Sport
Champions Trophy: Rohit reveals India’s selection dilemma ahead of semi-final
India captain Rohit Sharma has confirmed selectors will be making match-up-dependent decisions for their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final with Australia on Tuesday in Dubai.
India probably wasn’t expecting their right-arm leg-spinner Varun Chakaravarthy to be that productive against New Zealand in the last group stage match on Sunday.
While already 33 years old, Varun was playing in just his second ODI and stunningly produced a maiden five-wicket-haul, taking 5/42 off 10 overs.
He came into the team for Harshit Rana, as the only change from the side that beat Pakistan, giving India yet another slow bowling option on a Dubai pitch that’s been fruitful for spinners throughout the tournament.
And he’ll now be very hard to leave out of India’s XI for their knockout semi-final against Australia, at the same venue.
“We just wanted to try and see what (Varun) can offer,” Rohit said post-game.
“He’s got something different about him, there’s no doubt about it. Varun was class today. If he gets it right, it’s very difficult to read him.
“We’ve got to think about what we want to do in the next game (against Australia), obviously (the selection dilemma) is a good headache to have.”
A closer look at the teams and their recent form:
India: It’s hard to fault India’s form, after their win over New Zealand capped off a perfect group stage, winning all three in Dubai.
Having those games and time to adjust to the Dubai conditions will also hold them in good stead, with India to unleash potentially up to four spinners good enough to make dangerous inroads.
Australia: Two of the Aussies’ three Champions Trophy games have been rain-affected, including one completely abandoned. But they were on track to cruise to an impressive victory last start against Afghanistan, before rain ended proceedings, and started the tournament with an impressive win over England that involved a mammoth run chase.
Players in focus:
India: Kuldeep Yadav
Given India’s well-publicised spin bowling bullpen, Kuldeep is an obvious player to highlight. He’s taken multiple wickets in two of India’s three group stage games and will have all the confidence he needs to hit his spots in the middle overs, once the ball stops swinging.
Kuldeep’s 3/40 against Pakistan helped restrict their rivals to 241 all out, which was chased down comfortably by India’s batting lineup.
Australia: Adam Zampa
It’s no surprise Australia’s spin bowlers will need to step up in Dubai. The XI the Aussies opt for will be fascinating, as to whether they stick to three quicks or deploy an additional slow bowling option. Either way, Australia will need to maximise their returns from Zampa’s 10 overs.
By his own admission, the 32-year-old leg-spinner hasn’t been at his best in the Champions Trophy. So this is his time to shine.
Fans across the country can tune in to watch both matches live and exclusively in Afghanistan on Ariana Television.
How to watch:
The first semi-final will be played on Tuesday in Dubai between India and Australia. The second on Wednesday in Lahore, Pakistan will see South Africa and New Zealand lock horns. Both matches will start at 1.30pm Kabul time.
Sport
Afghanistan, Uzbekistan set for friendly cricket clash in Khost
The match will be played during a cricket league, and is part of the Cricket Development Support Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the ACB and the Cricket Federation of Uzbekistan in December last year.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced that it will host Uzbekistan’s national cricket team for a one-off T20 international on July 10 at the Rahmat Wali Masroori Cricket Ground in Khost province.
According to the ACB, the match will be played during a cricket league, and is part of the Cricket Development Support Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the ACB and the Cricket Federation of Uzbekistan in December last year.
The friendly match is scheduled to begin at 9:00 AM, with an Afghan XI taking on the visiting Uzbek side. The game will be broadcast live across Afghanistan and internationally through various linear and digital platforms.
Quoted by the ACB, Chief Executive Officer Naseeb Khan said the board remains committed to supporting emerging cricket nations such as Uzbekistan and is ready to extend similar assistance to other countries seeking to develop the sport.
He noted that the ACB has already organized capacity-building programs and training workshops for members of the Cricket Federation of Uzbekistan, while several Uzbek fast bowlers also participated in the ACB’s specialized Fast Bowling Camp last year.
Khan added that Uzbekistan has consistently maintained a friendly policy toward Afghanistan and that the two countries have strengthened cooperation in healthcare, politics, and trade in recent years. He said closer collaboration in cricket development would further deepen relations between the two neighboring nations.
Sport
Serbian Dejan Dedovic appointed head coach of Afghanistan national futsal team
Dedovic will lead Afghanistan’s preparations for upcoming regional and international competitions, overseeing the team’s technical development and training programs.
The Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF) has appointed Serbian coach Dejan Dedovic as the new head coach of the national futsal team on a two-year contract.
The agreement was signed during a ceremony attended by AFF officials, futsal committee members, technical staff, and sports journalists.
Dedovic will lead Afghanistan’s preparations for upcoming regional and international competitions, overseeing the team’s technical development and training programs.
The federation also announced several additions to the national team’s coaching staff. Iran’s Javad Asghari Moqaddam has been appointed technical director, while Morteza Mansour Samaei will serve as goalkeeping coach. Spain’s Uriel Masana has joined as assistant coach, Iran’s Sadeq Amani as fitness coach, and Brazil’s Joao Lira as team analyst.
In addition, the AFF renewed the contract of Mohammad Nasir Sedaqat as manager of the national futsal team.
The federation said it expects the newly assembled coaching staff to contribute to the continued development of Afghan futsal and strengthen the team’s competitiveness at the regional and international levels.
Sport
India clinch ODI series against Afghanistan
The India national cricket team defeated Afghanistan in the third and final One Day International (ODI), sealing the series with a 9-wicket victory and lifting the series trophy.
Afghanistan won the toss in the final match and opted to bat first.
Batting first, Afghanistan were bowled out for 218 in 44.2 overs, setting India a target of 219 runs.
Hashmatullah Shahidi played a superb innings, scoring 102 runs off 131 deliveries, anchoring the Afghan batting effort.
In reply, India made light work of the chase, reaching 219 for the loss of just one wicket in 28.4 overs, completing a dominant run chase.
India had already taken an unassailable lead in the series by winning the first ODI by 7 wickets and the second by 170 runs, before sealing a comprehensive 3–0 series sweep in the final match.
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