Afghanistan ended their AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027™ qualifying campaign on a high note on Sunday, defeating Bahrain 3-1 in an entertaining Group D encounter.

The victory was Afghanistan’s first of the campaign under head coach Kourosh Barmak. The result saw Afghanistan finish ahead of Bahrain on goal difference, while they ended three points behind group leaders Tajikistan, who earlier edged Jordan 1-0.

Afghanistan captain Habibullah Hotak opened the scoring just six minutes into the match. Hotak dispossessed Bader Al Asam on the left flank, battled past two defenders and unleashed a powerful strike into the top-right corner beyond Bahrain goalkeeper Abdulla Abdo.

Bahrain responded with increased pressure and came close to an equaliser in the 27th minute. Ali Marhan Ali found himself unmarked with only Afghanistan goalkeeper Abdul Koofi to beat, but he lifted his effort over the crossbar.

Afghanistan survived another scare late in the first half. A well-delivered free-kick from Ali Naser on the left went through a crowded penalty area untouched, before Al Wadei fired narrowly wide of the right post moments later.

The second half saw both sides create opportunities, with Bahrain eventually finding the breakthrough in the 59th minute. Abdulla Ebrahim rose highest to meet a corner and headed the ball past the Afghanistan goalkeeper to make it 1-1.

Afghanistan regained the lead in the 70th minute through Yaser Safi. After receiving a pass from Hamidullah Haidari, Safi shifted the ball onto his left foot before firing a low effort beyond the diving Bahrain goalkeeper.

Farzad Tajik capped a fine performance in the 84th minute when he rounded Abdul Koofi on the left and slipped his shot into an empty net to give Afghanistan a fitting close.

Bahrain’s disappointing campaign ended on an even sourer note when defender Karrar Husain was shown a red card following an altercation late in the match.

Although Afghanistan finished their qualifying campaign with an impressive victory, the result came too late to keep their qualification hopes alive. Tajikistan topped Group D, while Afghanistan’s third-place finish means they will not advance to the AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027 finals.

Ariana Television Network (ATN) has secured exclusive media rights in Afghanistan for a major schedule of Afghanistan national cricket team series during the 2026/27 season.

The agreement covers Afghanistan’s international fixtures against India, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, Ireland, Sri Lanka and New Zealand, spanning Test, ODI and T20I cricket.

The action begins with Afghanistan’s three-match T20I series against India from September 13 to 17, 2026.

ATN’s exclusive rights package includes:

The agreement gives Afghan cricket fans access to a substantial programme of international cricket, covering all three major formats of the game.

India series kicks off coverage

The first event will see Afghanistan take on India in a highly anticipated T20I series in September.

With three matches scheduled between September 13 and 17, the series is expected to attract significant attention from cricket fans across Afghanistan and the region.

ATN will provide exclusive coverage of the series, continuing its commitment to bringing major international sporting events to Afghan audiences.

A major boost for Afghan cricket fans

The rights package extends well beyond the India series, with Afghanistan set to face some of the world’s leading cricket nations over the coming months.

The schedule includes Test and limited-overs cricket against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, followed by series against Ireland, Sri Lanka and New Zealand during 2027.

For viewers, this means a sustained run of Afghanistan national team cricket on ATN, from the fast-paced excitement of T20Is to the traditional challenge of Test cricket.

The agreement is also in line with Ariana Television Network’s (ATN) commitment to supporting sport and Afghan athletes by giving fans across the country greater access to international and domestic competitions and providing a platform for Afghan teams and sporting talent to reach wider audiences.

The deal further strengthens Ariana Television Network’s role as a leading broadcaster of international sport in Afghanistan and reflects ATN’s continued investment in bringing major sporting events to viewers across the country.

The countdown begins with India on September 13, when ATN will bring the action live and exclusively to Afghan viewers.

While exact dates for all series, except the India series, are yet to be confirmed, fans are encouraged to follow ATN’s social media pages for the latest updates, news and confirmed schedules.

Stay tuned to Ariana Television Network for more news and updates on these exciting cricket events.

Afghanistan have been drawn in Group A for the qualifying round of the 2027 AFC U17 Asian Cup, which will be held in Uzbekistan next year.

Afghanistan will face Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines and Cambodia in the five-team group. Myanmar will host the group, with the qualifiers scheduled to be played as centralised single round-robin tournaments from November 8 to 20.

Only the seven group winners will qualify for the 2027 AFC U17 Asian Cup, meaning there will be no qualification route for the runners-up.

The seven qualifying group winners will join nine teams that have already secured places in the 16-team finals. The automatically qualified teams are Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.

The direct qualification places are linked to the revamped FIFA U17 World Cup format. The tournament was expanded from 24 to 48 teams in 2025 and is now held annually, with Qatar hosting the competition through 2029. Asia has nine places at the global tournament, including Qatar’s host berth.

Japan are the defending AFC U17 Asian Cup champions after defeating China 3-2 in the 2026 final in Jeddah to claim a record-extending fifth continental title.

The 2027 AFC U17 Asian Cup will be held in Uzbekistan from May 12 to 29, with 16 teams competing for the continental crown.

ATN brings the action to Afghan viewers

With broadcast rights in Afghanistan, ATN will provide coverage of the qualifying matches on Ariana Television, giving supporters across the country the opportunity to follow Afghanistan’s U17 team throughout its qualification campaign.

The broadcast continues ATN’s commitment to bringing major Asian football competitions to audiences across Afghanistan, including AFC competitions and international football.

For Afghanistan’s young players, the Group A campaign represents an opportunity to compete against some of Asia’s emerging football nations — with a place at the continental finals at stake.

All eyes will be on November 8, when the road to Uzbekistan 2027 begins.