Sport
Six KPL cricket teams snap up 15 players each in this year’s draft
The exciting Kabul Premier League (KPL) Season 2 Players Draft took place in the city on Tuesday morning much to the excitement of the country’s cricket fans.
The gala event, which brought together Afghanistan’s cricket fraternity, was broadcast live and exclusively on Ariana Television Network and Ariana News, which secured the rights earlier this year to produce and broadcast this year’s tournament.
Addressing the event on Tuesday, Mujeeburahman Baheer, the head of Ariana News, pointed out that Ariana Television Network (ATN), including Ariana News, is committed to making sure people in Afghanistan have access to world-class sporting events.
He said: “Ariana TV has always tried to bring sports to people’s homes.”
This year’s T20 league extravaganza – which is a great source of hope for young cricketers in the country – will take place in Kabul at the Ayoubi Sports Complex and will start on June 4.
Also addressing Tuesday’s event was Nazeem Jar Abdulrahimzai, the domestic cricket manager for the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB).
He said he believes that Ayoubi Sports Complex can organize an even better league event this year compared to last year’s event.
He also thanked all those who have invested time and money into developing and supporting cricket in the country.
Abdul Latif Ayoubi, head of Ayoubi Sports Complex, meanwhile said challenges faced last year had been smoothed out and that conditions have since improved for this year’s tournament.
Ayoubi also announced the addition of another team this year.
Last year there were five teams, this year there will be six. He said this decision was taken so as to provide more players with the opportunity to take part in the league.
Seyyed Khan, the head of the Ayoubi Sports Complex, also addressed guests at the event and said: “This year, a lot of effort has been made to be able to present an improved league that meets the standards; the shortcomings last year regarding the field and other areas have been addressed.”
Kabul Premier League (KPL)
Last year’s tournament was the first KPL and included five teams; these were Ayoubi Kabul Zalmi, Band-e-Amir Stars, Shaheen Hunters, Shamshad Eagles and Speenghar Warriors.
This year, Kabul Knight Riders have been added to the mix.
The trophy was lifted last year by Shaheen Hunters.
The Kabul Premier League aims to not only promote cricket in the country but also serves as a platform for emerging talent to showcase their skills.
Kabul Premier League (KPL) Players Draft Ceremony
Tuesday’s Player Draft was divided into three groups. Diamond, Gold and Silver. Band-e-Amir Stars picked up the first player.
The list of players drafted are as follows:
Band-e-Amir Stars
1. Hazratullah Zazai
2. Nejat Masoud,
3. Farmanullah Safi
4. Akram Alikhel
5. Irfanullah Safi
6. Sharafuddin Ashraf (all-rounder)
7. Navid Obeid (batsman)
8. Nasir Khan (bowler)
9. Fridon Khan (fast bowler)
10. Emil Shahin
11. Haroon Khan
12. Qamar Shams
13. Abdulsalam Hasheibi
14. Biryal Afghan
15. Aqdam Khan Shirzad
Shaheen Hunters
1. Hijaz Ahmadzai (batsman)
2. Abdul Malik
3. Azharul Haq Navid
4. Imran Mir
5. Asif Musazai
6. Zahid Afghan (fast bowler)
7. Mohammadullah Hamkar (fast bowler)
8. Sadiq Pacha
9. Uzirullah Khamosh
10. Wasim Mangal
11. Seyed Khan Niazi (fast bowler)
12. Ata Zarmal (wicket keeper)
13. Ismat Habibi
14. Mashoq Totakhel
15. Ruhollah Arab
Shamshad Eagles
1. Shahidullah Kamal, (batsman)
2. Ehsanullah Janat
3. Numan Shah, (all-rounder)
4. Ali Ahmad Naser
5. Bashir Ahmad (fast bowler)
6. Kamel Kaker
7. Abdallah Tarakhel (all-rounder)
8. Dastgir Khan
9. Wahid Shafaq
10. Khayal Mohammad
11. Rahim Mangal
12. Abdul Baqi Popel
13. Yahya Khan
14. Murad Ali
15. Juma Gul
Kabul Knight Riders
1. Riaz Hassan (batsman)
2. Naser Jamal
3. Zahed Khan Paktin
4. Yusuf Shah
5. Mohammad Riaz (all-rounder)
6. Zubid Akbari (batsman)
7. Yama Arab (bowler)
8. Moheb Zurmati
9. Wahid Zadran
10. Arab Momand
11. Ishaq Saqi
12. Rahman Shah
13. Sabawon Boniri
14. Azam Khan
15. Salam Kaker
Ayoubi Kabul Zalmi
1. Qais Ahmad (bowler)
2. Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar
3. Zia ul-Rahman Sharifi (bowler)
4. Masoud Gurbaz
5. Sohail Khan Zarmati (batsman)
6. Sami Bilal (fast bowler)
7. Mohammad Wasim Akram
8. Ibrahim Abdul Rahimzai (fast bowler)
9. Darvish Rasouli
10. Saber Hanif
11. Rahmanullah Zadran
12. Shams Karokhil
13. Rozuddin Afghan
14. Juma Din
15. Zafar Alozai
Speenghar Warriors
1. Samiullah Shinwari (batsman)
2. Hamza Hotak
3. Wafadar Momand
4. Waqarullah Ishaqzai
5. Hassan Isakhel
6. Lal Baz (fast bowler)
7. Osman Noori
8. Jalad Musazai
9. Mahbob Tasken
10. Jalal Stanekzai
11. Akbar Ali
12. Salman Shinwari
13. Khaled Niazi
14. Rahman Zurmati
15. Noorullah Ayubi
Once the draft wrapped up, the highly-sought after KPL trophy was displayed.
For cricket fans across the country, ATN will broadcast KPL matches live and exclusively from early next month.
For breaking news and updates, fans can stay tuned to Ariana Television and Ariana News’ websites and social media platforms, where all KPL news will be posted.
FIFA has announced that the opening ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup will deliver a star-studded celebration in Mexico City ahead of the tournament’s opening match.
The ceremony, scheduled for June 11 at Mexico City Stadium, will begin 90 minutes before kick-off and will feature performances by major international and Latin music stars, including Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, Danny Ocean, J Balvin, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules, Maná and Tyla.
According to FIFA, the opening show will celebrate Mexican culture through music, dance and visual artistry, while also highlighting indigenous talent and modern folkloric performances. Organizers said the ceremony will reflect the traditions and cultural identity of Mexico as the first host nation to launch the expanded tournament.
The event is being produced in partnership with Balich Wonder Studio and will form part of a trilogy of opening ceremonies across Mexico, Canada and the United States. FIFA said each ceremony will present a unique interpretation of the FIFA World Cup Trophy inspired by the culture of the respective host country.
In Mexico’s ceremony, the creative concept will center around “papel picado,” the traditional decorative folk art known for its colorful handcrafted paper designs, symbolizing celebration and craftsmanship.
Gianni Infantino said the opening ceremonies would combine football, culture and music while showcasing the individuality of each host nation and the unity of the tournament.
Fans attending the match have been advised to arrive early, with stadium gates opening four hours before kick-off. FIFA said spectators will be able to take part in pre-match entertainment and other fan activities inside the venue.
The opening match of the tournament will see Mexico face South Africa in what FIFA described as a historic occasion for Mexico City Stadium, which will become the first venue to host matches in three different FIFA World Cups.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature 104 matches across 16 host cities in Canada, Mexico and the United States, with the tournament final set to take place in July at New York New Jersey Stadium.
Football fans in Afghanistan will be able to watch all the action live through the Ariana Radio and Television Network (ATN), which holds the exclusive broadcasting rights to the tournament in the country. ATN will air the matches live across Ariana Television, bringing comprehensive coverage of the world’s biggest football event to Afghan audiences.
Fans are encouraged to follow Ariana Television and Ariana News on social media for the latest developments, updated match schedules, team news and other World Cup information as the tournament approaches.
The second season of the Ariana Snooker Championship is set to officially commence on Monday next week, bringing together top cueists from across Afghanistan.
The tournament will feature 32 players representing all provinces where snooker is actively developed and played. All participants secured their places through earlier qualification rounds held prior to the main event.
The championship will be contested in the six-red ball snooker format. The group stage, knockout rounds, and quarterfinals will be played in a best-of-seven frames format, with players required to win four frames to advance to the next stage.
The semifinals and final will follow a best-of-nine frames format, ensuring a more competitive conclusion as players compete for the season title.
Under a signed agreement, the Ariana Snooker Championship will continue for four additional seasons, with all matches broadcast on Ariana Television, further supporting the growth and visibility of snooker in Afghanistan.
Fans are encouraged to follow Ariana Television and Ariana News’ social media pages for all updates and broadcast schedules on this exciting event.
Afghanistan star spinner Rashid Khan has maintained his position as the world’s top-ranked bowler in both One Day International (ODI) and T20 International cricket, according to the latest ICC rankings.
Rashid continues to lead the ODI bowling rankings with 705 rating points, while also holding the No. 1 position in T20I bowling with 753 rating points.
The Afghan leg-spinner has remained one of the most consistent performers in international cricket, playing a key role for Afghanistan across formats with his wicket-taking ability and economical bowling.
In the latest ODI rankings, England fast bowler Jofra Archer and South Africa spinner Keshav Maharaj follow Rashid in second and third places respectively.
In T20Is, India spinner Varun Chakravarthy and Pakistan bowler Abrar Ahmed are among the closest challengers to the Afghan star.
Rashid’s continued dominance in ICC rankings comes as Afghanistan’s cricket team prepares for upcoming international assignments and major global tournaments.
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