Ben Stokes has already suffered one defeat in Rawalpindi.

Mano a mano with England coach Brendon McCullum, the captain was schooled in a six-hitting competition, just as he was before the last Test in Pakistan two years ago.

Stokes was left calling for a stewards’ inquiry into the throwing of Paul Collingwood, which did appear to be pretty questionable.

The surprise overall winner was Rehan Ahmed, who beat Harry Brook in the final (special mentions go to mighty wallops from Joe Root and Jamie Smith).

It was the continuation of a good week for Ahmed, recalled as a third spinner on a pitch attracting the most attention since England last played a Test.

For Pakistan, it was spin to win the second Test in Multan, and they have looked to repeat the trick for the decider, starting on Thursday.

The industrial fans, heaters and windbreaks used to dry the surface suggest someone has maxed out a credit card in a hardware store.

Most intriguing are the lines scored down the length of the strip, possibly by a rake or even a bed of nails. The pitch remains hard, and a knock could do damage to the knuckles.

The consensus seems to be it will be good for batting for the first part of the game, making the toss marginally less important than the second Test. Good news for England, considering they have lost seven in a row.

“Initially, I think it will be a good pitch, but the longer it goes, the more spin will come into play,” Stokes told BBC Sport.

“Fair play to them for using their home advantage. They have come off the back of a good win and have spinners full of confidence, so they will be looking to give them more assistance here. That could bring us into the game as well.”

Hyundai is “not quite there yet” with its decision regarding who will pilot its third World Rally Championship entry next year, although Motorsport.com understands Adrien Fourmaux is the favourite.

The Korean marque has already confirmed that it has retained the services of Thierry Neuville and Ott Tanak, but its plans for its third entry are yet to be announced. 

Hyundai has been evaluating its options for its third car, having chosen to split the entry across Esapekka Lappi, Dani Sordo and Andreas Mikkelsen this year. 

Lappi, who tasted victory in Sweden, has tackled gravel rallies, with Sordo called upon for rough gravel events, while Mikkelsen has largely been employed as an asphalt specialist. 

The prospect of employing the services of a driver to pilot the car on a full-time basis appears to be an option Hyundai is seriously investigating.

When asked about the team’s plans for its third car at last weekend’s Central European Rally, Hyundai team principal Cyril Abiteboul told Motorsport.com: “We are always closer to something. There are discussions and those will turn into options and that will turn into a decision. We are not quite there yet. 

“You can always think about a lot of things but right now we are playing for three [cars next year], but we are keeping our eyes open on opportunities.” 

Speculation continues to point to Fourmaux leaving M-Sport-Ford to take up the seat at Hyundai on a full-time basis.

Adrien Fourmaux, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team

Photo by: M-Sport

The Frenchman was previously linked with Hyundai last year and has been a revelation on his return to Rally1 this season with M-Sport, scoring four podium finishes. Last weekend a front differential problem cost him a chance to increase his podium tally.  

Prior to last weekend’s Central European Rally, M-Sport team principal Richard Millener said his driver line-up plans were “up in the air” and that nothing had been signed with anyone for 2025.

Fourmaux remained coy when asked if he knew where his future lies next year, stating: “We know it will be in a Rally1 [car].

“There are for sure some distractions but as a driver you need to learn to live with it,” he added, referring to the speculation linking him to Hyundai.

Rally Sweden winner Lappi has previously indicated that he would be interested in a continuation of his part-time role, while Sordo has been linked to more of a management position within the team for next year. 

Mikkelsen, who will pilot the third car in the Japan season finale next month, was unable to provide clarity on his plans for next year.

When asked ahead of last weekend’s rally if he was confident he would remain driving a Rally1 car next year he said: ”No, but we will see.

“I haven’t thought too much about [what I will do next year], I haven’t talked to anybody, to be honest my focus is on here.”

Andreas Mikkelsen, Hyundai World Rally Team

Photo by: McKlein / Motorsport Images

The three-time WRC rally winner delivered impressive speed last week, running as high as third before a crash on Friday ended his podium hopes. 

“I come from this rally with a good feeling, to be honest. We struggled so much in Monte Carlo and Croatia to find some kind of feeling with the car, and obviously it is very different compared to a Rally2 car,” he added.

“From the first stage I felt really comfortable with the car and it is the first time I really felt at one with it, which you really need when you are fighting with these guys that are so fast and in the cars all the time. 

“In that way I feel a bit lighter because I really didn’t get the rallies I wanted this year, I got all tarmac, and when I’m struggling to get the feeling, it was nice to come this weekend and get a different vibe and feeling. I’m looking forward to Japan.”  

CARL MAGNAY lived a young footballer’s dream when he won a competition to sign for Chelsea.

Out of thousands of applicants between the ages of 16 and 18, he claimed a six-month contract at Stamford Bridge after starring on Sky Sports‘ Football Icon 2 show.

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He jumped from playing for Birtley Town U17s as a regular sixth form student, to rubbing shoulders with Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and John Terry on a daily basis.

During the final stages of Football Icon 2, he was invited to train alongside Jose Mourinho‘s first-team squad.

And the centre-back, 35, admits it was an incredible experience to see Chelsea‘s superstars at work.

Speaking to Football London, he said: “It was surreal. You’ve got no option but to take it in your stride. Like I said, looking back now I didn’t know it at the time, I had a strong mentality and I was quite level headed.

“Chelsea’s first-team players were really respectful. They were just going about their daily jobs and their routines. I remember sitting in the canteen and I’m sharing an area where we’re all eating.

“It took me about an hour to eat my food because I was just looking round the room staring at people.

“Lampard going up to get food and get a plate of second and I’m looking at his physical stature thinking ‘look at the size of his quads’ and I was just in awe of everything that was going on around me.

“It was really surreal but I knew I was there and had to prove myself and when you got on the pitch you had to push all that to one side and just focus on the session.

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“I think I did that really well to be fair.”

Magnay ended up spending four years at Chelsea and played under a number of high-profile managers including Mourinho, Luiz Felipe Scolari and Carlo Ancelotti.

However, he failed to secure a single first-team appearance and left in 2011 to join non-league side Gateshead.

He went on to feature for Grimsby, Hartlepool, Spennymoor Town, before he returned to Gateshead in 2022.

The defender, who earned one cap for Northern Ireland’s U21s, retired last year and is now Gateshead manager.

Newcastle’s long, barren run without lifting a trophy is well publicised, with them last picking up major domestic silverware almost 70 years ago when they won the 1955 FA Cup final against Manchester City.

Gordon joined Newcastle from Everton for £45m in January 2023 and the team had the opportunity of glory just a month later but were beaten in the Carabao Cup final by Manchester United.

He said he had been “hurt”, external by the manner of his exit from Goodison Park after the Toffees “failed to thank” him for his services and initially struggled for form in the North East, failing to score in any of his 16 Premier League appearances during the remainder of that season.

Howe’s side, though, made a return to the Champions League with a fourth-placed finish, allowing Gordon to showcase his talent in Europe’s elite club competition.

They may have finished bottom of their group but the season was a success on an individual level for the player, who scored 12 goals and provided 11 assists in 48 games.

Since joining Newcastle from Everton, his goal and assist contributions have increased from 0.27 to 0.44 per game, while the number of chances he has created every 90 minutes has improved from 1.25 to 1.65.

Following the announcement of the new deal, boss Howe said Gordon had “grown as a player and as a person” during his time at Newcastle and he has continued to “prove just how good he is on the biggest stage”.

But despite a stellar showing in his first full season on Tyneside, his future seemed to be in real doubt in the summer as it looked at one stage that Gordon may leave to help the club balance its financial position.

Newcastle’s issues with Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) meant they needed to sell before the 30 June deadline to comply. With the cut-off point fast approaching, the club found themselves needing to consider offers for one of Isak, Guimaraes or Gordon.

A boyhood Liverpool supporter – despite coming through at Everton – Gordon’s dream move was on the cards when Newcastle offered the Reds a price of £70m, as well as taking defender Jarell Quansah the other way in a separate deal.

But Liverpool turned down the proposal and Newcastle ended up doing business with Nottingham Forest instead, selling 21-year-old midfielder Elliot Anderson for £35m, and allowing winger Yankuba Minteh, 20, to go to Brighton for £30m.

Though they lost two potential stars of the future, the deals meant they could make up their PSR shortfall and, rather importantly, keep Gordon too.

“The Football Association of Wales confirms its intention to submit a formal bid to Uefa to host the 2027 Women’s Champions League final at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff,” the FAW said in a statement.

“Having submitted a declaration of interest to host the 2027 final, the FAW bid will be developed in collaboration with the Principality Stadium and local partners, highlighting a shared commitment to bringing the prestigious event to Wales.

“The Uefa Women’s Champions League final is one of the most prestigious events in European football, and securing the 2027 final for Cardiff would be a momentous achievement for Wales.

“Hosting this event would serve as a catalyst for the continued development of women’s football in the country, inspiring a new generation of players, coaches and supporters while amplifying the visibility of the sport nationwide.”