After a two-year absence from the Proteas, George Linde made a spectacular return to international cricket, playing a key role in South Africa’s 11-run victory over Pakistan in the first T20 International at Kingsmead, Durban. Linde, who hadn’t played for the national team since 2021, made a dramatic entrance to the match when he missed the team bus to the ground. “I missed the bus coming to the ground! I had to get a police escort to the bus, which was a little embarrassing!” Linde revealed after the match. But this small slip-up proved to be a catalyst for an extraordinary performance. At the crease, Linde turned the game around with a brilliant 48 off 24 balls, lifting the Proteas to a competitive total of 183/9. As a left-arm spinner, Linde then took career-best figures of 4/21 in his four overs, helping to restrict Pakistan’s chase and secure a hard-fought win for South Africa.
The Proteas were initially in trouble after being reduced to 10/2 and 28/3. However, veteran David Miller played a crucial knock of 82 off 40 balls, including four fours and eight sixes, which helped stabilize the innings. Miller’s contributions, alongside Linde’s late surge and a valuable partnership with teenager Kwena Maphaka (12 not out), helped the Proteas set a challenging target. Pakistan’s chase got off to a shaky start, with Maphaka, who had recently completed his school exams, impressing with the ball. The 19-year-old pace sensation took the crucial wicket of Babar Azam, leaving Pakistan at 16/1. Despite a brave knock from Pakistan’s captain Mohammad Rizwan, who scored 72 off 62 balls, Linde’s exceptional bowling turned the tide in South Africa’s favor.
In a game-changing 18th over, Linde claimed three wickets for just two runs, nearly completing a hat-trick. Although the hat-trick was denied on review, his efforts helped swing the momentum firmly in the Proteas’ favor. Maphaka then sealed the win by dismissing Rizwan in the final over, leaving Pakistan short at 172/8. Reflecting on his return to the team, Linde said, “It was the perfect comeback. I’m just glad I could deliver for the team today. I’ve had a good season so far and I tried to stay calm and focus on what the team needed from me.” Linde’s all-round performance and the Proteas’ victory have set the stage for the remainder of the T20 series, with matches scheduled for Friday and Sunday at SuperSport Park and the Wanderers, respectively.
Guardiola says he won’t leave Man City for another club
Pep Guardiola has revealed that after his time at Manchester City comes to an end, he will not be pursuing another club managerial role. Although he left the door open for a future position with a national team, Guardiola made it clear that he is ready for a change after his long career in club management. In a recent interview with Spanish celebrity chef Dani Garcia, posted on Garcia’s YouTube channel, Guardiola discussed his future plans after signing a contract extension with Manchester City in November. “I feel this is enough. I’m going to stop. I’m not going to take another team,” said the 53-year-old manager. “I wouldn’t have the energy. The thought of starting somewhere else, all the training and so on… No, no, no! Maybe a national team, but that’s different.”
Guardiola emphasized that managing a national team would be a different challenge compared to the demands of daily club management, saying, “It’s not (training) every day, (playing) every three days.” He added that the nature of national team management offers more time to reflect, rest, and improve, which contrasts with the relentless pace of club football. When discussing life after football, Guardiola joked about his desire to take a break and enjoy leisure activities like golf, but admitted, “I want to leave it and go and play golf but I can’t. I think stopping would do me good.”
Guardiola has often mentioned his interest in coaching at the international level later in his career, but it appears that after his tenure at Manchester City, he plans to step back from the daily grind of club football. Reflecting on his career ambitions, he also shared personal goals of learning French, playing golf, and mastering cooking, expressing a desire for a more balanced life once his managerial days come to a close. For now, Guardiola remains fully focused on his current role at Manchester City, but his comments suggest a shift towards a different kind of future in football, one that might involve less daily pressure and more time for personal pursuits.
