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.
Japan, Saudi Arabia and Tajikistan have secured qualification for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026 after strong performances at the AFC U-17 Asian Cup.
The three Asian sides join hosts Qatar as confirmed representatives from the Asian Football Confederation for the expanded 48-team tournament later this year.
Japan booked their place after defeating Qatar and then beating China 2-1 in Group B. Anthony Motosuna and Maki Kitahara scored the goals that sealed a second straight victory and guaranteed qualification.
Saudi Arabia also advanced from Group A after a 2-0 win over Thailand. Marwan Al Yami opened the scoring early before Hassan Al Okrush added a late second goal, giving the Saudis six points from two matches following their opening win against Myanmar.
Tajikistan joined them after edging Myanmar 1-0 thanks to a first-half goal from Asadbek Makhtumov. The victory followed Tajikistan’s opening 2-0 win over Thailand and secured their place in Qatar 2026.
More teams could qualify on Sunday as the second round of matches in Groups C and D continues, with the final group-stage fixtures set to take place on Tuesday and Wednesday.
A delegation from the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has traveled to China following an official invitation from the Chinese government, in a move aimed at strengthening sports diplomacy and expanding technical cooperation in cricket between the two countries.
The delegation includes national coach Nawroz Mangal and players Qais Ahmad, Zahir Khan, Faisal Shinozada, and Wahidullah Zadran.
Before their departure, ACB Chief Executive Officer Naseeb Khan met with the delegation, reaffirming the board’s commitment to developing and globalizing Afghan cricket. He also referenced previous international engagement efforts, including a memorandum of understanding signed with the Uzbekistan Cricket Federation focused on cricket development and technical collaboration.
Naseeb Khan highlighted existing economic and industrial ties between Afghanistan and China, expressing optimism that sports cooperation—particularly in cricket—could further strengthen bilateral relations. He emphasized that knowledge-sharing, technical exchange, and joint development initiatives would support the growth of the sport in both countries.
During their visit, the Afghan delegation is expected to hold discussions on cricket development, community engagement, and the role of sport in society. The program also includes participation in workshops, attendance at a cricket match organized by Chinese cricket authorities, and visits to sports technology and innovation exhibitions.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board has increasingly pursued regional partnerships in recent years. Last year, it signed a cooperation agreement with the Uzbekistan Cricket Federation covering technical exchange, capacity building, development programs, and educational workshops aimed at expanding cricket infrastructure and expertise in the region.
The United States is set to welcome the world with a major opening ceremony for the FIFA World Cup 2026, as Los Angeles prepares to host a star-powered celebration marking the start of the tournament across North America.
FIFA announced that global music stars including Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, LISA, Rema and Tyla will headline the ceremony at Los Angeles Stadium on Friday, June 12.
The event will officially launch what FIFA described as a “historic summer of football” across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Organizers said the ceremony will combine football, music and entertainment in a large-scale production designed to reflect the cultural diversity and global appeal of the tournament.
Gianni Infantino said the ceremony in Los Angeles would showcase the scale and ambition of the 2026 World Cup, adding that the lineup of artists reflects the cultural diversity of the United States and the power of music to unite people.
For the first time in FIFA World Cup history, three opening ceremonies will take place across the three host nations. Mexico City will host the first ceremony on June 11, followed by celebrations in Toronto and Los Angeles on June 12.
The opening match in the United States will see the U.S. national team face Paraguay. The FIFA World Cup 2026 will feature a record 104 matches across 16 host cities, beginning on June 11 in Mexico City and ending with the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium.
Football fans in Afghanistan will be able to follow all the action live on the Ariana Radio and Television Network (ATN), which holds the exclusive broadcasting rights for the tournament in the country. ATN will broadcast matches live on Ariana Television, providing full coverage of the world’s biggest football event for Afghan viewers.
Fans are also encouraged to stay connected with Ariana Television and Ariana News on social media for the latest updates, including match schedules, team news, and other FIFA World Cup 2026 developments as the tournament draws closer.
Tahawol: Afghanistan and Uzbekistan’s growing economic ties discussed
Saar: Afghanistan’s relations with the world discussed
Afghan officials join ICESCO meeting, discuss preservation of Islamic manuscripts
Afghanistan announces over 1,000 education ministry vacancies, prioritises returnees
Afghanistan, Uzbekistan sign 13 trade MoUs worth over $100 million
Bayat Power extends gas supply deal with Afghan Gas
Afghanistan’s new cricket head coach Richard Pybus arrives in Kabul
Afghanistan moves toward self-sufficiency in car battery production
Germany to launch online visa system for Afghan study and work applicants in Pakistan
New Afghanistan-China transport corridor launched via Turkmenistan
Tahawol: Afghanistan and Uzbekistan’s growing economic ties discussed
Saar: Afghanistan’s relations with the world discussed
Tahawol: Discussion on unknown fate of Middle East crisis
Saar: Problems and challenges of Afghan refugees in the world discussed
Tawsia: Discussion on Afghanistan’s economic path and position
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