Sport
Asia Cup 2025 kicks off today with Afghanistan vs Hong Kong curtain-raiser
Afghanistan arrive at the competition with growing confidence and international recognition as Rashid Khan’s side has established itself as more than just a spirited underdog.
The 17th edition of the Asia Cup gets underway today, Tuesday September 9, with Afghanistan facing Hong Kong in the curtain-raiser at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
The 20-day tournament, played in the T20 format as preparation for the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup, brings together eight teams battling for continental supremacy.
Afghanistan arrive at the competition with growing confidence and international recognition as Rashid Khan’s side has established itself as more than just a spirited underdog.
With world-class spinners in Rashid himself, Mohammad Nabi, and Noor Ahmad, along with a powerful batting lineup led by Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Afghanistan are seen as dark horses capable of challenging the traditional heavyweights.
For many, this Asia Cup could mark a defining moment in Afghan cricket’s journey from emerging competitor to genuine title contender.
The tournament format divides the eight teams into two groups. Afghanistan sit in Group B alongside Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Hong Kong. Group A features India, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman. After the round-robin group stage, the top two from each group advance to the Super Four, with the final set for September 28 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, enter as defending champions and the tournament favourites, boasting eight Asia Cup titles.
Sri Lanka, with six championships, and Pakistan, with two, remain strong contenders despite recent transitions in their squads.
Bangladesh carry momentum from a series of recent wins, while Hong Kong and UAE are determined to prove their mettle after qualifying through the ACC Premier Cup.
Oman, placed in Group A, round out the lineup.
For Afghanistan, today’s opening clash against Hong Kong offers the chance to start strong and build momentum toward what many hope will be their deepest Asia Cup run yet.
With Rashid Khan at the helm, the team has repeatedly shown it can unsettle the giants of world cricket — and in the UAE’s familiar conditions, Afghan fans will expect nothing less than another spirited charge for glory.
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.
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