Zimbabwe Wins Tri-Series T20 Final Against South-Africa

Half-centuries from Brendan Taylor and Hamilton Masakadza led Zimbabwe to a stunning nine-wicket victory over South Africa

Zimbabwe Has Defeated South-Africa In the Final Of T20 Tri-Series As, Half-centuries from Brendan Taylor and Hamilton Masakadza led Zimbabwe to a stunning nine-wicket victory over South Africa at Harare Sports Club. Faced with the tricky prospect of chasing South Africa's 146 for 6, both batsmen showed remarkable poise and confidence to race to the win with 17 balls to spare. Their efforts capped a superb day for Zimbabwe, who kept South Africa under pressure with the ball throughout. The visitors had been carried by Faf du Plessis' fighting fifty but his efforts went in vain, and the South African bowling attack had no answers to a flawless batting display.Masakadza had been fortunate to survive what seemed to be an adjacent lbw call against Lonwabo Tsotsobe off the very first delivery and Zimbabwe lost an adventurous Vusi Sibanda to a stunning catch by Farhaan Behardien at cover point in the fourth over. Taylor and Masakadza, however, kept control of the chase from that point on with a chanceless partnership that stretched to an unbeaten 118.Where Zimbabwe's efforts with the new ball had been full of vim and vigour, South Africa's response was not nearly as intense and the match turned decisively in the sixth over of the innings, bowled by Robin Peterson. Peterson had been South Africa's bowler of the tournament before this match, giving away less than six runs an over in his previous games, but he fell victim to a stunning assault in his first over. Taylor led the charge with a slog-swept six and a brace of offside boundaries before Masakadza stepped out to smear a towering blow over wide long on, 21 runs coming off the over.These matches were not classed as internationals, the games falling outside the ICC's Future Tours Programme and having originally been set up as simple practice matches, but that mattered not a jot to a packed Sports Club crowd. An all-singing, all-dancing multitude of several thousand cheered every run as Taylor moved swiftly through the 20s with a trademark deft, ramped uppercut and Masakadza extended Peterson's pain by shellacking a second six over deep midwicket.The runs continued to flow and South Africa looked increasingly desperate in the field as the required rate dipped below six runs an over. Taylor was first to his fifty, reaching the mark from just 32 deliveries courtesy of a sloppy overthrow in the 15th over. Usually a somewhat reticent presence on the field, Masakadza celebrated his own half-century two overs later with joyful emotion, pumping his fist and embracing his captain before saluting all corners of a packed stadium. After reaching his fourth fifty of the tournament - an achievement that rightfully earned him the Man-of-the-Series award - Masakadza took Zimbabwe to the brink of a famous victory with a flurry of powerful boundaries off a listless Tsotsobe, before Taylor ended the match with a crunching pull.This tournament had been billed as a chance for the teams involved to get some valuable practice ahead of the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka in September and Jason Gillespie, who spent some time in Zimbabwe coaching the Mid West Rhinos, suggested on Twitter last week that Zimbabwe had the raw materials to do well at that event. All that was missing for them, he suggested, was a little confidence in their batting. That wasn't a problem today, as both Taylor and Masakadza seamlessly mixed watchful accumulation with decisive bouts of attack.It was a different story for a South African side shorn of their best players. After a strong start against Bangladesh, they stumbled on multiple occasions and were under pressure early once again this afternoon when Kyle Jarvis removed Richard Levi with the first delivery of the day. An over later Amla fell for Chris Mpofu's short-ball trap, lapping a pull straight to Malcolm Waller at deep square leg, and the Zimbabwean attack had its tails up.The visitors lost Colin Ingram, Justin Ontong and Dane Vilas cheaply to the Zimbabwean spinners and were looking decidedly wobbly at 67 for 5 in the 12th over before du Plessis marshalled the middle order. Fleet footwork, especially to the slow bowlers, was the hallmark of his innings. He also batted with remarkable control and had struck just three fours when he brought up a 48-ball fifty in the 16th over.He found an able partner in Albie Morkel, and together they added 60 for the sixth wicket to rebuild the innings. The South African bowlers could not match their persistence, however, and never looked like running through the Zimbabweans.Prior to this tournament Zimbabwe had beaten South Africa just twice in a pair of ODIs in 1999 and 2000-01. They have now gone past them twice in a week, a result that will give them oodles of confidence when they face the full South African side at the World Twenty20 in three month's time. Zimbabwe earned prize money of US$3500 today, but a historic victory will taste even sweeter.


South Africa's Score:  146 for 6 (Du Plessis 66)
Zimbabwe Score: 150 for 1 (Taylor 59*, Masakadza 58*)

3rd Quarter Final: Spain beat France 2-0 at Euro 2012 and are in Semi Finals

Xabi Alonso Send Spains Through Semi Finals.

Spain beat France 2-0 at Euro 2012 Xabi Alonso's header and late penalty gave defending champions Spain a comfortable win against France that sets them up for a semi-final with rivals PortugalAlonso's rare headed goal put Spain in control after 19 minutes and the former Liverpool midfielder wrapped up the victory with a last-minute penalty. France were distinctly off colour all night and barely tested Spain, who will put their European crown on the line against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal in Donetsk on Wednesday night.Spain coach Vicente del Bosque reverted to his strikerless starting formation, replacing Fernando Torres with Cesc Fabregas in his only change from the win against Croatia. France made four changes and started with two right-backs in Anthony Reveillere and Mathieu Debuchy, although neither could prevent Jordi Alba supplying Alonso with a telling cross.Spain set out their stall early, with Xavi and Andres Iniesta combining magnificently in midfield and they almost succeeded in picking out.Fabregas.France were struggling to keep possession, which is not a problem Spain'smidfield artists suffer from too often and certainly not tonight.The French formation was affording Alvaro Arbeloa and David Silva plenty of space in which to attack down the Spanish right - but the opening after 19 minutes came down their left flank. Iniesta burst forward and while left-back Alba got the better of Debuchy, Alonso had escaped the attentions of Florent Malouda wide on the right.When Debuchy stood up his cross at the far post, Alonso came racing in unmarked to beat Hugo Lloris with a downward header directed back across goal. Silva twisted his way into the box, ran at Manchester City team-mate Gael Clichy and almost picked out Fabregas when he cut the ball back.France had barely tested the Spanish defence and Karim Benzema wasted a 25-yard free-kick by lofting it so high over the bar that Yohan Cabaye took over for the next one. The Newcastle midfielder did much better, forcing Iker Casillas into a smart one-handed save just under his crossbar.Casillas caused just a brief moment of panic in the Spanish defence when he dropped the subsequent corner but the Real Madrid goalkeeper recovered quickly.Meanwhile, Spain continued trying to pick Les Bleus apart and Laurent Koscielny had to be alert to intercept Fabregas' delightful lofted pass towards Iniesta.France inexplicably left Gerard Pique unmarked in their own box from a corner and were fortunate the Barcelona defender missed the target with his header. There was greater energy and urgency about France after the interval, with Benzema almost finding Debuchy in the Spanish box.Debuchy was then picked out by Ribery but planted his firm header over the bar and Benzema then ran at the Spanish defence before unleashing a shot even worse than his earlier free-kick.Clichy and Ribery combined neatly down the French left but the ball would not come down for Malouda and Pique cleared Spain's lines. Spain broke with Xavi trying to release Fabregas but Lloris read the pass well and raced out to the edge of his box to smother the danger in a well-timed challenge.While France sent on Samir Nasri and Jeremy Menez, Spain introduced Pedro and Torres, who would have combined to double the lead after another beautifully-crafted attack had Koscielny not been on hand with another timely interception.France were finding some joy down the left flank and Ribery worked his way to the byline before driving a low cross towards Menez, which Casillas just about dealt with. But a Spanish victory never seemed in doubt from the moment Alonso opened the scoring and it was confirmed in the last minute.Pedro's quick feet got him into the box, he went down under pressure from Anthony Reveillere and Alonso despatched the spot-kick.

South Africa Beats Zimbabwe In Tri-Series T20

Richard Levi scored 54 off 30 balls 

South Africa Beats Zimbabwe In Tri-Series Of T20  Happening In Zimbabwe And The Bangladeshi's Has Been Knocked From This Tri-Series T20 Which Means South Africa Will Face Zimbabwe In Tri-Series T20 Final. South Africa's bowlers finally arrived in Harare, keeping Zimbabwe to a below-par total in a must-win encounter to book their place in the tri-series final. Zimbabwe, however, managed to delay defeat until the 18th over, which allowed them to qualify as well, pipping Bangladesh on net run-rate. Bangladesh needed the hosts to lose inside 15 overs.An improved Wayne Parnell did the bulk of the damage on a sluggish pitch. His triple-strike midway through the Zimbabwe innings left South Africa with a moderate total to chase. Richard Levi took control of the reply and his half-century led South Africa to a relatively straight-forward win.Zimbabwe had decided to bat and Hamilton Masakadza showed his intent early on, flat-batting Chris Morris for a stunning six over cover. He did not have much support, though, as Vusi Sibanda was out lbw to a full, straight ball from Morris, and Brendan Taylor holed out to mid-on.Masakadza tried to rebuild the innings but became Parnell's first victim when he decided to accelerate. Masakadza cut towards cover, where Farhaan Berhardien took a low catch that had to be referred to the television umpire. It was shown to be clean and Masakadza's run of three fifties in as many matches, ended. Parnell struck again in that over to remove Malcolm Waller.Both wicket-taking deliveries in Parnell's first over were fairly ordinary but he showed marked improvement from the previous matches through better lines and lengths. He claimed a third scalp when Elton Chigumbura edged a ball that moved away slightly.When Chigumbura departed, Zimbabwe were only five down but their tail was already at the crease. It was up to Stuart Matsikenyeri to prevent a collapse and he did through his 32-run stand with Graeme Cremer. An Albie Morkel slower ball eventually accounted for Matsikenyeri, when he hit down the ground and du Plessis took a one-handed catch looking into the sun. Cremer stuck around until the end and showed good temperament to combine with Prosper Utseya and give Zimbabwe 124 to defend.Zimbabwe's only real sniff at making things difficult for South Africa came in the first over of the chase. Hashim Amla tried to flick Chris Mpofu fine on the leg-side but got an edge that carried to Taylor.Amla's dismissal allowed for the much-heralded pair of Richard Levi and Faf du Plessis to combine. Levi dominated the 55-run stand and muscled anything too full or straight, which all the Zimbabwe seamers were guilty of bowling, over the leg-side. Du Plessis was caught behind in Jarvis' second over but Levi powered on.When Levi was run out in the 11th over, he had done enough to put South Africa on course. Richard Muzhange's yorkers and Cremer's googlies, however, kept South Africa at bay long enough to ensure Zimbabwe also qualified. Justin Ontong and Behardien could not find the boundary in their 34-run partnership but they secured South Africa's place in the final.

Zimbabwe Score : 124 for 6 (Cremer 36*, Parnell 3-16)

South Africa Score : 130 for 4 (Levi 54) 

2nd Quarter Final: Germany beat Greece 4-2 at Euro 2012 and are in Semi finals

Philipp Lahm hammers Germany ahead

Germany beat Greece 4-2 at Euro 2012 Germany breezed past Greece and into the last four of Euro 2012 after a dominant display in Gdansk.Joachim Low made three significant changes from the side that took Germany through the group stages as his forward line of Mario Gomez, Lukas Podolski and Thomas Muller was overhauled in favour of Miroslav Klose, Andre Schurrle and Marco Reus.Klose and Reus both repaid his faith by finding the net, adding the third and fourth goals of the game after Philipp Lahm and Sami Khedira had put Germany 2-1 ahead.The 4-2 scoreline was generous to Greece, who were outmanoeuvred and overwhelmed by the pace and persistence of Germany's attack.Giorgios Samaras appeared to give Fernando Santos' side hope of a bail-out after netting a shock equaliser to Lahm's opener but the deficit was only momentarily cancelled as Khedira put Germany back in front moments later.Klose and Reus added further strikes before Dimitris Salpingidis' late penalty earned a second consolation, after Jerome Boateng had handballed. 

Calmness Will Help Us Beat France - Navas

Jesus Navas scored the winner against Croatia

Jesus Navas The Spanish Midfielder Insists That His Side Has To Remain Calm Vs France. Spain flirted with elimination in their final Group C outing against Croatia but a late Navas goal saw them finish top of the group and set up a quarter-final meeting with France on Saturday. Many Spanish fans are concerned that fatigue and the pressure of bidding to become the first team to win three consecutive major international tournaments will be too much. But Navas preached serenity ahead of the match."I think it was due to the tension around the result of that game," the Sevilla winger said. "We were drawing 0-0 and the result continued to stay like that, so that goal then made us calmer. There was a lot of attention on that match, which is what our team deserves, and in the end it all went well."We managed to come top of our group and that was very important in order to gain confidence. What we need to do is just stay calm, because now the really important matches start. We have to focus fully on what's most important."Spain have remained unbeaten in the knockout stages of major tournaments since France beat them 3-1 at the 2006 World Cup and Navas is certain that they have the experience to see themselves through."A couple of years have passed since then and we've grown in confidence due to what we've achieved and we're now very calm," he added. "We have faith in the things we do, and that's a big plus for us."Speaking about the opposition, Navas revealed that he is well aware of the problems Laurent Blanc's side can pose."I think they have a strong team; I think they're a very compact team," he said. "Then they have important players in attack like [Karim] Benzema, [Franck] Ribery and [Samir] Nasri, all very dangerous in attack. I think that we need to be very focused.

Spain Still Holds The Tag Of Favourite-Low

Low hailed 'absolutely world class' Spain

Germany Coach Low Insists That Spain Are Still Hot Favourites Of winning Euro 2012.Although many observers have bestowed the favourites tag on Low’s side – who emerged from Group B with a 100% record to set up a quarter-final against Greece on Friday – the coach is adamant that the Spanish remain the team to beat.Germany, beaten by Spain in the Euro 2008 final and the 2010 World Cup semi-final, saw off Portugal, Netherlands and Denmark to finish top of Group B, and also won all ten games in their qualifying campaign.Vicente del Bosque's Spain were less convincing in the group stages, clinching their place in the last eight after a nervy win against Croatia that had been preceded by a 1-1 draw against Italy and a 4-0 hammering of defensively hapless Ireland.But Low said: “I have watched Spain twice and they are absolutely world-class with the combinations they have. They have just suffered the same fate as many other teams here – you have opponents sitting very deep and trying to disrupt your rhythm.“You can still rely on Spain to pull off some kind of goalscoring move. They have fantastic players: Iniesta, for example, is a product of a great footballing culture. Spain always were, and remain, the favourites to win the tournament.”Speaking during the group stages, Low responded to critics who claimed Germany had eased off the slick and attacking football that has become their trademark in order to concentrate on a more pragmatic approach.He said his team remained committed to being positive but had been forced to be more patient because of opponents playing a defensive game.“You end up with more possession and control playing the ball wide, but that is the consequence of opponents sitting deep," he explained. "In all our games, we have shown our ability to create chances by getting into finishing positions - so attack remains at the centre of our footballing philosophy.”Meanwhile, the former England coach Fabio Capello has predicted a Spain-Germany final, saying: "I worked with England for four years and I can’t easily forget that. However, Spain and Germany will be the two finalists at Euro 2012."Germany have an incredible spirit and real strength, while Spain are the side who play the best football, even if they are missing something in attack – they need a player like Lionel Messi. Generally speaking, I think that these two sides are superior to the rest of the teams in the competition."

Salman Butt is released from jail

 The British Goverment under Kejld prisoners sentenced to seven months after cutting was released from prison. Unkijld  likely to return to Pakistan soon. His lawyer, Yasin Patel said in a statement that Salman Butt for months on behalf of private and family suffering, stress, pressure and humiliation suffered. He said, "He will return home. Salman and his family the opportunity to spend time with relatives. My son is desperate to see and take in the dock, which in November last year but had not seen since her birth. He could return to his beloved country. He again regain its lost prestige and try to return to the top level in the game could start. ' Patel said, but after returning to Pakistan to speak to the media. He said, 'He is very tired. Once when he will get some rest, Salman Butt will speak to the media at the right time. " Under the plan, but was released, it must leave the country immediately. But in this case ten years will not return to England. 27-year-old butt after being released in this case the bookmaker Mazhar Majeed are in jail.The spot-fixing case in 2010, international cricket was rocked. Sentenced to six months after cutting paceman Mohammad Asif was released in May. Sanja was sentenced to one year in prison. Young fast bowler Mohammad Aamer had to spend three months in jail.

1st Quarter Final: Portugal beat Czech Republic 1-0 at Euro 2012 and are in Semi Finals

Cristiano Ronaldo breaks the deadlock after 79 minutes and sends Portugal into the semi-finals.

Portugal beat Czech Republic 1-0 at Euro 2012 Cristiano Ronaldo fired Portugal into the semi-finals of Euro 2012 after his diving header disposed of Czech Republicin Warsaw.The Real Madrid forward had twice hit the woodwork and seen his side have a goal chalked out for offside before he arrived on cue in the six-yard box to nod  in Joao Moutinho's cross on 79 minutes. Ronaldo's platform to performThe Czechs - with captain Tomas Rosicky, the Arsenal midfielder, only on the  bench because of an Achilles injury - had started brightly, but lacked a  decisive move in the final third.It had been a decent opening from Michal Bilek's side as Petr Jiracek drilled the ball in from 20 yards, but his effort was blocked by Real Madrid defender Pepe.Portugal coach Paulo Bento named an unchanged side having beaten Netherlands to qualify behind Germany out of the 'Group of Death' for the last eight.Manchester United winger Nani and Madrid star Ronaldo, who would miss the semi-final if he picked up another caution, were the most lively for the Portuguese.On 17 minutes, the Czech Republic, who overcame a 4-1 defeat in their opening game against Russia to win Group A, broke quickly down the right and Vladimir Darida whipped over a low cross through the six-yard box, which Galatasaray striker Milan Baros just failed to connect with.Ronaldo was played into the Czech box, holding off Michal Kadlec, and drilled the ball goalwards with Chelsea keeper Petr Cech making a smart save. However, English referee Howard Webb had blown for a foul by the Portugal forward, who could not believe the decision against him.On 26 minutes, Nani went into the Yorkshireman's notebook after tripping David Limbersky. The game was starting to open up as Czech full-back Theodor Gebre Selassie cut in from the right and crossed, with Pepe again alert to clear the danger.At the other end, Ronaldo - who netted a brace against the Dutch - went close with an overhead kick at the far post. The former Manchester United forward was then just off target again with an ambitious long-range free-kick.Portugal were forced into a change six minutes before half-time when striker Helder Postiga pulled up with what appeared to be a hamstring problem, and was replaced by 6ft 3in Besiktas frontman Hugo Almeida.Nani claimed for a penalty after going down in the box under close attention from Limbersky, but the referee was unconvinced, with TV replays showing the United forward slipped rather than was pushed.Portugal continued to press and Ronaldo was within inches of a spectacular opening goal when he collected a high ball into the box on his chest, swivelled around marker Kadlec and crashed the ball past Cech - only for it to strike the base of the near post.There was another great chance for Portugal at the start of the second half, when Almeida headed over from 12 yards after being picked out by Raul Meireles' cross.On 50 minutes, Ronaldo was denied by the woodwork again as this time his 30-yard free-kick clipped the outside of the far post with Cech beaten.The Chelsea keeper then had to parry away a 25-yard strike from Nani, and only an offside flag prevented Portugal taking a deserved lead on 57 minutes when Almeida glanced in the United winger's cross.The Czechs produced a counter-attack when Vaclav Pilar charged down the left and into the penalty area, only to produce a poor final pass, which was hacked clear.Portugal were soon back on the offensive as Moutinho's dipping 25-yard effort was tipped over.Kadlec was then left in a heap after being clattered by goalkeeper Cech, who punched clear at the edge of the penalty area. The Chelsea man's goal was leading a charmed life, as Nani's floated ball was deflected behind.Ronaldo finally broke the deadlock on 79 minutes, when he sent a diving header past Cech from Moutinho's right-wing cross. Portugal continued to pour forwards, with Cech beating away an angled 25-yard effort from full-back Joao Pereira.Ronaldo went down under a challenge from Gebre Selassie and, although he appeared to be caught by the Czech defender, referee Webb again waved play on.Portugal saw out four minutes of stoppage time to secure their place in the semi-finals, where they will face either Spain or France.