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The 2025/26 campaign has been testing, to say the least, for Tottenham Hotspur.

After winning the Europa League under Ange Postecoglou, then relieving the Australian coach of his duties, fans were hopeful that a page had been turned, but on the edge of the Premier League season’s midpoint, Thomas Frank’s side are 11th, seven points off the top four.

Still, Crystal Palace were defeated at Selhurst Park on Sunday afternoon and that represented the turning of a corner. Spurs have more work to complete, but Frank was pleased with his side’s spirit and togetherness and initiative.

However, support is needed ahead of the January transfer window, with Frank’s midfield in particular need of investment.

Spurs' plans to sign a midfielder

Yves Bissouma has not played for Tottenham this season. Disciplinary reasons are behind it. The Malian is likely to leave in 2026, and a replacement must be found, with the partnership of Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur leaving much to be desired.

It was Archie Gray who flicked home with his head to score his first senior goal, securing three points at Palace and continuing Tottenham’s impressive form on the road. Given that Spurs ranked 17th for away form in 2024/25, this is impressive, with more control and mettle on show.

But Gray is young, and Sofascore statistics reveal he has won only 28% of his duels in the Premier League this year. More experience and robustness is needed in the middle of the park.

And according to TEAMtalk’s Dean Jones, Tottenham have held talks with intermediaries over the potential signing of Bayern Munich star Leon Goretzka, who is anticipated to leave the Allianz Arena in 2026.

The German, 30, is keen on a move to England after a career in his homeland, and his progressiveness on the ball could be perfect for a Lilywhites outfit who have struggled to create clear-cut chances with enough consistency.

Manchester United sniffed around last summer, and Bayern retorted with £34m transfer demands. Tottenham will be eyeing a lesser fee than that.

Why Goretzka is a Gray upgrade

Gray is a top talent, and Tottenham felt a rush of excitement when they hijacked Brentford’s bid for the Leeds United prospect and signed him for about £30m in 2024.

He has already featured 59 times for the seniors, and is touted as a future Three Lions mainstay. But Gray’s not there yet, and Goretzka would provide Tottenham with the elite experience they need.

Goretzka is into his third decade, but he’s still a force to be reckoned with, a crisp and intelligent distributor with a tenacity that underpins his technical quality.

Quite simply, Frank would open up new midfield dimensions with Goretzka added to the pack. Just look at how he compares with Gray, whose efforts over the past 12 months have left something to be desired in regard to forward passing metrics.

Goretzka vs Palhinha (past 12 months)

Stats (per 90)

Goretzka

Gray

Goals scored

0.11

0.04

Assists

0.04

0.00

Touches

83.47

58.39

Pass completion (%)

91.0

87.2

Progressive passes

7.96

2.31

Progressive carries

2.06

0.74

Shot-creating actions

2.25

0.86

Successful take-ons

0.34

0.39

Ball recoveries

4.88

3.37

Tackles + interceptions

2.74

2.04

Aerial duels won

1.80

0.55

Data via FBref

Gray’s statistics will have been somewhat skewed by his regular trips to defence last season, such was the severity of Spurs’ injury crisis, but it still emphasises his inferiority.

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He is understandably weaker than the £218k-per-week Goretzka, who has been dubbed a midfield “machine” by Die Roten teammate Aleksandar Pavlović, and it is for this reason that Tottenham should leap at the chance to sign him.

This is a German international whose career has been replete with silverware, including the Champions League in 2019/20 and no less than six separate Bundesliga titles.

His versatility as a central midfielder allows him to play in more advanced roles or as an anchor in front of the backline. Both duties require skill on the ball, athleticism and dynamism, and he has all of that and more.

Gray’s time will come, and it’s not as if he isn’t being put to work by his north London employers. But Tottenham clearly need more in midfield if they are to hit their targets across Frank’s first year, and with Goretzka preparing to leave Bayern Munich after so many years, ENIC might want to pounce nice and early, bringing him over for the second half of the season.

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	Darrell Hair’s return to international cricket is not being viewed kindly in Pakistan © AFP

Darrell Hair’s reinstatement to Tests and ODIs is being viewed with understandable caution by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Nasim Ashraf, chairman of the PCB, said Pakistan had made its position on the matter clear at the ICC board meeting; he also indicated that Hair might not stand in Pakistan matches over the next year, until his contract with the ICC ends.”The PCB’s position, views and opinions were clearly reiterated at the meeting with regard to this issue,” Ashraf told Cricinfo.Ashraf’s countrymen were more forcible in their reactions. Inzamam-ul-Haq, who was banned for four matches for refusing to take his side back on to the field during the Oval Test in August 2006 after Hair accused them of ball-tampering, said he was “shocked and disgusted” by the news.”I would blame the Pakistan board for bowing down in Hair’s case and no player will now stand against injustices at the international level,” Inzamam said. “Hair was at fault but he is reinstated like a hero. The PCB needs to learn a lesson from the Indian board. See how they backed their players in Australia recently on contentious issues.”Pakistan did not return to the field after tea on day four at The Oval, in protest against Hair’s decision to dock them five penalty runs for ball-tampering. Hair subsequently declared the match forfeited by Pakistan, handing the win to England. It was the first time a Test had ever been forfeited.Shaharyar Khan, Ashraf’s predecessor and chairman during The Oval Test, shared Inzamam’s sentiments. “He [Hair] should never have been reinstated after committing so many gross irregularities during the [2006] Oval Test,” Shaharyar told Reuters.”The ICC board decided beyond doubt Hair’s conduct was not up to the mark. This man violated his responsibilities as a senior umpire. How the ICC can restore him is hard to comprehend.”Ramiz Raja, former captain and widely-respected commentator, said the decision highlighted Pakistan’s weak hand at international level. “The decision of Hair’s recall shows Pakistan’s lack of presence at international forums. It is surprising that Hair was reinstated without being tried and tested. It shows that the international community is ready to walk over Pakistan whenever they want.”

A further 13 wickets fell on the second day of the fourth round Pentangular Cup 2007 match between Habib Bank Limited (HBL) and Sind here at the UBL Sports Complex, Karachi.Sind finished the day on 33 for the loss of openers Agha Sabir and Wajihuddin chasing 303 for victory as HBL managed a quick 249 in their second innings.Earlier, resuming on 109 for nine, Sind added another 30 runs before top scorer Rizwan Ahmed (75) became Abdur Rehman’s fifth victim.HBL started their second innings in a confident manner while scoring at a good rate. The innings, however, fell away after the dismissal of the top four and they slipped from 190 for four to 200 for seven before eventually being dismissed in 62 overs.Left-armer Azam Khan claimed six wickets for 84 runs to add to his four wickets in the first innings. For HBL, Imran Farhat top-scored with 64 as Taufeeq Umar (21), Rafatullah Mohman (44) and Hasan Raza (34) contributed well. Skipper Shahid Afridi could only manage 22 as Tahir Khan and Tanvir Ahmed picked up the four remaining wickets.Barring any freakish and un-seasonal weather, Sind look on course for their second successive defeat inside three days. HBL, however, sit nicely on top of the table with only one match to go.Punjab batsmen feasted on a sluggish bowling performance by the combined North West Frontier Province-Baluchistan team as they notched up 387 for four on the second day of their fourth round Pentangular Cup 2007 match at the National Stadium Karachi.Resuming on the overnight 30 for one, Mohammad Hafeez and Imran Khaliq played aggressively and added another 132. Hafeez was dismissed by Jannisar Khan straight after registering his century while Imran was picked up with Riaz Kail on 66.Nasir Jamshed (11) fell cheaply to Arun Lal by captain Misbah-ul-Haq and Naved Latif shared an unbroken 157-run fifth wicket. Misbah, in a terrific domestic form all season, was not out on 86 and Naved had scored an unbeaten 84.NWFP-Baluchistan tried no less than nine different bowlers but were unable to make constant breakthroughs as Punjab’s lead built up to 196.

ScorecardMuttiah Muralitharan and Lasith Malinga took three wickets each as Sri Lanka dismissed Derbyshire for 219 on the first day of the tour match at the Racecourse Ground.Steve Stubbings and Chris Taylor got Derbyshire off to a super start with an unbeaten stand of 85 before lunch, but Muralitharan and Malinga wreaked havoc in the afternoon session. Gaining alarming bounce and bowling with great pace, Malinga took the first three wickets to fall as Derbyshire slipped to 112 for 3.After being treated with great caution, Muralitharan picked up his first wicket when Ant Botha swept him straight to square leg, and thereafter Derbyshire were all at sea. Graeme Welch soon followed, trapped on the crease – and Muralitharan’s third came when Jamie Pipe attempted to cut him and was bowled for 15. In a single session, Sri Lanka had taken 7 for 55 to make up for their wicketless morning’s work.However, their potency disappeared in the final session with the tailenders calmly taking Derbyshire up to and beyond 200. Andy Gray faced 85 balls for his 29 before he became Farveez Maharoof’s first victim.Sri Lanka batted out the final four overs of the day without due alarm.

Jagmohan Dalmiya: burying the hatchet © Getty Images

In a significant development for Indian cricket, Jagmohan Dalmiya and Inderjit Singh Bindra, once close collaborators, and later sworn enemies, have begun to reconcile their differences – or at least put them on the backburner – as manifested in the board’s decision to appoint Bindra to the marketing committee.In the recent working committee meeting of the board held in Trivandum in early June, Ranbir Singh Mahendra, the board president, was authorised to reconstitute the all-important marketing committee. And Bindra has been named as part of this committee, while interestingly N Srinivasan, who was the chairman of the marketing committee and also on the TV rights committee, has been dropped.Srinivasan has recently come under fire for the role the TNCA played when court cases against the board were being filed by cricket clubs from Chennai. A slew of angry letters and faxes, containing strong words, has been exchanged between Mahendra and Srinivasan.The marketing committee is one of the most high-powered organs of the board, and deals directly on all matters of revenue, including television rights, team sponsorship and individual series sponsorships.Bindra is no stranger to the workings of this committee. He was the board president from 1993 to 1996, but had already dealt with television rights and the like, first during the Reliance World Cup held in India and Pakistan in 1987 and later on the board of PILCOM, the joint management committee of the Indian, Pakistani and Sri Lankan boards. He was also at the centre of the action during the Hero Cup in 1993, when the Indian board won a landmark case forcing Doordarshan to pay access fees for the rights to cricket played in IndiaHowever, in 1996, a tussle between Dalmiya and Bindra for the post of International Cricket Council precipitated a falling-out that had been brewing for some time. As a fall-out Bindra, who was president of the Punjab Cricket Association, was banned from attending any meeting of the board for a period of two years when he casted aspersions on the integrity of board officials at the height of the matchfixing scandal. Bindra’s latest appointment marks a return to an active role in the board after a gap of almost 10 years.But it is learned that all this has been set aside at the moment. In the recent working committee meeting Dalmiya made special mention of Bindra’s knowledge of the workings of television rights and similar issues, and for his part Bindra too stated that he was happy to work for the board in any capacity. He stressed that he was always ready to do service for Indian cricket, and cited his decision not to contest his earlier ban as proof of this, according to a top board source.Marketing committee Ranbir Singh Mahendra (Chairman), Rajiv Shukla, Chirayu Amin, Ranga Reddy, C.K. Khanna, Kamal Morarka (BCCI vice-presidents), Gautam Dasgupta (joint secretary), Jyoti Bajpai (treasurer), Jagmohan Dalmiya (immediate BCCI past President), Inder Singh Bindra and Arun Jaitley. As per convention the committee is convened by the BCCI secretary, SK Nair.

Miandad: suffering the fall-out of the loss to India© AFP

The repercussions of Pakistan’s loss to India may have started, if reports in a local newspaper are to be believed. The News reported on Thursday that the Pakistan Cricket Board wants Dav Whatmore to replace Javed Miandad as coach of the senior team.The report quoted sources within the PCB as saying, “Basically the situation with Miandad is that there is a feeling he has been given enough time to prove that the team has developed and improved under him. Secondly … he is not willing to accept responsibility for any shortcomings against India and is opposed to the introduction of modern technology in the team.”However, Whatmore has denied the possibility of a move at present. “Right now, my mind and energy belong to Bangladesh cricket and I want to give all my effort to the team,” Whatmore told a news agency. “I will not name any country that I would like to coach. My agreement with the Bangladesh Cricket Board will end on May 31, 2005 and I will think about my future right after that.”The views of the PCB came out in a meeting Miandad had with the PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan and Haroon Rashid, the manager, on Tuesday in Karachi. The source added, “Whatmore is regarded with great respect in Pakistan cricket circles and the talk is that he should be approached to end his contract with Bangladesh. Everything depends on whether he makes himself available or not.”Miandad and the PCB have been under pressure for some time now to instill some professionalism into the coaching set-up. The series loss against India, believe leading officials, ex-players and skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq, highlighted the need to embrace modernity and, if necessary, technology in coaching methods.It is believed that Shaharyar is keen to integrate a fulltime fitness trainer and a bowling coach into the team set-up. Wasim Akram has expressed his willingness to serve as a bowling coach, as has his old sparring partner Waqar Younis. Dennis Waight and Daryl Foster have also attracted the interest of the PCB – Waight, who came to prominence as West Indies’ fitness coach, worked with the Pakistan team during the 2003 World Cup.When asked about the possible changes by Wisden Cricinfo, a PCB spokesman said, “It is not our policy to comment on rumours and speculation.” Miandad also refused to comment on the news when contacted. “You will have to speak to the Board to ask them for a comment, I don’t want to say anything right now.”Meanwhile, the same report also predicts a bleak future for Shoaib Akhtar. The article reveals there is pressure from government circles to deal with the Rawalpindi Express severely, regardless of the results of a medical-commission investigation into his injury. Akhtar has asked for the commission to delay the inquiry which was due to be held on Sunday, as he has extended his stay in Mumbai.Whether or not the medical commission serves any tangible purpose or can produce evidence of injuries, the report suggests that Shoaib is likely to be banned for a number of matches. “There is pressure from people in government to take action against him … he has been given a free rein for too long and it was the final straw when he let the team down in the series against India.”

HOBART, Feb 28 AAP – South Australia will be tempted to make an attacking declaration at Bellerive Oval tomorrow in their desperate pursuit of an outright win over Tasmania.Rain stopped the Redbacks taking the field at all today and forecasts of showers for tomorrow threaten to prevent play again.The Tigers scored 285 in their first innings on day one yesterday.In reply at stumps on day one, SA were 2-17.With an outright win essential for the Redbacks’ hopes of making the Pura Cup final, SA could be forced to declare short of the Tigers’ total and hope Tasmania would set a target for them to chase.Play was officially abandoned today at 5.05pm (AEDT) and scheduled to resume at 10.30am tomorrow in an effort to make up time lost.Tigers fast-bowler Gerard Denton bagged openers Shane Deitz (5) and David Fitzgerald (9) in successive overs yesterday for figures of two for nine.Nightwatchman Mark Cleary was not out on one at stumps, with skipper Greg Blewett yet to score.

* Indian company wins contract from ECBA London-based Indian company along with a British advertising agencyhas won a prized contract from the England and Wales Cricket Board(ECB) to popularise cricket among children in the 6-12 age group inthe country. Under the contract, Raymedia Limited, founded andoperated by veteran journalist Ashis Ray with British advertisingagency Interfocus, will produce children-friendly cartoon filmsentitled ‘The Pride Side’ which will generate interest among childrenin the game of cricket.The programme which was launched at the Lord’s cricket ground onWednesday in the presence of ECB representatives, English captainNasser Hussain and 30 children is envisaged to run for five years.Ray told PTI that this is the first venture of its kind anywhere inthe world. He hoped to create a TV series and comic strip as part ofthe programme. Ray, formerly of BBC and CNN said “It is a proud momentfor any cricket lover when merit is found in a proposal in what isstill the home and a major laboratory of the game.” Asked about thefunding for the project, he said it would mainly come fromsponsorship.Asked why he had not taken such a proposal to the Board of Control forCricket in India (BCCI), Ray said “Raymedia will be delighted to tryand solve any problem the BCCI may have. We are always at the serviceof India.”* Kumble to return to full fledged competitive cricketAfter an injury lay-off for several months, leg-spinner Anil Kumblereturns to full-fledged competitive cricket later this month testinghis fitness at a high level of the game.Kumble, out of cricketing action after his shoulder injury sustainedin Sharjah in October last year, has been named captain of theKarnataka State Cricket Association XI in the KSCA Diamond Jubilee AllIndia Invitation tournament. The tournament which is scheduled to beplayed in Bangalore from August 1 to 15, is expected to give a clearpicture on the status of his fitness. He may also take part in the AllIndia Buchi Babu invitation tournament to be held in Chennaiimmediately afterwards.Earlier this month, Kumble appeared for a match representing his almamater club Young Cricketers in the KSCA-Coca Cola third divisionleague match against Dooravani Cricketers. At that time, he had comeup with the figures of three for 49 as his team won by two runs in athrilling encounter.* Kumble to lead KSCA XIAce Indian spinner Anil Kumble, starting on the comeback trail aftersurgery on an injured shoulder, will lead the KSCA XI in theforthcoming KSCA Diamond Jubilee All India Invitation tournament forthe Coromandel Cement Trophy to be played in Bangalore from August 1.According to a Karnataka State Cricket Association pressrelease, theother members of the team are: Mithun Beerala, Rowland Barrington,Vijay Bharadwaj, VS Thilak Naidu, Rajashekar Shanbal, Deepak Chowgle,Sunil Joshi, BKVenkatesh Prasad, G Chaitra, Santosh Vadeyaraj, DavidJohnson, Vinay Kumar and Senthil Kumar.

Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy has introduced a new system and way of playing at Parkhead with his 3-4-2-1 formation, and there may be some players who do not make it through the transition.

Liam Scales, for example, is one player who has struggled under the French. He scored an own goal against Roma and was caught under the flight of the ball for Jonah Ayunga’s goal for St Mirren in the League Cup final after starting the manager’s first three games.

Since that mistake at Hampden, the Ireland international has had to settle for coming off the bench against Dundee United and Aberdeen in the last two Scottish Premiership matches, with Auston Trusty preferred as the only natural centre-back in the back three.

Celtic open talks to sign new defender

The Scottish giants are now looking at potentially bringing in a new player who could come in and take Scales’ place in the squad in the long term.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

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According to the Daily Record, Celtic have opened talks to sign 17-year-old central defender Vinny Leonard from Dundalk in the January transfer window.

The report claims that the Hoops have made an approach to snap up the teenage centre-back, having ‘ramped up’ their interest in him, and they are now in talks with the Irish side.

It adds that Genoa, Lyon, and Norwich have also been linked with the talented youngster, which means that it will not be an easy deal to get done, but it is Celtic who are in talks with Dundalk over a transfer.

The Daily Record also reveals that the Premiership champions are hoping to agree a deal that would see Leonard return to Dundalk until the end of the season, as he is unable to join the club until his 18th birthday, which is in March.

Why this is bad news for Liam Scales

Whilst Celtic are unable to bring Leonard in to bolster their squad for the second half of the season, due to his age, they could get him in ahead of pre-season next summer.

This means that Scales is not in immediate danger of losing his place in the squad, but a deal for the youngster could put the Ireland international’s long-term future at Parkhead in doubt.

The current Celtic defender needs to improve his performance levels in the short and medium term in order to prove to Nancy that he has the quality to be a long-term option for the French boss, as his recent displays have not been good enough.

After those errors that led to him moving to the bench, Scales lost 100% (3/3) of his aerial duels off the bench against Dundee United and 100% of his ground duels (1/1) against Aberdeen, per Sofascore.

What could make the Irishman sweat is that Leonard appears to be an incredibly exciting prospect, based on his impressive performances for Dundalk at first-team level and for Ireland’s youth sides.

The 17-year-old star started 33 games in the Irish 1st Division in the 2025 campaign, per Sofascore, and helped his side to keep nine clean sheets, whilst he scored four goals from centre-back.

2025 U17 World Cup

Vinnie Leonard

Appearances

5

Sofascore rating

7.28

Goals

1

Ground duel success rate

67%

Aerial duel success rate

70%

Error led to goal

0

Penalties committed

0

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Leonard also caught the eye at the U17 World Cup last month, as Ireland made it to the last 16, by dominating opposition attackers on the ground and in the air, whilst playing in a back three.

Subscribe to the newsletter for deeper Celtic transfer insight Want fuller context? Subscribe to the newsletter for in-depth Celtic coverage — transfer targets, youth scouting, tactical fit and squad implications. Read detailed breakdowns explaining what signings like Vinny Leonard mean for selection and the team’s setup. Subscribe Subscribe to the newsletter for deeper Celtic transfer insight Want fuller context? Subscribe to the newsletter for in-depth Celtic coverage — transfer targets, youth scouting, tactical fit and squad implications. Read detailed breakdowns explaining what signings like Vinny Leonard mean for selection and the team’s setup.

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After Scales struggled in the air and on the deck in recent matches under Nancy, Celtic signing a dominant young centre-back who can play in his position as a left-footed defender must sound some alarm bells for the Hoops man.

Leonard, as explained in the clip above, also has the technical ability to provide “immense” distribution out from the back, with Richie Towell hailing the “range” of passes that he can produce.

This suggests that the Irish youngster has the quality in possession to be effective in a dominant Celtic side that often needs to break down low blocks, which is another reason why he could be an excellent addition.

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Therefore, this latest rumour is bad news for Scales because Leonard has the defensive and technical potential to arrive at Parkhead and take his place in the 2026/27 campaign.

	Heavy security enveloped the South African team on their visit to Pakistan in September and October last year © AFP

Australia’s tour to Pakistan, scheduled for March and April, is looking increasingly doubtfulfollowing last week’s meeting between the chairmen of both boards in Dubai. Following that discussion, Creagh O’Connor, Cricket Australia’s chairman, sent a letter to the Pakistan board expressing reservations about the security situation inside Pakistan.”We received a letter yesterday from CA following our meeting and, though they reiterated their commitment to supporting Pakistan cricket, they said security briefings they have received in Australia are advising them against touring,” Nasim Ashraf, the PCB chairman, told .A Cricket Australia security delegation is due to visit the country in the aftermath of the general elections due to be on February 18. But a report in the Urdu daily said Cricket Australia was unsure whether sending experts would serve any purpose now, indicating perhaps that a decision not to tour had already been made.”They have asked us whether we still want a security delegation sent here and if so when,” Ashraf said. “In response to this, we have told CA that we still firmly believe that the environment for cricket and cricketers is still safe here. We have also said that the security team should visit Pakistan from February 25, exactly one week after the elections.”Ashraf is also concerned that Australia’s decision could set a precedent. “It would be very damaging to Pakistan cricket and it is not just Pakistan-specific, because no country in the world issafe from terrorist acts,” he told the . “If we start letting this dictate our sports events, then I am afraid the whole world of cricket could be turned upside down and it could have serious repercussions financially and [for] the very existence of the Future Tours Programme.”He also didn’t rule out the possibility of Pakistan boycotting their tour to Australia in 2009. “This is a premature question, but we will keep all our options open. We are still very hopeful thatCricket Australia will make the right decision.”Australian players have expressed concerns about touring Pakistan for what would be their first visit in a decade, following a year of increasing violence and instability through the country. Despite this South Africa and Zimbabwe have both completed tours in recent months without any glitches.But privately, board officials now concede that the trip is becoming an unlikely prospect and the PCB has already insured the series against cancellation. “Certainly public utterances coming from Australia seem quite indicative of them not wanting to tour Pakistan so it wouldn’t be a surprise if they pulled out,” one official told Cricinfo.The official also said that alternative options and opponents in case Australia do pull out are being examined. “Nothing has materialised so far, but after the next meeting things will become clearer. We are trying to get other options here, but our priority is to get Australia here.”Pakistan will, however, continue to press for the visit to go ahead. Shafqat Naghmi, the PCB’s chief operating officer, is scheduled to meet James Sutherland, Cricket Australia’s chief executive, in Kuala Lumpur and discuss security arrangements further. “We stress that incidents couldhappen anywhere in the world,” Ashraf said. “They happen in Sri Lanka, they happened in Glasgow last year when we were there for an ODI and bombs went off in England in 2005 when Australia were there. We have to make decisions not just on perceptions, but ground realities.”We are making every effort to ensure the tour goes ahead. It would be a big loss to Pakistan cricket if they didn’t tour.”