Sport
Afghanistan, Bangladesh set for high-stakes series in UAE
The tour kicks off on Thursday, October 2, with the final ODI scheduled for October 14 at Sheikh Zayed Stadium.
Afghanistan and Bangladesh are gearing up for a crucial white-ball series in the United Arab Emirates, with a three-match T20I series in Sharjah followed by three ODIs in Abu Dhabi.
The tour kicks off on Thursday, October 2, with the final ODI scheduled for October 14 at Sheikh Zayed Stadium.
Both sides are fielding squads packed with rising stars and proven performers, making the series one of the most anticipated contests in the run-up to next year’s ICC tournaments.
Afghanistan will be led by star leg-spinner Rashid Khan in T20Is, with Hashmatullah Shahidi captaining the ODI side.
The Afghans bring a balanced squad featuring experienced names like Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb ur Rahman alongside younger talents such as Noor Ahmad, Ibrahim Zadran, and Azmatullah Omarzai.
Currently ranked seventh in ODIs, Afghanistan will be keen to build momentum after an impressive run at the Asia Cup recently.
Bangladesh, captained by wicketkeeper-batter Jaker Ali in the T20 format, arrive with a squad that blends youth and experience.
Key players include Towhid Hridoy, Mustafizur Rahman, and Tanzid Hasan, all of whom played pivotal roles in recent tournaments.
While the Bangladesh Cricket Board has yet to finalize its ODI squad, the Tigers—ranked 10th in ODIs—will be eager to prove themselves against an Afghan side that has steadily climbed the rankings.
The series will open with back-to-back T20Is in Sharjah on October 2 and 3, followed by the third T20I on October 5.
The ODI series shifts to Abu Dhabi, with matches scheduled for October 8, 11, and 14.
Beyond the team battles, individual performances will be closely watched.
Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran, ranked 10th among ODI batters globally, will be looking to push higher up the ICC charts. For Bangladesh, emerging batters like Tanzid Hasan will be under the spotlight as the team seeks to bolster its limited-overs credentials.
With both nations eyeing consistency ahead of future ICC competitions, the UAE series is expected to be fiercely competitive and could play a key role in shaping their international campaigns.
Sport
Afghanistan, Uzbekistan set for friendly cricket clash in Khost
The match will be played during a cricket league, and is part of the Cricket Development Support Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the ACB and the Cricket Federation of Uzbekistan in December last year.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced that it will host Uzbekistan’s national cricket team for a one-off T20 international on July 10 at the Rahmat Wali Masroori Cricket Ground in Khost province.
According to the ACB, the match will be played during a cricket league, and is part of the Cricket Development Support Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the ACB and the Cricket Federation of Uzbekistan in December last year.
The friendly match is scheduled to begin at 9:00 AM, with an Afghan XI taking on the visiting Uzbek side. The game will be broadcast live across Afghanistan and internationally through various linear and digital platforms.
Quoted by the ACB, Chief Executive Officer Naseeb Khan said the board remains committed to supporting emerging cricket nations such as Uzbekistan and is ready to extend similar assistance to other countries seeking to develop the sport.
He noted that the ACB has already organized capacity-building programs and training workshops for members of the Cricket Federation of Uzbekistan, while several Uzbek fast bowlers also participated in the ACB’s specialized Fast Bowling Camp last year.
Khan added that Uzbekistan has consistently maintained a friendly policy toward Afghanistan and that the two countries have strengthened cooperation in healthcare, politics, and trade in recent years. He said closer collaboration in cricket development would further deepen relations between the two neighboring nations.
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.
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