Sport
Afghanistan defeats West Indies by 38 runs, take early lead in T20I series
Darwish Rasooli and Ibrahim Zadran put together a record-breaking third-wicket partnership of 162 runs off 106 balls.
Afghanistan, also known as AfghanAtalan, delivered a commanding all-round performance to defeat the West Indies by 38 runs in the opening match of the T20I series in Dubai, taking a 1–0 lead on Monday.
After winning the toss, captain Rashid Khan elected to bat, but Afghanistan suffered an early setback as Rahmanullah Gurbaz was dismissed on the first ball of the innings. Sediqullah Atal soon followed, leaving the hosts struggling at 19 for 2 in the third over.
The innings was then rebuilt in spectacular fashion by Darwish Rasooli and Ibrahim Zadran. The pair put together a record-breaking third-wicket partnership of 162 runs off 106 balls, steadying the innings and accelerating strongly in the latter stages.
Rasooli scored a brilliant 84 off 59 deliveries, striking eight fours and two sixes, while Zadran anchored the innings with an unbeaten 87. Afghanistan finished on a competitive 181 for 3.
The partnership was the highest-ever third-wicket stand for Afghanistan in T20 internationals and the second-highest for any wicket in the format for the team.
In response, Afghanistan’s bowlers made early inroads, with Mujeeb Ur Rahman striking in the opening over. Regular wickets followed as the visitors were reduced to 50 for 5 in the ninth over, leaving them under constant pressure.
Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, playing only his second T20I after a seven-year gap, was the standout performer with the ball, claiming 3 for 36 in his four overs.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad also made vital contributions, picking up two wickets each to restrict the West Indies to 143.
Darwish Rasooli was named Player of the Match for his outstanding knock and sharp fielding effort, which included three catches.
With the victory, Afghanistan take a 1–0 lead in the series. The two sides will meet again in the second T20I on Wednesday, January 21.
Sport
Abu Muslim Farah beat Sarsabz Yashlar 3–0 in sixth season of ACL opener
Fans across Afghanistan can watch today’s second and third matches live and exclusively on Ariana Television.
Defending champions Abu Muslim Farah made a winning start to the sixth season of the Afghanistan Champions League, defeating Sarsabz Yashlar of Faryab 3–0 in the opening match.
The match, played Thursday evening at the Afghanistan Football Federation Stadium, saw Abu Muslim Farah dominate proceedings and secure all three points with a convincing performance.
Omid Popalzai opened the scoring in the first half, before Mahboob Hanafi and Omid Rajabi added two more goals after the break to seal a comfortable victory for the defending champions.
The sixth season of the Afghanistan Champions League features 10 teams, with the competition being played on a home-and-away format in Kabul.
Today, Friday, Omar Zawak Loy Shindand will face Khurasan Faryab at 3:30 p.m., while Istiqlal Kabul will take on Toofan Herat in the third match of the day.
Ariana Khost and Umar Zawak Loy Shindand are among the new teams competing in this season’s tournament.
Fans across Afghanistan can watch today’s second and third matches live and exclusively on Ariana Television.
The sixth season of the Afghanistan Champions League will run until November 21, with the participating teams battling for the championship title.
Sport
Afghanistan Champions League Season 6 kicks off today: Abu Muslim Farah face Sarsabz Yashlar
The match is scheduled for 7:30pm Kabul time and will mark the start of a season running until November 21.
The sixth season of the Afghanistan Champions League kicks off Thursday, September 10, with defending champions Abu Muslim Farah facing Sarsabz Yashlar of Faryab in the opening match.
The match is scheduled for 7:30pm Kabul time and will mark the start of a season running until November 21.
Ten clubs will compete in the league, with matches played in a home-and-away format in Kabul.
Abu Muslim Farah will begin their title defence against Sarsabz Yashlar, while Ariana Khost and Omar Zawak Loy Shindand are among the new additions to this season’s competition.
The other participating teams are Aino Mina, Arman FC, Istiqlal Kabul, Khurasan Faryab, Sorkh Poshan Khafi and Toofan Herat.
Fans across Afghanistan can watch the opening match live and exclusively on Ariana Television from 7:30pm Kabul time.
The Afghanistan Champions League will continue through November 21, with clubs competing for the Season 6 title.
Sport
Afghanistan to host Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in the UAE in three-format home season
All the matches will be played in the UAE, though the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has not yet announced the venues.
Afghanistan are set to host Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in October-November in a packed home season that will include matches in all three formats.
All the matches will be played in the UAE, though the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has not yet announced the venues.
The season will kick off on October 9 – six days after the final of the Asian Games T20 tournament in Japan, should Afghanistan make it that far – with a one-off Test match against Bangladesh.
An ODI tri-series will follow from October 17 to 23, with Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe facing each other once before the top two teams meet in the final.
Afghanistan will then take on Zimbabwe in a three-match T20I series from October 27 to November 1. The two teams will then face off in two Test matches, the first from November 5 to 9 and the second from November 13 to 17.
Afghanistan have already played a Test match this year, against India in New Chandigarh in June. The three matches against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe will take Afghanistan’s total for the year to four Tests – the most they will have played in a calendar year so far.
Afghanistan have played two Tests against Bangladesh so far, winning one and losing the other. They have played five against Zimbabwe, winning two, losing two, and drawing one.
“We are pleased to confirm this important period of international cricket for the Afghanistan National Team,” ACB CEO Naseeb Khan said. “Playing Bangladesh and Zimbabwe across different formats will provide our players with valuable competitive opportunities and offer our supporters an exciting period of international cricket.
“The Afghanistan Cricket Board remains committed to providing our national team with regular, high-quality international cricket. We highly value our relationships with the Bangladesh Cricket Board and Zimbabwe Cricket and appreciate their cooperation in making these important assignments possible.”
Afghanistan vs Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in the UAE, 2026-27
One-off Test vs Bangladesh October 9-13
ODI tri-series
Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe October 17
Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe October 19
Afghanistan vs Bangladesh October 21
Final October 23
Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe T20I series
1st T20I October 27
2nd T20I October 29
3rd T20I November 1
Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe Test series
1st Test Nov 5 – 9
2nd Test Nov 13 – 17
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