Sport
Afghanistan deepens ties with Uzbekistan through new cricket development partnership
Officials from both boards say the collaboration will strengthen cricketing relations and deepen regional sporting ties.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) and the Cricket Federation of Uzbekistan (CFU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at expanding cooperation and accelerating cricket development between the two countries.
The signing ceremony brought together senior officials from both boards, including ACB CEO Naseeb Khan, ACB Board Member Dr. Khalid Hatam, CFU Chairman Aziz Mihliev, and CFU CEO Fazliddin Ibodullaev.
Under the new agreement, the ACB will offer extensive development support to Uzbekistan across multiple areas.
This includes coaching education, umpiring and officiating training, strength and conditioning and physiotherapy programs, video analysis, talent identification, technical courses, and development camps led by top Afghan coaches.
Afghan officials will also help guide Uzbek coaches through ICC tutor pathways, while Uzbek players will have opportunities to train at the ACB High-Performance Center in Kabul.
The partnership also includes bilateral fixtures in Uzbekistan featuring Afghanistan’s A team, Domestic Champion team, and U19 side—games designed to provide crucial competitive exposure for Uzbek players and boost the CFU’s on-field development.
Officials from both boards say the collaboration will strengthen cricketing relations and deepen regional sporting ties.
Strengthening regional cricket
The ACB reaffirmed its commitment to supporting emerging cricket nations and expressed readiness to extend similar assistance to other developing cricket boards.
Afghan officials emphasized the value of sharing their management experience and lessons learned from the country’s rapid rise in international cricket.
ACB CEO Naseeb Khan said, “We welcome this partnership with the CFU. ACB is committed to supporting emerging cricket nations with the same dedication that accelerated our own growth, and we look forward to sharing our technical expertise and experience.”
ACB Board Member Dr. Khalid Hatam added, “This MoU strengthens our regional cricket ties while creating new pathways in coaching, player development, and technical growth. We are pleased to share our journey and support the CFU’s aspirations.”
CFU Chairman Aziz Mihliev said the partnership would provide Uzbekistan with invaluable guidance: “ACB’s experience—from building competitive structures to nurturing elite talent—will play a key role as we enhance our cricketing foundation.”
CFU CEO Fazliddin Ibodullaev highlighted Afghanistan’s accelerated rise as a model for Uzbekistan’s ambitions. “ACB’s rapid path toward Full Membership is a powerful example for emerging nations. This partnership gives us a unique chance to learn from their proven development model. With shared expertise and regional collaboration, CFU is confident in pursuing a similarly ambitious trajectory,” he said.
Sport
Aino Mina edge Sarsabz Yashlar 1–0 in ACL match
Season 6 features 10 clubs competing in a home-and-away format, with the tournament running until November 21.
Aino Mina secured a narrow 1–0 victory over Sarsabz Yashlar Faryab in the second Afghanistan Champions League Roshan match of the day Monday.
Aino Mina claimed all three points after converting a penalty to score the only goal of the match.
Sarsabz Yashlar were unable to find an equaliser as Aino Mina held on for the win in a closely contested encounter.
The result adds another three points to Aino Mina’s campaign as the sixth season of the Afghanistan Champions League continues.
Aino Mina’s Ahlullah Darman was named Player of the Match.
Season 6 features 10 clubs competing in a home-and-away format, with the tournament running until November 21.
Ariana Television Network (ATN) is broadcasting all Afghanistan Champions League matches live and exclusively in Afghanistan.
Fans can follow ATN’s social media platforms for match schedules, results, updates and coverage throughout the season.
Sport
ACL: Ariana Khost continue impressive debut with 2–1 win over Istiqlal
Season 6 features 10 clubs competing in a home-and-away format, with the tournament running until November 21.
Ariana Khost continued their impressive debut campaign in the Afghanistan Champions League on Monday, September 21, with a 2–1 victory over Istiqlal Kabul.
Ariana Khost secured all three points in Match 16 of Season 6, and team member Habib Hotak was named Player of the Match for his stirling performance.
The result is another positive step for Ariana Khost, who are making their debut in the Afghanistan Champions League this year and have made a strong start to their first campaign.
For Istiqlal Kabul, the defeat leaves them still searching for their first points of the season.
Season 6 features 10 clubs competing in a home-and-away format, with the tournament running until November 21.
Ariana Television Network (ATN) is broadcasting all Afghanistan Champions League matches live and exclusively in Afghanistan. Fans can follow ATN’s social media platforms for match schedules, results, updates and coverage throughout the season.
Sport
Afghanistan to face Japan and Nepal in Asian Games cricket group stage
The team departed Kabul for Tokyo on Sunday.
Afghanistan cricket team will face Japan and Nepal in the group stage of the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
Afghanistan has been drawn in Group A alongside Japan and Nepal. The Afghan team will play its first group-stage match against Japan on September 24 in Nisshin city, followed by a match against Nepal on September 25, also in Nisshin.
The other three teams competing in the group stage are Hong Kong China, Malaysia and Oman, who have been placed in Group B.
Meanwhile, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have been directly seeded into the quarter-finals.
Afghanistan’s 15-member squad for the Asian Games is led by Darwish Rasooli as captain, with Mohammad Ishaq serving as wicketkeeper.
The squad includes Mohammad Akram, Hassan Eisakhil, Khalid Taniwal, Imran Mir, Faisal Khan Shinozada, Najibullah Zadran, Farmanullah Safi, Ismat Alam, Karim Janat, Nangyal Kharoti, Arab Gul Momand, Faridoon Dawoodzai and Abdullah Ahmadzai.
The team departed Kabul for Tokyo on Sunday.
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