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Zimbabwe v Afghanistan, 4th ODI, Harare February 24, 2017

ESPNcricinfo staff

Zimbabwe 107 for 3 (Mire 46, Moor 36*) beat Afghanistan 111 (Mpofu 3-25) by seven wickets (D/L) Scorecard and ball-by-ball details

Solomon Mire made light work of Zimbabwe's chase - file photo AFP

Solomon Mire and Peter Moor made light work of a rain-adjusted target of 105 in 42 overs, breaking the back of their run-chase in a 79-run opening stand to square the five-match series against Afghanistan, and set the teams up for a winner-takes-all showdown in Harare on Sunday.

After keeping the series alive in a thrilling three-run victory in Tuesday's third encounter, Zimbabwe drew level with considerably fewer nerves this time around, although they were once again indebted to the accurate seam of Chris Mpofu, who followed up his three-wicket haul in that match with 3 for 25 in 7.5 overs today as Afghanistan stumbled to 111 all out.

After winning the toss and batting first, Afghanistan's ambitions of a competitive total were dented from the outset by Tendai Chatara, who conceded a solitary run in his first three overs before extracting Ihsanullah for a 20-ball duck, caught at midwicket by Tarisai Musakanda.

Chatara then made it two in six balls when Rahmat Shah was bowled for 1, and one over later, Afghanistan had slumped to 12 for 3 when the dangerous Mohammad Shahzad tried to hit his way out of trouble, but instead slapped Richard Ngarava straight to midwicket for 9.

Asghar Stanikzai, the captain, and Hashmatullah Shahidi resisted for a while in adding 29 for the fourth wicket, but Zimbabwe's bowlers had the bit between their teeth. Mpofu accounted for both men in consecutive overs, both caught behind by Moor - the former a blinding take diving away to his right.

At 46 for 5, Graeme Cremer's legbreaks were exactly what Afghanistan's belligerent lower-order didn't want to face, and he twirled through an eight-over spell at the cost of just 12 runs to ensure there would be no recovery to Afghanistan's momentum. Samiullah Shenwari top-edged a sweep to Chatara at short fine leg for 13, before Moor held onto his third catch of the innings to dismiss Karim Janat for 9.

Afghanistan were reeling at 96 for 8 in the 35th over when rain forced a lengthy delay, and though they eked out a handful of extra runs upon resumption, Mpofu picked up his third when Rashid Khan holed out to cover to end the innings.

In reply, Mire and Moor started with intent, picking off regular boundaries to eat into the target, before Mire upped the ante with a pull for six off Janat to bring up Zimbabwe's fifty in the ninth over. He added a second two overs later, a meaty drill over the covers that required a replacement ball, and though he eventually holed out in the deep off Mohammad Nabi, his hard-hitting 46 from 50 balls had sealed the game.

Zimbabwe did wobble briefly, with Musakanda and Craig Ervine falling in consecutive overs, but with Moor steadfast, it was left to Sean Williams to complete a facile victory with almost 20 overs to spare.

ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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Zimbabwe draw level as Afghanistan misfire again - ESPNcricinfo.com

Washington Post

To Save Afghanistan, Put Pressure on Pakistan Wall Street Journal (subscription) The emboldened Taliban now controls more territory in Afghanistan than at any time since 2001. Pakistan continues to provide the group with sanctuaries and a support network on its territory. At the same time, Islamic State has made significant inroads ... Pakistan shells border with Afghanistan as tensions rise over terrorist attacksWashington Post New Fault Lines Emerge in South Asia Around AfghanistanThe Diplomat Afghanistan Demands Pakistan Hand Over Militants, Close Training CampsRadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty India Today -The Express Tribune -Townhall all 230 news articles »

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To Save Afghanistan, Put Pressure on Pakistan - Wall Street Journal (subscription)

Action taken on The News/Jang report

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar on Friday took notice of women trafficking in Rawalpindi and Islamabad and sought reports from the twin cities top police bosses within three days.

The notice was taken on a news story published in a section of media under caption Women trafficking in twin cities goes on unchecked and a column Sub Gongay Kun Ho Gay narrating the story of a 40-year-old woman, a mother of three hailing from Rawalpindi, who was sold to different hands and reached Afghanistan.

The abductors demanded Rs300,000 to return the lady while the police admitted that they couldnt do anything in this situation. The story further revealed that innumerable women from Pakistan were sold in Afghanistan by an organized gang (more than 150 members) through fake marriage deeds. There were also many cases where women were used for sex slavery.

The News/Jang story divulged that the FIR of 40-year-old woman was registered on January 1, 2017 with the Airport Police Station, Rawalpindi but in vain, as the police were using conventional delaying tactics.

The husband of the abducted woman received a phone call from an agent in Afghanistan who demanded Rs300,000 to release his wife otherwise he would sell her to someone else. Her husband being a daily wager could not manage such a huge amount to bring his wife back.

The story further revealed that the agent paid Rs50,000 to her husband and she was told that she would be back to Pakistan in 15 days. But when she told this reality to the Afghan handlers that she was married and had kids, the Afghan agent held her as captive and was now demanding Rs300,000 from the Pakistani agents to cover his losses.

The news story further stated that Khanna Pull, Fauji Colony, Chuhur, Koh-e-Noor Mills area in Rawalpindi city are the hubs of this gang. There are more than 150 members of this gang who apparently work under the guise of matchmakers. They track poor families having grown-up girls, bring some matches and offer them a handsome money.

Once the parents agree, they sell them off either in Afghanistan or to anyone in the country. Moreover, this gang has sold many Pakistani girls in Afghanistan or Afghan girls in Pakistan to the old villagers through fake Nikkah solemnized by a Nikkah registrar.

The Nikkah registrar is usually the prayer leader of a big mosque in the same vicinity who charges Rs5,000 per Nikkah. An aged Pakistani woman residing in Swabi leads the gangs activities in Afghanistan. She takes girls with her to Jalalabad and sells them to Afghan agents. The gang keeps on changing their houses to avoid being traced.

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CJ takes notice of women smuggling to Afghanistan - The News International

Brave Owen Wason's shattered girlfriend found him hanged eight years later at his flat after he fell victim to post traumatic stress disorder

A HERO Royal Marine who was sent to Afghanistan as a teenager killed himself after being haunted by the horrors he witnessed.

Brave Owen Wason just 18 when he became the youngest member of 45 Commando posted there saw eight of his friends killed by the Taliban.

The Marines shattered girlfriend found him hanged eight years later at his flat after he fell victim to post traumatic stress disorder.

Grieving stepdad Paul Martin told an inquest how Owen, who joined up straight from school, kept his nightmares secret from his family.

He described him as an inspirational, courageous, popular, humorous and shining young man adding: He was a phenomenal Royal Marine.

Mr Martin said: Owen was a really good lad and a great character.

He had some difficulties, but worked on them really hard and was doing well until six months ago when he started getting into difficulties.

He couldnt cope too well with stress at times though he really worked hard to hide that from people who were close to him.

Owens first six-month tour in Afghanistan was in 2008.

He was on regular foot patrol in Helmands Upper Sangin Valley and cleared hundreds of improvised bombs planted by the murderous Taliban.

His family described the time he spent there as particularly brutal.

A year before UK combat operations ended in 2013 the Marine endured a second stint in the war-torn country.

Tormented Owen killed himself last October at the age of 26.

His distraught girlfriend called 999 from his home in Darlington, Co Durham, after finding his lifeless body.

Detective Constable Stewart Walker told the inquest in Crook, Co Durham, how Owen had locked the door to his flat then hanged himself.

Coroner Andrew Tweddle said as he recorded a verdict of suicide: He appears to have been very determined to end his own life.

A total of 454 British troops died in Afghanistan. A charity appeal launched after Owens death has raised more than 6,450 for survivors battling PTSD.

Do you need help? Contact The Samaritans on 116 123 or visit http://www.samaritans.org. PAPYRUS HOPELineUK also provides confidential suicide prevention advice and support to young people and others worried about them tel 0800 068 4141 text 07786 209 697 email pat@papyrus-uk.org

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Royal Marine who served in Afghanistan hanged himself after seeing friends killed by Taliban - The Sun

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In its most recent defense, Beijing claims the two countries were only carrying out counter-terrorism operations along their common border, reports Reuters.

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Afghanistan borders the autonomous region of Xinjiang, home to Chinas largest concentration of the Muslim Uighur minority in the country.

In December, Indias World Is One News (WION) published pictures purporting to show Chinese military troops patrolling inside Afghanistan.

Yang Yujun, a spokesman for the Chinese Defense Ministry, denied the claims at the time. China and its neighbor India are regional rivals.

Chinas Defense Ministry has recently denied similar claims.

This month, the Central Asia-Caucasus Analyst think-tank said in a report on its website that Chinese troops were on Afghan soil conducting joint patrols with their Afghan counterparts, notes Reuters.

In response, Ren Guoqiang, a spokesman for the Chinese Defense Ministry, reportedly said:

This is law enforcement bodies from China and Afghanistan, in accordance with a bilateral agreement on strengthening border law enforcement, conducting cooperation along the border so as to jointly carry out counter-terrorism and to fight against cross-border crime.

Reports in foreign media of Chinese military vehicles patrolling inside Afghanistan do not accord with the facts, he added.

China has participated in attempts to bring the Taliban to the table to negotiate peace terms with the Afghan government.

In July 2016, Afghan news outlets reported that China has begun to providemilitary aid to Afghanistan at the behest of Kabul.

Afghanistan requested military assistance from China in late March 2016, saying the Afghan government remains committed and willing to work together with China for securing mutual and regional benefits and hailing China for its unconditional support to Afghanistan in the past 13 years, reported Khaama Press (KP).

China reportedly provided the military aid to Afghanistan last year using Russian planes.

The assistance to Afghan government indicates a common cause between China and Afghanistan. That common cause means that terrorism has been deemed a threat to both countries. The assistance is the beginning of a joint plan for combat against terrorism, declared Afghanistans National Security Advisor Mohammad Hanif Atmar at the time.

This big regional initiative initiated by the Afghan government will steadily marginalize supporters of terrorism, he added. Terrorism and its supporters will not have any friends left in the region.

Russia has also provided military aid to the Afghan government and allegedly to its enemy the Taliban as well.

In October 2015, Gen. John Campbell, then-top commander of U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan, warned that if the U.S. withdraws from Afghanistan, other superpowers may seek to fill in the security vacuum.

If were not there to provide influence, somebody else is going to be there, whether its Russia, China, Iran you name it, he said.

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Beijing Again Denies Chinese Military Patrols Inside Afghanistan - Breitbart News