Afghanistan have climbed to the sixth spot in the ICC Men’s ODI Team Rankings, surpassing Sri Lanka to secure their highest-ever position.

Since making their ODI debut in 2009, Afghanistan have been ever-rising across formats, with historic feats such as wins over Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2023 and a maiden ICC Men’s T20 World Cup semi-final appearance in 2024.

They have won 96 of their 191 matches in the ODI format with an impressive win-loss ratio of 1.09.

Afghanistan were already above experienced teams like Bangladesh, England and West Indies, and have now also overtaken Sri Lanka to achieve their highest-ever position in the Men’s ODI Team Rankings.

Their recent successes include a 4-0 series win over Ireland away from home and an unbeaten run in the recently concluded tri-series against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.

They recently clean swept Zimbabwe in the T20I format as well, and are now all set to face Zimbabwe in a two-match Test series.

Ariana Radio & Television Network (ATN) and the Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF) signed an agreement in Kabul on Monday for the organization, production and broadcast of the fifth and sixth seasons of the Afghanistan Futsal Premier League.

The first half of the fifth season is scheduled to begin on December 7 and run until December 31. The second half of the competition will start on January 10 and continue until February 6, 2027.

A total of 10 teams are expected to compete in the upcoming season. Eight teams have so far been confirmed: Sadaqat FC, Norzad FC, Omid FC, Zaitoon FC, Zahir Asad FC, Etihad FC, Jawanan-e-Mihan and Pirouzi Panjshir. The remaining two teams will be announced later.

Sadaqat FC, last season’s champions, will return to defend their title, while two teams from the previous season, Deyar Sanayee and Arya Forj, have been relegated.

Farid Ahmad Yousafzai, Deputy Technical Director of the Afghanistan Futsal Committee, said the introduction of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system last season was a successful initiative that received positive attention both domestically and internationally.

He said organizers hope to use the technology differently this season in line with changes to futsal rules. According to Yousafzai, the new rules have so far been implemented in Italy’s Serie A and at the Dakar Youth Olympic Games, with Afghanistan’s Futsal Premier League set to become the third official competition to adopt them.

Yousafzai added that the changes will bring significant adjustments to refereeing. He also announced that Tamim Hosseini, a referee from Australia, is expected to arrive in Kabul on December 1. He will officiate alongside international referee Atiqullah Niyaze, and Khaliqyar Payman, who recently returned from an academy in Malaysia.

Hamidullah Sharifi, ATN’s Channel Manager and Head of Acquisitions, said the network has consistently sought to bring quality sports content to Afghan audiences. He expressed confidence that the upcoming season would offer improvements in both production quality and television coverage.

Noor Ahmad claimed his maiden five-wicket haul in T20 internationals as Afghanistan defeated Zimbabwe by seven wickets in the third and final match to complete a 3-0 series sweep in Sharjah on Sunday.

The left-arm spinner produced a career-best performance of 5 for 13 in 3.3 overs, helping bowl Zimbabwe out for just 79 in 14.3 overs.

Afghanistan then chased down the modest target of 80 in just 8.1 overs, losing three wickets to secure a dominant victory.

The result marked Afghanistan’s 22nd win in their 24 T20I matches against Zimababwe and their second-biggest victory in the format in terms of balls remaining.

Afghanistan’s fast bowlers made an immediate impact on the Sharjah surface, which offered movement for the new ball.

Fazalhaq Farooqi dismissed Innocent Kaia in the opening over, while Azmatullah Omarzai, who was named Player of the Series, removed Brian Bennett in the second over to leave Zimbabwe struggling at 8 for 2.

Debutant Abdullah Tarakhail then claimed his maiden international wicket, dismissing Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza to further deepen the visitors’ troubles.

Ryan Burl offered some resistance, scoring 30 off 29 deliveries, including several boundaries. However, his dismissal by Abdollah Ahmadzai left Zimbabwe with little hope of recovering.

Noor Ahmad took control of the innings in the 11th over, claiming three wickets in four deliveries to dismantle Zimbabwe’s lower order.

He first dismissed Wessly Madhevere through a stumping before Tafadzwa Tsiga was caught in the slips. Tadiwanashe Marumani then fell to a brilliant diving catch by Omarzai at long-off, narrowly missing out on a hat-trick.

Noor went on to claim two more wickets in his next two overs, finishing with figures of 5 for 13 as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 79.

It was his best performance in T20 internationals, surpassing his previous best figures of 4 for 10, which he had also recorded against Zimbabwe in Harare in 2022.

In reply, Afghanistan lost Mohammad Akram early after he scored a quick 12, but the early breakthrough did little to slow the hosts.

Sediqullah Atal played an aggressive innings, striking several boundaries to put Afghanistan firmly in control of the chase.

Omarzai and captain Ibrahim Zadran continued the attack, with Zadran hitting four boundaries off Ernest Masuku before Omarzai sealed the victory with a powerful six.

Afghanistan reached 80 for 3 in just 8.1 overs to complete a convincing seven-wicket victory and secure a 3-0 whitewash in the T20I series.

The series triumph further underlined Afghanistan’s strong form in the shortest format ahead of their upcoming international assignments.