Sport
ATN delivered unmatched live and exclusive sports coverage through 2025
Throughout the year, ATN brought world-class cricket, football and multi-sport competitions among others directly into Afghan homes, ensuring nationwide free-to-air access to some of the biggest events on the global sporting calendar.
Ariana Television Network (ATN) reinforced its position as Afghanistan’s premier sports broadcaster in 2025, delivering an exceptional year of live and exclusive coverage of major international and domestic sporting events across multiple disciplines.
Throughout the year, ATN brought world-class cricket, football and multi-sport competitions among others directly into Afghan homes, ensuring nationwide free-to-air access to some of the biggest events on the global sporting calendar.
Cricket at the Heart of 2025 Coverage
Cricket remained a cornerstone of ATN’s sports programming. The network held exclusive broadcast rights for the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, delivering more than two months of elite Twenty20 action featuring the world’s top players.
ATN also aired the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, continuing its long-standing partnership with the International Cricket Council and giving Afghan fans access to one of international cricket’s most prestigious tournaments.
Further strengthening its cricket portfolio, ATN exclusively broadcast The Hundred 2025 from England, as well as the DP World International League T20, expanding Afghan viewers’ access to modern franchise cricket formats.
Football and Futsal: Strong domestic and international focus
On the domestic front, ATN once again served as the exclusive broadcaster of the Afghanistan Champions League, producing and airing live matches from the country’s top football competition and supporting the growth of professional football nationwide.
The network also delivered comprehensive coverage of the Afghanistan Futsal Premier League, highlighting the rapid rise of the indoor game and showcasing local talent to a national audience.
International football fans were treated to live coverage of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, featuring champion clubs from across the world competing on the global stage.
Multi-Sport Events and Broader Coverage
In one of its most ambitious undertakings of the year, ATN broadcast the Islamic Solidarity Games 2025, providing Afghan viewers with live access to a wide range of sports including athletics, wrestling, weightlifting, taekwondo and team events.
ATN’s sports lineup was further complemented by coverage of additional competitions, including national snooker events and special sporting showcases, reflecting the network’s commitment to sporting diversity.
A year that set a new benchmark
With coverage spanning international mega-events and national leagues alike, ATN’s 2025 sports slate set a new benchmark for free-to-air sports broadcasting in Afghanistan.
Through its extensive terrestrial network and digital platforms, ATN continued to connect millions of viewers with the world’s biggest sporting moments — live, exclusive and accessible to all.
Alongside its live broadcasts, Ariana News and Ariana Television’s digital and social media platforms played a central role in keeping audiences informed throughout the year.
Through real-time updates, breaking sports news, match schedules, highlights and exclusive behind-the-scenes content, ATN ensured viewers remained fully up to date with events as they unfolded and with major competitions on the horizon.
Across Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube and digital streaming platforms, Ariana’s social media teams delivered timely coverage before, during and after matches — engaging millions of users and extending the reach of live sport beyond television screens.
This integrated approach strengthened audience connection, provided instant access to key moments, and ensured Afghan sports fans never missed important developments, upcoming fixtures or major broadcast announcements.
Looking ahead to 2026, ATN has already secured major broadcast agreements that promise another landmark year for sports fans across Afghanistan.
With exclusive coverage of the Winter Olympic Games, the return of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the highly anticipated FIFA World Cup all lined up, ATN is set to continue delivering the world’s biggest sporting events live and free to viewers nationwide — reinforcing its position as Afghanistan’s home of world-class sport.
Sport
Afghanistan target T20I clean sweep against Zimbabwe in Sharjah
Afghanistan will now be aiming for a third successive victory to finish the series on a high, while Zimbabwe will be hoping to avoid a whitewash and claim a consolation win.
Afghanistan will look to complete a clean sweep of their three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe when the teams meet in the third and final match at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Sunday, November 1.
The AfghanAtalan have already secured the series with two consecutive victories, winning the opening match by 37 runs on October 27 before following up with a 19-run triumph in the second encounter on October 29.
Afghanistan will now be aiming for a third successive victory to finish the series on a high, while Zimbabwe will be hoping to avoid a whitewash and claim a consolation win.
The opening match saw Afghanistan post 177 all out, with Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai leading the batting effort with 52 runs from 22 deliveries. Rashid Khan contributed a quick-fire 30 off 10 balls before Afghanistan’s bowlers restricted Zimbabwe to 140.
The second encounter produced a remarkable batting display from Afghanistan after the team found itself in serious trouble at 5/4 early in its innings.
Azmatullah Omarzai and Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai rescued the innings with a spectacular 142-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Omarzai smashed 116 off just 50 deliveries, including 12 sixes and five boundaries, while Ijaz added 52 off 27 balls.
Rashid Khan provided a late flourish with an unbeaten 25 from just six deliveries as Afghanistan posted an imposing 221/7.
Zimbabwe responded strongly, with captain Sikandar Raza producing an outstanding unbeaten 106 off 56 balls. However, his effort was not enough to prevent Afghanistan from securing a 19-run victory, with Zimbabwe finishing on 202/5.
Omarzai was named Player of the Match for his explosive innings and contribution with the ball.
The second match also saw Rashid Khan reach a historic milestone, becoming the first bowler to claim 200 wickets in men’s T20 International cricket.
For Afghanistan, the final match offers another opportunity to build momentum ahead of the two-Test series against Zimbabwe, which begins in Sharjah on November 5.
Zimbabwe, meanwhile, will be looking for a stronger all-round performance after showing glimpses of its batting potential, particularly through Raza’s century in the second match.
The third T20I gets underway at 6:30 p.m. local time at Sharjah Cricket Stadium and is being broadcast live on Ariana Television.
Sport
Afghanistan crowned 2026 Hong Kong Sixes champions after beating Australia in final
Afghanistan won the 2026 Hong Kong International Sixes title after defeating Australia by four wickets in the final on Sunday.
Batting first after winning the toss, Australia scored 115 runs in their six overs, with Max Bryant leading the innings with 44 runs.
Afghanistan chased down the target in 5.1 overs, finishing the match with five balls to spare. Imran Mir starred with the bat, scoring 53 off just 14 deliveries, including seven sixes, while Farmanullah contributed 26 runs.
Twelve teams competed in the tournament. Afghanistan reached the final after securing victories over South Africa, Oman and Scotland before overcoming Australia in the title decider to lift the trophy.
Sport
Afghanistan finish 83rd at inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival
Afghanistan finished their campaign at the inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival with a penalty shootout victory over hosts Azerbaijan, securing 83rd place among 189 participating nations.
The Afghan side drew 3-3 with Azerbaijan in the 83rd-place play-off in Baku on Friday before winning 3-2 on penalties to end the tournament on a winning note.
Afghanistan recorded six victories during the competition, defeating Sierra Leone, Djibouti, Sudan, Namibia, India and Azerbaijan. They also suffered four defeats against Turkey, Russia, Thailand and Hungary.
The inaugural 2026 FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival featured 189 nations, with Spain crowned champions after beating the Czech Republic 3-0 in the final on October 30.
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