Sport
ILT20’s final phase sees change around in a number of players
Desert Vipers have moved to offset the loss of a trio of Pakistan internationals, who are heading for the PSL ahead of the last leg of the ILT20, by signing England stars Sam Curran and Phil Salt who are expected to help the side’s push for a play-off place.
The last few days have however seen numerous changes, as some players depart for international duty and other leagues, while others arrive from the SA20.
Kieron Pollard has joined the ranks of league-leading MI Emirates after arriving from South Africa.
Pollard, Salt and Curran have meanwhile been brought in to the ILT20 to cover the departure of four leading players. Shaheen Afridi, Azam Khan and Shadab Khan who have returned to Pakistan to prepare for the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Wanindu Hasaranga has also returned to Sri Lanka for international duty.
Speaking of Curran and Salt’s arrival, Vipers’ coach Tom Moody said: “Both players are proven international performers with exceptional Twenty20 records and they will add an extra dimension to our team.
“I know Sam extremely well having worked with him for the Oval Invincibles at The Hundred and I know the quality he offers with bat, ball and in the field.
“He loves to be involved in big games at important times and that is the sort of attitude we want from our players.
“Phil has developed into one of the most exciting players in world cricket at the top of the order, as he showed in the Caribbean with England in December, and he is also an excellent wicketkeeper and so provides us with options in that regard,” Moody said.
Wednesday’s match
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders ABD lock horns with Sharjah Warriors at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, February 7, in match 25 of the ILT20.
Knight Riders lost three out of their first five games. However, they are now on a three-match winning streak and are one victory away from booking their place in the playoffs. They have 10 points from eight games so far.
Meanwhile, Sharjah Warriors are hanging by a thread in the competition as they still have a mathematical chance of progressing to the playoffs. They have lost five out of their eight games thus far. Their disappointing net run-rate of -2.019 is a huge reason for concern. The Warriors are on a three-match losing streak and will be desperate to get back to winning ways.
To watch the upcoming match stay tuned to Ariana Television and don’t forget to follow our updates on social media.
Sport
Omar Zawak thrash Istiqlal Kabul 5-1 in ACL
Omar Zawak secured an emphatic 5-1 victory over Istiqlal Kabul in the 80th match of the sixth season of Afghanistan Champions League Roshan, delivering an impressive attacking performance.
The match was played in Kabul on Tuesday. Both teams struggled to find the back of the net in the first half, which ended goalless.
However, Omar Zawak stepped up their attacking efforts in the second half, scoring five goals to take control of the match. Istiqlal Kabul managed to score just once as Omar Zawak sealed a convincing 5-1 victory.
Omar Zawak will face Ariana Khost in their next match on November 12, while Istiqlal Kabul will take on Aino Mina Kandahar on the same day.
All matches of the sixth season of Afghanistan Champions League are broadcast live on Ariana Television.
Sport
First Test between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe ends in a draw
Zimbabwe produced a remarkable batting display to secure a draw against Afghanistan in the first Test in Sharjah, with Craig Ervine and Wessly Madhevere scoring unbeaten centuries on the final day.
Resuming the fifth and final day at 164/3, Zimbabwe finished on 523/5 in their second innings, following their first-innings total of 504. This marked the first time in Test cricket history that a team has scored more than 500 runs in both innings of a match.
Craig Ervine remained unbeaten on 206, while Madhevere scored 100 not out, as the pair frustrated Afghanistan’s bowlers throughout the day.
Ervine, aged 41 years and 82 days, became the third-oldest player to score a double century in Test cricket.
Afghanistan had posted 514 in their first innings. Afghanistan needed early wickets to put pressure on the hosts, but Zimbabwe’s batters showed patience and discipline on a pitch offering little assistance to the bowlers.
Brian Bennett scored a half-century before Mohammad Saleem dismissed him, while debutant Antum Naqvi contributed 61 runs. Naqvi and Ervine shared a 140-run partnership before Abdul Malik broke the stand.
However, Madhevere joined Ervine and the pair put together an unbeaten 208-run partnership for the sixth wicket, the highest for that wicket in Zimbabwe’s Test history. Madhevere also registered his maiden Test century during the partnership.
The result leaves the two sides level heading into the second and final Test, which is scheduled to begin in Sharjah on November 13.
Sport
Portugal beat Afghanistan 2-0 in Dakar Youth Olympics futsal semi-finals
Afghanistan’s Under-18 futsal team missed out on a place in the gold medal match at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games after suffering a 2-0 defeat to Portugal in the semi-finals on Monday.
Portugal took the lead through Joao Carvalho, who capitalised on a goalkeeping error by Afghanistan’s Ahmad Esmaeili to score into an unguarded net from inside his own half.
Diego Ferreira doubled Portugal’s advantage before half-time, putting the European side firmly in control of the match.
Afghanistan pushed hard to get back into the game in the second half, creating several opportunities to reduce the deficit. However, they were unable to find the net, with Portugal goalkeeper Bernardo Borges making several important saves.
The victory sends Portugal into the gold medal match, while Afghanistan will now compete for the bronze medal at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
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