Sport
Afghanistan aim to strengthen ODI ranking in Ireland series
Afghanistan will begin their five-match One-Day International (ODI) series against Ireland on Wednesday, with the visitors looking to strengthen their position in the latest ICC men’s ODI rankings ahead of the 2027 Cricket World Cup qualification deadline.
The opening two matches will be played at Bready Cricket Club in Northern Ireland on August 5 and 7, while the remaining three fixtures will take place at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast on August 10, 12 and 15.
Afghanistan head into the series ranked eighth in the latest ICC ODI standings with 90 rating points, while Ireland sit 12th with 54 points.
The series is important for both teams as the ICC rankings on September 30, 2026, will help determine automatic qualification for the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup.
The top eight ranked teams, excluding hosts South Africa, will qualify directly for the tournament.
Afghanistan have dominated recent meetings between the two sides, winning their last six ODIs against Ireland. Ireland’s last ODI victory over Afghanistan came in March 2019.
The series will mark the first ODI assignment for Afghanistan’s new captain, Rahmat Shah, who took over the leadership after Hashmatullah Shahidi stepped down in June.
Afghanistan will be aiming to bounce back after suffering a 3-0 ODI series defeat to India earlier this year.
Ireland enter the series in confident form after recording a 2-0 T20I series victory over reigning T20 World Cup champions India last month. Jai Moondra, who was named Player of the Series against India, has earned his maiden ODI call-up, while Ben Calitz and Byron McDonough have also been included in the squad.
However, the hosts have been hampered by injuries, with Josh Little, Matt Hollard, Craig Young, Barry McCarthy, Jordan Neill and David Delany all unavailable for selection.
Ariana Radio and Television Network (ATN) holds the exclusive broadcast rights to the Ireland–Afghanistan ODI series and will air all five matches live across Afghanistan. Cricket fans can watch every ball live on Ariana Television and follow Ariana Television, Ariana Sport, and Ariana
News on Facebook, Instagram and X for match schedules, live updates, breaking news, and comprehensive coverage throughout the series.
Sport
Arman FC secure 3-1 victory over Sarsabz Yashlar in ACL
Arman FC will face Toofan Herat in their next fixture on November 7, while Sarsabz Yashlar are scheduled to take on Sorkh Poshan Khafi on the same day.
Arman FC defeated Sarsabz Yashlar 3-1 in the 70th match of the sixth season of Afghanistan Champions League Roshan on Tuesday at the Afghanistan Football Federation Stadium.
Sarsabz Yashlar took the lead in the 17th minute, but Arman FC equalized through Fardin Azizi in the closing stages of the first half to make it 1-1 at the break.
Arman FC took the lead in the second half when Malcolm Isaiah Shaw scored directly from a long-range free kick in the 65th minute.
Shaw added his second goal of the match in the 80th minute, extending Arman FC’s lead to 3-1 and securing all three points for his side.
Shaw was named Man of the Match for his two-goal performance.
Arman FC will face Toofan Herat in their next fixture on November 7, while Sarsabz Yashlar are scheduled to take on Sorkh Poshan Khafi on the same day.
All matches of the sixth season of the Roshan Afghan Champions League are broadcast live on Ariana Television.
Sport
Afghanistan futsal team thrash Panama 5-0 in flying start to Dakar Youth Olympics
Under the Dakar 2026 men’s futsal format, eight teams are divided into two groups of four, with the top two teams from each group progressing to the knockout stage.
Afghanistan got their men’s futsal campaign at the Dakar 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games off to a flying start, defeating Panama 5-0 in their opening Group A match on Monday, November 2.
The Afghan side delivered an impressive performance, scoring twice in the first half and adding three more goals after the break to complete a convincing five-goal victory.
Reza Karimi, Hussain Hassani, Mohammad Akbari, Farhad Nazari and Ali Ahmadi were all on target, with each player scoring once.
Hassani and Zakir Hussain Abdullahi registered two assists, and Akbari registered one.
The emphatic result gives Afghanistan three valuable points and an excellent start to their bid for a place in the semi-finals.
Under the Dakar 2026 men’s futsal format, eight teams are divided into two groups of four, with the top two teams from each group progressing to the knockout stage.
Afghanistan will next face Argentina on November 4 before concluding their Group A campaign against Senegal on November 7.
The five-goal victory provides an early boost for Afghanistan as they look to progress through the group stage and challenge for a medal at the Youth Olympic Games.
Fans can meanwhile tune in and watch the Dakar Youth Olympic Games exclusively on Ariana Radio and Television Network.
Sport
Afghanistan achieve their highest ICC Men’s ODI team ranking
They have won 96 of their 191 matches in the ODI format with an impressive win-loss ratio of 1.09.
Afghanistan have climbed to the sixth spot in the ICC Men’s ODI Team Rankings, surpassing Sri Lanka to secure their highest-ever position.
Since making their ODI debut in 2009, Afghanistan have been ever-rising across formats, with historic feats such as wins over Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2023 and a maiden ICC Men’s T20 World Cup semi-final appearance in 2024.
They have won 96 of their 191 matches in the ODI format with an impressive win-loss ratio of 1.09.
Afghanistan were already above experienced teams like Bangladesh, England and West Indies, and have now also overtaken Sri Lanka to achieve their highest-ever position in the Men’s ODI Team Rankings.
Their recent successes include a 4-0 series win over Ireland away from home and an unbeaten run in the recently concluded tri-series against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.
They recently clean swept Zimbabwe in the T20I format as well, and are now all set to face Zimbabwe in a two-match Test series.
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