Sport
Late drama as Lucknow edge Delhi Capitals in IPL thriller
A thrilling contest in the Indian Premier League on Wednesday, April 1, saw Lucknow Super Giants clinch a narrow victory over Delhi Capitals in a low-scoring encounter.
Lucknow posted a modest total of 141 after being bowled out inside 19 overs, with key contributions coming from Abdul Samad and Mitchell Marsh, who steadied the innings. Delhi’s bowlers, led by Thangarasu Natarajan and Lungi Ngidi, kept things tight and ensured the target remained within reach.
In response, Delhi appeared on course for victory but faltered under pressure in the closing stages. Despite a composed chase, they fell just short, handing Lucknow a dramatic win by the narrowest of margins of just 2 runs. The match highlighted the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket, where momentum can shift rapidly in the final overs.
Kolkata take on Hyderabad
Attention now turns to Thursday’s clash, where Kolkata Knight Riders will face Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Kolkata will be looking to build momentum early in the tournament with a balanced squad featuring both experienced campaigners and exciting young talent. Hyderabad, meanwhile, will aim to bounce back strongly, relying on their powerful batting line-up and disciplined bowling attack.
With both teams eager to secure crucial early points, fans can expect another closely fought contest.
The IPL continues to draw massive global audiences, and fans in Afghanistan can follow all the action live. Ariana Television Network (ATN) holds the exclusive broadcasting rights for the tournament in the country.
Matches are being aired live on Ariana Television, bringing every moment of the IPL directly to viewers. Fans are also encouraged to follow Ariana Television and Ariana News on social media for the latest updates, highlights and match coverage throughout the tournament.
Afghanistan’s U-20 national football team played out a 0-0 draw against Kyrgyzstan in the CAFA U-20 Championship on Sunday in Dushanbe.
The match marked Afghanistan’s fourth appearance in the regional tournament after earlier defeats against Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.
Afghanistan lost 3-1 to Turkmenistan in their opening match, followed by a 2-0 defeat to Uzbekistan and another 2-0 loss to Tajikistan.
The draw against Kyrgyzstan earned Afghanistan its first point of the competition.
Sport
USA aim for strong home campaign at FIFA World Cup 2026
USA also enjoyed memorable campaigns in 1994 and 2002, reaching the Round of 16 on home soil in 1994 and advancing to the quarter-finals in Korea and Japan in 2002.
The United States will make its 12th appearance at the FIFA World Cup 2026 when it co-hosts the expanded 48-team tournament alongside Canada and Mexico.
Placed in Group D, the Americans will begin their campaign on home soil hoping to improve on their Round of 16 finish at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Now coached by former Argentina international Mauricio Pochettino, the Stars and Stripes are preparing for a highly anticipated tournament after automatically qualifying as co-hosts.
Pochettino took charge of the national team in September 2024 following the departure of Gregg Berhalter. The experienced coach previously managed top European clubs including Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur.
The USA will open the tournament against Paraguay on June 12 in Los Angeles before facing Australia in Seattle on June 19. Their final group-stage match will be against Türkiye on June 25 in Los Angeles.
The Americans have a long history at the World Cup dating back to the inaugural tournament in Uruguay in 1930. Their best performance came in that first edition, when they reached the semi-finals before losing to Argentina.
USA also enjoyed memorable campaigns in 1994 and 2002, reaching the Round of 16 on home soil in 1994 and advancing to the quarter-finals in Korea and Japan in 2002.
At the 2022 tournament in Qatar, the Americans progressed unbeaten from a difficult group featuring England, Iran and Wales before being eliminated 3-1 by the Netherlands in the Round of 16.
Former captain Landon Donovan remains USA’s all-time leading World Cup scorer with five goals across the 2002, 2006 and 2010 tournaments. Donovan also holds the national record for most World Cup appearances with 12 matches.
Among the most iconic moments in U.S. World Cup history was the shock 1-0 victory over England at the 1950 World Cup in Brazil, regarded as one of the greatest upsets in football history.
Another unforgettable performance came at the 2014 World Cup when goalkeeper Tim Howard made a tournament-record 16 saves against Belgium in the Round of 16, despite the Americans eventually losing 2-1 after extra time.
USA’s biggest World Cup victories remain the back-to-back 3-0 wins over Belgium and Paraguay during the 1930 tournament, with Bert Patenaude scoring the first hat-trick in World Cup history against Paraguay.
With home support behind them and a new era under Pochettino, the United States will hope to make a deep run at the 2026 World Cup and challenge some of the world’s top football nations on their own soil.
Chennai Super Kings slipped to sixth place in the IPL 2026 standings after suffering a seven-wicket defeat to Lucknow Super Giants in Lucknow on Friday.
A blistering 38-ball 90 from Mitchell Marsh powered the already-eliminated LSG to a dominant chase of 188, making light work of the target on a slightly two-paced surface. Marsh and fellow Australian Josh Inglis stitched together a commanding 135-run opening stand, exposing CSK’s ineffective bowling attack.
CSK posted 187/5 after a composed 71 off 42 balls from young batter Kartik Sharma, who steadied the innings following an early collapse. Despite some assistance for seamers on the pitch, Chennai’s bowlers failed to capitalize, repeatedly overpitching or offering loose short deliveries that Marsh punished heavily.
The Australian all-rounder was especially brutal against pacer Anshul Kamboj, smashing four consecutive sixes and a boundary in a 28-run over during the powerplay. LSG raced to 86 without loss in the first six overs, with Marsh bringing up his half-century in just 21 balls.
Inglis contributed a fluent 36 before falling to Mukesh Choudhary, while Marsh narrowly missed out on a century after being run out in unfortunate fashion when a deflected straight drive from Nicholas Pooran crashed into the stumps at the non-striker’s end.
Pooran then finished the chase in style, hammering four successive sixes off Kamboj to guide LSG home in just 16.4 overs. Kamboj endured a forgettable outing, ending with figures of 0 for 63 in 2.4 overs.
Earlier, Kartik Sharma rescued CSK after the top order struggled against LSG’s disciplined hard-length bowling. He shared a valuable 70-run partnership with Dewald Brevis, who chipped in with 25.
Kartik attacked spinner Shahbaz Ahmed confidently before expanding his strokeplay against the pacers, including back-to-back sixes off Prince Yadav. He reached his fifty with a six off Mohammed Shami in 35 balls before eventually falling to Ahmed.
LSG pacer Akash Singh played a key role early on, claiming three wickets and removing Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Urvil Patel with disciplined bowling.
The defeat leaves CSK stuck on 12 points from as many matches. They must now win their remaining two games and rely on favorable results elsewhere to keep their playoff hopes alive.
In the next IPL match, Kolkata Knight Riders will face Gujarat Titans today at 6:30p.m. in Eden Gardens in Kolkata. All matches will be broadcast live across Afghanistan on Ariana Television, bringing full coverage of every boundary, wicket, and turning moment to viewers nationwide.
China to buy at least $17 billion in US agricultural products annually, White House says
Afghanistan launches second nationwide polio vaccination campaign of 2026
Tahawol: Fragile U.S.-Iran ceasefire
Saar: Afghanistan and Russia’s expanding relations
Da Afghanistan Bank strengthens Islamic banking through new training initiatives
New Afghanistan-China transport corridor launched via Turkmenistan
Bayat Power extends gas supply deal with Afghan Gas
Afghanistan signs $46 million deal to develop standard laboratory complexes
Germany to launch online visa system for Afghan study and work applicants in Pakistan
Webinar series highlights growing climate pressures on livelihoods in Afghanistan
Tahawol: Fragile U.S.-Iran ceasefire
Saar: Afghanistan and Russia’s expanding relations
Tahawol: Ongoing threats to resume war with Iran discussed
Saar: Possible visit of Pakistani delegation to Kabul reviewed
Tawsia: Economic opportunities for Afghanistan discussed
-
Business5 days agoAfghanistan signs $46 million deal to develop standard laboratory complexes
-
World1 day agoLarge blast near Beit Shemesh part of pre-planned test: Israeli defense firm
-
Latest News5 days agoMinister of Refugees meets Sadin Ay Yildiz, discusses Afghan migrant issues in Turkey
-
Latest News4 days agoIEA FM receives credentials of new ICRC head in Afghanistan
-
Latest News3 days agoAfghan migrant arrested over alleged assault of schoolgirl in Germany
-
Latest News2 days agoRussia asked to send medical teachers to Afghanistan: Overchuk
-
Latest News3 days agoUS CENTCOM chief says Afghanistan remains key terrorism concern
-
Sport4 days agoFIFA to launch global social impact campaigns at 2026 World Cup