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Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell wasted little time sending a message to fans after returning to action for the Blues in the Carabao Cup.

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Chilwell told to leave Chelsea in summerFailed to secure move awayMade his comeback in Carabao Cup winFollow GOAL's official WhatsApp channel!Join nowWHAT HAPPENED?

Chilwell made his first appearance for Chelsea on Tuesday night in the Carabao Cup win over Barrow at Stamford Bridge. The defender started the game on the bench but replaced Malo Gusto at half-time as Enzo Maresca's side cruised to a 5-0 victory. Chilwell took to social media straight after the match to send a message to fans and delight in his comeback. He wrote on social media: "Missed nights at the Bridge in front of you guys 💙"

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Chilwell's Chelsea career looked to be over in the summer when Maresca told the defender it would be better for him to leave the club. The 27-year-old was linked with Manchester United and Fenerbahce but failed to secure a move away from Stamford Bridge. He has since returned to training at Chelsea and made his comeback in a comfortable win for the Blues.

WHAT MARESCA SAID

Maresca spoke about Chilwell after the game and was pleased with his performance. He told reporters: "Very good. It was not easy for Chilly. He didn't get any minutes this season but he has shown he is there, he is ready and working well. There is not any problem. If we have a chance, we will give him some more minutes in games."

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WHAT NEXT FOR CHILWELL

Chilwell will be hoping for more minutes as the season progress but faces competition for his place from Marc Cucurella, Levi Colwill and Ramon Veiga. Chelsea's next match is against Brighton on Saturday in the Premier League.

Captain bats for four-and-a-half hours to deny Gloucestershire

ECB Reporters Network18-Aug-2020Glamorgan were grateful for the second successive game to their captain Chris Cooke, whose unbeaten half-century carried his side to a draw against Gloucestershire.Glamorgan had slipped to 138 for 8, a lead of only 73 with plenty of overs remaining, but Cooke was at the crease for four-and-a-half hours in compiling 59, and was given solid support by No.10 Tim van der Gugten, who was 30 not out.They survived despite the sterling efforts of Gloucestershire’s two left-arm seamers David Payne and Matt Taylor, who excelled throughout – with Payne taking eight wickets in the match. Glamorgan had a lead of 132 with 13 overs remaining when the teams shook hands.Had the first day not been lost to rain, there could have been an interesting finish as the ball dominated the bat throughout, with still plenty in the pitch for the seamers while the odd ball turned.Glamorgan began the final day 65 runs behind and with all their wickets intact, but Matt Taylor soon got to work by taking two wickets in his opening two overs. Charlie Hemphrey, whose place must now be in doubt after scoring only 72 runs in six completed innings, was out lbw.He was quickly followed by Kiran Carlson, who was dismissed in similar fashion, as he shuffled across his stumps to a ball that came back into him. The two wickets had fallen without any addition to the overnight score.Nick Selman stood firm, alternating between attack and defence, and was developing a useful partnership with Billy Root, one of the few Glamorgan batsmen who has been in any sort of form this season. But after scoring 13, Root was out to one of the slip catches of the season, taken by George Hankin at second slip.Root dabbed at a delivery intended for the third man area, before it was intercepted by the fielder who dived to his right and held on in front of first slip.Selman, who also been short of runs this season, completed a responsible half-century, but after adding a further five runs was leg before to Ryan Higgins, in what was the last ball before lunch as play was interrupted by a heavy shower.When Payne dismissed Dan Douthwaite and Graham Wagg in quick succession, and Kieran Bull was bowled by Graham van Buuren in his first over, Glamorgan had slumped to eight down, but van der Gugten, who the previous day had dislocated his finger, gave his captain staunch support.He joined his captain in the 67th over, to remain there for a further 24 overs as Gloucestershire’s hopes receded.

The Lionesses winger created chances aplenty as the Seagulls came to visit and probably should've had a few assists to her name

Dario Vidosic's Brighton look exciting. After thrashing Everton last weekend, the Seagulls travelled north to visit title contenders Manchester City and they created plenty of opportunites.

Playing an attractive, albeit risky, style and using players like Barcelona loanee Bruna Vilamala, England youngster Michelle Agyemang and Lionesses veterans Nikita Parris and Fran Kirby, they caused the Cityzens problems throughout a brilliant first half. But good teams are able to pull the rug from right under their opponents just as they start to get on top, and City did exactly that as Khadija Shaw's goal before the break burst Brighton's bubble and eventually secured a 1-0 win in a tough game for Gareth Taylor's side.

None of that is to say City didn't have their own opportunities in this match. Lauren Hemp was particularly electric for the hosts and the entire front five pressed relentlessly, winning the ball in good positions as Brighton committed to playing out from the back. However, Sophie Baggaley in the away goal remained relatively untroubled, Shaw firing wide twice and finding a defender in her way on another occasion, with Jess Park also striking a good chance over the bar.

Unsurprisingly, it was Shaw, last season's Golden Boot winner, who finally took one and gave City the lead on the stroke of half-time, flicking a teasing cross from Kerstin Casparij beyond Baggaley just as Brighton were looking especially dangerous. From there, the hosts grew in confidence and controlled the second half convincingly, though they were unable to extend their advantage despite chances for Hemp, Shaw, Park and Vivianne Miedema. Fortunately, the Seagulls' threat dwindled and one goal was enough to give City their first three points of the new Women's Super League season, after they opened the campaign with a point on the road at Arsenal last week.

GOAL rates Man City's players from the Joie Stadium…

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Ayaka Yamashita (6/10):

Unconvincing in her passing at times, though dealt with everything Brighton threw at her.

Naomi Layzell (5/10):

Supported the attack well but, in a more unnatural role, was sometimes caught out of position defensively.

Laia Aleixandri (5/10):

Got dragged out of position a few times and that let Brighton in.

Alex Greenwood (6/10):

Sprayed the ball around brilliantly, most notably with a nice pass out to Hemp in the build-up to the opening goal.

Kerstin Casparij (6/10):

Wasn't on her natural side and still did well up and down the wing, putting in a great ball for Shaw to convert for 1-0.

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Yui Hasegawa (7/10):

Had her work cut out with Brighton's explosive attacking style but did well considering the weight on her defensively in this midfield.

Jess Park (7/10):

Some lovely touches and passes that often sparked City into life, including a great ball through for Shaw which should've ended in a goal.

Vivianne Miedema (7/10):

Some good passing and nice touches, but it was her pressing that really stood out and helped get City into good positions regularly.

Getty ImagesAttack

Aoba Fujino (6/10):

Brought lots of energy to the press and honoured her defensive duties admirably.

Khadija Shaw (8/10):

Typically brilliantly No.9 play for the goal. Led the press really well and was a real asset defending set pieces.

Lauren Hemp (8/10):

Brought plenty of energy to both flanks, always carrying a threat with her running and final ball. Created six chances, more than any other player.

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Mary Fowler (6/10):

Added extra energy to the forward line and could've got on the scoresheet after some good pressing, but fired over.

Jill Roord (N/A):

Made her long-awaited return from injury in the closing stages.

Gareth Taylor (6/10):

Had to rejig the defence with Ouahabi missing at left-back and the pieces didn't quite come together in as effective a manner as was needed to deal with Brighton's threats. His chosen front five, meanwhile, executed the press brilliantly to create plenty of opportunities.

With numerous fresh faces expected to arrive at Ibrox this summer, recent developments suggest that the transfer window could see some big names leave Rangers.

Latest Rangers transfer news

After losing out in both the Scottish Premiership and cup to Celtic, it is clear that Rangers will have to make some big moves in the transfer market if they are to get the better of their rivals next season.

Rangers eye move for set-piece specialist to replace Barisic

Rangers look to be seeking another signing in the coming weeks…

ByRoss Kilvington Jun 3, 2024

One name touted for a move to Ibrox is Kalvin Phillips. The midfielder is free to leave Man City on loan this summer with Rangers reportedly among the parties interested in agreeing a deal for the former England international. Another top six want-away Rangers have their eye on is Arsenal's Reuell Walters. At 19 years of age, the versatile defender would be a strong depth option for Phillippe Clement next season.

The Gers are also interested in keeping hold of existing talents with defensive veteran Leon Balogun reportedly in talks over a new deal at Ibrox. Despite being certainly past his prime aged 35, Balogun is an important part of the club and still has a lot to offer Rangers at the back.

Whilst much of the attention at Ibrox is on incomings, a new development has seen Rangers' two highest earners linked with moves away from the club this summer.

Steven Gerrard plots Rangers raid this summer

Reports out of Saudi Arabia via The Daily Record are suggesting that current Al-Ettifaq boss Steven Gerrard has prepared a bid to sign Rangers stars Connor Goldson and James Tavernier.

The ex-Rangers boss is eager to take from his former club to bolster his new side's backline. Gerrard's Al-Ettifaq only managed to finish sixth in the Saudi Pro League last season despite bringing in high-profile overseas talents such as Jordan Henderson and Gini Wijnaldum.

Losing the duo would be a major blow to the Glasgow outfit with the pair playing vital roles in Rangers' recent success. Tavernier played every game throughout the league campaign, whilst Goldson made 30 appearances as the Ibrox side lost out on the title to their city rivals Celtic.

The departure of Tavernier would likely hit hardest with the full back a vital part of Clement's side on the attacking front despite being a defender by trade.

Goals

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Assists

10

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Matches Started

38

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Shots

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As per a report by The Scotsman, Tavernier and Goldson currently stand as Rangers' two highest earners. Commanding wages of £30,000 per week and £37,000 per week respectively, getting these figures off the books would likely not be worth the loss of two quality players.

With the eye-watering figures often paid by Saudi sides well known, the offer that arrives for the duo may be too good for Rangers to turn down. Gerrard is reportedly eager to get the deal done before his side's pre-season starts in mid-July, meaning that the transfer will have to be struck well before the window closes.

Among Australia’s new targets is the record of 21 consecutive ODI victories held by the men’s team

Daniel Brettig23-Sep-2020Beth Mooney’s focus on greater self-belief and quicker adaptation to specific sets of conditions and match scenarios underlines why she will enter Australia’s first international assignment on home soil since the onset of Covid-19 as the world’s best T20 batter.Far from sitting back contentedly on a dominant T20 World Cup, capped by the perfect anchor innings in Australia’s triumphant final against India at a packed MCG in March, Mooney has spent the intervening months working to build on her own levels of assurance and versatility when confronted by different situations at the top of the order alongside Alyssa Healy.This emphasis was encouraged by the fact that, apart from the final itself, Australia’s road to the T20 World Cup was anything but smooth, with early struggles followed by an anxious passage through a rain-hit semi-final against South Africa and the looming threat of coronavirus before the competition decider ultimately played out as if in a dream.ALSO READ: Alyssa Healy aims to develop 360-degree strokeplay”It’s not so much technical sides of my game but more the way I think about it,” Mooney said. “I’ve been working on that really closely with Shelley Nitschke up in Brisbane and [former Australia coach] Mark Sorrell, so that’s been really cool to work with different people and get different perspectives of what they think where I’m at, compared to what I think. Given we’ve just been training for four to five months I’m really excited about being able to put some things into fruition out in the middle and hopefully take the game on.”There’s usually times when I’m pretty unsure of myself out in the middle and not necessarily backing my decision-making and the situation in the game. But to be put under different scenarios on the wickets at training and I guess learning to adapt quicker to what the wicket’s doing and what the situation might be. They’re only scenarios but to get some feedback from the coach directly is pretty important.”I guess I needed a little bit more data to collect that what I was thinking was pretty accurate with whatever was happening with the wicket or the situation. That’s been really nice to be able to have those conversations and working closely with people who are highly respected helps as well.”Beth Mooney was the leading run-scorer at the T20 World Cup•Getty ImagesMemories of those hectic days in February and March, particularly after an opening loss to India in Sydney and then a nervous chase against Sri Lanka in Perth, where the team looked briefly to be on the cusp of elimination, have bolstered Mooney’s belief that the group led by Meg Lanning is not just a collective of frontrunners, but also fighters.”We got ourselves in positions where we were put under the pump a lot more and I feel like we came out on top in a lot of those situations,” Mooney said. “We’ll be able to look back on that tournament when we’re under the pump or feeling under pressure and be able to get through those situations pretty nicely.”It was a different tournament for us in the sense that we were challenged and put under pressure a fair bit, but at the same time that’s a really good indicator of where the game’s at around the globe, people are investing in women’s cricket. To be able to have contests like we did at the World Cup means this series against New Zealand will be no different and they’ll be really tightly fought.”More broadly, Australia’s next major ambition is to reclaim the ODI World Cup, after they were eliminated in the semi-finals by India in 2017, leaving England to lift the trophy at Lord’s. “The easy part about playing in this team is everyone has a drive and ambition to be better and continually improve,” Mooney said. “We’re ranked No. 1 in the world and we have big ambitions to stay there for as long as possible and be one of the greatest teams that’s ever played.”For us, we won the T20 World Cup so there’s a bit of a target on our back now, but New Zealand are a class side and this will be the first challenge that we have in making sure we can be as consistent as possible in these T20s, and then the one-day series, the carrot dangling for us is that world record of 21 straight ODI wins.”

Top-scorer in the final

Top scorer in the #T20WorldCup

Most runs in any T20 World Cup ever

Beth Mooney is the Player of the Tournament pic.twitter.com/Ny10TqFpis

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) March 8, 2020

As for the changes forced by Covid-19, Mooney said there had been plenty of sobering moments during the six months since the T20 World Cup final, all of which made the team’s first all-in training sessions since that tournament feel like even more of a privilege than usual.”The biggest one for me is seeing the humans being impacted, whether it’s their job situation or challenges they’re facing in their families, being stuck in isolation down in Melbourne, it is pretty easy to be empathetic for humankind at the moment because everything’s difficult for everyone,” Mooney said. “There was a really great vibe at training yesterday because it was the first time we’d all been back together since that World Cup final, so to be able to do something we love and do it in the current climate is something we’re really excited about and passionate about and grateful as well.”Among numerous adjustments for Mooney to make this season is the fact that, after making a significant move to the Perth Scorchers ahead of this year’s WBBL, she will turn out for the Perth team without ever setting foot in the west due to the state’s current hard border.”I’ll just stay in Brisbane post this series and probably train with Shelley Nitschke and obviously Sophie Devine’s over here with New Zealand, so there’ll be a couple of us training up here in Brisbane,” she said. “Obviously we can’t get over to Perth, and we’ll join up with the squad in Sydney before we get stuck into that tournament.”

Manchester United have been dealt a blow as it has emerged that one of the targets that they have been pursuing for months now won't be arriving at Old Trafford.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe targets change

Since his arrival at Manchester United at the turn of the year, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has promised change. Backroom alterations have been made, but he opted to keep Erik ten Hag in charge after two weeks of interviewing other candidates.

Now, he has urged patience, telling fans that it will take time to complete the changes at the Theatre of Dreams and have the club challenging for the Premier League once more. It will take 'two or three summer transfer windows to get to a better place', he explained in a recent interview.

"Good" chance Man Utd hijack big striker transfer after agent talks

The Red Devils are now working on an agreement.

ByCharlie Smith Jun 19, 2024

There have already been reports that almost all of the squad is up for sale this summer, while high-earning pair Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial have announced they will leave at the end of their contracts this summer. Casemiro is another player who seems set to depart, with Saudi Arabia interested in the Brazilian despite his tough end to the season in Manchester United red.

There is a desire to sign a defender too amid ongoing speculation around the future of Victor Lindelof, with the club having seen an opening offer for Jarrad Branthwaite turned down last week. Now, they have been dealt another blow.

Defender not moving to Old Trafford

This comes as Manchester United have been ruled out as a potential destination for OGC Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo as a result of UEFA rules. Todibo, who has rebuilt his career in the south of France following a failed spell at Barcelona, appeared 30 times in Ligue 1 for Nice last season.

Todibo's Ligue 1 season

Appearances

30

Pass accuracy

89.6%

Tackles and interceptions per 90

3.25

Errors leading to goals

1

Yellow Cards

2

The Frenchman still has three years left to run on his £20,000 a week deal in Nice, but has been linked with a move away in recent months amid interest from the Premier League.

Manchester United were touted as a potential destination in a deal that seemed easy to do given INEOS' ownership of both the Red Devils and OGC Nice. However, Fabrizio Romano has now revealed that a deal is "currently off" and now "highly unlikely" because of UEFA rules, despite talks between all parties having been "advanced" for "months".

So what is this UEFA rule? Essentially, because both Nice and Manchester United are in the same European competition next season and run by the same owners, player trading between them is not permitted, something that Ratcliffe himself has since confirmed.

“They’ve said we can sell him to another Premiership club, but we can’t sell to Manchester United,” the United chief said in an interview with Bloomberg. “But that’s not fair on the player and I don’t see what that achieves".

That news also rules the Red Devils out of a move for Todibo's team mate and one-time rumoured target Khephren Thuram, who was thought to be of interest to the Red Devils and available for around £20m.

It comes as a blow to the Red Devils, though it does beg the question why they negotiated for months with the defender when the rule was already in place.

Lionel Messi has been told he does not deserve to be given the MLS MVP award this season despite his stunning performances for Inter Miami.

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Messi has amazing MLS record this seasonInter Miami have done fine without himTwellman dismissed his MVP credentialsFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The 37-year-old continues to dominate headlines as the biggest name in the American division. He has an awesome 17 goals to his name in just 18 MLS matches in the 2024 season, helping lift the Herons to the top of the Eastern Conference.

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Messi has missed almost half of the Florida club's MLS matches this season, however, and they have lost just three of those they have played in his absence, which Twellman says proves they are not reliant on the Argentine sensation.

WHAT TWELLMAN SAID

"Seventeen goals and 15 assists in 18 games is alien-like, that’s out of this world type of production, but I ruffled some feathers when I said Miami won the Shield when they won eight of nine games without Messi," the ex-USMNT star said on on the subject of the MVP award

"In 2023, Inter Miami won 78 per cent of their games with him, only 12% without. The big question this year was how would Miami survive without Messi in the summer, they answered that, they won eight of nine, so to keep the same points per game with or without him, nobody predicted that."

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The ex-Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star will likely be involved when Miami return to MLS action with a game against New England Revolution on Saturday.

Moeen Ali and Chris Jordan will also skip the tournament with England scheduled to play T20Is in South Africa

Danyal Rasool02-Nov-2020Faf du Plessis is the highest-profile new name drafted in for the playoff stage of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2020 to be played in Karachi, with the former South Africa captain set to represent the Peshawar Zalmi.A number of players originally part of the squads of the PSL franchises that made the last four remained unavailable due to international commitments. As a result, the PCB has drafted in multiple fresh names to take the count of foreign players who will arrive in Pakistan, to 21. Out of these, 13 are from England and South Africa, while Tamim Iqbal also remains a notable inclusion, with the former Zalmi opener to pad up for the Lahore Qalandars this time.Alex Hales was suspected to have contracted Covid-19 during the PSL’s original schedule in March this year, something that remained unconfirmed until the tournament was called off. However, it had led to the playoffs being cancelled just an hour before they began, though Hales is set to return to the tournament for the Kings this time. He will be joined by team-mate James Vince, though Moeen Ali and Chris Jordan will be unavailable, with the pair due to take part in England’s T20I series in South Africa.The knockout stage, though, has reverted to the playoffs format, which means four matches will be played instead of three as was decided in March, when the PSL had shortened the format in a bid to conclude it earlier with the Covid-19 pandemic beginning to take hold. That means the Multan Sultans will play the Kings with the winner directly qualifying for the final, with the loser to battle for the second spot in the final against the winner of the Qalandars and Zalmi game.”I am very excited to join Peshawar Zalmi for the playoff stage games of HBL PSL 2020,” du Plessis said. “I have fond memories of playing in Pakistan when I toured with the ICC World XI in 2017 and I am sure this experience, although different due to Covid-19, will be a memorable one as well.”Among the other notable misses will be Kieron Pollard, with West Indies’ tour of New Zealand clashing with the PSL. Pollard is the player du Plessis has replaced, while Sherfane Rutherford has slotted into the Kings squad for Jordan.The playoff games have been scheduled from November 14 to 16, with the final on November 17.The squads
ESPNcricinfo LtdESPNcricinfo LtdESPNcricinfo LtdESPNcricinfo Ltd

Lionel Messi's outrageous hat-trick for Argentina against Bolivia helped him create more history even after equalling Cristiano Ronaldo's record.

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Argentina beat Bolivia 6-0Messi was involved in five of the six goalsFirst to net three hat-tricks in CONMEBOL WCQ historyFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Messi was at his absolute best as he powered Argentina to a commanding 6-0 victory over Bolivia in a 2026 CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying match. The Argentine captain was unstoppable, scoring a hat-trick and delivering two assists in a game that helped him match Ronaldo’s record for the most international hat-tricks (10).

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In addition to matching Ronaldo’s record, Messi made history by becoming the first player ever to score three hat-tricks in the South American World Cup qualifiers. He also became the third player in the competition’s history to score two hat-tricks against the same national team, Bolivia, joining the ranks of Brazilian legends Tostao (vs Venezuela) and Zico (vs Bolivia).

DID YOU KNOW?

Messi's remarkable display also made him the first player to be involved in five goals in a South American World Cup qualifier since Bolivia’s Joaquín Botero, who achieved a similar feat in 2009 when he scored three goals and assisted three more in a 6-1 victory against Argentina. With this win, La Albiceleste remains firmly on course for a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup as they stand atop the CONMEBOL standings, three points ahead of Colombia, who sit in second place, and six points clear of their fierce rivals, Brazil.

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After this impressive performance on the international stage, Messi is set to return to his club duties with Inter Miami. Fans can expect to see him back in action this Saturday when Inter Miami takes on the New England Revolution in Major League Soccer (MLS) and his form with Argentina will undoubtedly be a boost to The Herons as they push for a strong finish to the league stage.

Debutant Abdullah Shafique leads slim chase with 41 off 33 balls

Danyal Rasool10-Nov-2020
In a game so similar to the second T20I it could almost be a carbon copy, Pakistan eased to a seven-wicket win over Zimbabwe to complete a clean sweep over the visitors. It was another game lit up by a delightful spell from Usman Qadir whose 4 for 13 ripped Zimbabwe to shreds as they stuttered to 129, their lowest total of the series. Pakistan made short work of the chase again, getting to the target with a dismissive Khushdil Shah six with nearly five overs to go. Zimbabwe failed to apply any pressure on a youthful top order; Babar Azam decided to push debutant Abdullah Shafique up the order, who didn’t disappoint, his 33-ball 41 the top score.Zimbabwe won the toss, and for the fifth straight time on tour, the visitors batted first. But if the opening stand has been an Achilles heel for Chamu Chibhabha’s side, the entire bating order failed to turn up on Tuesday. Brendan Taylor’s dry run in this format continued when he holed out to square leg off Imad Wasim while Haris Rauf snared Craig Ervine with a lovely outswinger two overs later.But it was the Qadir show once again. He demonstrated the exciting potential he carries with a mesmeric spell of legspin bowling. He coaxed a top edge from Chibhabha, who top-scored for Zimbabwe with 31, with his second delivery, allowing just one run off the bat in that first over. If the previous T20I game was a showcase of how well Qadir bowled the googly, he demonstrated today he wasn’t a bad exponent of the traditional legbreak either. Giving the ball air and beating the Zimbabweans in the flight consistently, he kept the run-scoring on a leash, and as the pressure began to build, he forced low-percentage slogs from them.Milton Shumba was beaten all ends up by a googly that simply required the wicketkeeper to whip off the bails, while Wesley Madhevere was undone by the classical legbreak as he tried to see him off with a defensive shot. As was the case on Monday, Qadir would remove Elton Chigumbura, playing his last international game, off the final ball of his spell, whose inside edge was sharply pounced upon by Rizwan.All told, it was a sorry display with the bat from Zimbabwe. After a smart start that saw them rack up 21 runs in the first two, they began to fade, and once the wickets started to fall, the run rate began to fall as well. The middle order, traditionally Zimbabwe’s strength, capitulated in the face of a sparkling bowling performance, nos. 3 to 7 managing a mere 27 runs between them. It was left to a wagging tail to get Zimbabwe past 120, with Donald Tiripano’s spirited 28 combining with Wellington Masakadza for a 33-run eighth-wicket partnership, the highest of the innings.Babar Azam might have fancied his chances of scoring a fifth straight half-century this white-ball series, but instead selflessly decided to promote Shafique up the order to open with Fakhar Zaman. While Zaman didn’t quite get the runs he so desperately needs in international cricket – he was dropped once and managed just 21 off 24 balls – Shafique showed more promise. Alongside Haider Ali’s whose swashbuckling style is already becoming something of a trademark, he broke the back of the target with a sharp 40-run partnership. Zimbabwe failed to create any real chances that might have allowed them to have a crack at the lower-middle order, and even when Shumba got Ali to nick off, Shah was sent in ahead of the Pakistan captain.Pakistan fans were offered a glimpse into the type of power-hitting he might have to offer lower down the order, as he made a blistering cameo that drew the curtains on Zimbabwe’s tour in frighteningly quick time. Three fours and as many towering sixes in a 15-ball knock saw him rattle along to 36, and when he smashed Faraz Akram over cow corner, he sealed a 3-0 sweep.Pakistan may have faded somewhat in this format over the past year or so, but with a new generation of talent, they may now feel they stand in good stead ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, will be left to rue a series that takes the shine somewhat off a stellar ODI series.