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Chelsea’s soon-to-be out of contract central defender Gary Cahill is reportedly having second thoughts about joining Premier League strugglers Fulham in January, and Ralph Hasenhuttl must jump at the chance to sign him.

What’s the latest?

The Daily Mail are reporting that former Southampton target Cahill is having second thoughts about linking up with Claudio Ranieri at Craven Cottage, after the South West London outfit appeared strong frontrunners to land his signature.

It was believed that Fulham would sign the 33-year-old on an initial six-month loan deal ahead of his Blues contract expiring in the summer, but the former England international is having reservations about the suitability of the move.

Chelsea, themselves, are open to the two-time Premier League winning defender leaving Stamford Bridge in the mid-season window, even if a replacement is not brought in, as a sign of gratitude for his years of service with the Pensioners, though a permanent deal remains their priority.

Despite making progress since replacing Mark Hughes, Hasenhuttl, meanwhile, should jump at the chance to land the Champions League winning defender as he would vastly improve the Saints backline.

The Pl>ymaker FC squad decided to wind-up some unsuspecting Brazil fans at the Emirates on Saturday night. Watch the hilarious results in the video below…

A huge upgrade on Jack Stephens

Southampton’s improvements under Hasenhuttl cannot be ignored, but Cahill could make a key contribution on the south coast with his quality and leadership over the remainder of the season.

The former England international would certainly offer a huge upgrade on the likes of Jack Stephens, who has been thrust into the starting XI at times this season and will stay there following Maya Yoshida’s participation in the Asia Cup for Japan, but has only managed to record an average 1.8 tackles, 2.2 interceptions and 0.5 shots blocked per 90 minutes.

The 24-year-old also often struggles to cope with any aerial threats posed by the opposition, leaving Jannik Vestergaard and Jan Bednarek to cover for his obvious shortcomings.

As a result of the weaknesses displayed at St Mary’s, Southampton have only been able to record five clean sheets all season in the Premier League, four of which came under Hughes against Burnley, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Newcastle – Hasenhuttl’s only shut-out came against Chelsea when Angus Gunn recorded six saves from six shots on target.

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According to the Mirror, Southampton are amongst the Premier League clubs now on high alert following Edin Dzeko’s statement about wishing to one day return to England.

What’s the story?

The former Manchester City striker – who won two Premier League titles in his time at the Etihad Stadium – recently indicated that he’d like to come back to English football before the end of his career. However, the 32-year-old was also clear that he is happy at his current club, Roma.

The Bosnia and Herzegovina international has been in fine form for the Serie A outfit in recent seasons, and registered an impressive 24 goals in 49 appearances for the Italian capital club last time out.

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Southampton may well be on high alert following the forward’s comments, but Dzeko is unlikely to opt for a switch to St Mary’s Stadium. The Saints would be wasting their time chasing the 6’4” man, but would still be wise to pursue a target man in January.

The right idea

If Mark Hughes’ side are to stave off relegation once again this season then they must add goals to their game. The summer acquisition of Danny Ings was a good start, but the Englishman’s fitness can hardly be relied upon and the south coast club must have alternative goalscoring options.

With the likes of Shane Long and Manolo Gabbiadini in far from prolific form, Hughes ought to bolster his attack in the winter transfer window.

Seeking a tall, powerful, target man like figure would provide the Saints with a different option in terms of their attacking style and would be a wise addition.

According to The Mirror, Everton are interested in bringing Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Denis Zakaria to the club in this summer’s transfer window.

Marco Silva’s desire to play a 4-3-3 formation with two holding midfielders next season is expected to see at least one new midfielder arrive before the transfer window closes on August 9.

A number of players have been linked with moves to Goodison Park, but it appears that Zakaria is high on the club’s wishlist.

The 21-year-old represented Switzerland at the 2018 World Cup, and entered that tournament off the back of a very impressive season at Gladbach.

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There is absolutely no question that Zakaria – valued at £18m by Transfermarkt – has lots of potential, and the Everton fans are desperate for their club to sign him this summer.

Indeed, Everton’s new director of football Marcel Brands has been urged by the Merseyside club’s supporters to secure a deal.

A selection of the best Twitter reaction can be seen below:

Tottenham Hotspur have a had a mixed start to the English Premier League season with one win, one draw and one defeat in their opening three matches.

After becoming one of the top team in the countries last term, that’s not the start to the season Spurs fans were hoping for and concerns about their ability to find consistent form at Wembley Stadium are growing.

One of the key reasons they’ve not been reaching their full potential is the lack of goalscoring from key man Harry Kane. The English striker didn’t find the net once in August, seemingly unable to find the chances that made him such a success last term.

However, fans believe that could be about to change after he hit a brace just one day into September, for England against Malta in Friday night’s World Cup Qualification match.

Will breaking his short scoring drought give him the confidence and the platform to go on and bang in the goals for Spurs on a regular basis now?

Spurs supporters took to Twitter to share their delight he is back on form and ready for next week’s English Premier League action…

Speaking to Jim White on Talksport, Southampton chairman Ralph Krueger has appeared pretty assured that Virgil van Dijk will be at the club next season – despite continued links concerning a move away from the club for the highly-rated defender.

What’s the word?

Dutchman Van Dijk has been in superb form this season and, despite being injured at the moment, is largely regarded as one of the finest centre-halves in the Premier League at the moment.

Indeed, The Sun have referred to the fact both Manchester City and Liverpool want him to bolster their respective defences in the summer and so Krueger’s comments will surely come as a blow to both.

What was said?

Speaking to Jim White, Krueger said: “Virgil is committed to us for a long time and we don’t see anything but that in our future.” He does seem pretty convinced that the Dutchman will not be going anywhere, then, though it remains to be seen if that holds firm if a bid is launched from one of his potential new employers.

Will it stick?

In the modern game it’s pretty hard to believe comments like this – no matter how convincing they may seem. For sure, Southampton are a good club that will be in the Premier League next season but there’s very little chance that Van Dijk will be playing in Europe next year if he stays with them.

Certainly, both Manchester City and Liverpool should be in Europe next year – whether that be in the Champions League or Europa League – and that carrot may be too much for the Dutchman to turn down when push comes to shove.

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Liverpool legend Graeme Souness has slammed Arsenal’s display in their 3-2 loss to Manchester United on Sunday, branding them a joke, according to reports from the Daily Mail.

With Leicester City winning their crunch match against Norwich City on Saturday, the Gunners knew that they needed a victory to keep up with the leading Foxes against the Red Devils.

However, by the 32nd minute, Arsene Wenger’s men found themselves two goals down following a brace from up and coming youngster Marcus Rashford.

Former United attacker Welbeck pulled one back for Arsenal before the break, but Ander Herrera extended the lead to make Mesut Ozil’s 69th minute goal too little too late.

And Sounness was extremely critical of the Gunners, claiming the team don’t have the mettle to dig in and win the title.

“Arsenal bordered on being a joke,” he said. “Arsene Wenger must be tearing his hair out. There’s a word I want to use but I can’t which describes a lack of something that real players have and this Arsenal lack it in abundance — just don’t have it, none.

“Big players make other players play. The big personalities, the big players drag the lesser likes with them when things are going badly.

“Who does that today for Arsenal? Where’s the Tony Adams? Where’s the Thierry Henry, having a moan-up at half-time when it’s not going well?

“I can imagine that dressing room would have been silent at half-time. I’ve been in dressing rooms where there are real people digging other people out.

“I couldn’t imagine that from this group of Arsenal players and I think they play like that. It worries me that Arsene continually talks about his team being mentally tough. It’s like they lack it and he’s trying to persuade them that they really have it. And I think here you learned a great deal about Arsenal.

“I thought they would come here with an opportunity to put a marker on the wall and say, “We’re back in this race”. And they’ve been so insipid, so weak and pussyfooted.

“All they’ve done is said to the opposition that this team can be rolled over. It was more tippy-tippy football by Arsenal, going nowhere.

“I’ll stand on my head if they prove me wrong and go and win this league because that was totally unacceptable.”

The result now sees Arsenal five points off the top, with their next game against Swansea almost a must-win fixture for the North London club.

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West Ham manager David Moyes was encouraged by Kalvin Phillips' performance despite the midfielder's red card against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

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Phillips sent off in Forest defeatMoyes pleased with performanceTold England man to 'keep going'GettyWHAT HAPPENED?

The Hammers crashed to a 2-0 defeat with their Manchester City loanee sent off after picking up two bookings in quick succession with his team trailing by a goal. Pundits and fans were quick to direct their ire at Phillips, who has endured a difficult start to his spell at West Ham, committing costly errors in his first two appearances then featuring in the second half of last weekend's thrashing by Arsenal. Despite the latest setback, Moyes saw some positives from Phillips on the 70 minutes before his dismissal.

Advertisement(C)Getty ImagesWHAT DAVID MOYES SAID ABOUT KALVIN PHILLIPS

"I thought for long periods he played well today," Moyes told after the game. "I though Kalvin played well. It looks like he's had a bad start and that adds to it a little bit but overall his performance today was good with just a couple of small incidents.

"I've watched him gain 50 or 60 caps for England, play incredibly well for Leeds United and get a huge transfer to Manchester City. So he's not a bad player, he probably just needs to get back on it and keep going and today he played well."

GettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Moyes made the point that Phillips' second yellow card was harsh and it's hard to not feel a shred of sympathy for the player who played a key role in Marcelo Bielsa's thrilling Leeds revival before being picked up by City with a view to becoming an established part of Pep Guardiola's midfield.

Phillips spoke earlier this week about his sadness at being frozen out at the Etihad and it seems his lacking of playing time is now being punished ruthlessly before he can shake any of that rust off.

West Ham's alarming dip in form has seen them go eight games without a win. And the Hammers fans' frustrations with Moyes has not provided the calmest of environments for Phillips to play his way back into form.

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WHAT NEXT FOR DAVID MOYES AND WEST HAM?

The suspended Phillips will have to sit on the sidelines once again when West Ham seek their first win of 2024 against Brentford at the London Stadium on February 26.

There are just six points separating second from sixth in the Serie A standings – and they all play each other this weekend!

So, the race for the Serie A title is officially over. In truth, it had been for some time. For months, it was a question of when – and not if – Napoli would win the league. And Luciano Spalletti's scintillating side got the job done at the second attempt on Thursday, picking up a point at Udinese to give themselves an unassailable lead at the summit of the standings.

However, while the party that is still raging in Naples will continue to attract plenty of media attention, the focus has already shifted to the most remarkable battle to finish in the top four. Right now, with just five rounds of the 2022-23 season to go, there are just six points separating second from seventh.

And it gets even better: the six sides battling it out for the three remaining Champions League places will all play one of their rivals this weekend. Milan host Lazio on Saturday afternoon before Roma welcome Inter to the Stadio Olimpico later in the day. Then, Juventus must travel to Bergamo for a lunchtime showdown with Atalanta on Sunday.

It's a dream scenario for Serie A fanatics. The stakes could not be any higher, because the financial gain that comes with competing in Europe's top-tier tournament has never been more important to Italy's cash-strapped clubs.

So, who will secure one of those precious places in next season's Champions League. GOAL analyses each contender's hopes of a top-four finish below…

Getty ImagesRoma – 58 points

Is Jose Mourinho cracking – or just trying to deflect attention away from a Roma team that appears to be running out of steam at precisely the wrong time? Even by the Portuguese's embarrassingly low standards, his rant against referee Daniele Chiffi after Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Monza was particularly pathetic.

Another touchline ban beckons for a manager who has already been sent off three times this season, and Mourinho's imminent absence is unlikely to help a group of players that are already at breaking point, physically and mentally. Indeed, Roma's injury issues are so bad at the moment that Mourinho even joked about having to pick himself – or try to bring club legend Aldair out of retirement.

The Giallorossi are still well in contention to finish in the top four, but they've failed to win any of their past three league games and the stress and strain of competing in the Europa League – Roma play Bayer Leverkusen in the semi-finals – is taking its toll on a squad that has a serious lack of strength in depth, as Mourinho himself has been very quick to point out.

Saturday evening's clash with The Special One's former club, Inter, really could be crucial to the capital club's hopes of securing a return to the Champions League for the first time since 2018-19. There is already mounting speculation that if Roma don't make it, a visibly and increasingly frustrated Mourinho will leave Roma this summer.

Remaining Fixtures:

Serie A: INTER (h)

Europa League: BAYER LEVERKUSEN (h)

Serie A: Bologna (a)

Europa League: Bayer Leverkusen (a)

Serie A: SALERNITANA (h)

Serie A: Fiorentina (a)

Serie A: SPEZIA (h)

Advertisement(C)Getty ImagesAC Milan – 58 points

There is a very real chance that last season's title-winners will fail to finish in the top four. Milan may be in the semi-finals of the Champions League and on a six-match unbeaten run in Serie A but, as Stefano Pioli says, they're "throwing points away" on a weekly basis.

Indeed, the Rossoneri, who proved their quality, intelligence and discipline in knocking Napoli out of Europe, have drawn four of their last five league games. What has been hammered home during that run is that Milan's reserves are simply not up to scratch. Pioli just cannot afford to rotate players and that is proving a major problem for a squad still competing in continental competition.

Some fans are even claiming that they would accept progressing to the Champions League final at the expense of city rivals Inter, even if it meant missing out on qualification for next season's tournament via Serie A.

Still, this group retains the capacity to surprise, primarily because of their winning mentality, and with Rafael Leao showing signs of returning to his best form, Milan could yet realise their twin objectives. Victory over Lazio, though, is imperative, particularly as the Rossoneri still have to go to Juventus before the season is out.

"If we don't charge gear," Pioli said after Wednesday's 1-1 draw at home to Cremonese, "it's going to be very difficult for us to finish in the top four."

Remaining Fixtures:

Serie A: LAZIO (h)

Champions League: INTER (h)

Serie A: Spezia (a)

Champions League: Inter (a)

Serie A: SAMPDORIA (h)

Serie A: Juventus (a)

Serie A: VERONA (h)

Getty ImagesAtalanta – 58 points

They couldn't do it again, could they?! After stunning the football world – and putting Andrea Agnelli's nose out of joint – by qualifying for the Champions League three years in a row, Atalanta hit a major bump in the road last season, finishing eighth in Serie A. It appeared to be the end of the adventure.

However, despite not being at their brilliant best this year, the Bergamaschi have managed to sneak their way back into the top-four battle thanks to four wins in a row.

Gian Piero Gasperini has openly admitted that this current version of Atalanta is not on the same level as some of its predecessors, certainly from a technical perspective, but they still have some excellent players, most notably in midfield, where you'll find Marten de Roon and Teun Koopmeiners. Furthermore, in Rasmus Hojlund they have one of the most promising young attackers in world football, while Duvan Zapata and Luis Muriel might just have come alive again at precisely the right time.

Granted, their fixture list is far from straightforward. Salernitana and Monza are horribly awkward opponents, while they face a daunting trip to San Siro to take on a seemingly resurgent Inter. However, beat Juventus at home on Sunday and the Bergamaschi, who have no other distractions to worry about, will approach their final four fixtures brimming with belief.

Remaining Fixtures:

Serie A: JUVENTUS (h)

Serie A: Salernitana (a)

Serie A: VERONA (h)

Serie A: Inter (a)

Serie A: MONZA (h)

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GettyInter – 60 points

What on earth is one meant to make of Inter?! Champions League semi-finalists yet struggling in Serie A. After being pipped to the post by Milan last year, the Nerazzurri were meant to mount a serious Scudetto challenge this season – but it was obvious by October that they didn't have anything like the requisite consistency to keep up with Napoli. Their top-four challenge also began to unravel in the spring, after five defeats in seven Serie A outings.

However, their European exploits have restored confidence, and Inter have now won three league games on the spin, thanks in no small part to Lautaro Martinez, Edin Dzeko and Romelu Lukaku finally finding their shooting boots.

“Let’s say that we are in a good moment, we are playing well, we have recovered important players and now the results are coming," coach Simone Inzaghi enthused after Wednesday's 6-0 win at Verona. "I’m happy, but we must continue as we know that there are potential pitfalls around the corner."

Indeed, it always feels as if Inter are one bad game away from a full-blown crisis and nobody has a more punishing fixture list, with the Nerazzurri still competing on three fronts: Serie A, the Champions League and the Coppa Italia. Saturday's trip to Rome could shape their season, as it will decide whether they go into next week's monumental derby with Milan in the right frame of mind…

Remaining Fixtures:

Serie A: Roma (a)

Champions League: AC Milan (a)

Serie A: SASSUOLO (h)

Champions League: AC MILAN (h)

Serie A: Napoli (a)

Coppa Italia Final: Fiorentina (n)

Serie A: ATALANTA (h)

Serie A: Torino (a)

There was huge drama in Group E as a controversial VAR call sent Japan through, while Germany were knocked out at the group stages yet again.

It was too little, too late for Germany as they crashed out of the World Cup despite beating Costa Rica 4-2 on Thursday night.

Hansi Flick's team were dominant from the beginning of the match as they chased the vital victory they needed to surely put them through. They did their bit and got the three points but with Japan incredibly beating Spain it wasn't enough.

The tension was evident. Germany buckled initially as Costa Rica found a way back into the game, with Manuel Neuer and Antonio Rudiger producing moments of madness to allow their opponents to take a shock lead.

Serge Gnabry and Kai Havertz were there to rescue Flick's side, however, with the Bayern Munich winger chipping in with the opening goal and a vital assist, while the Chelsea forward came off the bench to score twice.

Having lost to Japan, drawn with Spain and then allowed Costa Rica to give them a real scare in what should have been an easy win going by the first-half performance, few would argue that Germany really deserved a place in the next round of the tournament.

They were simply too inconsistent and sloppy in the key moments in this competition and although they may turn their anger towards VAR following a controversial call in the clash between Spain and Japan, they must first acknowledge their own shortcomings in Qatar.

Getty ImagesThe Winners

Jamal Musiala:

The young attacking midfielder has shown throughout this tournament why he is so revered in Germany and this game was yet another example. He was a real threat for his team with his dribbling and his neat and dangerous passes. He hit the post on two occasions in the second half after Costa Rica equalised and looked like the man most likely to get his team out of danger after they surrendered the lead. He had so much more to offer this tournament and he doesn't deserve it to end like this. One of few German players to enhance their reputation, and transfer value, despite heading home early.

Kai Havertz:

He certainly proved to Hansi Flick that he should have been involved in the starting XI in this game. Thomas Muller got the nod ahead of the Chelsea forward but he came on to take the Bayern Munich star's place and was immediately effective with the 2-2 goal. He then added his side's third, getting on the end of a Serge Gnabry pass. What might have been had Germany made it through, with Havertz's confidence having been restored.

Stephanie Frappart & the match officials:

The referee made history as she was at the front of an all-female team controlling a men's World Cup match for the first time. The referee and her team did not make any big mistakes in this match and were fully in charge, letting the game flow while assistants Neuza Back and Karen Diaz Medina were valuable in their support.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesThe Losers

Manuel Neuer:

Two big blunders from the goalkeeper in the second half saw Germany let their lead slip. He spilled the initial header that allowed Yeltsin Tejeda to spring into action and fire in the equaliser, then he was caught simply flapping at the ball as Juan Pablo Vargas put his team ahead with 20 minutes remaining. A terrible collapse from the Germany legend considering he pulled off a vital save in the first half to deny Keysher Fuller.

Antonio Rudiger:

He was exposed in each half by Fuller. He did nothing to stop the full-back as he was presented with a golden opportunity to equalise in the first half and was too easily shrugged off. Then he barely closed him down to stop the Costa Rica star sending in the cross that resulted in his side's equaliser. Simply not good enough from a defender that should be relied upon to stamp out such danger.

Thomas Muller:

He was barely involved throughout the game as he moved out wide and deep in an attempt to retrieve the ball. It was a completely ineffective performance from the Bayern Munich veteran as he allowed those around him to dictate and threaten the Costa Rica goal. His replacement managed to influence the game immediately, whereas Muller was simply a ghost for the most part. That may have been his last ever game for his country, and what a sad way to bow out.

VAR:

Once again the video assistant referee has been involved in another controversial call at the World Cup and Germany will feel hard done by. Japan were awarded a goal against Spain despite claims that the ball had gone out of play. Even after the replays it is tough to tell who was correct but Japan being awarded that goal has essentially knocked Germany out of the competition as a draw in that other match would have seen Hansi Flick's men progress.

Getty ImagesGermany Ratings: Defence

Manuel Neuer (4/10):

He pulled off a strong save to deny Fuller late in the first half and was on hand to deal with the subsequent corner but his interventions in the second period were woeful. He let the ball slip after saving a shot that allowed Tejeda to equalise and then completely fell apart for the second goal.

Joshua Kimmich (7/10):

Always pushing up from out wide and available for a pass throughout the first half, in which he did not have too much to do defensively but he was alert and quick to get back when he needed to. He moved into the midfield once Klostermann came on for the second half to help improve Germany's use of the ball from the centre of the field.

Niklas Sule (5/10):

Did nothing of note throughout this match.

Antonio Rudiger (5/10):

Barely put up any challenge to Fuller when the Costa Rica star was presented with a goalscoring opportunity. The full-back simply shrugged him off before Neuer came to Rudiger's rescue with the save. He put no effort into stopping Fuller in the second half in the lead up to Costa Rica's eventual equaliser, either.

David Raum (6/10):

Made a quality cross to set up the opening goal and was up and down the left side of the field all night, staying wide and looking to get the ball into the box for the forwards. However, he barely tried to cut out the ball that found its way to Fuller and gave Costa Rica a chance to equalise in the first half.

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Getty ImagesMidfield

Leon Goretzka (5/10):

Had an early header saved by Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas but otherwise made very little impact in this game before he was substituted at the break.

Ilkay Gundogan (6/10):

The Manchester City midfielder sat deep and mostly tried to move the ball on to Musiala or wide to the full-backs. He kept the ball circulating well but Costa Rica's deep defence often made it hard to pull off more ambitious passes.

Jamal Musiala (8/10):

Looked a threat right from the beginning of the game, finding space outside the Costa Rica box and forcing Keylor Navas into making a save and earning a corner. Shortly afterwards he fed Serge Gnabry through for a dangerous chance but the winger was offside. Musiala had plenty of movement to make sure he was always available for a pass and kept pressing the opposition to win back the ball. Every time he got on the ball and dribbled he looked capable of creating something. Top stuff from a top player.

Five-fors from Mohmmad Nabi and Zahir Khan, and Mohammad Shahzad’s 139 helped Afghanistan achieve an innings-and-36-run win over Namibia in the ICC Intercontinental Cup

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Apr-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsMohammad Shahzad struck 15 fours and a six in his 139•AFP/Getty ImagesMohammad Shahzad’s patient 139, and five-fors from offspinner Mohammad Nabi and chinaman Zahir Khan, in the first and second innings respectively, shaped Afghanistan’s innings-and-36-run victory over Namibia in an ICC Intercontinental Cup match in Greater Noida. The win helped Afghanistan climb up two spots to third place on the points table, behind Ireland and Netherlands.Nabi led Afghanistan’s charge with the ball in the first innings, after Namibia opted to bat, dismissing Stephen Baard in the 12th over. Namibia opener Pikky Ya France and Gerhard Erasmus added 56 for the third wicket but the latter’s dismissal set off a collapse that saw Namibia slip from 109 for 2 to 149 for 9. Nabi, who finished with 5 for 25, had support from Zahir (3 for 31), and Dawlat Zadran and Rahmat Shah, who took a wicket each. Ya France was Namibia’s top-scorer with 46 in an innings where no other batsman made more than 30Shahzad, who was Afghanistan’s leading run-scorer in the 2016 World T20, anchored Afghanistan’s reply with a 245-ball 139. The opener was dropped on 13 off Sarel Burger’s bowling and, after reaching his fifty off 57 balls, settled down to steer his side into the lead. Shahzad brought up his fourth first-class century off 156 deliveries and his knock, which earned him the Man-of-the-Match award, included 15 fours and a six. Afghanistan stuttered briefly after taking the lead, stumbling from 225 for 3 to 258 for 7, until a 63-run, eighth-wicket partnership between Afsar Zazai and Dawlat Zadran lifted the side past 300. Zazai was unbeaten on 49 as Afghanistan were dismissed for 334. Fast bowler Gerrie Snyman was Namibia’s most effective bowler with 4 for 78.Playing in his second first-class match, Zahir took the lead with the ball in Namibia’s second innings. Nabi had given Afghanistan a breakthrough late on the second evening, dismissing Baard and wicketkeeper Zane Green to leave Namibia on 19 for 2 at stumps. Ya France (40) and Erasmus (35) resisted once again with a partnership of 57 but, like the first innings, Namibia’s middle order collapsed. Erasmus fell to Zahir in the 20th over and Afghanistan wrapped up the game within the next 16 overs, taking the last eight wickets for 66 runs. Zahir spun out the middle order to finish with 5 for 31, while Dawlat chipped in with two late wickets as Namibia were bowled out for 126.