Sport
ACB headed in right direction despite COVID challenges: Chairman
Afghanistan Cricket Board Chairman Farhan Yusefzai said Wednesday that the board has notched up a number of successes despite the immense challenges it has faced due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Addressing journalists in Kabul, Yusefzai gave an overall update on the ACB’s achievements during his two-year tenure.
He said the domestic cricket structure has been strengthened, that Afghan players have recorded notable performances around the world, that land has been earmarked for a state of the art stadium in Kabul and that bilateral exchanges between the UAE’s Sharjah Cricket Council have been successful – in paving the way for Afghanistan’s future fixtures.
Yusefzai also said the International Cricket Council (ICC) will increase its grants by as much as 60% for ACB which will further strengthen the organization’s financial independence.
He also said that the second edition of Afghanistan Premier League T20, will be held in February 2022 provided there are no COVID-19 restrictions in place.
On the local league he said: “We had planned to organize the eighth edition of Shpageeza Cricket League this July. However, due to the third wave of COVID-19 in the country, the event will be held later in the year.”
Yusefzai also stated that currently, their focus was on preparing the national team for the ICC ODI Super League matches against Pakistan as well as the T20 World Cup later in the year.
He also added that, courtesy of efforts of the Afghan ambassador to Colombo, negotiations are underway to organize a series against Sri Lanka in near future.
In conclusion he said ACB is headed in the right direction and expressed confidence that the national team will achieve more successes on international stage.
Sport
Serbian Dejan Dedovic appointed head coach of Afghanistan national futsal team
Dedovic will lead Afghanistan’s preparations for upcoming regional and international competitions, overseeing the team’s technical development and training programs.
The Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF) has appointed Serbian coach Dejan Dedovic as the new head coach of the national futsal team on a two-year contract.
The agreement was signed during a ceremony attended by AFF officials, futsal committee members, technical staff, and sports journalists.
Dedovic will lead Afghanistan’s preparations for upcoming regional and international competitions, overseeing the team’s technical development and training programs.
The federation also announced several additions to the national team’s coaching staff. Iran’s Javad Asghari Moqaddam has been appointed technical director, while Morteza Mansour Samaei will serve as goalkeeping coach. Spain’s Uriel Masana has joined as assistant coach, Iran’s Sadeq Amani as fitness coach, and Brazil’s Joao Lira as team analyst.
In addition, the AFF renewed the contract of Mohammad Nasir Sedaqat as manager of the national futsal team.
The federation said it expects the newly assembled coaching staff to contribute to the continued development of Afghan futsal and strengthen the team’s competitiveness at the regional and international levels.
Sport
India clinch ODI series against Afghanistan
The India national cricket team defeated Afghanistan in the third and final One Day International (ODI), sealing the series with a 9-wicket victory and lifting the series trophy.
Afghanistan won the toss in the final match and opted to bat first.
Batting first, Afghanistan were bowled out for 218 in 44.2 overs, setting India a target of 219 runs.
Hashmatullah Shahidi played a superb innings, scoring 102 runs off 131 deliveries, anchoring the Afghan batting effort.
In reply, India made light work of the chase, reaching 219 for the loss of just one wicket in 28.4 overs, completing a dominant run chase.
India had already taken an unassailable lead in the series by winning the first ODI by 7 wickets and the second by 170 runs, before sealing a comprehensive 3–0 series sweep in the final match.
Sport
2nd ODI: India crush Afghanistan by 170 runs to seal series lead
The Indian national cricket team registered a dominant 170-run victory over Afghanistan in the second One Day International, delivering a commanding all-round performance.
Batting first, India piled up 402 all out in 49.5 overs, setting a daunting 403-run target for Afghanistan.
In reply, Afghanistan were never able to settle into the chase and were eventually bowled out for 232 in 44.3 overs, falling well short of the required total.
India’s innings was powered by a sensational top-order display. Shubman Gill led the charge with a brilliant 154 off 110 balls, striking 22 fours and 2 sixes, while Ishan Kishan lit up the innings with a rapid 125 off 79 deliveries, smashing 14 fours and 7 sixes. The duo laid the foundation for a massive total.
Afghanistan’s bowling effort saw some resistance from Rashid Khan, who picked up 3 wickets, but lacked support from the other end.
Set under pressure from the outset, Afghanistan’s batting lineup failed to build partnerships and was unable to sustain the required run rate against disciplined Indian bowling.
The match was played at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, where India’s dominant performance secured a comfortable win and momentum in the series.
Afghanistan had also lost the opening ODI by 7 wickets, giving India a strong 2–0 position in the series.
-
Latest News4 days agoPakistani truckers return home after 9 months stranded in Afghanistan
-
International Sports4 days agoIran goalkeeper shines in heroic draw against Belgium at FIFA World Cup 2026
-
International Sports4 days agoMessi, David, and Undav lead thrilling 2026 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot race
-
Latest News4 days agoEarthquake of magnitude 5.2 strikes Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush region
-
International Sports2 days agoKnockout picture begins to take shape at FIFA World Cup 2026
-
Latest News3 days agoContract signed for reconstruction of 15km section of Salang Highway
-
Latest News4 days agoIran invites Afghanistan’s prime minister to attend funeral ceremony of Ali Khamenei
-
Business3 days agoKazakhstan signs $18.8 million zinc ore supply agreement with Afghan company
