Sport
Afghanistan modifies sanctions on Mujeeb, Naveen and Farooqi
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has modified the previously imposed sanctions on three national players — Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazal Haq Farooqi and Naveen Ul Haq — as the players relented and expressed their desire to accept the central contract offered by the board.
Last month, all three players asked to be released from their central contracts in order to pursue other opportunities on the T20 franchise circuit.
The ACB in turn revoked their existing No-Objection Certificates, denying them further NOCs for a period of two years.
The ACB said in Monday’s statement however, that it took the decision, following a thorough investigation, to issue a final warning to the players and deduct money from their salaries.
"Upon the players' unconditional approach to the ACB and expressing a strong desire to represent the country again, the ACB initiated a comprehensive investigation.
"After evaluating the players' initial stance in light of recent developments and acknowledging the importance of their presence in the national team, the assigned committee communicated its final recommendations to the board," the ACB statement said.
"The modified recommendations state the following course of regulatory measures that are proportionate, effective & feasible and shall supersede the previous measures imposed on the players concerning the same issue:
"A final Warning and Salary Deduction: Each player shall receive a final written warning and face a specific salary deduction from their monthly earnings and/or match fees.
"The ACB will strictly consider the issuance of limited NOCs to the respected players while prioritising the national duty and ACB’s interests.
"The ACB may grant central contracts to these players while strictly monitoring their performance and discipline in events," the ACB said.
Farooqi and Naveen fronted up for Afghanistan during the recent three-match T20I series against UAE after "demonstrating strong desire to represent the country", and the two have also been named in the squad that will take on India, for three T20Is, starting Thursday.
Mujeeb has also been named in the squad, having missed the UAE tour as he was still at the Big Bash League (BBL) with the Melbourne Renegades at the time.
The T20Is in India will be Mujeeb's first since July 2023.
India series
The event kicks off on Thursday, January 11, with the first T20I scheduled to be staged in Mohali’s Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, followed by the second on January 14 in Indore and the final on the 17th in Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Cricket fans in Afghanistan will get to watch all three matches against India live on Ariana Television after ATN secured exclusive rights to broadcast the series.
Thursday’s cricket fest will start at 5pm Kabul time so be sure to stay tuned!
Sport
Afghanistan A beat Hong Kong by 7 wickets in tri-series
Karim Janat made 47 runs off 27 balls. Earlier, he had taken three wickets.
Karim Janat shined with the bat and ball as Afghanistan's A cricket team defeated Hong Kong by seven wickets in their first match of a tri-nation series in Oman on Sunday.
Sent to bat by Afghans who won the toss, Hong Kong posted 111-3 as they played all the mandated 20 overs.
Afghanistan A chased down the target in 13.5 overs.
Karim Janat made 47 runs off 27 balls. Earlier, he had taken three wickets.
Zubaid Akbari contributed with 37 off 28 balls.
Afghanistan will play Oman in their next match of the series on Monday.
Sport
Cricket – Oman beat Afghanistan A in warm-up match
Oman chased down the target in the 18.3 overs. Shoaib Khan made 64 while Jatinder Singh contributed 30.
Oman defeated Afghanistan A by seven wickets in the first warm-up game on Wednesday ahead of a tri-nation series and the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024.
Batting first after winning the toss in the 20-over match, Afghanistan A made 143 before they were all out in the 19.4 overs, with Sharafuddin Ashraf blasting 53 off 35 (not out).
Oman chased down the target in the 18.3 overs. Shoaib Khan made 64 while Jatinder Singh contributed 30.
Rafiullah of Oman A picked up four wickets.
The second and last warm-up match between the sides will be held on Thursday, and on Sunday, Afghanistan A will play their first match of the tri-nation series against Hong Kong.
Sport
Brazil wins historic sixth FIFA Futsal World Cup in Uzbekistan
Brazil, who have won five out of the six finals they have appeared in, finished the tournament with seven wins from seven games and only six goals conceded
The curtain came down on the tenth edition of the FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024 in dramatic style on Sunday night as Brazil made history in Tashkent by beating Argentina 2-1 to win a record-extending sixth title, adding to the ones they claimed in 1989, 1992, 1996, 2008 and 2012.
In a historic final – the first between two teams from South America – Ferrão and Rafael gave Brazil a 2-0 half-time lead before Argentina ended a period of incessant pressure by pulling one back through Matías Rosa.
Brazil clung on for a dramatic last two minutes to hand Argentina, the champions in 2016, a second successive Final defeat and only their second loss in their last 21 FIFA Futsal World Cup matches.
Brazil, who have won five out of the six finals they have appeared in, finished the tournament with seven wins from seven games and only six goals conceded, their best-ever defensive performance.
The evening began with the third-place playoff, which ended with Ukraine claiming bronze and their best-ever FIFA Futsal World Cup finish; with a 7-1 victory against France – who were making their first ever appearance at the Finals.
Despite ending with familiar winners – the tenth edition of futsal’s greatest competition was a tournament of firsts.
It was the first time FIFA had staged an event in Central Asia; with more than 150,000 fans attending the games spread between the three host cities of Tashkent, Andijan and Bukhara.
The tournament – which featured 24 teams from all six confederations – was also broadcast or streamed live in over 175 territories around the world – as the popularity of the game of futsal continues to grow at an exponential rate.
It was also the first time four nations took to courts on the highest stage of them all – as New Zealand, Tajikistan and Afghanistan joined France in competing in the FIFA Futsal World Cup for the first time.
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