Zimbabwe beat Afghanistan by 7 wickets to level series 2-2

A collective bowling effort from Zimbabwe bowled out Afghanistan for 111 following which Zimbabwe chased down the revised target of 105 with seven wickets in hand in a rain affected fourth One-Day International in Harare. As a result of their win, Zimbabwe brought themselves level at 2-2 in the series and now have a chance to complete an incredible come-from-behind series victory in the fifth and final ODI on Sunday.

Leicester’s fall doesn’t tarnish an improbable title

In this Saturday, May 7, 2016 file photo Leicester City team manager Claudio Ranieri has the crown of the trophy placed on his head by Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel as they celebrate becoming the English Premier League soccer champions at King Power stadium in Leicester, England. Leicester City announced Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017 that they have sacked manager Claudio Ranieri less than a year after their incredible run to the Premier League title.

Reds INF Dilson Herrera hampered by shoulder inflammation

Dilson Herrera has inflammation in his right shoulder and will not throw for a couple days, taking the Colombian infielder out of the World Baseball Classic and hurting his chances for making the Cincinnati Reds. Herrera, who turns 23 next Friday, also experienced shoulder soreness for parts of last season, including during spring training.

New CBA head Yao says reform is priority

Newly appointed chairman of the Chinese Basketball Association Yao Ming gives a certificate of appointment to Li Jinsheng, one of the nine vice-chairmen elected to assist him, at the CBA’s ninth national congress on Thursday. [Photo by MENG YONGMIN/XINHUA] Yao Ming, the former NBA star and newly appointed chairman of the Chinese Basketball Association, has put reforming the domestic game’s management at the top of his agenda.

Starc strikes twice to leave India reeling before lunch

PUNE, India: Australia paceman Mitchell Starc ripped the heart out of India’s top order with two wickets in three balls to help reduce the hosts to 70 for three at lunch on the second day of the opening test on Friday. Cheteshwar Pujara was dismissed for six, while India captain and batting mainstay Virat Kohli was despatched for a two-ball duck as the touring side fought back strongly in the first of the four-match series between the world’s top two sides.

Cabrera investigated for causing injuries to ex-partner

Former U.S. Open and Masters champion Angel Cabrera is being investigated for allegedly causing “minor injuries” to his ex-partner. A spokeswoman for the prosecutor’s office in Cordoba in western Argentina told The Associated Press on Thursday that Cabrera had been interviewed and released.

Payet has a chance to shine in France’s biggest rivalry

Dimitri Payet left the glamour of the English Premier League for this kind of match: 67,000 home fans screaming their support against their fiercest rival. The fans at Stade Velodrome are renowned for their fervor and rebelliousness, and they will be counting on Payet, the club’s newly recruited star, to reverse a horror show of poor results against PSG.

After papal meeting, Villarreal bows out of Europa League

Pope Francis meets players of the Spanish Villarreal soccer team, during a private audience at the Vatican, Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017. Villareal is playing against Roma in an Europa League Round of 32, 2st leg soccer match Thursday, Feb. 23. APOEL’s Yannis Gianniotas, right, celebrates his goal with his teammate David Barral, against Athletic Bilbao during the Europa League round of 32 second leg soccer match between APOEL and Athletic Bilbao at the GSP stadium, in Nicosia, Cyprus, on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017.

Glasgow City keeper targets place at European Championships after Scotland call-up

Stewartfield star Lee Alexander is hoping to win her first cap for her country at the Cyprus Cup next week Lee Alexander is hoping to stake her claim for a place in the Scotland women’s squad at this summer’s European Championships after receiving a call-up to the national team. The uncapped Glasgow City goalkeeper, from Stewartfield, has been named in Anna Signeul’s 21-woman squad for the Cyprus Cup next week and is determined to make an impression.

Thiem into quarters in Rio; favorite with Nishikori out

Spain’s Albert Ramos-Vinolas returns the ball to Italy’s Fabio Fognini at the Rio Open tennis tournament in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017. Spain’s Albert Ramos-Vinolas returns the ball to Italy’s Fabio Fognini at the Rio Open tennis tournament in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017.

Budapest to withdraw bid to host 2024 Summer Olympics

President of the Hungarian Olympic Committee Zsolt Borkai addresses the General Assembly of the City of Budapest with Budapest Mayor Istvan Tarlos in the background in the town hall in Budapest, Hungary, Wednesday, Feb. 2… BUDAPEST, Hungary – Budapest will withdraw its bid to host the 2024 Summer Olympics, leaving only Los Angeles and Paris in the race. The joint decision by Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Budapest Mayor Istvan Tarlos and the Hungarian Olympic Committee will be formally voted on by the Budapest City Assembly, where Orban’s governing Fidesz party has a comfortable majority.

Madrid wastes chance to extend lead after losing at Valencia

Real Madrid failed to recover from the shock of conceding two goals in the first 10 minutes on Wednesday, losing 2-1 to Valencia and wasting a chance to increase its Spanish league lead. The end of Madrid’s four-game winning streak left Zinedine Zidane’s team one point ahead of Barcelona, although it still has another game in hand.

Barratt hails

Barratt says the profit leap is down to its building the highest number of homes outside of London for nine years. The company said pre-tax profits rose 8.8% to A 321 million in the six months to December 31, despite revenue falling 3.2% to A 1.8 billion.

Pirates infielder Kang attends trial for drunk driving

Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Jung Ho Kang has appeared in a South Korean court as judges heard arguments in a trial over charges that he fled the scene after slamming a car into a guardrail while driving under the influence of alcohol Pirates infielder Kang attends trial for drunk driving Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Jung Ho Kang has appeared in a South Korean court as judges heard arguments in a trial over charges that he fled the scene after slamming a car into a guardrail while driving under the influence of alcohol Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/2ltXiDk Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Jung Ho Kang arrives at the Seoul Central District Court in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017.

South Korea dominates short track speedskating in Sapporo

South Korea dominates short track speedskating in Sapporo South Korea won three gold medals in short track speedskating on Wednesday at the Asian Winter Games Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/2m73Xq6 SAPPORO, Japan – South Korea won three gold medals in short track speedskating on Wednesday at the Asian Winter Games. Seo Yi-ra won the men’s 1,000 meters to kick off South Korea’s gold medal run at the Makomanai Skating Rink.

Top seed Nishikori suffers shock first-round loss in Rio

Top seed Kei Nishikori crashed out of the Rio de Janeiro Open on Tuesday after suffering a 6-4 6-3 first-round loss to Brazil’s Thomaz Bellucci. The Japanese world number five, who was stunned by unseeded Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov in the Argentina Open final two days ago, was broken in the first game en route to losing the match in 79 minutes.

Mourinho: No guarantees on Rooney’s United future

Jose Mourinho cannot guarantee that Wayne Rooney will end the season at Manchester United despite the manager’s desire to keep hold of his captain. A hamstring injury prevented the 31-year-old from travelling to France for the Europa League last-32 second leg with St Etienne, yet the forward still dominated the pre-match talk.

Sport24.co.za | Bangladesh recall Mustafizur for SL Tests

Bangladesh on Tuesday recalled their left-arm fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman in a 16-man squad for the upcoming two-Test series in Sri Lanka after his prolonged injury lay-off. The 21-year-old has not played a Test since his debut series against South Africa in 2015 after suffering a series of injuries.

Spotlight shifts to teams with less Champs League pedigree

After the Champions League knockout phase was opened by teams with a combined 24 European titles, the spotlight shifts to those with far less of a continental pedigree. Just one of this week’s four Round of 16 matches features former European champions, with FC Porto and Juventus — both two-time winners — meeting in Portugal on Wednesday.

Wynyard perform escape act

Ladder leaders Wynyard have survived a major scare from bottom side Latrobe in Sunday’s round of Cricket North West women’s games. Ladder leaders Wynyard have survived a major scare from bottom side Latrobe in Sunday’s round of Cricket North West women’s games.

$2.33 million deal: Bolters making IPL fortunes

Approximately $A17.722 million was spent at Monday’s auction in Bengaluru, and although Ben Stokes’ $2.82 million contract was the biggest of the day it arguably was not the most eye-catching deal. In 2015, Tymal Mills was not sure he would ever play cricket again.

Grant Elliott six completes thrilling Pakistan Super League win

Grant Elliott has once again proven he’s the man to step up in the most dramatic moments after hitting a six to complete a thrilling one-wicket win in the Pakistan Super League in Sharjah this morning. Elliott’s Lahore Qalandars looked to be cruising, needing 12 runs off the final two overs with four wickets in hand in their chase of Islamabad United’s 145 for eight.

Igor Mikhalkin Aims To Get Back in The Mix After PED Mess

Just like Alexander Povetkin, former European light heavyweight champion Igor Mikhalkin was connected with a meldonium case last year, being accused of taking forbidden drug and later disqualified for the violation of anti-doping rules and regulations. Unlike Povetkin, who is now fighting for his good name, Mikhalkin saw his disqualification lifted at the end of the last year, when he was cleared of the charges – since he had taken meldonium before its ban.

2017 IPL auction: England’s Ben Stokes is first multi-millionaire

England allrounder Ben Stokes has emerged the biggest of purchases by the halfway mark of bidding at the 2017 IPL auction in Bangalore, finding his first franchise in Rising Pune Supergiants who forked out Rs 14.5 crore for his services – more than seven times his base price. Stokes, 25, has played 77 Twenty20 matches in which he has scored 1272 runs at an average of 22.71.

FA Cup: Tottenham to host Millwall; Lincoln awaiting Arsenal

Lincoln City manager Danny Cowley and assistant Nicky watch the FA Cup quarter-final draw with fans in the club bar at Sincil Bank Tottenham have been handed a home quarter-final tie against Millwall in the FA Cup following their 3-0 win at Fulham. North London neighbours Arsenal, meanwhile, will entertain National League leaders Lincoln City at the Emirates – if they can win their fifth-round tie at Sutton United on Monday.

Fitness: These runners go the distance

Just shorts and shoes: Escaping the cold and the need for piling on the layers isn’t the only reason to plan a running vacation. Geert Vanden Wijngaert/Associated Press FILE – In this file photo dated Sunday, July 10, 2016, Athletes leave the half marathon start line during the European Athletics Championships in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Winter Asian Games kick off with opening ceremony in Sapporo

The Asian Winter Games officially got underway Sunday with an opening ceremony that united winter athletes from the world’s most populous continent. With the Winter Olympics just a year and a short distance away in South Korea, the continent’s leading winter athletes will use the games to fine tune for Pyeongchang 2018.