CINCINNATI -- After the U.S. men's national team lost 1-0 to Jamaica last Wednesday, it didn't seem as if things could get much worse for the Americans.

Four days later, they're worse. Way worse.

The U.S. was absolutely hammered 3-0 -- on home turf no less -- against a Venezuela side that gratefully accepted all the gifts the Americans gave them. And to be clear, the U.S. was in giving mood. There was the horrible pass from goalkeeper Zack Steffen that set up the first of two goals from Salomon Rondon. Then there was Venezuela's second from a throw-in, with the U.S. defense seemingly set, that allowed Jefferson Savarino to fire a shot off the post and then score himself on the rebound. Finally, a simple long ball found Rondon in space, isolated against Aaron Long, before the West Brom forward carved out enough space to hammer a shot past a helpless Steffen.

Yes, Jhon Murillo looked to be offside in the run-up to Rondon's first but bad calls happen, especially when there is no VAR on hand, as was the case in this friendly. The fact that Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams and Michael Bradley were all missing didn't help either, but the U.S. cannot hide behind excuses such as this. In moments of adversity a national team must come together, collect itself, and find a way to get back in the game. Instead the U.S. crumbled here.

When the half mercifully reached its end, boos could be heard from the Nippert Stadium crowd. Midfielder Wil Trapp didn't blame the fans.

"It's unacceptable to lose 3-0 at home," he said.

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Manager Gregg Berhalter tried to project an air of composure after the match, though given the nature of the defeat his words didn't inspire much confidence.

"I think we need to be calm. I think we need to look at the game, look at what we need to improve on, and then set out to do it," Berhalter said. "It's really tough after a result like this and start making excuses. I don't really want to do that. But what I'd say is we're still getting guys where they need to be, and we're not there yet, and that's pretty clear. So we're going to keep working on it."

So now Berhalter finds himself in something of quandary heading into the Gold Cup. Does he persist with the same tactics and personnel? Have some players played themselves out of the lineup? These are questions that apply to almost every part of the field. I say almost because Jozy Altidore, after coming on at halftime, gave the team a spark with his movement, link-up play, and being an overall attacking presence in the final third.

Everywhere else there appear to be problems. The midfield lacked bite overall, and seemed incapable of doing anything to stop Venezuela's attacks. At the other end of the pitch, the chances the U.S. did create were squandered fairly easily.

Most sobering of all is the frailty of a defense that had been among the more stable parts of the U.S. team since Berhalter took over. On this day it had all the tensile strength of papier-mache. The three goals in that first half were more than the U.S. had conceded in the five previous games combined under Berhalter.

There were several reasons as to why. The team's press wasn't cohesive and communication was lacking. Certainly Long looked as if he were shaking off some considerable rust after having not played for the last month because of an injury, but Berhalter defended his decision to put the New York Red Bulls defender on the field.

"We need to get Aaron where he needs to be. We need to get him fit," Berhalter said. "So the question is: Do we not play him? Do we not give him this game routine because we're worried he can fail the challenge? Or do we know where we need to go and because of that he plays. To me it was clear. I needed to play. He needs fitness. Forty-five minutes was enough. He came out injury-free, which was positive. And then we build."

Despite the result, Berhalter is determined to stay the course.

"The guys worked hard. They gave what they had. They came up short," he said. "And it doesn't mean that we're going to scrap all the plans. We're always evaluating, we're always seeing how effective we can be, and where we need to improve. And we're just going to continue that process."

When the likes of Pulisic, Adams, Bradley and Altidore return to full fitness, the U.S. will no doubt be a better and more dangerous side. But even then, there are questions. Can Berhalter afford not to have Adams play in the center of midfield? The U.S. manager wants Adams' aggression, but also the passing ability of either Bradley or Trapp. But can either provide the defensive presence needed on their own? The answer, particularly in Trapp's case, seems to be no. That is in part why Adams has been put in the hybrid right back/center midfield role. The issue becomes exacerbated when the team isn't on the same page with its press, as was the case Sunday against Venezuela.

"When we were in good shape, sliding side to side, they weren't able to really break us down," Trapp said. "As soon as we allowed ourselves to get stretched, they found balls forward, second balls, and could create chances."

Another question is whether the U.S. has the personnel to play out of the back. It's easy to dismiss Steffen's mistake as a one-off, but he made a similar error against Jamaica, although that one went unpunished. And what of the U.S. team's ability to score goals? The Americans probably will have no problems doing that against Guyana, but what about the more difficult games that will follow?

Then there is the troubling matter of the team's competitiveness. This is an issue that Berhalter brought up after both of the recent friendlies. That used to be a calling card of the USMNT. Now it seems to come and go like the wind.

It's as if there are too many balls in the air right now for Berhalter to juggle.

The team did what it could to put a positive light on what transpired.

"The games showed us what we need to work on, that's a good thing," Steffen said. He later added, "It's all up here, it's all mental. It's really just about everyone buying into that system."

Trapp added, "From the midst of adversity, we have to respond and build character, and that's what it's about. Are we happy with the results? Absolutely not. Are the fans happy? Absolutely not. But all we can control is getting on the field, training, and having time together to work through these things."

Is there enough time to do that? It seems unlikely, but Berhalter & Co. have nine days to figure it out.

After a handful of games from Wednesday to Saturday, MLS is now officially on its Gold Cup break -- a break that lasts just long enough for teams to get a breather and regroup, but not long enough that most teams will have their contingent of internationals back, CONCACAF-affiliated or otherwise.

It's all very MLS. There's no denying that some teams need the break a lot more than others.

The paucity of games means that the rankings aren't dramatically different than last week, when we did a reset of things just ahead of the mid-season pause, but we are rewarding a few teams who started the season poorly for a spurt of good form.

We're not heartless, after all. We know just how important these rankings are.

Previous rankings: Week 14 | Week 13 | Week 12 | Week 11 | Week 10 | Week 9 | Week 8 | Week 7 | Week 6 | Week 5 | Week 4 | Week 3 | Week 2 | Week 1

1. LAFC (11 wins, 4 draws, 1 loss)

Previous ranking: 1

Next MLS match: June 28 at Colorado, 10 p.m. ET, live on ESPN+

With their Gold Cup hiatus underway, LAFC are reportedly on the verge of completing a bit of business by selling Andre Horta back to SC Braga of Portugal. Horta never clicked in LA and the club is taking a bath on the deal, but how many clubs could whiff that hard, admit failure, and not really have a problem?

2. Philadelphia Union (8-4-4)

Previous ranking: 2

Next MLS match: June 26 v. New England, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN+

The Union handled a weakened Red Bull team on Saturday, opening up a four-point gap in the Eastern Conference. Ilsinho doesn't always do magic, but he seems to pull out the tricks when Philadelphia needs him most. Saturday's assist and goal coming off the bench made the difference.

3. Houston Dynamo (7-3-3)

Previous ranking: 3

Next MLS match: June 22 at Portland, 11 p.m. ET, ESPN+

While crossing their fingers that a trio of Hondurans and a smattering of other players don't get hurt on international duty, the Dynamo prepare for a trip to Portland that will happen before the Gold Cup contingent returns.

4. New York City FC (5-8-1)

Previous ranking: 4

Next MLS match: June 29 v. Philadelphia, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN+

City scored seven goals (five for themselves, two for FC Cincinnati) in a win on Wednesday night that extended the unbeaten run to 10 games. Even with the run, NYCFC was suffering from a decided lack of wins -- getting three points against the league's worst team was a must.

5. LA Galaxy (9-1-6)

Previous ranking: 4

Next MLS match: June 22 at FC Cincinnati, 7.30 p.m. ET

The Galaxy laboured their way to a 2-1 defeat at home against New England on Sunday night. It's the kind of result that looks bad on paper and worse in reality. LA now hits a brief pause ahead of the Gold Cup, a well-timed chance to recharge the batteries and work out some of the defensive kinks in evidence against the Revs.

6. D.C. United (7-6-4)

Previous ranking: 6

Next MLS match: June 26 vs. Orlando, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN+

United is 0-4-1 in their last five matches, seems prone to silly mistakes, isn't getting great production from its stars, and is still just four points back of first place in the Eastern Conference. Things could be worse at Gold Cup time.

7. Atlanta United (8-2-5)

Previous ranking: 15

Next MLS match: June 26 at Toronto, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN+

You can't really have a "vintage" performance when you're only in your third season as a club, but we're going to say it anyway: The vintage version of Atlanta United showed up on Saturday against Chicago. The Five Stripes are now in third and charging up the table -- do we even need to say "watch out" to the rest of the East?

8. New York Red Bulls (7-3-6)

Previous ranking: 8

Next MLS match: June 28 v. Chicago

The Red Bulls got Ilsinho'd. Sometimes it happens. Whatcha gonna do?

9. Montreal Impact (8-3-7)

Previous ranking: 11

Next MLS match: June 26 v. Portland, 8 p.m. ET

Considering how much time Ignacio Piatti has missed in 2019, and the up-and-down nature of the Impact's form, the fact that Remi Garde has Montreal in second place in the East (tied with DC United) is pretty remarkable.

10. FC Dallas (6-4-6)

Previous ranking: 10

Next MLS match: June 22 v. Toronto FC, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN+

FC Dallas enters the Gold Cup break in fifth place, fresh off a weird draw against San Jose playing with a makeshift group. The bright spot was the goal from debutant Francis Atuahene, a player the club needs because of the thin roster entering the summer.

11. Seattle Sounders (7-5-4)

Previous ranking: 9

Next MLS match: June 29 v. Vancouver, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Missing something like half their team, the Sounders dropped a result in Montreal in midweek. No reason to panic, maybe, but that makes it a three-game losing streak for Brian Schmetzer's club.

12. Minnesota United (6-3-7)

Previous ranking: 12

Next MLS match: June 29 v. FC Cincinnati, 4 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPNdeportes

Every glimmer of hope in Minnesota is quickly followed by a painful setback. Three losses in a row has the dark clouds descending on the Loons and it will be a major test of Adrian Heath. Counting on a weak group of clubs to salvage the playoffs in the West is not a winning formula.

13. Orlando City (5-3-7)

Previous ranking: 13

Next MLS match: June 26 at DC United, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN+

The Lions are the current title holder of the ESPN MLS Power Rankings "Dead Average" award. Good enough to represent a threat, bad enough that a multiple goal loss to a bottom feeder is never a surprise.

14. Toronto FC (5-4-6)

Previous ranking: 14

Next MLS match: June 22 at FC Dallas, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Toronto FC got VAR'd hard at home against Sporting, playing without Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore. But the Reds fought back from VAR-assisted deficits twice to secure a point, which is some comfort.

15. San Jose Earthquakes (5-4-6)

Previous ranking: 20

Next MLS match: June 26 v. Houston Dynamo, 10.30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Chris Wondolowski scored again and the Quakes earned a point on the road in Frisco despite the howler of the year from Daniel Vega. The Quakes deserve more credit then they got here -- taking eight points from a possible 12 in their last four matches has pulled them into playoff contention.

16. Real Salt Lake (6-1-8)

Previous ranking: 15

Next MLS match: June 22 at Chicago, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN+

The Gold Cup break brings intrigue to Utah, where the rumour is that Joao Plata is headed for Mexico. The Ecuadorian has done some good work in the shadow of the Wasatch, but he's not a first choice player for Mike Petke at this point. Can RSL snag a more productive player when the transfer window opens in July?

17. Columbus Crew (5-2-9)

Previous ranking: 16

Next MLS match: June 23 vs. Sporting Kansas City, 5.30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

The Crew are off until June 23 for the Gold Cup, so let's instead consider the news this week that the club's new downtown stadium is tentatively scheduled to open during the 2021 season. With all that the Crew fans have been through, the idea of their club getting a second soccer-specific venue must seem like an unbelievable dream.

18. Colorado Rapids (4-3-9)

Previous ranking: 24

Next MLS match: June 22 at Vancouver, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN+

THE RAPIDS AREN'T IN LAST PLACE ANYMORE! Sure, Portland has played three fewer games and Colorado still has a worse goal differential, but positives are positives. Credit where it's due -- Conor Casey's side has a five-game unbeaten run going and more points in their last five than everyone but LAFC.

19. Portland Timbers (4-2-7)

Previous ranking: 17

Next MLS match: June 22 vs. Houston, 11 p.m. ET, ESPN+

The Timbers' disastrous start to the season didn't end their chances at the playoffs and neither did the loss to LAFC in the first home game of the year. They lost that game, but the fight (both figurative and literal) they showed should be a platform for the rest of the season.

20. New England Revolution (4-4-8)

Previous ranking: 22

Next MLS match: June 26 vs. Philadelphia, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Revs fans got to see Bruce Arena get a win in his first game in charge of the club last week against LA, but they'll have to wait until another few weeks to see the new head coach stalk the sidelines at home. In the meantime, there's an Open Cup match in Jersey that Arena probably won't take very seriously.

21. Sporting Kansas City (3-7-5)

Previous ranking: 19

Next MLS match: Friday at Toronto, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Two soft penalties helped SKC get a point in the Great White North, a fine result on paper. The problem is that Sporting had three (much needed) points in their grasp and broke down defensively in the final minutes of the game. 2019, even with injuries considered, is not feeling very Vermesian.

22. Vancouver Whitecaps (4-6-6)

Previous ranking: 19

Next MLS match: June 22 vs. Colorado, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Yordy Reyna is quite often the difference between Vancouver showing any teeth on the attacking end and lacking any menace at all. Friday's result was a perfect example, with the Peruvian changing the complexion of the game for the Whitecaps when he came on as a substitute with about a half-hour to go.

23. Chicago Fire (4-6-6)

Previous ranking: 22

Next MLS match: June 22 vs. Real Salt Lake, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN+

We'll leave this one to Dax McCarty. "It's not been good enough," he said after the 2-0 loss in Atlanta. "The entire season's not been good enough. So if guys can't figure what they want and if they don't want to be here then maybe we need to have honest conversations with ourselves because it's not good enough from the team."

24. FC Cincinnati (3-2-11)

Previous ranking: 24

Next MLS match: June 22 v. LA Galaxy, 7.30 p.m.

FCC got housed at The House That Ruth Built (2.0) by NYCFC on Thursday and didn't even get to score their own consolation goals. Generally speaking, it's a very bad sign when Own Goal is tied for the team lead in goals scored.

Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak wants to leave in the summer following broken promises over his future -- and the boyhood Manchester United fan favours a move to Old Trafford over Paris Saint-Germain, a source has told ESPN FC.

Last week, Oblak voiced concerns about Atletico's competitiveness, with star forward Antoine Griezmann set to leave and Lucas Hernandez, Diego Godin, Filipe Luis and Juanfran also departing.

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Oblak wants Atleti to match his ambition and is considering his options, with PSG also in the running after announcing that Gianluigi Buffon would leave in the summer.

However, a source told ESPN FC that United are ahead in the chase for Oblak, despite the fact that they will not be playing in the Champions League next season.

The source said the 26-year-old wants to play in the Premier League.

David De Gea's United future is in considerable doubt -- the Spain international is also a PSG target -- and sources told ESPN FC in April that United were considering triggering Oblak's €120 million buyout clause in the event De Gea leaves.

Earlier this year, Oblak signed a new deal until 2023 and was told the Atletico squad would be strengthened to compete for La Liga and the Champions League.

Brazilian centre-back Felipe has joined from Porto and striker Nicolas Ibanez has come in from Atleti's Mexican franchise Atletico de San Luis, but the source said Oblak did not feel the list of possible Griezmann replacements was good enough.

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Regarded as one of the finest goalkeepers in the world, Oblak won his fourth Zamora Award as La Liga's best goalkeeper after helping Atletico finish second in the table last season.

The Slovenia international kept 27 clean sheets in 50 matches in 2018 -- more than any other goalkeeper in Europe's top five leagues including Liverpool's Alisson and United's De Gea -- and conceded just 36 goals.

Manchester United declined to comment when asked by ESPN FC about interest in Oblak.

Faith Thomas , the former fast bowler who was the first Indigenous Australian to represent the county in any sport, and former left-arm quick Mike Whitney have been honoured in the Queen's Birthday list.

Both have been handed the Order of Australia, Thomas for services to cricket and to the Indigenous community and Whitney for services to cricket and the broadcast media.

Thomas (nee Coulthard) played one Test for Australia, against England, in 1958 and was renowned for a rapid yorker.

"I used to like bowling yorkers," she told the Guardian in 2016. "The first place I played [representative cricket] was at the Gabba and it was the English captain Mary Duggan facing. I put the stump over the wicketkeeper's head!"

Away from cricket she worked as a nurse and midwife across South Australia.

Whitney, who played 12 Tests and 38 ODIs from 1981 to 1993, moved from playing into a successful career in entertainment television.

His Test debut came in the 1981 Ashes Test at Old Trafford during another match made famous by Ian Botham's heroics. The standout bowling performance of his career was an 11-wicket match haul against India at Perth in 1991-92 although, due to holding a first-class batting average of just 5.60, he is almost as frequently recalled for saving a Test against New Zealand with the bat in 1987 in a final-wicket stand with Craig McDermott.

All the live action and analyses from the South Africa v West Indies game. You can also follow our ball-by-ball commentary here. And refresh the page if the blog doesn't load immediately for you

Yuvraj Singh has called time on his international - as well as IPL - career, finishing up after 40 Tests, 304 ODIs and 58 T20Is in which he established himself as the best Indian allrounder of his generation - an explosive batsman, useful slow left-arm bowler and dynamic fielder. "I have decided to move on," he said at a press briefing in Mumbai.

"After 25 years, in and around 22 yards, and after almost 17 years of international cricket on and off, I have decided to move on," he said. "I am extremely lucky to play 400-plus games for India. I would never have imagined this when I started my career as a cricketer. It was a love-hate relationship with the sport, in retrospect. I don't think I hated the game, because the love I have for it today, which will remain a constant till the end of [my] life. I can't really express in words what is that feeling.

"This game taught me how to fight, how to fall, to dust myself off and get up again and move forward. I have failed more times than I have succeeded, but I never gave up, and will never give up, till my last breath, and that's what cricket has taught me. I gave my blood and sweat to the game once I got on to it, especially when it came to representing my country.

"The adrenaline rush, playing for India, singing the national anthem before each game, touching the Indian flag, stopping every run for the team, or scoring every run for the team, was a completely different high. To be part of history, that was made after 28 years [in 2011], I mean, honestly, what more could I ask for?"

All cricketers want to sign off on a high. For Yuvraj, that wasn't to be. His team Mumbai Indians won the 2019 IPL, but Yuvraj was benched after the initial few matches following average returns.

"Yes, that's right, I wasn't as successful, and opportunities were also fewer," Yuvraj said in response to a why-now question. "I started my career in 2000, so it's 19 years now. I was a bit confused about how I wanted to end my career. I thought that in the IPL, that we won, if I had got to play (in the final), and ended my career after that, I would have had a very satisfying exit. But life doesn't give you everything.

"I had actually decided last year itself that the IPL this year would be my last one and I'd give it my best shot. The time comes in everyone's life when they think that, 'Enough now.' I would say that I had thought a year back itself that I will retire at this time. Internationally I've retired from all forms of cricket."

"This game taught me how to fight, how to fall, to dust myself off and get up again and move forward. I have failed more times than I have succeeded, but I never gave up, and will never give up, till my last breath"

That said, he does want to try his luck in T20 - and perhaps even T10 - leagues beyond India's shores.

"Yes, definitely, I want to go and play some T20 cricket. I think at this age, I can manage to play some fun cricket. I want to enjoy my life. It's been too stressful, just thinking about my international career, performing, and big tournaments like IPL… hopefully I'll just enjoy myself," he said. "Obviously I'll take BCCI permission to go out and play. For this year, or maybe next year, I don't know.

"I just want to have fun and enjoy time for myself. It's been a very long and hard journey, and I deserve that. I've had a word with the BCCI. I will have another word after this announcement."

The greatest triumph for Yuvraj, now 37, was undoubtedly the 2011 World Cup, when he hit four half-centuries and a century, while also picking up 15 wickets - including a five-for against Ireland - on his way to the Man of the Tournament award as India won the trophy for only the second time.

That, however, was followed by a terrible low, as Yuvraj was diagnosed with mediastinal seminoma, a germ-cell tumour located between his two lungs. The diagnosis was confirmed in February 2012, and he stayed out of the game till December that year, when he made a comeback following treatment. The returns following that were a mixed bag, though, and he last turned out in national colours in June 2017 in an ODI during India's tour of the West Indies.

"As I go back in time today, my life has been like a roller-coaster ride," Yuvraj said. "Winning the 2011 World Cup, being Man of the Series, four Man of the Match awards, was all like a dream, which was followed by a harsh reality, getting diagnosed with cancer. It was like touching the sky and then falling down at light speed and hitting the ground hard. All this happened so quickly, and that too when I was [at] the peak of my career. But in that moment, everyone to whom I mattered, stood together for me - my fans, my friends, my family.

"Probably the worst day in my career was the 2014 T20 World Cup final against Sri Lanka when I scored 11 off 21 balls. It was so shattering that I felt my career was over. And I was written off by everyone to an extent that made me feel at times that it was all over. Then I took a bit of time [off] and I realised why I play cricket; it's because I love the game. So I went back to basics and scored heavily in domestic cricket. A year and a half later, I made my comeback in T20Is for India, where I hit a six and a four in the last over against Australia in Sydney, and suddenly all the belief came right back.

"I finally made my comeback in one-day cricket after three years in Cuttack on 19th January against England in 2017. I recorded my highest one-day score of 150 in 127 balls when everybody said it was impossible. Trust me, I have never stopped believing in myself. No matter what the world said, believe in yourself because if you put your heart and soul into it, you can achieve the impossible.

Yuvraj, who has continued to be a part of the Indian Premier League and, occasionally, for Punjab in the domestic circuit, ended his career with an outstanding ODI record of 8701 runs - 22nd in the overall list, and seventh among Indians - at an average of 36.55 and 111 wickets. In his sporadic Test appearances, he scored three centuries and 11 half-centuries in aggregating 1900 runs, and in T20Is - where he headlined India's 2007 title-winning effort with a blast of six sixes in a Stuart Broad over - he ended with 1177 runs and 28 wickets.

Career highlights

• January 2000: Yuvraj's talent is spotted fairly early and he makes a mark in India's Under-19 World Cup triumph in Sri Lanka in 2000. He makes 203 runs at 33.83 and also impresses with his left-arm spin. Less than a year later, he is a part of the national team.

• October 2000: Yuvraj hits the headlines in just his second ODI when the Indian team is emerging out of the match-fixing crisis under the leadership of Sourav Ganguly. Against Australia in the quarter-final of the ICC Knockout Tournament, Yuvraj blazes to 84 off 80 balls in a memorable win.

• July 2002: In one of India's finest moments in ODI cricket, Yuvraj, who made 69, and Mohammad Kaif combine to hand their team a thrilling two-wicket win while chasing 325 in the NatWest Series final against England at Lord's. It also seals Yuvraj's place in the ODI team for good.

• September 2007: In the inaugural World Twenty20, Yuvraj enters the record books, smashing Stuart Broad for six sixes in an over. He followed up with a match-winning 70 against Australia in the semi-finals that put India on the road to a historic title win.

• Feb 19 - Apr 2, 2011: A dream World Cup for Yuvraj, as he scores 362 runs - including one centuries and four fifties - takes 15 wickets, wins four Man-of-the-Match awards, and is also Player of the Tournament. In the process, he becomes the first allrounder to score 300-plus runs and take 15 wickets in a single World Cup.

Akhtar Sarfraz, the former Pakistan and Peshawar batsman, has died aged 43 after a battle with colon cancer. He passed away at the Shaukat Khanum Memorial cancer hospital in Lahore.

A left-hander, Sarfraz played four ODIs between December 1997 and October 1998, scoring 66 runs in four innings. He had a more successful domestic career - 5720 runs in 118 first-class games and 2636 runs in 98 List A games - which spanned over a decade. His last competitive game was for Peshawar in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy in 2007.

After ending his playing career, Sarfraz worked as a regional coach and then served as a selector for the Pakistan women's side between 2018 and 2019.

Inna lillahi, wa inna illahi raajeoon - Extremely saddened to hear about the loss of #AkhtarSarfraz who was a great human being. He has been a good coach, manager & most importantly a great friend to me. Thoughts with his family at this tragic time. Allah magfirat farmaaye, Ameen pic.twitter.com/EzOP2bcKFR

— Imran Khan (@ImeeK218) June 10, 2019

PCB chairman Ehsan Mani paid tribute to Sarfraz, saying, "The PCB is shocked to hear the sad news of Akhtar's passing. It is very difficult to accept and comprehend if you lose someone from the cricket fraternity, particularly as young and lively as Akhtar who was admired, respected and loved by everyone.

"It's tragic that death cut short his life at such a young age, but he will live in our memories for a very long period. On behalf of the PCB, I want to extend my deepest condolences to Akhtar's family and assure them that in these difficult times, we stand firmly with them."

Yuvraj Singh called time on an illustrious playing career on Monday, saying the voice inside him had finally told him the time was right to leave. In an interaction with reporters after his announcement, he dwelled at length on the captains who made the most impact on him, how he would always prefer having a World Cup to scoring 10,000 runs, his regret at not having the same impact in Test cricket that he had in ODIs, and how he spurned the offer of a farewell match. Excerpts:

On making peace with his father, the former India fast bowler Yograj Singh, with whom he has had a fraught relationship

I think I actually made peace a couple of days ago when I was talking to my father. So I spoke to him and all the demons inside as a younger kid came out. That conversation happened and he said his side of the story. It was a very peaceful moment for me to have that closure and have that chat with him, because I've never had that chat with him in the last 20 years. He's always been like a dragon to me… I think me and my father both have a very different relationship now. We both have grown up. Well I have grown up, I don't know about him! All his life he has taken off on me in the media, now it's my time.

But yes, I've had closure with him. He never appreciated me playing any other sport. He only appreciated if I played cricket. So I said, "So be it." And luckily for me, later on in my career I started enjoying it and made something good out of it.

I think it was a very beautiful moment talking to my father and talking to my mom about my journey and I was looking for closure.

On why he wasn't able to do as well in Test cricket:

Yes, definitely, that will always be a regret. I think I played at a time when it was very difficult to get a spot. Played with [VVS] Laxman, [Sourav] Ganguly who was captain, Sachin [Tendulkar], Rahul [Dravid], Viru [Virender Sehwag] started opening… it was very hard to find space in the middle order. And that time we used to get one or two Test matches [to prove ourselves] compared to guys today who get 10 to 15 Test matches to play all the time.

So I never really got that spot. Every time I failed, I would lose my spot because it was just me, or Sourav or Laxman… Over seven years I think I sat out of 40 Test matches. And then when Sourav retired, that one year I was actually playing Test cricket. I finally got my spot, but then I got diagnosed with cancer, so… I don't know what to say. It's been unfortunate. If you look at the whole journey it's been great, but unfortunate not to play… another 40 Test matches would have been awesome.

I was batting at No. 6, I averaged about 34-35, which is not great. I would have loved to average 40. But for me, at the end of the day, it's about winning games, and every time I scored runs I'm sure it helped win the game for India. It's a regret, definitely, but I've given my all.

On whether he regrets not scoring 10,000 ODI runs:

No… Scoring 8000, 9000, whatever, definitely you can look at the books and say, "Oh he scored 10,000 runs." But winning the World Cup… I'd rather have winning the World Cup than scoring 10,000 runs. I never thought about 10,000 runs, I always thought about winning the World Cup. 10,000 would be very special, but I think winning the World Cup is far more special.

On his biggest high and his defining moment on the field:

I think the biggest moment in my career would definitely be winning the World Cup in 2011 and being Man of the Series. And we won it in India as well, and after 28 years. There cannot be a bigger high.

Defining moment in my career, I think it would be when I batted for the first time in my career and scored 84 against Australia. First game, and you score 84 against the best team in the world… It was quite a dream. Because of that, I came and failed in a lot of games. But because I had started so well I always got an opportunity.

On his family's reactions when he told them:

I'd been talking to my wife and mother since two years, that I want to retire and go on with my life. But mentally I was not happy. Because after playing international cricket for so many years, going back and playing domestic cricket was a bit of a struggle.

I spoke to my father recently and when I had told him I want to speak to him he was expecting that I would tell him I'm going to retire. He was also saying that, "It's been enough. Almost 19 years and about 25 years of playing cricket." I think he was very happy I was retiring, and he hugged me. He was very satisfied with the journey because he lived his dreams through me. He was very happy with my career and told me that when Kapil Dev had lifted the World Cup [in 1983], he had the regret that he wasn't in that team, but he felt happy when I lifted the World Cup. He was very content with what I had achieved.

On whether he would have wanted a farewell match:

I didn't tell anyone in BCCI that I want to play a last match. If I was good enough and had potential, I would have gone to the ground. I don't like to play cricket in that fashion, that "I want a [farewell] match." I had been told that if I can't pass the yo-yo test, I can play a retirement match. I said then that I don't want a retirement match. If I don't pass the yo-yo test, I'll go home quietly.

On whether the yo-yo test is needed in a bat-ball game:

See, I'm sure in life I will have a lot of time now to discuss these things. I will have a lot to say. I'm not saying it right now because India is playing the World Cup, and I don't want any controversies around the players. Because I want the players to be in the best phase possible to win the last four. I'm sure my time will come to speak. I don't want to be in that space where I retired during the World Cup time and whatever… I just retired because I want to move on with my life, and I'm sure my time will come to talk about these things.

On which current player reminds him of himself:

Not exactly myself, I think he has the potential to be better. Rishabh Pant, he's already scored two Test hundreds away, in Australia and England. I think that boy has great potential to be a very attacking, match-winning left-hander. I'm looking forward to seeing him in the next few years.

On mentorship or coaching in the future:

Not now, I've just retired! I'll enjoy myself for a year or two. After that I'll think about it. Right now I'm going to take some time off. I definitely want to give something back to cricket, and hopefully do some work in the future with the younger generation.

On the captains who had the most impact on him:

I think Sourav Ganguly, under whom I started. He supported me a lot. And with MS Dhoni, I've won a lot of major championships, so definitely these two captains.

Ganguly was very authoritative when it came to fighting for his players. He wanted certain players in the team, like myself, Ashish [Nehra], Bhajju [Harbhajan Singh], Zaheer Khan, [Virender] Sehwag. I think he built us guys together.

Dhoni was very composed under pressure. He had a very good mind behind the stumps for how the game was going.

On his thoughts before the first time he batted in international cricket:

The previous night, Sourav Ganguly told me I have to open. Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie and [Glenn] McGrath were the bowlers. I remember it was a night of a lot of anxiety. But I got up in the morning all ready to open and Sourav said, "No no, I was just joking, playing a prank on you." I told him that "Hopefully I will be able to repay the prank some day!"

I think there's less pressure when you're actually going in to bat. There's more pressure outside, I've always felt it. And the moment I was in the zone, it was just like me and the ball.

On how he took revenge on Ganguly:

Gave it back to Sourav? Nicely, after a couple of years, against Pakistan. Bhajji and me made a false newspaper cutting of him accusing his own players. And Sourav got all red on the field and he said, "I don't want to captain this team anymore." And then we said, "April fool, Dada."

On the toughest bowlers he's faced and his favourite overseas cricketers:

You're asking me this now?! (laughter)

I think Muttiah Muralitharan would be the toughest I've faced. The other would be Glenn McGrath. The overseas cricketers I admire… Ricky Ponting is someone I really admire as a batsman. AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle… I think these guys were serious powerhouses when I played against them.

On playing under pressure:

Under the sword, under pressure, I always play my best cricket. I used to enjoy the challenge when we were three or four down. When Kaif and me won that Natwest final, a lot of belief came from that situation, that if I can do this now at such a young age, I can do more in the future.

I felt the pressure a lot when I came back after cancer. I was not that fit, I went to France for training. When I came back in the team, Duncan [Fletcher] was the coach. And I felt there was a lot of pressure just to perform at that time. Everything had changed. Because everybody thinks I've come back from cancer and I'm not the same player anymore. That added up a lot of pressure on me, but that's how life is.

ST. LOUIS -- With the Boston Bruins facing elimination Sunday, Tuukka Rask came up big.

Perhaps you've heard this story before.

Rask was once again exceptional for Boston, making 28 saves -- including one that rolled off his back -- as the Bruins defeated the St. Louis Blues 5-1 in Game 6 to force a Game 7 on Wednesday.

It has been a familiar trend for Boston this postseason: Rely on the 32-year-old Finn when it matters most. In three games in which the Bruins faced elimination this postseason -- Sunday's Game 6, along with Games 6 and 7 of their first-round series against Toronto -- Rask is 3-0 with a 1.33 GAA and .953 save percentage, allowing only four goals.

"He's been a big reason why we're in this position," teammate Patrice Bergeron said. "He was definitely in the zone."

Added defenseman Charlie McAvoy: "He just steps up when it matters, and we have all the faith in the world in him, and to see him play the way that he did, it's really not a surprise to us. We just believe in him so much, and we know the kind of person and player he is. He's our rock."

It was all the more impressive considering the atmosphere in St. Louis. Before puck drop, nearly 30,000 fans poured into a downtown square surrounding the arena, and the crowd buzzed as the Blues looked to clinch their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. St. Louis came out aggressively on the forecheck, maintained possession and had the first power play as it began the game with a 5-1 lead in shots. Rask took it from there.

St. Louis finished 0-for-4 on the power play. Many Bruins players called Rask their best penalty killer.

"We killed that penalty in the first period. That's huge," Rask said. "Last time we were here, they scored 30 seconds in. Obviously you don't want that to happen again. We weathered the storm pretty good and then got the lead. It was a great start."

Rask's unflappability has been apparent in these playoffs. In interviews throughout this postseason, he has never wavered in tone. He has exuded confidence and calmness.

With another standout performance on Sunday, Rask catapulted to the favorite for the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. After all, no goalie has played as many games in a playoff year as Rask's 22 while posting a better save percentage than his current mark of .941. Coincidentally, the goalie who previously held that record? Tim Thomas, who led Boston to its most recent Stanley Cup in 2011 with a .940 save percentage in 25 games. Rask was the backup on that team.

Rask pitched a shutout through two and a half periods and was close to becoming just the fourth goalie in the past 60 years to record a shutout on the road while facing elimination in a Stanley Cup Final. The others in that elusive group: Thomas, Ed Belfour and Patrick Roy.

Perhaps Rask's most ridiculous save came in the second period, when a puck bounced off the post and deflected off Rask's back before McAvoy batted it away.

Rask had already seen a replay by the time he met with reporters.

"I didn't know where it was, and I figured it might be somewhere behind me, so I just tried to corral it with my hand behind my back -- and then it stuck in my pants, and then it fell somewhere," Rask said. "I think Chucky made a great play to keep it out of the net originally, and it's never a good thing for a goalie to kinda be facing the play with your back, but luckily it stayed out."

The New Orleans Pelicans are hiring former UConn and WNBA star Swin Cash for a senior front-office position, league sources told ESPN.

The team will name Cash vice president of basketball operations and team development, sources say. She will scout, help guide player development on and off the floor, and assume other roles within the organization.

This is the latest in a string of major hirings by David Griffin, the Pelicans' new executive president of basketball operations -- and the man charged with handling the Anthony Davis situation. Last month, Griffin hired Aaron Nelson, head of the Phoenix Suns' highly regarded training staff for two decades, as the Pelicans' new vice president of player care and performance. Two weeks later, Griffin hired Trajan Langdon away from the Brooklyn Nets to serve as the Pelicans' new general manager.

Cash, 39, played 15 seasons in the WNBA and made four All-Star teams. She was a member of the 2000 and 2002 national championship teams at UConn, and she won three WNBA titles. In 2017, the New York Liberty named Cash director of franchise development. She also has appeared across several television platforms in an analyst role, including on NBA TV last season with Griffin.