Sport
Ariana TV scores ‘hat trick’, secures rights to broadcast ICC T20 World Cup
The countdown to one of the world’s greatest sporting events, the ICC T20 World Cup 2022, is underway and to make this event even more exciting than it already is, Ariana Television Network (ATN) has secured exclusive rights to broadcast the tournament in Afghanistan.
In less than two months, millions of viewers around the country will be able to join in the excitement and watch their home team take on the best of the bunch in the cricket world.
Afghans love cricket, and through its dedication to bring enjoyment to about 36 million people in the country, ATN has worked hard to bring three key sporting events into as many homes as possible across the nation.
The first major upcoming sporting event that ATN will broadcast live is the Asia Cricket Council’s Asia Cup T20 from August 27 to September 11.
This tournament will be hosted by Sri Lanka but it will be held in the UAE – in Dubai and Sharjah.
A total of six teams will battle it out for the trophy – five of which have already qualified. The teams are Afghanistan, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. A sixth team has still to be decided.
Not long after this tournament wraps up, viewers will again be treated by Ariana Television Network to what is undoubtedly one of the world’s greatest cricket events -the ICC T20 World Cup, which will take place from October 16 to November 13 in Australia.
The third major sporting event that Ariana Television Network will broadcast this year is FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ which will take place from November 20 to December 18.
For cricket fans however, the next few months will be filled with fast-paced matches, showcasing the talent of top performing cricketers from around the world.
The ICC T20 World Cup is cricket’s ultimate prize in the fastest growing format of the game and all eyes will be on hosts Australia, who are also the current defending champions after winning the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Oman and the UAE.
Sixteen teams will collectively play 45 matches across seven host cities, and the electrifying pace and dynamic nature of T20 cricket will make this an unmissable event.
Japan, Saudi Arabia and Tajikistan have secured qualification for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026 after strong performances at the AFC U-17 Asian Cup.
The three Asian sides join hosts Qatar as confirmed representatives from the Asian Football Confederation for the expanded 48-team tournament later this year.
Japan booked their place after defeating Qatar and then beating China 2-1 in Group B. Anthony Motosuna and Maki Kitahara scored the goals that sealed a second straight victory and guaranteed qualification.
Saudi Arabia also advanced from Group A after a 2-0 win over Thailand. Marwan Al Yami opened the scoring early before Hassan Al Okrush added a late second goal, giving the Saudis six points from two matches following their opening win against Myanmar.
Tajikistan joined them after edging Myanmar 1-0 thanks to a first-half goal from Asadbek Makhtumov. The victory followed Tajikistan’s opening 2-0 win over Thailand and secured their place in Qatar 2026.
More teams could qualify on Sunday as the second round of matches in Groups C and D continues, with the final group-stage fixtures set to take place on Tuesday and Wednesday.
A delegation from the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has traveled to China following an official invitation from the Chinese government, in a move aimed at strengthening sports diplomacy and expanding technical cooperation in cricket between the two countries.
The delegation includes national coach Nawroz Mangal and players Qais Ahmad, Zahir Khan, Faisal Shinozada, and Wahidullah Zadran.
Before their departure, ACB Chief Executive Officer Naseeb Khan met with the delegation, reaffirming the board’s commitment to developing and globalizing Afghan cricket. He also referenced previous international engagement efforts, including a memorandum of understanding signed with the Uzbekistan Cricket Federation focused on cricket development and technical collaboration.
Naseeb Khan highlighted existing economic and industrial ties between Afghanistan and China, expressing optimism that sports cooperation—particularly in cricket—could further strengthen bilateral relations. He emphasized that knowledge-sharing, technical exchange, and joint development initiatives would support the growth of the sport in both countries.
During their visit, the Afghan delegation is expected to hold discussions on cricket development, community engagement, and the role of sport in society. The program also includes participation in workshops, attendance at a cricket match organized by Chinese cricket authorities, and visits to sports technology and innovation exhibitions.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board has increasingly pursued regional partnerships in recent years. Last year, it signed a cooperation agreement with the Uzbekistan Cricket Federation covering technical exchange, capacity building, development programs, and educational workshops aimed at expanding cricket infrastructure and expertise in the region.
The United States is set to welcome the world with a major opening ceremony for the FIFA World Cup 2026, as Los Angeles prepares to host a star-powered celebration marking the start of the tournament across North America.
FIFA announced that global music stars including Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, LISA, Rema and Tyla will headline the ceremony at Los Angeles Stadium on Friday, June 12.
The event will officially launch what FIFA described as a “historic summer of football” across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Organizers said the ceremony will combine football, music and entertainment in a large-scale production designed to reflect the cultural diversity and global appeal of the tournament.
Gianni Infantino said the ceremony in Los Angeles would showcase the scale and ambition of the 2026 World Cup, adding that the lineup of artists reflects the cultural diversity of the United States and the power of music to unite people.
For the first time in FIFA World Cup history, three opening ceremonies will take place across the three host nations. Mexico City will host the first ceremony on June 11, followed by celebrations in Toronto and Los Angeles on June 12.
The opening match in the United States will see the U.S. national team face Paraguay. The FIFA World Cup 2026 will feature a record 104 matches across 16 host cities, beginning on June 11 in Mexico City and ending with the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium.
Football fans in Afghanistan will be able to follow all the action live on the Ariana Radio and Television Network (ATN), which holds the exclusive broadcasting rights for the tournament in the country. ATN will broadcast matches live on Ariana Television, providing full coverage of the world’s biggest football event for Afghan viewers.
Fans are also encouraged to stay connected with Ariana Television and Ariana News on social media for the latest updates, including match schedules, team news, and other FIFA World Cup 2026 developments as the tournament draws closer.
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