his first game in eight months on Tuesday, taking two wickets in an intra-squad warm-up game, and hopes that a strong showing in the second practice match on Friday will secure his inclusion for the series itself.”To get the call to come back into the group was great,” he says. “We had that first run-out yesterday and I absolutely loved being out playing cricket. I couldn’t be happier really. The worst thing that can happen to me in my cricket career has happened already when I got left out of the World Cup, so whatever happens from here, it is what it is.”My role will always be the same: to take wickets with the new ball. That’s what I was in the side for originally, and that’s pretty much what I imagine I’ll be doing if selected again.”One of the messages I got was that they’re looking at some younger guys, but I’m not looking too much at that. I’m just trying to enjoy my cricket – particularly because I wasn’t doing that at the end of last summer. I want to be playing for England, but the most important thing is that I enjoy what I’m doing.” In the longer term, Willey has an eye on the two upcoming T20 World Cups – now scheduled for 2021 and 2022 – and feels his best years are ahead of him, having turned 30 in February.”The best cricket in me is still to come. The last two years I’ve not actually played that much – I’ve been carrying the drinks a lot. For me, and for the type of cricketer I am, I’ve got to be out in the middle playing regularly to be at my best.”I think my success has probably come more in T20 for England [than in ODIs]. I played in the last [T20] World Cup in India, so in the back of my mind I’ll be working towards the next one and hope I can be a part of it. It would be great to go out there and do it all again, and hopefully go all the way this time.”But that’s a lot way off. First and foremost, I want to keep enjoying playing cricket. If I’m in the right headspace, I’m sure everything else will take care of itself.”
Comments from a Manchester United legend may have contributed to a proposed deal for Adrien Rabiot falling through in 2022.
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Rabiot deal fell through in 2022MUTV comments may have contributedMan Utd considered 2024 approachWHAT HAPPENED?
Manchester United were in talks to sign Rabiot from Juventus during Erik ten Hag's first summer at the club in 2022. But after a £15 million ($19.7m at today's exchange rate) transfer fee was agreed with Juve, United legend Lou Macari questioned, during an appearance on MUTV – the club's own in-house channel – why the Frenchman wasn't being pursued by other big sides.
Advertisement(C)Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
United famously struggled to hammer out personal terms with Rabiot's mother and agent, Veronique, which would certainly have helped scupper any deal. But, two years on, has now revealed that the player was allegedly so upset by apparent criticism before he had even arrived that it made him think twice. From United's perspective, they then questioned his ability to handle the scrutiny that comes with joining the club. They did show interest in him again this summer following his release from Juventus as a free agent, but wound up landing primary target Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain instead.
WHAT LOU MACARI SAID
Macari said: "[I have] a bad feeling about the guy."
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DID YOU KNOW?
Macari made 404 appearances for Manchester United between 1973 and 1983, winning the FA Cup and playing in two others finals, as well as helping the club back into the top flight in 1975.
كشف مصدر خاص لـ بطولات، عن موقف حسام حسن، المدير الفي لمنتخب مصر، من استدعاء أحمد فتوح، لاعب الزمالك للمعسكر الحالي قبل مواجهة بوتسوانا.
وتقام مباراة مصر وبوتسوانا يوم 19 نوفمبر المقبل، في تمام الخامسة مساءً، بتوقيت القاهرة، السادسة بتوقيت السعودية.
وكان منتخب مصر، قد تعادل مع الرأس الأخضر، أمس الجمعة، بهدف لكل منهما، ضمن منافسات الجولة الخامسة من التصفيات المؤهلة لكأس أمم إفريقيا.
وشهدت المباراة إثارة كبيرة وحماسًا من جانب الفريقين، حيث تبادل الفريقان السيطرة على مجريات اللعب، وتمكن منتخب مصر من افتتاح التسجيل عن طريق اللاعب طاهر محمد طاهر، قبل أن يعادل منتخب كاب فيردي النتيجة من ركلة جزاء.
وقال المصدر: “استدعاء حسام حسن لأحمد فتوح؟ حاليًا الجهاز الفني لا ينوي استدعاء أي لاعبين قبل مواجهة بوتسوانا، المعسكر سيستكمل باللاعبين الحاليين”.
وكان لاعبو مصر قد حجزوا بطاقة التأهل الرسمية إلى نهائيات كأس أمم إفريقيا المقبلة والتي تقام بالمغرب 2025. وتقام تصفيات كأس أمم إفريقيا المغرب 2025 من مرحلة واحدة بمشاركة 48 منتخبا، تم تقسيمها على 12 مجموعة بواقع 4 منتخبات في كل واحدة، يتأهل منها المتصدر والوصيف.
West Ham United's season is in danger of fizzing out in the final stretch, with successive 2-0 defeats against Bayer Leverkusen and Fulham wrecking standings in both the Europa League and Premier League.
Admittedly, David Moyes' side put in a shift and a half against Xabi Alonso's unstoppable Bundesliga champions and will be sanguine in their efforts in the return leg on Thursday, but losing to the Cottagers in the top-flight has seen the Hammers fall to eighth-place, outside the Europe-qualifying zone.
West Ham: Remaining Premier League Fixtures
Fixture
Date
Current Position
Crystal Palace (A)
21/04/24
14th
Liverpool (H)
27/04/24
3rd
Chelsea (A)
05/05/24
9th
Luton Town (H)
11/05/24
18th
Manchester City (A)
19/05/24
1st
Sourced via Sky Sports
Kurt Zouma was rested on Sunday and this proved to be a fatal mistake; quite simply, West Ham are lacking in reliability and solidity in central defence and this needs to be rectified during the summer.
West Ham's transfer plans
It's still unclear whether Moyes will be at the helm next season, out of contract in the summer but claiming he has been offered fresh terms, but focus will undoubtedly centre on replenishing the backline.
And according to The Independent's Miguel Delaney – via Caught Offside – West Ham are hoping to land Fulham centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo on a free transfer this summer, with the 6 foot 5 titan out of contract at Craven Cottage at the end of the campaign.
Tosin Adarabioyo for Fulham
However, TEAMtalk claim that the 26-year-old is attracting interest from Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, so West Ham will need to act with conviction to convince him to move to east London.
Why West Ham are interested in Tosin Adarabioyo
If last weekend's clash between West Ham and Fulham was an audition for the 26-year-old Adarabioyo, he passed with flying colours, having kept a deserved clean sheet, taking 59 touches, completing 87% of his passes, winning three of six duels, making one tackle and – wait for it – making ten clearances, as per Sofascore.
Ten clearances. That's quite a shift. This level of robustness would only serve to improve a West Ham defence that has struggled to impress this season, with the 58 top-flight goals conceded the joint-highest of any side above the dreaded dotted line.
Fulham, by comparison, have conceded 51 goals, with Adarabioyo keeping six clean sheets from 19 appearances, completing 85% and winning 63% of his contested duels.
Not only does he surpass Zouma in possession and duels – the Irons captain has completed 83% of his passes and won 55% of his duels – but he's also averaging 70 touches a game to Zouma's 45 per game, denoting his ball-playing proclivity and willingness to sit in the thick of the action, a fulcrum from the rearguard.
As per FBref, the £40k-per-week ace ranks among the top 20% of centre-backs across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals, the top 10% for touches in the attacking penalty area, the top 8% for clearances and the top 10% for aerial duels won per 90.
Kurt Zouma for West Ham
Like Zouma, Adarabioyo is a menace at both ends and offers similar traits – Zouma ranks among the top 14% of positional peers for goals and the top 8% for clearances per 90 – but he's crisper on the ball, more active and energetic in his movements and more dominant in the air.
Described as a "special player" by Fulham boss Marco Silva, the one-time Manchester City youth product must be signed, especially on a free. While it's unlikely that he would displace Zouma, he could be a formidable partner to leapfrog struggling defenders Nayef Aguerd and Konstantinos Mavropanos.
The latter, a £19m summer signing from Stuttgart, has fallen by the wayside recently and illustrated this recent struggle with a 3/10 match rating from the Evening Standard's Malik Ouzia after making an abject error to set Fulham up for their opening goal.
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True enough, one match doesn't define a player but Mavropanos is not providing the command and composure requisite for the success that West Ham envisage: a lasting position of prosperity at the forefront of domestic and continental football.
Adarabioyo might just instil the stability and resolve to cement a base for Moyes' side next season, and he must be signed.
Manchester City could be set to trigger the release clause for a £150,000-per-week midfielder in the summer transfer window.
Manchester City looking to strengthen their midfield ranks
Manchester City have been one of the most dominant Premier League teams in history over the last decade, with the Cityzens winning five of the last nine top flight campaigns.
Granted, their winning streaks have been interrupted by the likes of Liverpool and Leicester, however, across all competitions, Pep Guardiola's men have been the most feared in recent years, due in no small part to their ability to quickly recognise declining points in the squad and then upgrade them. For example, last summer, City sold the likes of Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez, but still have Jack Grealish and Phil Foden within their ranks, also adding Jeremy Doku.
Despite their dominance, key players such as Kyle Walker and Kevin De Bruyne are all starting to enter the 'twilight' stages of their careers. De Bruyne is 32-years-old and has spent a large chunk of this season on the sidelines due the injuries.
This has resulted in Guardiola relying heavily on the likes of Bernardo Silva – who himself is often linked with a move away – while Matheus Nunes was brought in over the summer to fill the gaps which the departures of Ilkay Gundogan and Cole Palmer left upon their departures. However, the addition of the Portugal international hasn't quite worked out as well as City would've hoped.
Matehus Nunes' season so far
Games
23
Goals
0
Assists
5
Data from Transfermarkt
Although he has been involved in many games across the season, he has only started 13 games in all competitions. So, it comes as no surprise that Manchester City are reportedly looking at some midfield targets for the upcoming window.
City ready to bring midfield "magician" to the club
Described as a "magician" by journalist, Robbie Mustoe, Lucas Paqueta has been on Guardiola's radar for some time now. Before eventually going for Nunes in the summer, Paqueta found himself as the number one target for Guardiola, with the club even going as far as making an offer for the midfielder. Now, City are 'ready' to make another bid for the West Ham star.
West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta.
That is according to The Mail, via TEAMtalk, who state that the Brazil international has a '£86m release clause in his contract' which will become 'active' in the summer. The 26-year-old would be able to instantly provide cover for players such as De Bruyne, Mateo Kovacic and Nunes and would be desperate to gain a starting spot.
Indeed, the addition of Paqueta would be a stellar signing by Guardiola, and he would likely hope that he could become a sort of 'understudy' to star man De Bruyne in the coming years due to the versatility which he possesses.
Additionally, despite Silva playing an important role for the Cityzens this season by playing a total of 35 games and contributing to 13 goals, he has been linked with a move away from the club. So, if his departure does come to fruition, Paqueta could be an ideal replacement for Guardiola next season which makes the transfer seem even more sensible.
Celtic have found themselves in a real race to land the Scottish Premiership this season as they battle their closest rivals to secure the trophy.
The Hoops are currently second in the table and two points behind Philippe Clement's Rangers ahead of tonight's round of fixtures in the top-flight.
Brendan Rodgers' side have drawn two of their last four matches in the league, which has resulted in their drop down to second place, and the Northern Irish head coach will be hoping to avoid any more dropped points this evening.
The Bhoys host Dundee at Parkhead and come into this match off the back of an unconvincing 3-1 win against Motherwell at Fir Park on Sunday.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers applauds the fans.
They were 1-0 down at half-time and needed two goals in stoppage time to secure all three points, as substitute Adam Idah made a huge impact off the bench.
Rodgers must now brutally ditch Kyogo Furuhashi from the starting XI in order to make room for the Ireland international to be unleashed from the start.
Kyogo Furuhashi's performance against Motherwell
The Japan international endured a rough 45 minutes of action at Fir Park before being hauled off at the break to be replaced by the deadline day loan signing from Norwich City.
After the match, Rodgers confirmed that the half-time substitution was a tactical one, although he also added that the former Vissel Kobe star did have a knock on his shoulder, as Kyogo was not providing the focal point of the attack that was needed.
The statistics back up that assessment from the Northern Irish boss as the 29-year-old lightweight only won one duel against an opposition player in those 45 minutes.
Celtic forward Kyogo Furuhashi.
Staggeringly, the Japanese forward also failed to complete a single pass to his teammates as all three of his attempted passes went astray.
He ended the half with a 0% pass accuracy, 0% dribble success rate, and one 'big chance' missed for the Hoops, which illustrates how poor the attacker's performance was against Motherwell.
Adam Idah's impact against Motherwell
After Kyogo's disappointing half of football, Idah came on to save the day with a superb performance and impact during the second half of the game.
The Irish marksman, whose display was hailed as "sensational" by Chris Sutton, did not take long to make his presence felt as he got on the end of a cross from Greg Taylor to brilliantly guide his header into the far corner to make it 1-1 in the 51st minute.
He then scored the goal to put Celtic 2-1 up in stoppage time, before Luis Palma added a third, in the 94th minute with a fantastic finish on his left foot from Alistair Johnston's cross.
The Norwich loanee did superbly to get across his defender and opened his body up to finish into the bottom corner on his weak foot, which showed great composure and quality at that point in the match.
Along with his goals, Idah's all-round performance was impressive. He won three of his six duels, completed one dribble, and completed 89% (8/9) of his attempted passes in 45 minutes plus stoppage time on the pitch.
These statistics show that the 23-year-old ace offered far more to the team than Kyogo both in his contributions in front of goal, in build-up, and out of possession, with his finishing, movement, link-up play, and strength.
Adam Idah's form for Celtic
The £23k-per-week striker did not arrive to much fanfare when he joined on loan, with no option for the club to make it permanent, from English Championship side Norwich on deadline day.
Norwich forward Adam Idah.
Idah had only started 12 of his 28 league appearances for the Canaries during the first half of the campaign, which meant that the Hoops – on the face of it – were signing a back-up from the second division in England to solve their goalscoring woes.
However, the Ireland international has hit the ground running in Scotland and possibly left David Wagner wondering why he did not start him more in Norfolk.
Appearances
Four
Starts
Two
Goals
Four
Big chances missed
Two
Assists
One
Sofascore rating
7.45
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the 6 foot 3 monster has provided Rodgers with a phenomenal threat at the top end of the pitch, with five goal contributions in four appearances.
These statistics, and his fantastic impact against Motherwell, show why the manager should unleash Idah from the start against Dundee this evening, as he has the quality to be a match-winner for Celtic.
Kyogo Furuhashi's struggles this season
Meanwhile, Kyogo should be brutally ditched from the XI to make way for him after his disappointing display at Fir Park last time out on Sunday.
It was, unfortunately, not a rare off-day for the Japan international as he has struggled at times this season, following on from his immense form last term.
The experienced marksman plundered 27 goals in 31 Premiership starts during the 2022/23 campaign but has not been able to carry that level of scoring over to this season.
Celtic winger James Forrest warms up with Kyogo Furuhashi.
Kyogo has played 27 times in the Scottish top-flight this term and has contributed with nine goals and three assists, which is a return of one strike every 204 minutes on average. That is down considerably from his average of one goal every 86 minutes under Ange Postecoglou last year.
His finishing has left a lot to be desired as the Japanese gem has missed more 'big chances' (13) than the forward has scored goals (nine), which suggests that he has not made the most of the chances that his teammates have provided him with.
A pass success rate of 67% and a duel success rate of 39% in the Premiership this season also does not suggest that he is making up for his wasteful finishing with quality in the build-up or out of possession.
Put simply, Idah has more to offer for Celtic in the number nine position than Kyogo on current form, both on and off the ball and in front of goal, which is why the Irish dynamo should be brought in ahead of him from the start against Dundee this evening.
Pakistan will play a three-match ODI series against Netherlands in July before visiting Ireland for two T20Is
Umar Farooq in Lahore03-Oct-2019Netherlands are set to host Pakistan for the first time in 2020. Comprising three ODIs, to be played between July 4 and 9 in Amstelveen, the series will be their longest against a Full Member – outside of the newly promoted Ireland and Afghanistan. Pakistan will then visit Ireland for a two-match T20I series before moving on to England to play three World Test Championship games from July 30 to August 20.Fixtures
4 July – 1st ODI v Netherlands, VRA Cricket Club, Amstelveen 7 July – 2nd ODI v Netherlands, VRA Cricket Club, Amstelveen 9 July – 3rd ODI v Netherlands, VRA Cricket Club, Amstelveen 12 July – 1st T20I v Ireland, Venue TBA 14 July – 2nd T20I v Ireland, Venue TBA
“We have a long and strong relationship with KNCB [Netherlands Cricket Board] and Ireland Cricket and I think it’s important that we provide these countries much-needed opportunity to compete against Full Members,” a PCB spokesman told ESPNcricinfo. “We had an empty window and there isn’t a better way to support them in their growth by playing them more frequently. The PCB has a long history of helping and encouraging Associate Members and the tour to the Netherlands is part of that tradition.”On our previous trips, we have received tremendous public support who have thronged the stadia to not only watch cricket but also appreciate and encourage the players. I am confident the upcoming tours will further strengthen the bonding and service the purpose.”Pakistan have never played a bilateral series against Netherlands, though the two teams have met in the ICC events – the 1996 and 2003 World Cups and the 2002 Champions Trophy. Pakistan won all three games comprehensively.”Pakistan is one of the most exciting and followed teams in the world and they will add further flavour and context to our domestic season,” Betty Timmer, chair of KNCB, said. “This series will contribute significantly in our endeavours to put together a strong and formidable side for the 13-team ICC ODI League, which commences next year. It will provide the much-required exposure and experience to our talented men’s side and will also help in the promotion and development of the game in our part of the world.”Pakistan’s T20Is against Ireland will be played on July 12 and 14. The two teams have previously featured in a one-off T20I, with Pakistan winning the game by 39 runs on their way to lifting the 2009 World T20 in England.The two teams have already been woven together in history after Ireland – a team that was an Associate in 2007 – beat the former champions in a World Cup game and knocked them out of the tournament. Since then, Pakistan have toured Ireland for bilateral series and had also invited them over in 2014, but just as that tour was coming close to reality, Ireland had to pull out following a terrorist attack at the Karachi airport. Subsequently, Pakistan toured Ireland for the home side’s maiden Test match, which they won by five wickets.”Ireland and Pakistan have a close affinity, both across men’s and women’s cricket, and we are delighted to welcome the top-ranked T20I side to Ireland for what will be an action-packed series,” Richard Holdsworth, performance director at Cricket Ireland, said. “This year we have seen a number of great performances by Ireland and some exciting young talent emerge in the T20 squad. The way to further improve our players is to pit ourselves against the world’s best, and in Pakistan we have that opportunity. The fixtures will be part of a big home season for Ireland, where we are hosting a number of Full Member teams. It is yet another big year to look forward to in Irish cricket.”