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West Indies coach Phil Simmons has been sacked due to “differences in culture and strategic approach”, the WICB has confirmed

Colin Benjamin and Nagraj Gollapudi13-Sep-20161:04

Simmons sacked as West Indies coach

West Indies coach Phil Simmons has been sacked due to “differences in culture and strategic approach”, the WICB has confirmed.Simmons, who moved into the role after the 2015 World Cup following a spell with Ireland, was informed about the termination of his contract on Tuesday by WICB chief executive Michael Muirhead shortly before the West Indies T20 squad was due to fly to the UAE to play Pakistan. The sacking came just six months after West Indies had won the World T20 in India.Sammy’s reaction on Facebook

“If the blind leads the blind they are bound to fall in a pit,” former West Indies captain Darren Sammy said. He also called the WICB’s recent symposium of players and administrators in Florida a “publicity stunt”.
“So after the publicity stunt in Fort Lauderdale the first so call plan to move West Indies Cricket forward is to fire the coach just two days before a tour… just prove to me what I already knew. If the blind leads the blind they are bound to fall in a pit.”

For the Pakistan series, the WICB said the team would be under the supervision of former West Indies fast bowler Joel Garner, who is the team manager. He will work alongside the pair of assistant coaches Henderson Springer and Roddy Estwick.Despite the sudden nature of the announcement, the WICB said the decision to drop Simmons was taken at the board of directors meeting last weekend. The board confirmed the news of Simmons’ departure shortly after it was revealed by ESPNcricinfo.As for the reason behind the sacking, the WICB statement did not go into specifics. “In recent times, based on the public pronouncements of the coach and the approach internally, we have identified differences in culture and strategic approach. The WICB would therefore like to thank the coach for his contribution and wishes him the best in his future endeavours.”The lack of common ground between the parties had been clear for some time. Simmons’ journey as West Indies coach was never smooth once he made his thoughts public soon after not being allowed to pick what he felt was the best squad for the ODI series in Sri Lanka last year. Consequently the WICB suspended him before allowing him back to his role once both parties resolved to sort out matters amicably.In September last year, when the issue of selection reared its head again, Simmons had said: “The disappointing fact is that you can lose 3-2 in a vote-off but there is too much interference from outside in the selection of the ODI squad and it’s disappointing for me to know that in any aspect of life … [people would use] their position to get people into a squad; or in this case, get people left out of a squad. It is wrong and I don’t like it and that is my beef with the selection of the ODI team.”His reinstatement, the WICB said, was “conditioned upon” two criteria: “issuance to him of a letter of reprimand for his inappropriate public comments”, and his “making a public apology to the WICB and persons whom he may have offended.”The recent home Test series against India finished in a 2-0 defeat and under Simmons, West Indies won only one of 14 Tests, though that win was enough to draw a series against England last year. They showed glimpses of promise against India but ultimately fell to two heavy defeats – three of the nine losses while Simmons was coach were by an innings, two more by nine wickets, and two by more than 150 runs.It was suggested that former West Indies captain and current Kent coach Jimmy Adams was the replacement the WICB wanted, but sources close to Adams told ESPNcricinfo he was not interested.In less than six months since West Indies won their second World T20 title, the WICB has parted ways with three influential members of the team management, with Simmons following the pair of former captain Darren Sammy and bowling consultant Curtly Ambrose.Immediately after the World T20, the WICB relieved Ambrose from his role, which caught him by surprise. Then ahead of the two T20Is against India in Florida, the new selection panel led by Courtney Browne decided to remove Sammy as captain and replace him with Carlos Brathwaite.

Manchester United are reportedly keeping tabs on Sporting CP defender, Goncalo Inacio ahead of the summer transfer window, as manager Erik ten Hag seeks to strengthen his backline.

What's the latest on Inacio to Man United?

According to Portuguese outlet O Jogo – via Sports Witness – the Red Devils are believed to have been watching the 21-year-old for a 'long time', with the Premier League outfit one of several European clubs to have sent scouts to watch the centre-back in action against Vizela on Friday evening.

The report suggests that United are always 'very attentive' to what is going on in the Primeira Lga and its potential stars, having previously snapped up Bruno Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo from the Lisbon outfit in the recent past.

As per Football Insider, however, Ten Hag could well face competition for the signing of the one-cap Portugal international – who could command a fee of around £45m – amid claims that Newcastle United are also in the running at present.

Who is Goncalo Inacio?

The 6 foot 1 starlet is evidently a highly-coveted young talent and a player who could well be on his way to England in the near future, with the youngster having been hailed by talent scout Jacek Kulig as "another sensation" to have emerged from Sporting's academy

The "ball-playing" left-footer – as described by Kulig – has established himself as a leading presence at Estadio Jose Alvalade despite his relative youth, having already made 122 appearances across all fronts to date, scoring 11 times and contributing eight assists in that time.

That includes a respectable tally of four goals and three assists from his defensive berth in 52 games across all fronts this season, with Inacio notably helping to dump Arsenal out of the Europa League last 16, having scored in the 2-2 draw in the first-leg.

Not only has the Almada native already proven himself against English opposition – having been part of the side that also beat Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League earlier in the campaign – but he could also be attractive to United as he is said to share a number of stylistic and statistical similarities with one of Ten Hag's former Ajax assets, Jurrien Timber, as per FBref.

That likeness between Inacio and his fellow 21-year-old is shown by their innate ability at playing out from the back, with the Sporting gem ranking in the top 1% among his peers in the 'Men's next eight competitions' for progressive passes as well as in the top 3% for progressive carries, while Timber ranks in the top 1% for both of those metrics.

The two exciting centre-back's are also alike due to their defensive prowess, with the Portuguese ace having recorded 39 tackles and 45 interceptions in the league this season, while his Dutch counterpart has recorded 42 and 47 for those same two metrics, respectively.

That comparison is noteworthy as Timber previously shone under Ten Hag's tutelage in Amsterdam, having scored four goals and provided two assists in 74 games during their time working together.

With the United boss previously hailing his compatriot as a "great leader", he clearly holds a strong affection for the Utrecht native, hence what a wise move it would be to snap up the 53-year-old's next Timber with the signing of Inacio.

Glamorgan would have been in deep trouble had Australian born Nick Selman not scored 101, almost half the team’s total, in an attacking innings

ECB Reporters Network06-Sep-2016
ScorecardMichael Hogan stood in as Glamorgan captain•Cricket Australia/Getty ImagesGlamorgan would have been in deep trouble had Australian born Nick Selman not scored 101, almost half the team’s total, in an attacking innings.Selman, who last month carried his bat for an undefeated hundred against Northants, looked as if would emulate that performance until he was bowled the delivery after reaching his century. He will hope that this innings will not start a run of poor form- following his first century he suffered a run of four ducks.After an uncontested toss, Mark Wallace – in the absence of Jacques Rudolph, who had a sore neck – opened the innings with Selman, but Wallace was out in the seventh over, leg before to David Payne, which prompted a spectator to shout behind the arm” that was a poor decision umpire”.Selman had started with a flurry of boundaries, and although Will Bragg and David Lloyd were both out cheaply, Glamorgan had reached 130 for 3 at lunch, with Selman and Aneurin Donald in full flow.The fourth wicket pair had put on 65, before Donald, who was only four runs short of his 1,000 first-class runs for the season, top-edged an intended pull to mid-on. Kieran Carlson, playing his second championship game, was out with scoring, and after Selman was dismissed, Craig Meschede was also dismissed by Matt Taylor.Graham Wagg, meanwhile, played a watchful innings on a pitch that was seamer friendly, and had to contend with some accurate bowling from the Gloucestershire seam quartet. Wagg and Timm Van Der Gugten added a useful 38 for the ninth wicket, enabling Glamorgan to gain a batting point, before they were both dismissed by Craig Miles who, with Taylor, took four wickets.Gloucestershire had to face 31 overs after tea, but soon lost Gareth Roderick who edged Van Der Gugten’s fifth ball to second slip. The Glamorgan seamers also bowled a tight line, but it was a short delivery that undid Chris Dent, who tamely guided the ball to square leg.Will Tavare, who had laboured 67 balls for his 18, was the next to go when he was lbw to Michael Hogan, who was leading Glamorgan in Rudolph’s absence. Hamish Marshall and George Hankin, who was the Player of the Tournament in the recent Under-19 series against Sri Lanka, guided Gloucestershire to the close at 62 for3, a deficit of 158.

Arsenal seem set for a busy summer transfer window, to which they have seemingly already turned their attention towards…

What's the latest on Dani Olmo to Arsenal?

That's according to 90min, who noted that the Gunners were one of many clubs who oversaw Bayern Munich's Bundesliga title hopes drift away at home to RB Leipzig last Saturday.

With a host of desirable talent on display in the clash, representatives from Newcastle United, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and West Ham United all travelled to view first-hand some potential new signings.

Whilst some sought to watch Joshua Kimmich, and others were showing their desire to sign in Benjamin Pavard, it is noted that Edu had sent men to instead pay particular interest to RB Leipzig magician Dani Olmo.

It seems that despite Martin Odegaard's outstanding season, Mikel Arteta remains keen on bolstering in every area to avoid another potential disaster like this season with William Saliba's injury impacting the squad negatively. However, the €75m (£65m) release clause could prove troublesome.

Would Dani Olmo be a success at Arsenal?

Despite lacking the tangible success that the Gunners captain has enjoyed this campaign, it has still been a fruitful year for the Spain international, who has maintained a 7.02 average Sofascore rating alongside a consistent threat.

Despite scoring just twice and assisting a further four, he has recorded 1.4 key passes per game and upheld a 61% dribble success rate.

He may not set the world alight every game, but with the 25-year-old you are guaranteed a reliable performer who is capable of moments of magic. As someone who will only ever be an understudy to the exceptional Odegaard, this is arguably more than enough.

After all, the 24-year-old has enjoyed one of the outstanding seasons of his career, scoring 15 times and assisting a further eight on his way to a second-place finish in the league.

The former Real Madrid star has already drawn huge praise from Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola too, who branded him "an exceptional player, captain at his age in Arsenal in a short time there is because you have to be a special personality."

However, Olmo is seemingly also a favourite of the ex-Barcelona boss, who showered his compatriot with similar praise back in 2019: "He's a top player—he has a bright future, of course. The point is he is an incredible player and I am pretty sure he is able to play in the strong leagues in Europe."

Writer and podcaster Graham Ruthven even sought to laud the intelligence of the trickster just last year too, as his dark arts saw him branded an "evil genius". Perhaps that nastiness could be key in their mission to topple the Citizens next season.

It seems many across Europe recognise the immense talents of the former Dinamo Zagreb maestro, even if his statistics are not quite at the level of Odegaard's. Perhaps if put in the same squad, should Arteta make the move a reality, he could elevate that sole downside of his current game to forge him into a fine alternative to the captain.

Bangladesh’s fielding coach Richard Halsall has said that he feels safe working in Bangladesh and is hopeful of England’s arrival on September 30

Mohammad Isam07-Aug-2016Bangladesh’s fielding coach Richard Halsall has said that he feels safe working in Bangladesh and is hopeful of England’s arrival on September 30 for a tour comprising three ODIs and two Tests. Halsall, the former England fielding coach, said that although the security situation in the country has improved, England will look into it themselves before taking a decision.Halsall returned to Dhaka on Friday evening, the first of the team’s foreign coaching staff to return after the terror attack in the Bangladesh capital on July 1. Mario Villavarayan, the strength and conditioning coach, came on Saturday, while head coach Chandika Hathurusingha is scheduled to arrive on Sunday evening.There have been questions about England’s visit to Bangladesh. Eoin Morgan, the captain, had admitted to big concerns over the side’s security. Morgan had suggested neutral venues may be “feasible if it came to that”, but Nizamuddin Chowdhury, BCB’s chief executive, rejected any talk of playing Bangladesh at a neutral venue.”I am hopeful that the tour will take place,” Halsall said. “England are, I think, committed to playing cricket all over the world. Their Under-19s were here for the World Cup, but, maybe, the security situation in Bangladesh is better now because awareness of the situation is heightened. I think people are bit more honest about the threat level and there’s no denial that there’s a threat. But that exists here and everywhere.”Being honest about there being a threat is the first step to dealing with it. You have got to get on with it. It is my job to coach, and for England to assess whether it is safe here for their players. I think it is safe to be here. But it is up to them to decide whether it is safe for the team to come. Obviously, it is a different situation for a team. But I really hope that they do come. We need to play some international cricket.”Halsall talked about his own experience, having been in London during the 2005 bombings and also with the England team days before the terror attacks in Mumbai in 2008. Halsall said that he would have returned to Dhaka to continue his work, but the BCB had made the situation easier for him.”What has happened is not an incident, it is an atrocity. But they happen all over the world, in Belgium, France, Germany,” Halsall said. “I happened to be in London when it was under attack. I was in India when the Taj [Mahal Hotel, Mumbai] was attacked. We had only just left the Taj a week earlier. The world we live in, nowadays, these things do happen. And it is tragic for people involved. So my thoughts are with those people who have been murdered.”Obviously, you have to take stock of the situation. It was always my intention to come back. I am a professional, and my job is to coach. The BCB has been very kind to me. The sensible thing to do after the attack was to let everything calm down. We didn’t have any international cricket at the time. Let the BCB take stock of exactly what they should be doing.”I think things probably calmed down, but it doesn’t mean things aren’t going to happen, but that’s the same in England, America, Australia, France, Germany. We just have to be sensible, work with the right people. Be honest about the threat level and work towards a more peaceful environment,” he said.When asked if Bangladesh would have trouble returning to cricket after a long break from international cricket, in case the series is held as scheduled, Halsall said that the team would have an advantage over England on account of being fresher.”We have two months to prepare for the series, so you can do everything you want to do,” he said. “You can set exact workloads for your bowlers, you can practice all the bowlers you’re going to face, you can be fresh and hungry. Or, if you want to pitch it in a negative way, we won’t be battle-hardened.”But the English are going to be shattered because they just played seven Tests in three months. Their ODIs are going to be over in September. So are they going to be able to bring their best players? They have five Tests against India after they play us. You can pitch it any way you want to, but our players are going to be ready for the first ODI. We have to see it as an advantage.”England are scheduled to play three ODIs, two Tests and three practice matches on their tour of Bangladesh. The ODIs are scheduled to start from October 7, while the two-Test series is slated to begin from October 20.

Journalist Charles Watts has claimed that Arsenal could be set for an "unprecedented" summer if they can achieve all their transfer plans in terms of buying and selling players.

What's the latest Arsenal transfer news?

The Gunners haven't actually played Champions League football since the 2016/17 season but are guaranteed to finish at least second in the Premier League this time around.

This means they will have a greater need to splash the cash this summer as they will be hoping to be competitive in Europe as well as domestically, having fallen just short in the title race this term.

And with the improved revenue gained from finishing in the top four, the North London club can set their sites on some high-profile names – with West Ham United ace Declan Rice the name on everyone's lips right now.

While discussing all this on his YouTube channel, Watts suggested that this could be the club's busiest summer yet with major players set to come in and depart.

He said: (08:42): "I look at this one, I think it's truly going to be unprecedented at Arsenal.

"If they can sign the players they're looking to sign, they're going to spend, they'll have to spend a huge amount of money – again unprecedented really.

"Just if you want to sign Caicedo and Rice you're going to have to spend near enough £200m to get the pair of them. I don't know if they will or not, but if they want, if they try, that's the sort of money they're going to spend

“And on top of that you've also got to try and sign a fullback, a centre-back, right-sided player. You know, huge money.

"And then get loads of players out as well to bring a lot of that money back in.”

Who will Arsenal sell and buy this summer?

Granit Xhaka looks to be the man first out the door this summer, amid talk of a £13m to Bayer Leverkusen. On top of that, Kieran Tierney, Emile Smith Rowe, Charlie Patino, Nuno Tavares, Sambi Lokonga, Reiss Nelson, Rob Holding, Folarin Balogun, Cedric Soares, Pablo Mari, Nicolas Pepe and more have all been named as potential departures too.

Those wages off the books – combined with transfer fees brought in by any sales – could really add to the club's finances as they look to improve the squad depth.

As mentioned before, Rice will be a prime target and midfielder Moises Caicedo could cost well over £70m as Arsenal bid that much for the player in January only for Brighton to turn it down.

Beyond those two, Watts also mentions the possible desire to sign a few defenders and an attacking player – with Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby rumoured recently in the Evening Standard.

All in all, it does sound as though Arsenal, Arteta, and director Edu Gaspar could be set for their busiest summer yet.

West Ham United will be hesitant to lose midfielder Tomas Soucek this summer as rumours continue to swirl surrounding his future, according to journalist Dean Jones.

What's the latest transfer news involving Tomas Soucek?

As per Football Insider, West Ham United are fearful that they could lose Soucek this summer as the forthcoming transfer window draws closer.

The 28-year-old has been a key figure under David Moyes this season; however, he is coming into the final year of his £65k-a-week contract at the London Stadium and could seek a new challenge in the off-season. The same outlet details that the Hammers have the option to extend his contract by another 12 months, which they are pondering activating to 'protect his value'.

Soucek's teammate Declan Rice has also been extensively linked with an exit from West Ham and has attracted interest from Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United, according to The Daily Mail.

Rice has ambitions of competing in the Champions League and West Ham feel that sanctioning his departure could be 'inevitable', though they will only move to sell him for the right price.

In the case both Soucek and Rice leave West Ham, it could leave David Moyes with a restructuring job to do concerning his engine room heading into 2023/24.

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Jones thinks that West Ham could look to keep hold of Soucek for longer to avoid the double blow of losing his services alongside Rice.

Jones told FFC: "Well, they hope not, they'd probably be looking to extend his time at the club rather than end his time at the club. That's definitely a situation they want to avoid. I think it would be a major problem for West Ham if they were to lose Rice and Soucek in the same transfer window."

Should West Ham United keep hold of Tomas Soucek this summer?

Soucek has been a regular fixture in the West Ham side this term and has featured 45 times in total, registering three goals and six assists, as per Transfermarkt.

The 28-year-old has also been the Hammers' third-most consistent performer behind teammate Rice and Lucas Paqueta this season, racking up an average rating of 6.82/10 for his exploits on the pitch, according to WhoScored.

Change looks likely to be in the air at West Ham come the end of 2022/23 and they could have a big hole to fill in the side if Rice is to leave the London Stadium.

Moyes won't want Soucek to follow him out of the door, given his experience, meaning it would make sense to keep the Czech international around for another year or two in east London.

Birmingham Bears maintained their strong pursuit of a third successive NatWest T20 Blast Finals Day appearance with an 18-run Duckworth-Lewis victory over Lancashire Lightning at Edgbaston

ECB Reporters Network19-Jun-2016
ScorecardLuke Ronchi’s half-century was the most fluent contribution on either side•Getty ImagesBirmingham Bears maintained their strong pursuit of a third successive NatWest T20 Blast Finals Day appearance with an 18-run Duckworth-Lewis victory over Lancashire Lightning at Edgbaston.New Zealand star Luke Ronchi, whose stint as overseas player is to be truncated early next month by his call up to Black Caps duty, will leave Birmingham safe in the knowledge that he won at least one game for the club after his half-century underpinned their total of 144 for 9.Against disciplined Lancashire bowling, only Ronchi made much headway as paceman Nathan Buck, with a T20-best 4-0-26-4, and spinners Stephen Parry and Arron Lilley bowled skilfully. But the Lancashire batsmen found run-scoring no easier and when rain arrived after 6.3 overs of their reply they had faltered to 39 for 4, the loss of early wickets meaning they were well behind the DLS equation.Four days after the humiliation of a 242-run DLS Royal London Cup defeat to Yorkshire at Old Trafford, Lancashire started strongly with the ball. The second and third overs, from Jordan Clark and Buck, conceded just two runs apiece and brought the wicket of Sam Hain who edged Buck’s seventh ball.The paceman struck again with his 14th which Ian Bell, having advanced briskly to 18 off 10 balls, chopped to Martin Guptill at point. Stephen Parry added the wickets of William Porterfield, caught at extra cover, and Laurie Evans, who looked dangerous on 24 from 22 balls but was then stumped by Jos Buttler, who dropped the ball fortuitously on to the wicket.Chris Woakes drove Lilley to extra cover and Rikki Clarke was yorked, first ball, by George Edwards so it was left to Ronchi to give the Bears anything to bowl at. He lifted Buck into the crowd over midwicket to reach a 32-ball half-century before his defiance ended when he sent up a skier trying to repeat the feat.The batsmen’s toil continued when Lancashire went in. Guptill hoisted Olly Hannon-Dalby to mid-off, Clark spliced a return catch to Clarke and Karl Brown lifted Woakes to deep square leg.When Buttler, match-winner with the bat against the Bears in the Royal London Cup three weeks ago, offered Clarke another return catch, the Lightning were 38 for 4. Then the rain arrived and stayed to deny Lancashire a chance to fight their way back into the game. The holders’ grip on the NatWest T20 Blast trophy is looking less than secure.

Arsenal have enjoyed a season as one of the Premier League’s best, sitting at the top of the pile for the majority of the campaign.

April’s disappointing form saw the Gunners get chased down by Manchester City but hope does still remain in north London that Mikel Arteta’s side can still win their first league title since 2004.

With just three games remaining, Arsenal have reached new heights this season, guaranteeing Champions League football for the 2023/24 campaign and a top-two finish for the first time since 2016.

What’s most impressive about Arteta's side, is that they are the joint-youngest squad in the top flight, level with Southampton with an average age of just 24.4.

The club’s three highest goalscorers are under 25, with 24-year-old captain Martin Odegaard netting 15 goals this season, level with 21-year-old Gabriel Martinelli, and in third is Hale End graduate Bukayo Saka with 14 goals.

To see young players flourishing is one thing, but to see them lead and maintain the success of a team at the summit of the Premier League is an incentive for those in the club’s academy, as a glimpse of the opportunities that could open for them in the future.

Several academy names have featured in first-team training this season, the most recent addition being Portuguese midfielder Mauro Bandeira.

Who is Mauro Bandeira?

Since joining Arsenal’s academy at the age of 13, Bandeira has worked his way through the system and currently plays for the U21s in the Premier League 2’s division one.

The 19-year-old prodigy has scored three goals in the league this season, making 20 appearances.

The Loures-born player is versatile in his positioning and has featured four times this campaign at right-back when called upon.

Once described as a “lively” presence in the engine room by journalist Layth Yousif, the young midfielder signed his first professional deal last summer and took the number 41 in the senior team.

Most recently, the teenage talent made the trip to St James’ Park with the Arsenal first-team squad, showing how he is valued at the club by Arteta.

With talk surrounding Granit Xhaka’s potential departure in the summer getting louder as the season draws to a close, the Swiss international could leave a vacancy to be filled in the heart of the pitch.

The Gunners aren’t afraid to place talented young stars above big names, and Bandeira could be one for the future as he embodies the skill set imposed on the current squad by the 30-year-old.

In the Football League Trophy this season, Bandeira has averaged a Sofascore match rating of 6.83, as well as winning over half of his duels per game (56%) whilst maintaining a passing accuracy of 81% – showing his ability to function in both areas of the engine room.

While speculation grows around Arsenal’s desire to sign a defensively-minded midfielder in the transfer window, the club may have the chance to explore the academy next season, especially with even more fixtures inbound with European involvement.

Only time will tell if the young Hale End gem will follow in the footsteps of those before him, however, Arsenal is the club to be at for young players under Arteta’s management.

Mohammad Shahzad produced his fifth ODI fifty for Afghanistan, a typically belligerent knock, to set up a 78-run win via the Duckworth-Lewis method over Scotland at The Grange on Wednesday afternoon

The Report by Peter Della Penna in Edinburgh06-Jul-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details1:33

Rajput teaching us to handle pressure – Shahzad

Mohammad Shahzad produced his fifth ODI fifty for Afghanistan, a typically belligerent knock, to set up a 78-run win via the Duckworth-Lewis method over Scotland at The Grange on Wednesday afternoon. In another stop-start day of cricket, Afghanistan made the most of Shahzad’s excellent foundation and eventually sauntered home despite an audacious early reply from the hosts in pursuit of an adjusted DLS target of 211 in 36 overs.Shahzad reached his half-century off 55 balls and eventually finished with 84 off 91 balls, including eight fours and two sixes, to set up a total of 178 for 6 in 37.2 overs prior to a three-hour, ten-minute rain delay. Shahzad went after all the Scotland bowlers including Safyaan Sharif – who bowled a mostly tidy opening spell of 0 for 24 in eight overs, with two maidens – thrice striking him over midwicket for boundaries. In the 15th over, he launched Ruaidhri Smith’s full length over mid-on for both of his sixes.The opener offered one chance to Con de Lange, whose left-arm spin kept Afghanistan’s lineup harnessed throughout the middle overs after the loss of Noor Ali Zadran and Javed Ahmadi. Shahzad tried to break free of the pressure on 60 and skipped down the pitch to loft de Lange but Brad Wheal spilled a simple chance at long-on, denying de Lange a deserved wicket on a day he finished with 0 for 16 in six. Shahzad fell to Smith in the end, a slower ball fooling the batsman. Shahzad couldn’t keep his hands back long enough on the shot and a toe-edge was snapped up by Cross for the first of Wheal’s two wickets.Shahzad’s dismissal swelled Scotland’s momentum in the field, which had begun to build with the wicket of Monday’s centurion Rahmat Shah for 26, taken at mid-off by Craig Wallace off Sharif one over prior to the fall of Shahzad. Alasdair Evans, who had earlier claimed the wicket of Noor Ali, removed captain Asghar Stanikzai with a bouncer fended awkwardly to Richie Berrington at backward point. Najibullah Zadran then miscued a drive to mid-off for Wheal’s second wicket and Afghanistan had stumbled from 131 for 2 in the 29th over to 171 for 6 in the 37th. The rains came six balls later and the players sat for 190 minutes before play resumed with Scotland pursuing the adjusted target score.The first seven overs of the Scotland chase were a thrill a minute as Craig Wallace, batting for the first time in ODIs in his third match, fearlessly charged the Afghanistan attack. Undeterred by the second-ball dismissal of Kyle Coetzer, caught at slip, Wallace declared his intentions in the first over, going down on one knee to slog-sweep the 140kph pace of Dawlat Zadran over deep square leg for six. In Dawlat’s next over, he missed attempting the same shot and absorbed a nasty blow on the right shoulder but continued his crusade. In the fourth, Wallace hooked Shapoor Zadran for six and drove him to the cover rope to knock him out of the attack.Cross then set about doing the same to Dawlat, cracking him over backward point before a pulled six over midwicket took the score to 46 for 1 in five overs. Mohammad Nabi was brought on in the sixth and should have had Wallace first ball after a charge down the pitch went awry but Shahzad fluffed a simple stumping on 21. The next two balls were struck for four and six by Wallace before Nabi ended the furious stand at 58 runs, getting Cross caught on the midwicket boundary by Najibullah Zadran for 24.Legspinner Rashid Khan was then brought on from the Pavilion End and Wallace’s stay ended for 33 courtesy an athletic return catch to swing momentum Afghanistan’s way. Shapoor eventually returned in the 13th to claim captain Preston Mommsen, who hooked a bouncer straight to Rashid at long leg for 13. Mommsen’s wicket crucially put Afghanistan ahead on D/L calculations for the first time and with rain threatening to come back at any moment, that advantage was further cemented three balls after drinks when Richie Berrington was given leg before to Nabi for 19 after missing a sweep.Michael Leask was stumped for Nabi’s third wicket before Shapoor bowled Sharif with a full delivery to take his second. Ruaidhri Smith drove Dawlat to Rashid in the covers to make it 122 for 8 as the serious challenge Scotland gave Afghanistan through most of the day became obscured by the flurry of wickets. A trio of lbw shouts from Rashid in the 27th over finally bore fruit with Evans trapped on the back leg before de Lange holed out to mid-on off Mirwais Ashraf to end the match, Scotland all out for 132 in 27.1 overs.Afghanistan now head to Belfast to take on Ireland in the first of five ODIs starting July 10. Scotland’s next action comes against UAE in August with a four-day Intercontinental Cup match followed by two ODIs in Aberdeen.