Sport
ATN secures digital rights to broadcast IPL
Ariana Television Network is pleased to announce that it has secured the rights to broadcast the world’s biggest and richest franchise cricket tournament on its digital platforms.
That’s right, this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL), which starts on Friday, will be made that much more accessible to millions of fans in the country.
Matches will be live streamed on both Ariana News and Ariana Television websites each day allowing Afghans to watch this thrilling event no matter where they are.
And it’s a tournament not to be missed as some of the world’s biggest stars, including Afghan heroes, will again be showcasing their talents in one of the greatest battles in cricket.
Included in this year’s star-studded lineup is spin wizard Rashid Khan, who has again been ranked No.1 bowler, in ICC Bowling Rankings, in the world – after leading his team to a brilliant 2-1 T20I series win against Pakistan earlier this week.
Here’s what you need to know:
The challenge starts on Friday, March 31. Gujarat Titans are the title holders, having won last year, and will take on Chennai Super Kings in the first match.
Ten teams in total will take part and there are 70 matches before the knockout stages. The final will be held on May 28 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
How to watch on ATN’s digital platforms
Watch on : Ariana News CLICK HERE
Watch on : Ariana Television CLICK HERE
Full Broadcasting Schedule
TATA IPL 2023 – Match Schedule
Rule Changes
This year, the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) has made a few changes to the rules and the format of the IPL 2023.
The Indian board has restored the home and away arrangement of the matches for the 16th edition of IPL and divided the ten teams into two groups of five. Every team will play 14 league-stage matches, including seven home and seven away games.
The IPL 2023 will be held across 12 venues over 52 days.
Other major changes made, as explained by Cricket Times:
1) Decision review system for wide and no balls
Players can now challenge the wide and no-ball decisions of the umpires using the Decision Review System (DRS). The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2023 became the first tournament to introduce the rule, and now IPL will also see it being implemented in their 16th edition.
In the WPL opener, Mumbai Indians captain Harmanpreet Kaur used a review to challenge a wide call by the umpire and became the first skipper to avail the benefit.
2) The ‘Impact Player’ Rule
BCCI has also added a new ‘Impact Player’ rule in the IPL 2023 that allows every team to replace one of their on-field players with any of the four substitutes at any moment of the match.
However, the replaced player will no longer be able to participate further in the match, not even as a substitute fielder.
Notably, if a team names four foreign players in their playing eleven, then the impact player can only be an Indian.
IPL 2023 Groups:
Group A: Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Capitals, Lucknow Super Giants
Group B: Gujarat Titans, Chennai Super Kings, Punjab Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Royal Challengers Bangalore
Afghan Players in IPL 2023
Afghan players nowadays are in demand in T20 Leagues around the world and IPL is no exception.
This year, five Afghan players will represent various teams. They are:
Rehmanullah Gurbaz will be in action for Kolkata Knight Riders after being retained by the team for this season. Gurbaz did not however get a game in IPL 2022 but as the cricket fraternity know, he is useful at the top of the order with his quick runs.
Known as the “spin twins”, Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmed will be in action for Gujarat Titans. Both the players were retained by the Titans for this season.
Rashid picked up 19 wickets in IPL 2022 at an average of 22 and was the 2nd highest wicket-taker of Gujarat Titans. If given an opportunity, Noor Ahmed can also prove his talent this year.
Fazalhaq Farooqi was retained in the Sunrisers Hyderabad team for IPL 2023. He played just 3 games in IPL 2022 and picked a couple of wickets.
Naveen-ul-Haq became part of the Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL 2023 Auction.
Sport
Indonesia shock Japan to reach historic AFC Futsal Asian Cup final
Indonesia produced a stunning performance to defeat four-time champions Japan 5–3 after extra time on Thursday, securing their first-ever place in the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Indonesia 2026 final. The hosts will face Iran in Saturday’s title clash.
Indonesia led 3–2 late in the match before Japan forced extra time with a last-minute penalty, but the home side regained control in the additional period to complete a famous victory.
Both teams made a fast start. Japan’s Shoto Yamanaka and Ryoto Kai threatened early, while Indonesia responded through Yogi Saputra and Samuel Eko. Chances continued at both ends, with Kokoro Harada hitting the post and Indonesia testing Japan from distance.
The breakthrough came in the 11th minute when Samuel Eko reacted quickest to a loose ball, spinning and firing into the bottom corner. Japan pushed back strongly, striking the woodwork again and forcing several saves from keeper Ahmad Habiebie.
Indonesia nearly doubled their lead before halftime through Eko, but Tabuchi kept Japan in the game.
Early in the second half, Indonesia captain Mochammad Iqbal was denied at close range before an own goal by Takehiro Motoishi made it 2–0 in the 23rd minute. Japan responded by intensifying their attacks, hitting the post once more.
Motoishi pulled one back in the 31st minute after Ahmad failed to hold his low shot. Japan equalized in the 35th minute through Kazuya Shimizu’s powerful strike. Firman Adriansyah appeared to win it for Indonesia late on, but Japan forced extra time with a penalty converted by Shimizu after a handball.
Indonesia showed their resilience in extra time. Reza Gunawan punished a misplaced pass to restore the lead just before the break, and Rizki Amanda capitalized on another Japanese error to finalize the 5–3 victory.
The historic win sends Indonesia into the continental final for the first time, igniting celebrations across the host nation.
Fans can watch the final live on Ariana Television.
Sport
Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics: What You Need to Know
The 2026 Winter Olympics are underway in Italy, running from February 6 to 22, with events staged across Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo and surrounding alpine venues.
It is the first time the Winter Games are being hosted jointly by two cities, with Milan hosting ice events and mountain competitions spread across Cortina and nearby valleys.
The Winter Olympics were first held in 1924 in Chamonix, complementing the Summer Games revived in 1896. Traditionally dominated by European and North American nations, Norway remains the most successful country in Winter Olympic history.
Italy last hosted the Winter Olympics in 1956 (Cortina d’Ampezzo).
The 2026 Games will feature 16 sports and 116 medal events, including the Olympic debut of ski mountaineering.
Key Dates
Opening Ceremony: 7 February
Games conclude: 22 February
From high-speed alpine racing to gravity-defying snowboarding and freestyle skiing, Milano Cortina 2026 promises a showcase of elite winter sport, iconic Italian scenery and some of the most exciting Olympic competition yet.
For sports enthusiasts across Afghanistan this event is not one to be missed and can be viewed live and exclusively on Ariana Radio and Television Network (ATN).
While the opening ceremony is only on Saturday, February 7, early events get underway tonight (Thursday February 5) at 10.30pm on Ariana Television. So be sure to tune in.
Sport
Afghanistan beat West Indies in final T20 WC warm-up match
Afghanistan’s national cricket team defeated the West Indies by 23 runs in their second and final warm-up match ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
The match was played in India, where Afghanistan had already beaten Scotland by 61 runs in their first warm-up game.
Afghanistan will open their official World Cup campaign on February 9 in Chennai, India, when they face New Zealand.
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