Sport
Afghanistan coach unconcerned on Kohli’s return to India’s T20I side
As Virat Kohli is expected to return to India’s T20I side, Afghanistan head coach Jonathan Trott isn’t too concerned about his presence.
Kohli missed out on the three-match T20I series opener against Afghanistan in Mohali due to personal reasons, but he is expected to play in the second match scheduled for Sunday.
“Every team will have world-class players. You have to get accustomed to playing them if you want to start winning games and beating sides. We have to bowl against the best or face up to the best bowlers in the world. That’s a great challenge and why we play this game,” Afghanistan coach Trott said on Saturday, The Hindu newspaper reported.
“There’s no point trying to play this game and (being) not happy to face up to or accept those challenges. I’m excited for our boys. I’m looking forward to seeing how we go against world-class players on the (Indian) side. We have done well in the past. We had a bit of a taste of that in the 50-over World Cup, where we beat world-class sides. I think we can do that in this (T20) format as well,” the former England batter said.
Ahead of the three-match series, Afghanistan suffered a blow when it lost the services of its star leg-spinning all-rounder Rashid Khan, who is recovering from lower-back surgery. Rashid, however, is travelling with the team.
“I think any team in the world will miss Rashid if they had the option of having him in the side. Yes, obviously we miss Rashid. At the beginning of the series, I had said: ‘It’s a great opportunity for somebody else to come in. and gives us more options down the line. Rashid’s back is going to get better as soon as possible. He will be back playing. In cricket, there’s always injuries, and things like niggles always crop up. So, what we need is a good squad, we don’t need just a good XI in the team, and this (Rashid’s absence) presents us with that opportunity,” Trott said.
He praised Rashid for sticking around in India and helping the youngsters with his experience. “As far as Rashid around the side, I don’t think I’ve met a person who’s had a better impact as a team person around the side. Even with the things he has achieved, he still wants to play for Afghanistan even when he’s not playing. So, he’s here helping, influencing the guys. Always good to chat to. Just his presence around the dressing room is great. I can’t say anything more or give a higher praise to him, I suppose,” Trott said.
India defeated Afghanistan by six wickets in the series opener in Mohali to take 1-0 lead. The second T20I will be held at Holkar Stadium in Indore on Sunday.
Sunday’s match will be broadcast live and exclusively on Ariana Television.
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.
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.
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.
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