Bismillah Shinwari, one of Afghanistan’s most experienced and respected cricket umpires, has passed away after a period of illness, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announced.

Shinwari, aged 41, played a key role in the development of Afghan cricket, both domestically and on the international stage.

A member of the ICC International Panel of Umpires “Bismillah Jan was a great servant of Afghan cricket,” the ACB said Tuesday.

Shinwari began his umpiring career in the early 2000s and steadily rose through the ranks as Afghanistan’s presence in world cricket grew. Over the years, he became known for his professionalism, calm demeanor, and deep understanding of the game.

He officiated in 34 One Day Internationals (ODIs), 26 T20 Internationals, 31 First-Class matches, 51 List A games, and 96 domestic T20 matches—making him one of the most active and experienced umpires in the country’s cricketing history.

The ACB described Shinwari’s passing as “a great and irreparable loss” to the sport in Afghanistan, noting his contributions not just on the field, but also as a mentor to younger officials and a supporter of cricket’s growth across the country.

His legacy is deeply woven into the rise of Afghan cricket over the past two decades. (edited)

Afghanistan’s national football team will face Tajikistan, Iran, and Malaysia in Group B of the CAFA Nations Cup 2025.

Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF) announced on Thursday that Group B matches will be hosted by Tajikistan.

Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Oman will compete in Group A of the tournament.

The tournament, featuring eight teams, will take place from August 9 to September 8, 2025, with Uzbekistan and Tajikistan serving as co-hosts.

In the continuation of Afghanistan Premier Futsal League, Etihad FC delivered a spectacular performance in the 45th and final match of the first half of the season on Tuesday, defeating Deyar Sanayee with an impressive score of 10–2.

The 45 first-leg matches of Afghanistan Premier Futsal League Season 4 came to an end on Tuesday with exciting and entertaining games.

The second half of the season, the return leg of these 45 matches will kick off on July 8.

Futsal fans across the country are encouraged to stay tuned and watch the matches live and exclusively on Ariana Radio & Television Network (ATN) starting July 8.