Sport
Kohli eyes long-awaited IPL glory as playoffs begin
Virat Kohli is on the brink of finally capturing the elusive Indian Premier League (IPL) title as the playoffs kick off this week.
Nine years after leading Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to a heartbreaking final defeat as captain, the legendary batter is eager to rewrite his IPL legacy.
RCB will take on top-seeded Punjab Kings in Mullanpur on Thursday, after clinching second place with a stunning chase of 228 runs to beat Lucknow Super Giants on Tuesday. The winner of Thursday’s clash will book a direct ticket to the final in Ahmedabad on 3 June.
Even in defeat, Bengaluru will still have a shot at the title. The loser of Thursday’s qualifier gets another chance against the winner of Friday’s eliminator between Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians.
At 36, Kohli has stepped away from Test and T20 international cricket, following a triumphant run with India in the 2023 World Cup and this year’s Champions Trophy. But the IPL trophy—still missing from his cabinet—remains his burning ambition.
“I had two heartbreaks in 2016,” Kohli told India’s media. “First the World T20, then the IPL final.”
Affectionately dubbed “King Kohli,” he is the IPL’s all-time leading run-scorer and the only player to remain with a single franchise—RCB—for all 18 seasons since the league began in 2008. Kohli has experienced final defeats in 2009, 2011, and 2016, but fans hope that the number on his jersey—18—will bring luck in RCB’s 18th season.
He has been in vintage form this year, scoring 602 runs at an average of 60.20, including eight half-centuries. His 54-run knock on Tuesday laid the foundation for RCB’s playoff berth.
Hazelwood returns, international absences loom
Australia’s Josh Hazlewood has rejoined the RCB squad and is expected to play Thursday after returning from a shoulder issue. He had previously departed when the IPL paused on 9 May due to regional tensions.
Punjab Kings, meanwhile, will miss left-arm pacer Marco Jansen, who has joined South Africa’s camp ahead of their World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord’s on 11 June.
“We’re missing players like everyone else,” said Punjab coach Ricky Ponting. “But we believe we have the depth to step up despite Marco being a big loss.”
Mumbai Indians, five-time IPL champions now captained by Hardik Pandya, are the most depleted squad, missing England’s Will Jacks and South African duo Ryan Rickelton and Corbin Bosch ahead of their eliminator clash.
Gujarat Titans, champions in their 2022 debut season, boast a fearsome batting order even without Jos Buttler. Captain Shubman Gill and opener Sai Sudharsan are the top two on this season’s batting charts, with 679 and 649 runs respectively.
Gill will take charge of India for the first time when they embark on a five-Test tour of England, starting at Headingley, Leeds, on 20 June.
Sport
Sorkh Poshan Khafi rout Istiqlal Kabul 6-0 in ACL season six
Sorkh Poshan Khafi secured a convincing 6-0 victory over Esteqlal Kabul today (Friday) in the 23rd match of the sixth season of the Afghanistan Champions League at the Football Federation Stadium in Kabul.
Reza Gholami opened the scoring for Sorkh Poshan Khafi in the fourth minute with a header before Sohrab Afghan doubled the lead in the 21st minute.
Afghan struck again four minutes into the second half to make it 3-0, while Yar Mohammad added the fourth goal in the 52nd minute.
Sorkh Poshan Khafi completed the rout with two further goals in the 68th and 70th minutes, securing a 6-0 win.
The sixth season of the Roshan Afghanistan Champions League is being broadcast live on Ariana Television.
Sport
Afghanistan Champions League: Arman FC and Aino Mina play out goalless draw
Arman FC will return to action on September 28, when they face Sarsabz Yashlar. Aino Mina Kandahar will play their next match on September 29 against Toofan Herat.
Arman FC and Aino Mina Kandahar played out a goalless draw on Friday in the 22nd match of the sixth season of Afghanistan Champions League Roshan at the Afghanistan Football Federation Stadium in Kabul.
Both sides started the match with an attacking approach, creating several opportunities and making efforts to break the deadlock. However, neither team was able to convert their chances as the first half ended without a goal.
The attacking contest continued after the restart, with both Arman FC and Aino Mina looking for an opening goal. Arman FC continued to push forward in search of a breakthrough, while Aino Mina also created opportunities of their own.
Despite the efforts from both sides and several attempts to find the decisive goal, neither team managed to unlock the opposition defense. The match ultimately ended 0–0, with both teams taking a point from the encounter.
The match also saw Aino Mina commit 15 fouls and receive one yellow card. Arman FC committed eight fouls and finished the game without receiving either a yellow or a red card.
Arman FC will return to action on September 28, when they face Sarsabz Yashlar. Aino Mina Kandahar will play their next match on September 29 against Toofan Herat.
Matches in the sixth season of the Roshan Afghanistan Champions League are broadcast live on Ariana Television.
Sport
Nepal beat Afghanistan in Asian Games cricket
Nepal made a strong start to their Asian Games campaign on Friday, defeating Afghanistan by six wickets after bowling them out for 102.
Afghanistan, who had beaten Japan in their opening match, struggled against Nepal’s disciplined bowling attack after choosing to bat first.
Afghanistan lost their first three wickets for just 16 runs. Faisal Shinozada then steadied the innings with 30 runs from 33 balls, putting together a 39-run partnership with Najibullah Zadran.
However, Shinozada’s dismissal triggered another collapse, with Afghanistan falling from 55 for four to 65 for six. Zadran remained at the crease and scored 30, while Nangeyalia Kharote added 17 runs to help Afghanistan pass 100.
Nepal’s bowlers Lalit Rajbanshi and Kushal Bhurtel were the main contributors. Rajbanshi took three wickets for 13 runs, while Bhurtel claimed four for 21 and came close to a hat-trick.
Chasing 103, Nepal also lost two early wickets to slip to 12 for two. Captain Rohit Paudel and Sundeep Jora then steadied the innings.
Paudel remained unbeaten on 33, while Jora scored 34 as Nepal comfortably moved towards the target and completed the chase with six wickets in hand.
The victory gives Nepal a winning start to their Asian Games campaign, while Afghanistan now have one win and one defeat from their opening two matches.
Nepal will face Japan on September 26, with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.
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