Sport
IPL: PBKS keep playoff hopes alive as Shreyas Iyer’s century sinks LSG
The playoff race in the TATA IPL 2026 intensified on Saturday as Punjab Kings (PBKS) kept their hopes alive with a commanding seven-wicket victory over the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Match 68 at the Ekana Stadium.
Led by a sensational unbeaten century from captain Shreyas Iyer, PBKS successfully chased down a daunting 197-run target with two overs to spare, ending a painful six-match losing streak in dramatic fashion.
Punjab captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to bowl first, but LSG opener Josh Inglis came out firing, smashing 16 runs in the opening over bowled by Arshdeep Singh.
PBKS responded quickly through Azmatullah Omarzai, who dismissed Arshin Kulkarni for a first-ball duck, while Marco Jansen removed the dangerous Nicholas Pooran cheaply to leave LSG struggling at 20 for 2.
Despite the early setbacks, Josh Inglis anchored the innings superbly with a blistering 72 off 44 balls, including nine fours and two sixes. He received strong support from Ayush Badoni, who played an explosive knock of 43 from just 18 deliveries to shift the momentum back in LSG’s favour.
Veteran spinner Yuzvendra Chahal then produced a crucial spell for Punjab, claiming 2 for 25. He removed Badoni with the help of a sharp stumping from wicketkeeper Prabhsimran Singh before also dismissing LSG skipper Rishabh Pant.
Late fireworks from Abdul Samad, who blasted an unbeaten 37 off 20 balls, lifted LSG to a competitive 196 for 6.
Punjab’s chase got off to the worst possible start when veteran pacer Mohammed Shami struck with the very first ball of the innings, dismissing Priyansh Arya for a golden duck. Shami struck again soon after to remove Cooper Connolly, leaving PBKS reeling at 22 for 2.
With the pressure mounting and their season hanging in the balance, Shreyas Iyer and Prabhsimran Singh produced a magnificent 140-run partnership for the third wicket.
Prabhsimran attacked aggressively, hammering 69 from 39 balls with seven boundaries and two sixes, while Iyer paced the innings to perfection before launching a devastating assault on the LSG bowlers.
Even after Prabhsimran’s dismissal, Iyer continued to dominate, bringing up a stunning unbeaten 101 off just 51 deliveries at a strike rate of 198.04. His innings featured 11 fours and five sixes as PBKS cruised to 200 for 3 in exactly 18 overs.
The TATA IPL 2026 action continues today with a double-header as Mumbai Indians take on the Rajasthan Royals, while later in the day Kolkata Knight Riders face the Delhi Capitals.
Fans across Afghanistan can watch all the excitement live on Ariana Television, which is broadcasting the matches live nationwide.
Abu Muslim Farah beat Omar Zawak Herat 4-0 in the 30th match of the sixth season of the Roshan Afghanistan Champions League, delivering an impressive performance.
The match was played today (Wednesday) at the Afghanistan Football Federation Stadium.
Samiullah Naderi scored Abu Muslim Farah’s opening goal in the final minutes of the first half.
Abu Muslim Farah continued their attacking play in the second half, with Aman Sardari scoring the team’s second goal in the 69th minute with a spectacular header.
Omid Rajabi and Mirois Ghafouri then added two more goals to complete a 4-0 victory for Abu Muslim Farah.
Amanullah Sardari, captain of Abu Muslim Farah, was named Player of the Match against Omar Zawak Herat.
Abu Muslim Farah will face Ariana Khost in their next match on October 2, while Omar Zawak Herat will take on Istiqlal Kabul on the same day.
The sixth season of the Roshan Afghanistan Champions League is being broadcast live on Ariana Television.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board’s High Performance Center is set to launch a nationwide fast-bowling talent identification program, titled “Afghan Thunder,” across several provinces throughout October.
According to the ACB, the program will begin in Kunduz on October 4, with assessments continuing in Herat, Kandahar, Kabul, Khost, Paktia and Kunar before concluding in Nangarhar on October 27.
The board says eligible participants must be between 19 and 26 years old, at least 180 centimeters tall, hold a valid electronic National ID (e-Tazkira) and be capable of bowling at speeds of at least 140 kilometers per hour.
The assessment schedule is as follows: Kunduz on October 4–5, Herat on October 9–10, Kandahar on October 12, Kabul on October 14–15, Khost on October 19, Paktia on October 21, Kunar on October 25 and Nangarhar on October 27.
The ACB has encouraged eligible players who believe they have the potential to develop into high-level fast bowlers to take part in the Afghan Thunder Fast-Bowling Talent Hunt Program on the designated dates.
The board says the initiative aims to identify promising fast-bowling talent from across Afghanistan and provide talented players with a pathway into the country’s high-performance cricket system.
Toofan Herat and Aino Mina Kandahar drew 1-1 in the 29th match of the sixth season of Afghanistan Champions League Roshan on Tuesday.
Enayatullah Koohi scored the opening goal for Toofan Herat in the first half, but Ahmad Nabi Moqaddas equalized for Aino Mina Kandahar in the 32nd minute.
Both teams created chances to score in the second half, but neither side was able to find the net, and the match ended 1-1.
Toofan Herat committed 12 fouls and received one yellow card, while Aino Mina Kandahar committed 16 fouls and received two yellow cards.
Toofan Herat will face Arman FC in their next match on October 1, while Aino Mina Kandahar will take on Abu Muslim Farah on October 2.
The sixth season of the Roshan Afghanistan Champions League is being broadcast live on Ariana Television.
Abu Muslim Farah beat Omar Zawak Herat 4-0 in Afghanistan Champions League
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