Sport
Afghanistan to tour UAE for a three-match T20I series late this month
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed Thursday Afghanistan will embark on a tour to the United Arab Emirates later this month to play a series of three T20Is and two 50-over warmup matches against the hosts at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Both teams will first meet in two 50-Over warmup games on the 25th and 27th of December before the start of the three T20I matches, which are scheduled to be played on the 29th of December, 31st of December and 2nd of January in Sharjah.
This will be Afghanistan’s 2nd tour to UAE in 2023, with the Rashid Khan-led side winning the first series 2-1 in Abu Dhabi in February.
The series is being played under the mutual cooperation agreement that was signed last year between Afghanistan and the Emirates Cricket Boards. Based on the agreement, Afghanistan will play a series of three T20I matches with the UAE on an annual basis.
CEO of Afghanistan Cricket Board Naseeb Khan said: “Our collaboration with the UAE Cricket Board has been helpful. The inaugural UAE Series earlier this year offered us an excellent foundation to prepare for the following events throughout the year.
“Banking on our positive previous experience, we eagerly anticipate the upcoming UAE series for the same purpose again,” he said.
“This upcoming tour marks the commencement of our new year which is expected to provide the AfghanAtalan squad with the necessary impetus for an action-packed 2024 season, featuring plenty of T20 cricket to be played.”
The General Secretary of the Emirates Cricket Board Mubashshir Usmani said: “We are delighted to host the Afghanistan team for the second time this year. We had a hugely competitive T20I series in February and this tour will once again provide excellent opportunities to our seasoned as well as young players against a formidable opponent.
“Afghanistan performed incredibly well in the ODI World Cup, and they are a team on the rise with a strong support base in the UAE. We look forward to welcoming the Afghanistan team,” he said.
The series will conclude Afghanistan’s duties for 2023 and will simultaneously mark the beginning of an eventful and action-packed 2024.
Afghanistan cricket is gearing up for a busy year ahead which encompasses various bilateral commitments alongside the big event, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup scheduled for June 2024.
Afghanistan all-rounder Mohammad Nabi has reached another major milestone, becoming the first Afghan player to score 2,500 runs in T20I cricket.
Nabi reached the landmark in his 142nd T20I innings. He has scored seven half-centuries in the format, with a highest score of 89.
The veteran all-rounder continues to add to his record-breaking career and remains one of Afghanistan’s most experienced and influential players in international cricket.
Afghanistan is currently playing India in the second of a three-match T20I series. Fans in Afghanistan can watch the series live on Ariana Television.
Abu Muslim Farah and Omar Zawak secured convincing victories on Monday as the sixth season of Afghanistan Champions League Roshan continued in Kabul.
In the sixth match of the competition, Abu Muslim Farah produced a dominant performance to defeat Istiqlal Kabul 4–0.
Mahboob Hanifi and Omid Popalzai found the net in the first half to give Abu Muslim Farah a two-goal advantage at the break. Alireza Panahi and Farzad Tajik added two more goals after halftime, completing a comfortable victory and earning Abu Muslim Farah all three points.
In the seventh match, Omar Zawak defeated Sarsabz Yashlar 3–1, with Shadab Malekzada stealing the spotlight.
Malekzada scored all three goals for Omar Zawak to complete an impressive hat-trick. Mehran Khas scored Sarsabz Yashlar’s only goal, but it was not enough to prevent Omar Zawak from claiming a convincing win.
Upcoming Fixtures
The Afghanistan Champions League Roshan continues on Wednesday with two matches:
- Toofan Herat vs. Ariana Khost
- Khorasan Faryab vs. Aino Mina
Football fans can watch the matches live on Ariana Television Network (ATN).
Sport
Farooq Khan Ahmadzai makes international umpiring debut
He was recently promoted to the ACB’s elite umpiring panel following a competitive selection process.
Afghanistan’s Farooq Khan Ahmadzai made his international umpiring debut during the first T20I between Afghanistan and India, becoming the seventh Afghan umpire to officiate at international level.
Ahmadzai, one of the Afghanistan Cricket Board’s leading domestic umpires, took charge of his first international match in the opening game of the three-match series in New Delhi on Sunday, September 14.
He was recently promoted to the ACB’s elite umpiring panel following a competitive selection process.
Ahmadzai joins a growing group of Afghan officials who have officiated in international cricket, including Ahmad Shah Durrani, Ahmad Shah Pakteen and Izatullah Safi, who are among the Afghan umpires currently listed on the ICC’s international umpire panel.
Pakteen is the most experienced of the group, having officiated in Tests, ODIs and T20Is.
Ahmadzai has built considerable experience in Afghanistan’s domestic game, having officiated in 38 first-class matches, 59 List A matches and 74 T20s before making the step up to international cricket.
His international debut came during a significant fixture, with Afghanistan facing India in the opening match of their T20I series.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board congratulated Ahmadzai on the milestone and wished him success in his international umpiring career.
Tahawol: Afghanistan at the center of UN discussions
Nabi reaches 2,500 T20I runs
Economic Commission approves 66 draft national standards
Saar: Afghanistan’s relations with regional countries discussed
Petition filed in Islamabad High Court against PMDC directive affecting Afghan students
Four mediators struggle to secure lasting Pakistan-Afghanistan ceasefire
Juma Khan Fateh surrenders to IEA forces in Badakhshan
Afghanistan’s trade diversification challenges Pakistan
Syria and Saudi Arabia condemn Kabul bombing, express solidarity with Afghanistan
Saudi energy group signs major Afghanistan deals covering gas exploration and pipeline plans
Tahawol: Afghanistan at the center of UN discussions
Saar: Afghanistan’s relations with regional countries discussed
Tahawol: Houthis’ return to regional power dynamics
Tahawol: Calls for U.S. engagement with Afghanistan
Saar: End of Chinese ambassador’s mission in Kabul
-
Sport4 days agoOmar Zawak, Toofan Herat secure victories in Afghanistan Champions League
-
Sport3 days agoZadran calls on Afghan fans to rally behind team against India
-
Latest News3 days agoKhalilzad warns US risks losing influence in Afghanistan to China and Russia
-
Regional4 days agoSaudis shut down oil pipeline as Houthis tighten grip on Red Sea shipping
-
Latest News5 days agoKabul to host tripartite meeting on Afghan migrants’ problems
-
Latest News4 days agoPakistan court blocks expulsion of Afghan medical students
-
Business3 days agoEU and FAO launch €5m programme to strengthen Afghanistan’s agrifood sector
-
World3 days agoHouthi advance in Yemen puts U.S. in a new bind