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Enhance your Football Manager 2026 squad with top free agents

Are you aiming to enhance your squad in Football Manager 2026 without the need to spend millions? Free agents, who are quality players out of contract and available for a free transfer, present an excellent opportunity to strengthen your team while adhering to a tight budget.  

At the beginning of the game (July 7, 2025), numerous seasoned athletes and overlooked talents are available, providing significant value for clubs of all sizes.

Below, GOAL provides a list of the top free agents in FM 2026, categorized by position: Goalkeepers, Defenders, Midfielders, and Forwards. 

Getty Images SportBest goalkeepers as free agents in FM26

Name Age Position Nationality

Fraser Forster37GKEnglandVicente Guaita38GKSpainDarren Randolph38GKIrelandHirotsubu Nakabayashi39GKJapanAlessio Cragno31GKItalyManuel Riemann37GKGermany

This group of free-agent goalkeepers offers clubs a mix of experience, leadership and reliability. Fraser Forster and Vicente Guaita bring years of Premier League and La Liga consistency, making them ideal short-term stabilizers between the posts. Darren Randolph adds veteran depth, while Hirotsugu Nakabayashi provides a disciplined, technically clean option with experience from the J-League. Alessio Cragno remains an agile, modern keeper with strong shot-stopping ability, and Manuel Riemann offers a commanding presence and excellent distribution. Together, they form a dependable pool for clubs needing immediate reinforcement. 

AdvertisementGetty Images SportBest defenders as free agents in FM26

The defender free-agent market features a varied set of players capable of strengthening any back line. Takehiro Tomiyasu is a versatile option comfortable across multiple roles in defence, while Rui Mario and Hugo Mallo offer experience and stability on the flanks.   

Juan Bernat and Sergio Reguilón are attack-minded left-backs with top-level pedigree in European competitions. Mohammed Abdel Shafy contributes reliability and tactical discipline, and Iván Marcano brings leadership and aerial strength at centre-back. These defenders provide both depth and quality for teams aiming to tighten up at the back. 

Name Age Position Nationality

Takehiro Tomiyasu27DR / DC / DLJapanRui Mário31DCPortugalHugo Mallo34DR / WBRSpainJuan Bernat32DL / WBLSpainMohammed Abdel Shafy40DL / WBLEgyptIván Marcano38DCSpainSergio Reguilón29DL / WBLSpainGetty Images SportBest midfielders as free agents in FM26

The available free-agent midfielders offer creativity, control and experience in equal measure. Damián Díaz remains a technically gifted playmaker capable of unlocking defences, while Rafinha provides versatility and composure in possession. Fernandinho adds elite leadership and defensive intelligence, making him a strong anchor for any midfield. 

Oriol Romeu brings ball-winning ability and distribution, and Giacomo Bonaventura offers tactical intelligence and goal threat from midfield. Hakim Ziyech delivers flair, chance creation and set-piece quality, while Fernando brings balance and positional discipline. This group can elevate midfield quality immediately.

Name Age Position Nationality

Damián Díaz39AM / CMEcuador / ArgentinaRafinha32MC / AMC / AMRBrazil / SpainFernandinho40DM / MCBrazilOriol Romeu34DM / MCSpainGiacomo Bonaventura36MC / AMC / AMLItalyHakim Ziyech32AMR / AMC / AMLMorocco / NetherlandsFernando38DM / MCBrazilENJOYED THIS STORY?

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Getty Images SportBest forwards as free agents in FM26

The forward free-agent group is headlined by several proven goal scorers and dynamic attacking profiles. Dries Mertens and Lorenzo Insigne bring creativity, mobility and a wealth of experience from their Napoli days. Diego Costa and Radamel Falcao offer physicality, aggression and natural finishing instinct – perfect for clubs needing a traditional penalty-box threat. 

Gerard Deulofeu adds pace, dribbling and versatility across the front line, while Vincent Aboubakar provides strength, hold-up play and a track record of scoring on big stages. It's a diverse pool capable of elevating any attack. All for free!

Name Age Position Nationality

Dries Mertens38AM / STBelgiumDiego Costa37STSpain / BrazilLorenzo Insigne34AML / AMR / STItalyRadamel Falcao39STColombiaSilvio Romero37STArgentinaGerard Deulofeu31AMR / AML / STSpainVincent Aboubakar33STCameroon

The Rawalpindi pitch may not be as extreme as the one in Lahore but spinners will remain the main threat

Danyal Rasool19-Oct-2025Big pictureIs the toss still the key to winning a Test match in Pakistan? Pakistan did win the toss in Lahore and used it to establish a position of advantage that South Africa never seriously looked like reining in. But there was enough to suggest it might not have the decisive hold on a game as it did at times during Pakistan’s last home season, with South Africa digging in for long periods with the bat against Pakistan’s spinners, and outscoring Pakistan’s third innings in their final reply.For Pakistan, the win promises to set up a better World Test Championship cycle than the last one, and a win in the second Test in Rawalpindi would get one of their tougher series out of the way and give them a platform to push for a top-two spot in what is a favourable two-year draw.Unusually for them, there has been stability and quiet around the composition of the side. Notably, the only point of selectorial discussion that emerged concerned the captaincy of the ODI team, all but ending Mohammad Rizwan’s brief stint. But in terms of personnel, strategy or game plan, continuity appears to be the keyword as far as this series goes.South Africa’s stand-in captain Aiden Markram refused to put his side’s loss in the first Test down to the toss, choosing instead to focus on controllables. They, in fact, looked solid in adverse circumstances, despite losing the toss and conceding a substantial first-innings lead. England crumbled in similar circumstances last year, but South Africa matched Pakistan toe-to-toe for the second half of the Test.Related

Plot intact, result missing: South Africa's Test revival still a work in progress

Toss, turn, triumph: Pakistan's home formula pays off for now

A similar effort in Rawalpindi could see them pose even sterner questions of Pakistan, especially if they get the opportunity to bat first. Keshav Maharaj’s return changes the equation, too, with the visitors having their most crucial bowler in these conditions available. It potentially allows South Africa to sneak in another quick bowler, with Marco Jansen the likeliest option with his ability to extract bounce and add batting heft to the lower order.South Africa knew what to expect coming into the series, and after the first Test, they will be much better equipped to deal with it. For Pakistan, Lahore was yet more vindication of their turn to these slower tracks; all they are looking for is more of the same.Form guidePakistan WLWLL (last five Tests, most recent first)
South Africa LWWWWIn the spotlightPakistan won’t win the toss every game, and Shan Masood has spoken of finding different ways of winning at home. Shaheen Shah Afridi offered a glimpse of how they might go about that, using his ability to reverse swing the ageing ball on a wearing surface. With Hasan Ali not quite up to speed yet, that responsibility is set to fall on Afridi once more. While success for Noman Ali and Sajid Khan is expected, whether Afridi’s electric burst to seal the win in Lahore is repeatable will reveal if there are more dimensions to Pakistan’s Test side than a crackling dusty surface.Keshav Maharaj is back for South Africa•Associated PressThe limelight will fall invariably on Keshav Maharaj, a step up from the spin options South Africa had at their disposal in Lahore. Maharaj was made for this sort of wicket with his ability to use drift as well as the arm ball, and take wickets both with the ones that turn and those that go straight. Combine his skills with the surface he has to work with, and South Africa may find themselves using the spinner on autopilot from one end.Team newsMasood hinted strongly at satisfaction with the combination Pakistan went with in Lahore. While there is some pressure on Abdullah Shafique, an unchanged unit is the likeliest.Pakistan (probable): 1 Abdullah Shafique, 2 Imam-ul-Haq, 3 Shan Masood (capt), 4 Babar Azam, 5 Saud Shakeel, 6 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 7 Salman Agha, 8 Noman Ali, 9 Hasan Ali, 10 Shaheen Shah Afridi, 11 Sajid KhanSouth Africa have questions about both personnel and combination. They went with three specialist spinners while opting for Wiaan Mulder as the second seamer, but he ended up bowling just two overs all match. Maharaj will come in for sure, and Jansen could be an option on a Rawalpindi surface that has historically offered some bounce.South Africa (probable): 1 Aiden Markram (capt), 2 Ryan Rickelton, 3 Dewald Brevis, 4 Tony de Zorzi, 5 Tristan Stubbs, 6 Kyle Verreynne (wk), 7 Marco Jansen, 8 Keshav Maharaj, 9 Senuran Muthusamy, 10 Simon Harmer, 11 Kagiso RabadaPitch and conditionsRawalpindi is slightly cooler than Lahore, but Pakistan will attempt to prepare the same spin-friendly strip. There haven’t been any of the extreme measures – the fans or wedding-style heaters and tents – that characterised the build-up to the deciding Test against England. It may end up a slightly more balanced strip, though the slower bowlers will remain the primary sources of wickets across the game.Stats and trivia Simon Harmer is eight wickets away from completing 1000 career first-class wickets. This is set to be Masood’s 14th Test match as Pakistan’s captain, taking him past Sarfaraz Ahmed and Moin Khan, and tying him with Zaheer Abbas.

Manchester City are now ready to snap up a “superstar” Champions League player, with the same agent as two members of Pep Guardiola’s squad.

Man City looking to strengthen after Bayer Leverkusen setback

After putting together a solid run to re-establish themselves as Premier League title contenders, Man City have endured a dip in form over the past week, losing 2-1 at Newcastle United on Saturday, before succumbing to a 2-0 home defeat against Bayer Leverkusen.

It was a new-look defence for City, with Guardiola making wholesale changes to his starting XI, bringing in Abdukodir Khusanov to replace Matheus Nunes at right-back, despite the 27-year-old impressing in that area this season.

However, given that both Khusanov and Nunes aren’t natural full-backs, the Blues remain keen on bringing in another option, and there has now been a new update on their pursuit of Newcastle United defender Tino Livramento.

Transfer insider Dean Jones has now told TEAMtalk that Man City will be ready to sign Livramento if the opportunity presents itself, saying: “He’s happy at Newcastle, he is in a good position, he wants to push the limits of a new contract. But equally he knows he could secure a big transfer if he really wanted it.

“City have respect for his situation and have had to wait for him to decide what he does next. If he looks to leave, they are right there and will snap him up.”

"Superstar" Livramento could be perfect for Pep

Of course, any player in a Guardiola system must be comfortable in possession of the ball, and the Newcastle defender, who has the same agent as Stones and Nathan Ake, has averaged an 85.4% pass completion rate per 90 over the past year, placing him in the 87th percentile compared to other full-backs.

Once referred to as a “superstar” by Newcastle content creator Kendall Rowan, the three-time England international is also proven in the Premier League, having reached the 100-game mark in his side’s 2-1 win against City, during which the full-back made three clearances, two interceptions and two tackles.

Having been ranked as one of the best right-backs in the world, ahead of the likes of Nunes and Khusanov, Livramento could be a real upgrade for Pep at right-back, but a deal could be on the expensive side…

Man City preparing £158m+ bid for star who wants to work under Guardiola

The Citizens are keen to make new signings and could now look to acquire one of Europe’s most prominent attackers.

BySean Markus Clifford Nov 24, 2025

Newcastle value Livramento at the £80m mark, which would make him one of the most expensive signings in Man City history, and given that Nunes has been impressing this season, it is questionable whether they should spend that much on another right-back.

Everyone from known MLB journalists to casual fans to the respective dugouts of the Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs seemed to have a bone to pick with Doug Eddings on Saturday afternoon. Eddings had the home plate assignment calling balls and strikes for the matinee, and made some head-scratching calls to say the least, calling several outside pitches that looked like clear balls as strikes.

Jon Heyman quote-Tweeted David Kaplan's complaint about Eddings, going so far as to suggest that Eddings and umpires making similarly bad calls should be replaced by robo-umps . Quite a brazen critique.

Jesse Rogers noted that the reaction from the Cubs dugout in particular was bold and loud. In one instance, Eddings called a third strike on Kyle Tucker on a possible check swing without consulting with the base umpire.

Here are some of the calls in question and reactions from fans online:

We've all had a bad day at work. Having to face a very public forum of critique can't be easy for anyone, umpires included, but the expectation for the highest level of the game to make reliable and high-quality calls is reasonable.

During spring training, MLB tested ABS, which allows batters and pitchers to challenge balls/strikes and gets instant feedback from the league's automated system. Over half of the challenges resulted in an overturn of the original home plate call according to the league's report. Generally, it was a well-received system that didn't do away with home plate umpires entirely, but allowed for some checks and balances. It may be used in the regular season in the future but is not in use this year.

Sunderland had to take the long route back to the Premier League after they were relegated from the division at the end of the 2016/17 campaign.

The Black Cats endured seasons in League One, a Championship play-off loss, and a midtable finish in the second tier before they eventually earned promotion back to the big time earlier this year under Regis Le Bris.

One of the most impactful signings made on their journey back to the Premier League, despite it not being in their promotion season, was the loan arrival of Amad Diallo.

Where Amad ranks among Speakman's pre-Premier League signings

Kristjaan Speakman brought a strategy of buying and loaning in talented young players with potential to improve with him to the sporting director role at the Stadium of Light, and has had plenty of success with it over the years.

In the seasons leading up to this summer’s recruitment, it is hard to argue against Jack Clarke being his best piece of business. The winger initially joined on loan in the 2021/22 campaign, signing permanently in 2022, and scored 28 goals in 114 matches, per Transfermarkt.

1

Jack Clarke

2

Amad Diallo

3

Ross Stewart

4

Daniel Ballard

5

Trai Hume

Ross Stewart also deserves to be up there for his 24-goal haul in the 2021/22 League One season, per Transfermarkt, whilst defender Dan Ballard and Trai Hume also rank highly as they have both played in the Championship and the Premier League.

Amad, though, ranks in second place, with his return of 14 goals and three assists in the second tier on loan from Manchester United in the 2022/23 campaign, per WhoScored.

The Ivorian talent fired the Black Cats to the play-offs, scoring four more goals than any other player in the squad, as an incredibly exciting player to watch on the right wing, and his impact was evident by the fact that Sunderland finished 16th the season after he left.

Now, Sunderland have found their most impactful signing since Amad Diallo by bringing Granit Xhaka to the club from Bayer Leverkusen this summer.

Why Xhaka is Sunderland's most impactful signing since Amad

As Amad was signed more recently than Clarke was, the former United loanee is the player to beat to be the most impactful signing since his arrival on Wearside.

Xhaka, signed from Leverkusen for £13m in the summer, has had a colossal impact on the side with his exceptional performances in the middle of the park for Le Bris.

The left-footed star arrived at the club as a proven Premier League performer, with 297 appearances for Arsenal (Transfermarkt) under his belt, and his performances have reflected that experience.

FotMob rating

7.42

1st

Assists

4

1st

Goals + assists

5

1st

Chances created

18

1st

Big chances created

5

1st

Passes made per 90

42.9

1st

xA

1.3

1st

Long passes made per 90

4.4

1st

As you can see in the table above, the Switzerland international tops the charts for the Black Cats in a host of key statistics, which highlights just how influential he has been on the pitch in the top-flight this term.

Last month, Wayne Rooney described him as “the signing of the season” and suggested that Xhaka, 33, is like a “father figure” to the rest of the players in what is a young squad, setting an example for his teammates.

Rooney’s point about him being a father figure is an interesting one. He was the oldest signing of the summer, per Transfermarkt, and is the oldest player in the squad to have made an appearance in the Premier League this season.

Whilst this is unquantifiable, someone like Rooney, a Manchester United legend, will know what kind of an impact that can have in a dressing room, and he feels that Xhaka is an important presence for this young Sunderland squad.

Couple that with his clear and quantifiable impact on the pitch in the Premier League, and it is hard to argue against him being the most impactful signing of the summer.

Xhaka has been a phenomenal addition to the squad, their best since Amad’s sublime loan spell, and Le Bris will be hoping that he continues to be a shining light in midfield for the rest of the season and beyond.

Sunderland now eyeing move to sign midfield ace who Chelsea wanted to sign

Regis Le Bris could hold one key advantage.

ByTom Cunningham Dec 7, 2025

The signing of the Swiss star has shown how important it is to have experienced players in key positions to be the backbone of the side, in order for the younger players to develop and thrive around them.

That will open up fresh possibilities for Sri Lankan cricket with day-night Tests becoming more viable in the country

Andrew Fidel Fernando26-Nov-2025The Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) ground in Colombo will get floodlights and other upgrades in preparation for the Men’s T20 World Cup, which Sri Lanka co-hosts with India in February and March next year. Although the SSC has occasionally hosted daytime limited-overs internationals – especially women’s games – Colombo’s day-night games have all been played at Khettarama (R Premadasa Stadium), which in any case is the highest-capacity stadium in the country.SSC’s first match that will require lights will be the T20 World Cup Group B game between Oman and Zimbabwe, scheduled to start at 3pm local time on February 9. It is one of five matches the SSC is due to host at this World Cup. The first of those – between Netherlands and Pakistan on February 7 – will begin at 11am local time whereas the third fixture – between Pakistan and USA on February 10 – is the only match there to start at 7pm local time. Khettarama is set to host at least eight matches, and possibly the first semi-final and the final if Pakistan make it that far. Pallekele, the only Sri Lanka World Cup venue not in Colombo, will host seven games.Building floodlights at the SSC will open up fresh possibilities for Sri Lankan cricket with day-night Tests becoming more viable in the country. Although Khettarama is the preferred limited-overs venue in Colombo, the SSC and the P Sara Oval are still preferred for Tests, owing partly to their reputation for being boutique Test venues.Related

2026 T20 World Cup: Packed run-in for India, no games for Bangladesh

SL consider moving on from Asalanka as T20I captain

T20 World Cup: SL and Australia in Group B

Sri Lanka has never hosted a day-night Test, but Sri Lanka’s Test captains have also asked their board to arrange such a fixture, over the years.SLC confirmed to ESPNcricinfo that floodlights construction were already under way at the SSC.The ICC announced the schedule for the T20 World Cup on Tuesday, with the tournament set to run from February 7 to March 8 across five venues in India and three in Sri Lanka.

Barcelona have reiterated that they will not “fuel controversies or speculation” when it comes to a possible playing return to Camp Nou for Lionel Messi. The Liga giants are still planning the most “beautiful tribute” to their all-time leading goalscorer, but the Argentine GOAT is under contract in MLS with Inter Miami and appears unlikely to grace European football again.

American dream: Messi has signed new contract with Inter Miami

Messi severed career-long ties with Barca in 2021 when joining Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent. An emotional farewell was bid to Catalunya once it became apparent that the funds were not there to hand him a new contract.

Two years were spent in France before chasing the American dream. Messi, his wife Antonela and their three sons are now settled in South Florida. An extension to lucrative terms has been agreed through 2028.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesLoan move? Messi sees Camp Nou return mooted

There remains the possibility that Messi could return to Barca during the MLS offseason, before their calendar is changed, with the 2026 World Cup fast approaching. Messi is eager to ensure that he is fit and firing for Argentina’s global title defence.

Barca have, however, played down loan talk and club president Joan Laporta continues to distance the Blaugrana from speculation regarding a potential ‘Last Dance’ for Messi in familiar surroundings.

Quizzed on that topic again at the Foros de Vanguardia forum, Laporta told reporters: “I'm not going to fuel controversies or speculation about things that aren't realistic. Everyone is entitled to their opinions. Leo will always be in the collective memory of Barcelona fans. Leo has a contract with a football club.”

Laporta added on Barca’s plans for Messi, with an exhibition or friendly match having been mooted for some time: “The tribute should take place at a time when we can thank him for everything he's done for Barca. A tribute with a full Camp Nou, with 105,000 Barca fans thanking Messi for everything he's done for the club, could be a beautiful thing.”

He went on to say of immortalising Messi in statue form, potentially alongside other Barca icons: “People can understand each other by talking. I don't see any problem. We've thought about giving him the most beautiful tribute ever given, and a statue alongside players who have made history. Kubala, [Johan] Cruyff, Messi and Ronaldinho also come to mind. Leo has defined an era and is the best player in history and in Barca's history.”

Will Messi grace the field at Camp Nou again?

Messi recently took in a surprise visit to Camp Nou, after seeing that iconic venue enjoy a serious facelift. He posted on social media: “Last night I returned to a place I have missed with all my soul. A place where I was extraordinarily happy, where a thousand times you made me feel like the happiest person in the world. I hope one day I can come back, and not just to say goodbye as a player, as I never got to.”

Messi has since revealed that he and Antonela are planning a return to Barcelona at some stage. That is not, however, expected to see him grace a legendary No.10 jersey again.

Sporting director Deco has said of the Messi transfer rumours: “I don't think it's possible because Leo is under contract and it was never even considered. Leo is always Leo, and he could still contribute something; he's a great player, but it's not something we're going to talk about. The current situation is entirely speculative.”

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GettyMessi's record: Games & goals ahead of MLS Cup final

Messi made 778 appearances for Barca after stepping out of their fabled La Masia academy system. He scored 672 goals, winning 10 La Liga titles and four Champions League crowns. It was during that time that he cemented a standing as one of the greatest to ever play the game.

He now has eight Ballons d’Or to his name and is the most decorated player in history. An opportunity to land another major honour will present itself on Saturday when Inter Miami face Vancouver in the 2025 MLS Cup final.

The New York Yankees may have themselves a future star within their ranks.

During Saturday's MLB All-Star Futures Games, shortstop George Lombard Jr. stole the show and impressed scouts in attendance. In fact, Lombard was even called the game's "Best Player" by Baseball America, thanks to his impressive defensive performance.

Lombard smoked a double and showed solid plate discipline by drawing a walk in a 1-for-2 performance in the game. He handled everything that came his way at shortstop, too.

As of its latest update, MLB Pipeline ranks Lombard as the No. 35 prospect in baseball, and the No. 10 shortstop. He's the No. 1 ranked Yankees prospect, and is currently the only player in the organization rated inside the top 100.

At 20 years old, it could be another year or so until Lombard gets his shot at the big leagues. Across two minor league levels this season, he's slashing .239/.382/.356 with three home runs, 30 RBIs and 25 stolen bases. He's struggled a bit at the plate since arriving at Double-A Somerset, but he'll have plenty of time to turn things around as he continues to develop.

Lombard was a first-round pick in the 2023 MLB draft, selected at No. 26 pick by New York.

On a pitch better suited, on a day with more luck, he could have bowled exactly as he did on day two and finished with several wickets

Andrew Fidel Fernando26-Jun-2025Nahid Rana took 0 for 97 in the only innings he bowled in Galle, has 0 for 54 at the end of day two at the SSC, but if you’re thinking of jumping off the Rana hype train over his Sri Lanka performances, hold up, stay close, this isn’t your stop. Those figures don’t necessarily correlate with his potential. There are things to consider here.Up first on the list of things to consider is the raw pace. Rana is almost certainly the fastest bowler Bangladesh has ever produced. He is not just fast in brief, fresh bursts; he can be fast late on difficult days too. Deep into session three on day two at the SSC, he was still breaching 145kph, still bowling bouncers, still rushing batters, even the supremely well-set. He has also been known to bowl faster than 150kph. Forget Bangladesh, for most of Test cricket’s history, it would not have had a bowler who could consistently bowl that quickly. Even now, around the world, there may only be a handful that fast.There are other virtues. Those bouncers, partly because of the pace, but also because it is one of his more accurate deliveries, can often be truly vicious. Pathum Nissanka, very arguably the batter of this series so far, found this out on 94 when he tried to hook Rana, and discovered the ball was on him already at 149kph – fast for a bouncer. It smacked his helmet hard by the badge, looped so high in the air that Rana could race forward in his follow-through and spring forward to intercept it centimetres above the grass. He appealed for that catch, but on replay, it was clear there was no way the bat could have touched it. The ball was too fast – already in Nissanka’s face by the time he pulled his bat through.Related

The Taijul light shines bright on Bangladesh's day of gloom

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Rapid Rana at the bleeding edge of Bangladesh's seam-bowling tradition

Nissanka 146*, Chandimal 93 put Sri Lanka in control

Bowling short was a big part of Rana’s day. When he bowled bouncers, he generally forced the batters to duck, or he hit them. There was a short leg in place, plus a catching fine leg, and catchers out to the off side, so balls that skewed off the shoulder or handle of the bat could be gobbled up. In first-class cricket, he had frequently blasted batting orders out this way, averaging 19.81 across 19 innings for Rajshahi Division.The easy critique to make here is that Test batters are not first-class batters, and that you need more than raw pace to get Test batters out, but this is not necessarily the case. Test batters frequently get out to sheer pace and bounce, but this SSC pitch – slow off the deck and with modest bounce and carry – is almost exactly wrong for Rana, so he can only make so much of his height and pace.Pathum Nissanka was pinged in the helmet by a Nahid Rana bouncer•AFP/Getty ImagesOne theory about Rana’s present state is that he is most effective as a third seamer, not as a new-ball bowler. There is evidence to back this up. In his first outstanding Test performance, Rana was the second-change bowler, and took 4 for 44 to seal a historic series win in Pakistan. Three months later – in Kingston – his only five-for came when he was first change. Four of those wickets were with the old ball.On day two at the SSC, he was frequently bowling cross-seam short balls, which is a deeply third-seamer move. Swing bowlers tend to like preserving that shiny side of the ball, for conventional swing first, and reverse swing later. Even spinners like one side of the ball to be in smooth condition, because they can get more drift that way. It is the fast bowlers who revel in the shorter lengths and exploit the chaos, the uneven bounce created by cross-seam deliveries.Nahid beat plenty of cross-batted shots with cross-seam deliveries on day two, but they never took an edge. Both Nissanka and Dinesh Chandimal looked most uncomfortable against Rana’s bowling late in the day, but he had been wayward in his two new-ball overs, conceding 20. “Rana didn’t bowl well with the new ball initially, but found his rhythm again and looked good towards the end” is what coach Phil Simmons said.He is 22, and still developing skills, having had no serious cricket coaching till being discovered late in his teens. But pace is pace and height is height, and as long as you stay fit, those things can get you pretty far in a fast-bowling life. On a pitch better suited, on a day with more luck, Rana could have bowled exactly as he did on day two and finished with several wickets.

The Seattle Mariners were able to edge the Pittsburgh Pirates, 1-0, on Saturday night, but the score could have been a little different if the home plate umpire hadn't made such a bad call in the third inning.

Seattle had two runners on with two outs when Randy Arozarena was struck out on a 3-2 pitch that looked to be well out of the strike zone. Instead of the bases becoming loaded, the inning came to an end, leaving the game tied at 0-0.

Mariners announcer Aaron Goldsmith didn't hold back on the umpire, Chris Guccione, saying: "Oooh, that is not a good call! Arozarena rung up on ball four."

That's another rough look for an ump, which there have been plenty of so far this season.

The Mariners were still able to improve to 47-42 on the year and sit seven games back of the Houston Astros in the AL West.