Sport
Afghanistan unveils national futsal squad for Riyadh 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games
Afghanistan’s national futsal committee has officially unveiled its squad for the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games (ISG), to be held from November 7 to 21, 2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The announcement comes as anticipation builds across the country, with Ariana Television Network (ATN) set to broadcast the Games live and exclusively across Afghanistan.
The Riyadh 2025 Games — organized by the Islamic Solidarity Sports Association (ISSA) — will bring together athletes from 57 member nations competing in more than 21 sports, including athletics, wrestling, football, weightlifting, martial arts, and emerging events such as camel racing and e-sports.
Afghanistan’s futsal team, a symbol of national pride and resilience, will represent the country alongside athletes from across the Islamic world. The team is scheduled to hold its final training camp in Mashhad, Iran, from October 25, before departing for Riyadh to begin the competition.
According to tournament organizers, eight teams will compete in the futsal event: Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Morocco, Libya, and Azerbaijan. The official draw for the tournament will take place on Thursday at 4 pm Saudi time, with representatives from all participating teams in attendance.
In line with the format, Saudi Arabia and Iran will automatically head Groups A and B, respectively, based on global rankings and host privileges. The remaining six teams will be divided into three groups:
Group A: Morocco and Uzbekistan
Group B: Afghanistan and Libya
Group C: Tajikistan and Azerbaijan
An official from the Afghan Football Federation said the futsal squad reflects a “balanced mix of experience and youthful energy,” adding that “our players understand they are carrying the hopes of a nation eager to see its flag shine at an international event of this magnitude.”
ATN’s exclusive coverage of Riyadh 2025 marks a major milestone for Afghan sports broadcasting. The network will air live matches, daily highlights, and athlete features, ensuring fans nationwide can follow every moment of the Games.
The Afghan team is as follows:
Mohammad Jawad Safari
Ali Ahmad Mohseni
Mahdi Nawrozi
Reza Hussainpour
Abbas Haidari
Jawad Haidari
Hamid Reza Hussaini
Khodadad Ibrahimi
Sayed Murtaza Hussani
Farzad Mahmoodi
Mohammad Moradi
Bahman Gargich
Sayed Hussain Mosavi
Akbar Kazemi
Omid Qanbari
Sayed Mujtaba Hussaini
“This is a proud moment for Afghanistan,” an ATN spokesperson said. “The Islamic Solidarity Games symbolize unity, friendship, and healthy competition — values that resonate deeply with Afghan audiences. We’re thrilled to bring this historic event to every home.”
For Afghanistan, participation in the Games is both a symbolic and practical achievement — reaffirming the country’s presence in international sport after years of limited engagement. Afghan athletes are expected to compete in several disciplines, including wrestling, taekwondo, weightlifting, and athletics, alongside futsal.
The Islamic Solidarity Games, first held in 2005, are designed to strengthen ties among Muslim-majority nations through sport and cultural exchange. This year’s Riyadh edition — the first hosted by Saudi Arabia since the inaugural event — will emphasize youth participation, inclusivity, and innovation in sports presentation.
With ATN’s nationwide broadcast, millions of Afghans will be able to share in the excitement as their athletes take the international stage — turning Riyadh 2025 into a moment of national pride, unity, and renewed hope for the country’s sporting community.
Sport
Rashid Khan plans to build cricket academy and stadium in Nangarhar
Afghanistan national cricket team player and Afghan Wireless Brand Ambassador Rashid Khan says he plans to establish a major cricket academy and a stadium in eastern Nangarhar province.
Rashid Khan made the remarks at a press conference held at the AWCC office in eastern Afghanistan.
He said building a well-equipped cricket ground and a large academy in Nangarhar is one of his plans and that he intends to begin the project after completing his other commitments.
“It is my dream to have a good cricket ground in my home province, Nangarhar. I have it in mind. Once I am done with my other work, I will undertake the construction of a large academy and a cricket ground in Nangarhar,” Rashid Khan said.
Rashid Khan also said his biggest dream is to help Afghanistan win the Cricket World Cup.
“My biggest dream is for us to win the World Cup for Afghanistan. It would be a great honor for us,” he said.
Meanwhile, AWCC officials in the east thanked Rashid Khan for his cooperation with the company and for choosing Afghan Wireless as his commercial partner.
Ataullah Sahel, head of AWCC in the eastern zone, said: “Rashid Khan has been the brand ambassador of Afghan Wireless for about two or two and a half years. It was the dream of Afghan Wireless leadership and employees to have national player Rashid Khan as our brand ambassador.”
The head of Nangarhar’s Telecommunications and Information Technology Department, the head of ATRA in the eastern zone and ACB officials also attended the meeting.
Sport
Abu Muslim cruise to 4-0 win over Aino Mina as Panahi hits hat-trick
Abu Muslim Farah will face Arman FC on October 5, while Aino Mina Kandahar will take on Istiqlal Kabul on October 6.
Abu Muslim Farah produced an impressive performance to beat Aino Mina Kandahar 4-0 in the 34th match of the sixth season of Afghanistan Champions League Roshan in Kabul on Friday.
Alireza Panahi opened the scoring in the 30th minute with a close-range finish before doubling Abu Muslim Farah’s lead six minutes later. The Farah-based side went into halftime with a comfortable 2-0 advantage.
Abu Muslim Farah continued to dominate after the break, with captain Sharif Mohammad extending the lead in the 79th minute with a stunning long-range free kick.
Panahi completed his hat-trick late in the match, scoring Abu Muslim Farah’s fourth goal and sealing a convincing 4-0 victory.
Aino Mina Kandahar were unable to find the back of the net in either half.
Abu Muslim Farah will face Arman FC on October 5, while Aino Mina Kandahar will take on Istiqlal Kabul on October 6.
The sixth season of Afghanistan Champions League Roshan is being broadcast live and exclusively on Ariana Television Network.
Sport
ACB announces Afghanistan squads for Bangladesh, Zimbabwe series
For cricket fans across Afghanistan, Ariana Television Network (ATN) will broadcast all these series live and exclusively.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced Afghanistan’s Test, ODI and T20I squads for a busy international schedule against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.
Afghanistan will face Bangladesh in a one-off Test from October 9 to 13 at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The match will be followed by an ODI Tri-Nation Series featuring Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, scheduled for October 17 to 23.
The first two matches of the tri-series will be played in Abu Dhabi, while the remaining two matches will take place in Sharjah.
Afghanistan will then play a three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe on October 27, October 29 and November 1, followed by a two-match Test series from November 5 to 9 and November 13 to 17. All five matches will be played at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Rahmat Shah will lead Afghanistan in both Test and ODI cricket after recently being appointed captain in the two formats. He guided Afghanistan to a 4-0 ODI series victory over Ireland in August. The upcoming Test against Bangladesh will be his first assignment as Afghanistan’s full-time Test captain.
Fast-bowling all-rounder Ismat Alam returns to the Test squad after missing the recent Test against India. Middle-order batter Shahidullah Kamal and fast bowler Yamin Ahmadzai have also been recalled following strong performances in the ongoing Ahmad Shah Abdali First Class Tournament.
Shahidullah has scored 538 runs at an average of 76.85, while Yamin has taken 42 wickets at an average of 12.73, with both currently leading the respective batting and bowling charts in the tournament.
Experienced left-arm spinner Zia Ur Rahman Akbar also returns to the Test squad after being sidelined by injury for almost a year. Leg-spinner Khalil Gurbaz, who was part of Afghanistan’s Test squad for the Ireland Test in 2024, has also been recalled.
Rashid Khan and Ibrahim Zadran remain rested from Test cricket following medical advice against their participation in the longer format at this stage.
In white-ball cricket, middle-order batter Darwish Rasooli has been left out of both the ODI and T20I squads, while Mohammad Nabi has been omitted from the T20I squad.
Mohammad Akram, who recently made his T20I debut at the 2026 Asian Games, has earned a place in the T20I squad for the Zimbabwe series. Young fast-bowling all-rounder Abdullah Tarakhil has also been rewarded for his performances in the 11th edition of the Shpageeza Cricket League.
Ijaz Ahmadzai and Shahidullah Kamal have also been recalled to the T20I squad, while Fareed Ahmad Malik, who was among the reserves for Afghanistan’s recent T20I series against India, has been promoted to the main 15-member squad.
ACB CEO Naseeb Khan said Test cricket remains a major priority for Afghanistan and described the upcoming matches against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe as important opportunities for the team, particularly its emerging players, to gain experience in the longer format.
He also said the ODI Tri-Nation Series will form part of Afghanistan’s preparations for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027, while emphasizing the ACB’s commitment to providing the national team with regular, high-quality international cricket.
Afghanistan Test squad
Rahmat Shah (Captain), Ikram Alikhil (Vice-Captain & WK), Afsar Zazai (WK), Sediqullah Atal, Abdul Malik, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Rahmanullah Zadran, Shahidullah Kamal, Ismat Alam, Qais Ahmad, Zia Ur Rahman Akbar, Khalil Gurbaz, Mohammad Saleem Safi, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, Yamin Ahmadzai.
Reserves: Baheer Shah Mahboob, Naseer Khan Maroofkhil, Bilal Sami, Bashir Ahmad.
Afghanistan ODI squad
Rahmat Shah (Captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Vice-Captain & WK), Ikram Alikhil (WK), Sediqullah Atal, Ibrahim Zadran, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangyalai Khan, AM Ghazanfar, Bilal Sami, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Yamin Ahmadzai.
Travelling reserve: Qais Ahmad.
Afghanistan T20I squad
Ibrahim Zadran (Captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Noor Rahman (WK), Sediqullah Atal, Mohammad Akram, Shahidullah Kamal, Ijaz Ahmadzai, Azmatullah Omarzai, Abdullah Tarakhil, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Farid Ahmad Malik.
Reserves: Faridoon Dawoodzai, Qais Ahmad, Nangyalai Khan.
Series Schedule:
For cricket fans across Afghanistan, Ariana Television Network (ATN) will broadcast all these series live and exclusively.
Stay tuned to Ariana Television Network for the latest news, updates, and live coverage of these exciting cricket events.
-
Regional5 days agoUS, Iran separately talk with mediators in latest bid to end war
-
Regional4 days agoUS imposes sanctions on 13 tied to Iran weapons procurement
-
Latest News3 days agoFour members of one family killed in Helmand in Pakistan airstrike
-
Sport4 days agoIstiqlal Kabul beat Khurasan Faryab 2-0 with late goals
-
Climate Change5 days agoAfghanistan on climate front line as Kabul faces groundwater warning
-
Sport4 days agoAfghanistan Champions League: Toofan Herat and Aino Mina Kandahar draw 1-1
-
Latest News5 days agoUS Afghanistan War Commission meets Asim Munir over Pakistan’s role in conflict
-
Business5 days agoRussia accuses West of double standards over deportation of Afghans




