Afghanistan’s cricket superstar Rashid Khan was officially introduced Saturday as brand ambassador for Afghan Wireless Communication Company (AWCC).

Rashid landed in Kabul on Saturday after an absence of several years. He returned following an official invitation from AWCC.

For years now, Rashid has followed the international cricket league circuit – playing for big name events including Indian Premier League (IPL), Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL) and Pakistan Super League (PSL) among others.

In March 2018, during the 2018 Cricket World Cup Qualifier, he captained Afghanistan for the first time in an ODI match – becoming the youngest player to captain an international side, at the age of 19 years and 165 days.

Rashid, a right-handed batsman and right-arm legbreak bowler, holds numerous records, including being the youngest player to become the No. 1 bowler in One Day International Rankings.

He also holds the record for the best bowling figures for an associate nation in One Day Internationals (ODIs) and the fastest bowler to complete 100 dismissals in T20 Internationals.

Rashid is a key player for Afghanistan and has contributed significantly to the country’s success in international cricket.

In line with Rashid’s commitment to the game, his resilience and determination to always do his best, AWCC moved to employ him as the company’s brand ambassador.

Aliullah Sarwari, CEO of AWCC, said at a ceremony in Kabul to mark the announcement and Rashid’s return to the country, that the company strives to ensure all citizens have access to high-quality telecommunications and internet services in the farthest and most remote areas of Afghanistan.

Sarwari added that high-quality telecommunication services, new technology, creating employment and access to the internet for all citizens in the farthest parts of the country are among the most important objectives of this company.

He also stated that the appointment of Rashid as brand ambassador for AWCC was made from a commercial and spiritual perspective.

Rashid, meanwhile, said it is the first time that he has been chosen as an ambassador and that he will try to serve the people and the country in the same way that he shines on the cricket field.

“I am happy and proud that I have been selected as a brand ambassador of Afghan Wireless for the first time,” said Rashid.

As a hero to his fellow countrymen, Rashid received a warm welcome on arrival in Kabul and thousands of cricket fans posted messages on social media to welcome him home.

One fan, Mohammad Sharif Noori, said on Facebook: “Thank God that you came. You are the pride of Afghanistan.”

Ishq Yousufzai, another fan, wrote on his social media page: “The pride of the homeland. The champion of Afghanistan.”

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has revealed the much-anticipated warm-up match schedule for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. These preparatory games will take place from Monday, May 27 to Saturday, June 1, across various venues in the USA and the West Indies.

Venues and teams

The 16 warm-up matches will be hosted at the following locations:

• Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium, Texas
• Broward County Stadium, Florida
• Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad and Tobago
• Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad and Tobago

A total of 17 teams will participate in these matches, including South Africa, which will conduct an intra-squad game on May 29 in Florida. These matches will not carry official T20 international status, allowing teams the flexibility to field all members of their 15-player squads.

Schedule highlights

Unlike previous editions, teams now have the option to play up to two warm-up matches based on their arrival time.

Afghanistan will participate in two warm-up game, set for May 29 against Oman and May 31 against Scotland. Meanwhile, Pakistan and England will not engage in any warm-up fixtures as they will be engaging in a bilateral T20I series, which concludes on May 30.

The Afghanistan national cricket team departed Kabul on Thursday for the UAE to begin their T20 World Cup journey, which will be hosted by the U.S.

Afghanistan Cricket Board said some players participating in the IPL will join the team in the UAE.

It added that those whose IPL matches are still ongoing will join their teammates in the West Indies.

T20 World Cup Warm-up fixtures

Monday, May 27

• Canada vs. Nepal, Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium, Texas
• Oman vs. Papua New Guinea, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad and Tobago
• Namibia vs. Uganda, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad and Tobago

Tuesday, May 28

• Sri Lanka vs. Netherlands, Broward County Stadium, Florida
• Bangladesh vs. USA, Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium, Texas
• Australia vs. Namibia, Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad and Tobago

Wednesday, May 29

• South Africa intra-squad, Broward County Stadium, Florida
• Afghanistan vs. Oman, Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad and Tobago

Thursday, May 30

• Nepal vs. USA, Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium, Texas
• Scotland vs. Uganda, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad and Tobago
• Netherlands vs. Canada, Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium, Texas
• Namibia vs. Papua New Guinea, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad and Tobago
• West Indies vs. Australia, Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad and Tobago

Friday, May 31

• Ireland vs. Sri Lanka, Broward County Stadium, Florida
• Scotland vs. Afghanistan, Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad and Tobago
• Saturday, June 1
• Bangladesh vs. India, Venue TBC, USA

Mawj Sahil beat Khurasan Faryab 2-0 in the 53rd match of Afghanistan Champions League (ACL) in Kabul on Thursday.

In the 54th match of the day, Attack Energy team defeated Aino Mina 2-0.

Friday’s matches will see Istiqlal Kabul take on Abu Muslim Farah at 1pm, while Khadim FC play against Sorkh Poshan Khafi at 3:30pm.

The matches are broadcast live on Ariana Television.