GLOUCESTERSHIRE slipped to the bottom of the Friends Provident T20 South Group as Shahid Afridi took five wickets on his Rose Bowl debut for Hampshire.

Spinners Muttiah Muralitharan (2-15) and Kane Williamson (2-18) helped reduce the Royals to 139-7.

Gloucestershire were on 80-5 off 12 overs when rain interrupted play and they were set a revised total of 124 from 17 overs.

Stand-in skipper Kane Williamson reached 50 off 42 balls but Afridi stole the show with 5-20 off his four overs as Gloucestershire were bowled out for 107.

Gloucestershire face Middlesex, who are just one point ahead of them in the group, and defeat could be the final nail in the coffin for their t20 hopes.