Tottenham Hotspur appear to be stepping up their search to find a suitable successor to Harry Kane, amid reports that the Lilywhites have held talks regarding a deal for Gent starlet, Gift Orban.

What's the latest on Orban to Tottenham?

According to journalist Sacha Tavolieri, the north London outfit are said to have made "contact" with the Belgian side amid their interest in the Nigerian marksman, with Ange Postecoglou and co seemingly ready to fork out around €30m (£26m) for the 21-year-old sensation.

Writing on Twitter, the transfer insider revealed: "#Tottenham in contact with #KAAGent for Gift Orban! #Spurs could go as high as €30M (including bonuses) according to the latest oral discussions undertaken with their Belgian counterparts. The profile of the Nigerian striker has been validated by Ange Postecoglou.

"The green light to send the written offer is obviously linked to the Harry Kane affair. The English are anticipating the market by paying €30m in 2023 than have to offer the double once Orban has exploded in an intermediate league… Wait&See."

Read the latest Tottenham transfer news HERE…

As Tavolieri noted, a deal for the former Stabaek ace is likely to be tied to the future of Kane, with talks continuing regarding the Englishman's potential move to Bayern Munich, despite the German giants having seen their latest £86m offer rebuffed.

How good is Gift Orban?

As the Independent's Miguel Delaney previously suggested, it is unlikely that Spurs will look for a direct replacement for Kane this summer, with the likelihood being that Postecoglou will instead seek to establish a more 'fluid' forward line instead.

Young Orban could represent the figurehead of that new-look attacking unit, with the 5 foot 10 speedster having proven his goalscoring credentials during his time in Norway and Belgium to date, after bagging 41 goals in just 48 club career games in total.

Undoubtedly something of a "poacher" – according to talent scout Jacek Kulig – a further benefit of the Gent ace is his devastating speed and threat in behind, having been hailed for his "electric pace & acceleration" by Kulig.

The Benue State-born marksman could well be joined in the frontline by another dynamic, pacy asset in the form of fellow Tottenham target, Brennan Johnson, with the latter man – who has been valued at around £50m by current club Nottingham Forest – having seemingly caught the eye of Postecoglou and co.

As his compatriot Joe Allen previously stated, Johnson's pace is simply "frightening", with that natural gift having made him a real weapon for Steve Cooper in the Premier League last season, as he scored eight goals and provided three assists to help Forest stave off the drop.

A real goal threat like Orban, the 22-year-old also boasts the benefit of his ability to drive forward with the ball at his feet as he ranks in the top 10% among forwards in Europe's top five leagues for progressive carries, ensuring he could easily stretch the pitch for Spurs in a rapid breakaway – with his Nigerian counterpart also a "counter-attacking threat", according to Kulig.

As Johnson also proved during the 2021/22 campaign in the Championship, he could be the man to deliver quality service to Orban in the final third, with the Wales international creating 15 'big chances' and racking up ten assists to fire the Tricky Trees to promotion.

That creative prowess could ensure that the Nottingham native is able to regularly tee up Orban over the coming years at N17, with the latter man likely to be able to continue his remarkable goalscoring exploits.

Sam Northeast’s relationship with Kent is under strain and that has alerted a host of First Division counties

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Dec-2017Sam Northeast’s future at Kent is in doubt after he was unofficially advised that he would not be reconsidered for the captaincy unless he restated his long-term commitment to the club by extending a contract which expires at the end of next season.Northeast’s strained relationship with Kent, first revealed in , is bound to interest a host of leading counties, aware that his record in all forms of the game identifies him as one of the leading batsman in the country.Long frustrated by a lack of international recognition, Northeast’s fortunes seemed on the up when he was selected by the England Lions tour of the West Indies next year, but the current impasse could lead him to lobby to leave Kent a year early and play First Division Championship cricket to quicken his England ambitions.By the time Northeast joins the Lions for the limited-overs leg of the tour in March, his future should be known.Kent are in turmoil even without Northeast’s possible departure. They are advertising for a newly-constituted director of cricket position, the long-serving chairman of cricket, Graham Johnson, is planning to retire and chief executive Jamie Clifford will join the MCC in February as assistant secretary.Oddly, final interviews for the director of cricket, who will oversee all aspects of Kent’s cricketing affairs, are likely to be concluded after the captaincy issue is resolved.In the absence of a director of cricket, Northeast has borne a heavy responsibility since taking over the captaincy from Rob Key in September 2015 and has been involved in many aspects of the county’s affairs, including selection, recruitment and player development.With some of those responsibilities likely to be curtailed, he may now abandon attempts to reinvigorate Kent, where he has played since childhood. Two promotion challenges under his leadership have run aground because of a lack of pace bowling stocks – Matt Coles’ departure to the champions, Essex, has only worsened that position – and an explosive Twenty20 batting line-up has also failed to reach Finals Day in the Blast.Kent are one of the most traditional of England’s professional clubs and the captaincy appointment must be ratified by the general committee, most likely at a meeting on January 22.If Northeast does become set on leaving, and Kent abandon the fight to keep him, the list of suitors will be a long one. Hampshire were enthusiastic about signing him three years ago and Nottinghamshire would prefer to strengthen their middle-order batting as they return to Division One, especially as they have already missed out on Keaton Jennings.Most intriguing of all is the attitude of Sussex, who will be ambitious to leave Division Two of the Championship next season under the ambitious guidance of new head coach Jason Gillespie. Gillespie was impressed by Northeast during a spell as Kent’s bowling coach last season, so much so that he named him in his preferred England Ashes XI, and the move across the county border would not be disruptive. They should not be overlooked.

The new-look Adelaide Strikers, led by opener Alex Carey and legspinner Rashid Khan, secured a 53-run win over Sydney Thunder to get their campaign off to the perfect start

The Report by Alex Malcolm in Adelaide22-Dec-2017
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsThe new-look Adelaide Strikers were a bit of mystery coming into this year’s tournament. But their rejuvenated line-up, with the help of mystery legspinner Rashid Khan, delivered a dominant win over the Sydney Thunder to get their campaign off to the perfect start.Rashid weaved some magic, taking 2 for 22 from his four overs, to sink the Thunder. But he was helped by the work of new opener Alex Carey’s 44 off 26 balls that laid the foundation for a defendable total of 163. Then Peter Siddle, the new recruit, delivered a frugal opening two overs and removed the dangerous Jos Buttler to put the Thunder well behind the asking rate in the chase.The Strikers had made an excellent start after winning the toss and batting first, save for the early dismissal of Jake Weatherald.Getty ImagesGiven the task of replacing last year’s leading scorer Ben Dunk at the top of the order, Carey looked right at home. He struck five crisp boundaries and launched two sixes. One was inside-out over cover against a turning legbreak from Fawad Ahmed, the other a flat slog sweep against a turning offbreak from Arjun Nair.Travis Head wasn’t quite as fluid at the other end but the Strikers were 1 for 89 from 9.4 overs before Head was brilliantly caught behind by Buttler off Nair.The Strikers then hit the skids. They scored 34 runs from the next 37 deliveries of spin offered by Fawad, Nair and Chris Green and lost Carey and Colin Ingram in the process. Nair got the spoils with three wickets but Green delivered 12 valuable dots in his four overs.The Strikers scrounged 40 runs in the last four overs that featured a couple of controversial moments. Jake Lehmann was dropped by Mitch McClenaghan but the New Zealand quick felt he was obstructed by the non-striker Jonathan Wells. McClenaghan still got both hands to the relatively simple chance and Wells had done nothing but hold his ground as McClenaghan tried to get around him.McClenaghan, however, had a decision go his way in the last over. He delivered a full toss well above waist height but was not penalised a no-ball. The next delivery should have been a free-hit but wasn’t, and Lehmann holed out for 23.The Thunder started poorly in the chase. Siddle and Billy Stanlake bowled long-form lines and lengths and Kurtis Patterson and Shane Watson did little to try and throw them off. At one stage the Thunder were 1 for 23 after five overs. Four boundaries in the next two overs then pushed the run rate past six. Watson tried to force Head’s offspin over the long boundary and fell 20m short.Rashid then settled into his work. His first three balls cost nine runs. His next 12 cost just seven runs and yielded two wickets. He had Ryan Gibson nicking off with a quick, full legbreak with Carey making the catching behind look a lot easier than it was. Two balls later Ben Rohrer was completely bamboozled by a world-class wrong ‘un that clipped the top of his off stump.Patterson was the Thunder’s only hope having scored 48 of his team’s 81 runs by the 12th over but he picked out midwicket in the next over. Ben Laughlin cleaned up the tail with three wickets in four balls. Siddle finished with the remarkable figures of 2 for 6 from three overs.

Dean Jones has given an update on Wolverhampton Wanderers midfield pursuit.

The club are looking to strengthen in the middle of the park this summer after losing key players this window.

What is the latest Wolves transfer news?

The side are in chaos before the start of the season.

The club have recently had to make a managerial change, with former coach Julen Lopetegui leaving his post by mutual consent after just nine months at the club. A key factor behind the Spaniard's decision to depart was the clubs failure to secure him the transfer targets that he wanted due to the clubs financial position.

Wolves have moved to replace him with former Bournemouth head coach Gary O'Neil, who has identified Coventry midfielder Gustavo Hamer as a target as he looks to bolster his squad for the upcoming season, but that plan has already been foiled as he's joined Sheffield United.

Wolves haven't had much luck when it's come to transfers this summer, with the club missing out on top target Alex Scott. The midlands side saw two offers rejected for the young Englishman, with the second rebuffed offer being worth £20m. Bournemouth then stepped in and paid the Bristol City asking price of £25m and completed the deal.

The club lost Ruben Neves earlier this window as he made the switch to the Saudi Pro League in a £47m move to Al Hilal, whilst experienced veteran Joao Moutinho departed this summer following the expiry of his contract at Molineux.

Wolves pursuit of Hamer may be short-lived however, with The Telegraph reporting that newly promoted Sheffield United have agreed a deal for the player for £15m. The Dutch midfielder is set to undergo a medical with the Blades soon, so if Wolves want the player they will have to act quickly.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Jones revealed that the club were seriously looking at Hamer as a target, whilst Manchester City midfielder Tommy Doyle is also a name being considered.

He said: "The centre of the park is somewhere Wolves should be shopping, but there are frustrations around this and is part of why Lopetegui was wondering what he could do with this team. They have shown their liking for Scott, but beyond that, they should also be looking more seriously at Hamer, whom they have been admiring from afar, I am told.

To me, his value in this market seems golden, but maybe it’s still too much to expect from Wolves as they iron out their current problems. There is also some doubt around him being a guaranteed success as they need players that fit into the Premier League seamlessly. Tommy Doyle at Man City has also been mentioned, and I believe it remains the case that they are waiting to see if that can become more active."

What next for Wolves this window?

The club seem to be looking to add Premier League experience to the side.

According to Jones, the club are interested in signing West Ham forward Michael Antonio. The Hammers are reportedly willing to let go of the Jamaican international this summer, but the forward has reservations about making the switch to Molineux due to the uncertainty around the club, and would like a better understanding of the situation before committing to the move.

Previous boss Lopetegui wanted fellow Irons player Aaron Cresswell, and despite his departure, the interest from the Midlands club has remained, with Football Insider reporting that should Wolves up their rejected offer by £1.5m, then West Ham will sanction the move for the defender who has just 12 months remaining on his contract.

An act of annoyance after being run out for a diamond duck in the BBL final – his second offence in the last 12 months – has earned the wicketkeeper-batsman an A$6000 fine

Daniel Brettig08-Feb-2018Matthew Wade’s moment of frustration after being run out for a diamond duck – without facing a ball – during the Hobart Hurricanes’ loss to the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League final has been sanctioned by Cricket Australia with an A$6000 fine.After he was run out by a direct hit from Strikers wicketkeeper Alex Carey in the closing overs of the Hurricanes’ failed chase, Wade was caught on camera hitting his viewing-area seat with his bat before walking towards the dressing room.Charged with abusing ground equipment under the CA code of conduct, Wade contested the offence and faced the match referee Peter Marshall in a hearing, where the offence and the proposed penalty were both upheld. Marshall proposed the harsher penalty as it was Wade’s second offence within 12 months – he was reprimanded for sending off the Sydney Thunder’s Jos Buttler earlier in the BBL.”The offence occurred during the Hurricanes’ batting innings, when Wade was dismissed,” a CA spokesman said. “As per the CA Code of Conduct procedure, Match Referee Peter Marshall reviewed the umpires’ report and – as a higher range of sanctions was applicable given it was Wade’s second Level 1 offence in the last 18 months – a sanction of $6,000 was proposed, should the player accept the umpire’s version of events.”Wade denied the offence and opted to contest the charge at a hearing before the Match Referee, however he was found guilty and the proposed sanction was upheld.”Having played a critical innings in the BBL semi-final win over the Perth Scorchers at the top of the order, Wade was demoted to make room for his regular opening partner D’Arcy Short. Tim Paine, who had claimed Wade’s place in the Australian Test team this summer, opened with Short instead.”Just a little bit about left-right [combination], there’s a short boundary here,” Hurricanes captain George Bailey had said. “So if D’Arcy had been the first out, Wadey would have gone in and had that impact he has had in the last couple games in the first six. But D’Arcy batted well, which meant we could try and use Wade at the back end to try and target the short boundary. But the damage was done by that stage.”CA have come down heavily on players during the BBL this season, fining a succession of captains and teams for over rate offences in particular.

Manchester United have seen a sizeable bid turned down for a prolific top-five European league striker this window, according to recent reports.

How good is Randal Kolo Muani?

Randal Kolo Muani is a distinctive attacking force who would've added another dimension to Manchester United's final third. In his time at Eintracht Frankfurt, Kolo Muani, who has previously been labelled as "explosive" by his former youth coach Yann Lecoq, has enjoyed a meteoric rise to becoming one of Europe's most prolific marksmen, registering 25 goals and 17 assists in 48 appearances across all competitions, as per Transfermarkt.

Expectedly, he has started the new Bundesliga campaign in fine fettle, netting the opening goal in his current employers' 1-0 victory over Darmstadt in their first league fixture, as per Sofascore. The France international converted his goal from an xG of 0.91 and picked up a match rating of 7.2/10 for his exploits on the pitch for Eintracht Frankfurt.

According to FBRef, Kolo Muani ranks highly compared to his positional peers across Europe's top five divisions in successful take-ons and has managed around 2.24 per 90 minutes in the last 365 days, putting him in the 96th percentile.

What happened with United's bid?

According to L'Equipe journalist Loic Tanzi, via Sport Witness, Manchester United have had a bid in the region of €70 million plus bonuses (£60m) turned down for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Randal Kolo Muani earlier this window.

Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain are also looking to add to their star-studded squad and are keen to bring the France international to the nation's capital – they now hope to finalise his signature later this week.

As per L'Equipe, transcribed by The Mirror, Kolo Muani did not close the door on a move to Old Trafford and even confirmed his dream is to play for an elite-level club in an interview earlier this year, stating: "We talk about it a lot already, but I try to be focused on my club. We continue our performances and we will see this summer. Afterwards, I always dreamed of playing in big clubs. I thought I was going to need some time to adapt, maybe a year. But everything exploded. Either way, I’m ready for any challenge."

Foot Mercato claim that Paris Saint-Germain have agreed personal terms with the 24-year-old on a deal that would see him sign on for five years at the Parc des Princes. Tottenham Hotspur were reported to be keen on Kolo Muani earlier this summer, though their lack of Champions League football complicated any potential swoop, as per Sport Bild.

Manchester United now look to have found their solution to a long-standing striking problem in the form of Rasmus Hojlund, who joined the Premier League giants from Atalanta in a transfer worth £72 million, as per Sky Sports. Nevertheless, the Denmark international is currently out injured due to a back problem and it is unclear when he will come into contention to make his Red Devils debut, according to The Evening Standard.

Manchester United could've benefitted from having someone of Kolo Muani's unique abilities leading the line in 2023/24, though they will be excited to see how Hojlund settles in once his injury clears up.

Arsenal ensured they stay just three points behind Women's Super League leaders Chelsea after they ran out 2-0 winners against Liverpool on Sunday.

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• Arsenal dominant throughout WSL clash
• Miedema scored first goal in over a year
• Foord killed game off with second

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  TELL ME MORE

  Arsenal dominated possession and were the more imposing team in attack for most of the game as they managed to work the ball into the Liverpool box. The visitors were not able to find the breakthrough until the 60th minute when Vivianne Miedema took on a pass from Emily Fox in the middle of Liverpool's half and sent it sailing into the net from outside the box. It is Miedema's first goal for Arsenal since December 2022.

  Arsenal looked a bit braver following the opening goal and came close again when Caitlin Foord hit a shot from a tight angle but Rachael Laws managed to keep it out. It felt like a second goal was on the way and it was Foord who delivered it when Alessia Russo got onto the end of a Fox pass, squared to the winger and she tucked it in to kill the game off.

  Arsenal looked set to score a third when a nice high ball fell in behind the Liverpool defence for substitute Stina Blackstenius, but her effort went over the bar. The Swede had another great chance when it fell to her in the box, but Laws pulled off the save.

  Liverpool had their best chance to pull a goal back deep into stoppage time as the ball was headed on to Mia Enderby who raced towards the Arsenal goal, but Manuela Zinsberger did well to deny her. At the other end, Blackstenius came close yet again only to see her shot hit the post.

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  THE MVP

  There will be a lot of praise for Miedema and Foord for getting the goals, but Fox's excellent work in both goals should not be overlooked. She squeezed through three Liverpool players and down the wing before squaring to Miedema for the opener, then her perfectly weighted pass found Russo to create the second goal.

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  THE BIG LOSER

  Liverpool centre-back Gemma Bonner will feel she should have closed down Miedema and attempted to block the Netherlands star's shot rather than simply tracking back and leaving the space for her to tee it up and unleash the shot.

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• WHAT COMES NEXT?

  Arsenal will fancy their chances of keeping the pressure on WSL leaders Chelsea when they take on struggling West Ham in their next game on February 4. That same day, Liverpool will host another north London team as they face Tottenham.

Alex Greenwood admits that the USWNT act as a source of inspiration for England, with a star-studded American side earning the right to be “arrogant”.

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United States have dominated world footballAlways responded positively to any setbacksEngland looking to learn important lessonsWHAT HAPPENED?

The United States did endure a humbling fall from grace at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, as they historically surrendered their crown with a whimper in Australia and New Zealand. They have, however, responded to such setbacks before – becoming world champions on the back of a disappointing display at the 2016 Olympic Games – and they continue to set the standard for most.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT GREENWOOD SAID ABOUT THE USWNT

Euro 2022 winner Greenwood admits as much, with the experienced England defender telling when asked if she admires rivals from the States: “For sure. I've just watched a documentary about them and I still love their mentality. I love the expectation they have of themselves. People may call them arrogant, but I think they've earned the right to have that about themselves. They walk with a swagger, like they're going to win. I think their future, like ours, is exciting. Every team goes through transitions – whether that be changes to the playing group or coaches – and that can cause disruption. It’s about how you come out the other side of it.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

England suffered final heartache at the 2023 World Cup, before then failing to make it to the UEFA Nations League finals and book a Paris Olympics spot for Team GB, but Greenwood is looking to take positives. The Manchester City star added: “In football, if you don't have setbacks, that’s abnormal. Of course, I judge a team on how much they can win and the consistency they have. I look at our men's team here at City and how consistent they are, winning back-to-back, season after season. The USA women's team were another example when they were winning consecutive World Cups. But I think you grow from setbacks and that's when you learn about yourselves. I'm on the inside with England and I know our reaction will be positive because we're all massive winners and we have such a top-quality team. I don't see the World Cup final as a setback – we should be proud of what we achieved there – but the Nations League was because we're not going to the Olympics. That's disappointing, because we expect to be at every tournament. What it gives us is an opportunity to play other games, to grow as a team and get ready for the Euro qualifiers.”

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR GREENWOOD?

Greenwood is currently focused on domestic matters at City, as she looks to help them towards WSL title glory, while the formidable 30-year-old has also been named – alongside six of her England team-mates – in the FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World 11 for 2023.

Aston Villa have had an impressive summer of transfer movements, however nothing could’ve prepared Unai Emery for the misfortune set to hit the club at the start of the league campaign.

An opening day 5-1 defeat to Newcastle United was the least of the Spaniard’s problems, as both Emiliano Buendia and Tyrone Mings suffered extensive knee injuries that will leave the pair away from the action for the foreseeable future.

The Villans must now look for further reinforcements following the double injury blow, with one target expected to be close to joining the club according to the latest update.

Who could Aston Villa sign to solve injury woes?

As widely speculated, the Midlands club are closing in on their fourth summer signing, with Galatasaray forward Nicolo Zaniolo set to be unveiled as a Villan in the coming days.

Read the latest Aston Villa transfer news HERE…

As reported by the Daily Mail, the Italian will sign on an initial £3m loan deal at Villa Park, with an option to buy included, which is said to be in the region of £19m.

Journalist Fabrizio Romano speculated that the 24-year-old will undergo a medical on Wednesday with personal terms already agreed between club and player.

Is Nicolo Zaniolo the right move for Villa?

Once hailed as a “lethal playmaker” by journalist Zach Lowy, Zaniolo could be an exciting new addition to the squad constructed by Emery.

Deployable as both an attacking midfielder and on the right flank, the skilful Italian made the move from his homeland to join Galatasaray in February, signing from Roma.

After just six months with the Lions, the 24-year-old is set to be on the move again, with Villa knocking on his door, but in such a short period of time, Zaniolo made quite the impact in Turkey.

In 10 Super Lig appearances, the Fiorentina youth product netted five goals, to showcase just how prolific he can be in the final third, posing a strong option for Emery to consider replacing the injured Buendia.

Positionally, the Italy international seems the perfect fit to fill the void left by the Argentine, however, there is far more to be considered than his on-field ability.

In fact, Emery could be in for a nightmare, with Villa obtaining a player full of potential, but cursed by recurrent injury throughout his still developing career and described as “injury-prone” by Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley.

With Mings and Buendia out with worrying knee injuries, there are not many players that would understand the pain and misfortune of suffering extended periods on the sidelines than Zaniolo.

The 24-year-old has missed more days in his career due to injury than he has made domestic appearances, being absent for a recorded 575 days throughout his career so far, compared to his 226 match appearances.

Like the player he will be fielded to replace, the Italian missed a hugely significant period of his development to two anterior cruciate ligament ruptures, both agonisingly coming in 2020.

While his talent is attractive, Emery could be leading Villa towards another injury nightmare by signing Zaniolo, who is currently out of action and nursing a groin strain.

With the season only just underway, the club must avoid further injuries, especially European football incoming and league and cup fixtures set to come thick and fast, with the pending arrival sadly posing to be a huge risk of absence.

In a direct reversal of the first ODI, Zimbabwe piled on 333 for 5 before wiping out Afghanistan for 179 to consign them to their second-biggest ODI defeat

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Feb-2018AFPBrendan Taylor’s first century since returning to Zimbabwe in September last year underpinned a crushing 154-run win over Afghanistan in the second ODI in Sharjah. Taylor’s 125 turbocharged Zimbabwe’s innings as they racked up 333 for 5, having elected to bat first. The chase was equally lopsided, with Afghanistan at one point in danger of losing by over 200 runs, before Dawlat Zadran cut the margin down with an unbeaten 47 at No. 10 – the highest score of the innings. It was still Afghanistan’s second-heaviest ODI defeat.The result, which brought the five-match series level one-all, was a direct reversal of the first ODI, which was decided by the same margin, with the same totals. On that occasion, Afghanistan had piled on 333 for 5 before Zimbabwe crashed to 179 all out.Taylor’s job began as a tedious one, as he arrived seeking to offset the early loss of Solomon Mire. He put on 85 with Hamilton Masakadza (48), before miscommunication ended Masakadza’s stay and gave Afghanistan some respite. Then came the defining partnership of the match – a 135-run association for the fourth wicket between Taylor and Sikandar Raza off just 110 balls.Taylor raised his hundred off his 110th ball – and the first of the 43rd over – with a drive to long-on, before Zimbabwe kicked into overdrive. The carnage began with Taylor mowing legspinner Rashid Khan over midwicket for six, two balls after getting to his hundred. He followed it up with a six and a four off Dawlat Zadran in the next over. Taylor’s last 25 runs took just 11 balls.At the other end, Raza moved at breathtaking speed as well, hurtling from a run-a-ball 55 to 92 off 74 balls. He was out with seven balls remaining in the innings, chipping a slower ball to cover. His 92 contained nine fours and four sixes.In all, Zimbabwe struck 14 sixes in their innings, and slapped 101 runs in the last eight overs. Afghanistan did not help themselves with their undisciplined bowling, conceding six no-balls and nine wides, but their bowling wasn’t without positives. Their spinners held their own amidst the carnage. Rashid and Mohammad Nabi were parsimonious, returning combined figures of 2 for 69 in 20 overs, while the offspinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who opened the bowling, took 1 for 47 in 10 overs.The chase was a disaster as Afghanistan lost their fifth wicket shortly after the Powerplay. Nabi then briefly tantalised with a boundary-ridden 31 before Graeme Cremer burst through his defences. Rahmat Shah, the No. 3, fought alone with 43, and was the ninth man dismissed, in the 26th over. Dawlat then delayed Zimbabwe’s victory push with a last-wicket partnership of 64 with Mujeeb. Dawlat scored at a strike rate of over 160, and pillaged six sixes. But it accounted for little.Zimbabwe’s bowlers hunted in a pack. The pacers Tendai Chatara and Blessing Muzarabani carved up the top and middle order with five wickets between them, while Cremer wiped out the lower order to finish with four wickets.