Sport
Champions Trophy silverware set to tour Afghanistan as part of global event

The ICC Men’s Champions Trophy cup will arrive in Afghanistan on Tuesday as part of the Global Trophy Tour, Afghanistan’s Cricket Board (ACB) said Monday.
Last week, the ICC confirmed the start of their Global Trophy Tour for the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy cup.
The trophy’s tour kicked off in Islamabad on November 16 and ended Monday.
The trophy will now move on to Afghanistan, and will tour the country for three days.
Next month, the trophy will tour Bangladesh, followed by South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, England, and India in that order before returning to Pakistan for the start of the ODI tournament on January 27.
According to the ICC, the international Trophy Tour for the silverware will provide special engagement for global fans through dynamic, colourful engagements that speak to the event’s new-look visual identity.
Anurag Dahiya, ICC Chief Commercial Officer, expressed his pleasure at the launch of the event last week.
“We are delighted to launch the Trophy Tour with DP World ahead of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy, where another action-packed programme of activity is available to fans across the world.”
He went on to describe the experience that awaited fans.
“The silverware, which will be showcased across all participating nations, will allow the sport’s passionate fanbase to enjoy the unforgettable experience of being up close with the iconic trophy,” Dahiya said.
Originally known as the ICC Knockout when it was staged in 1998 in Dhaka, Bangladesh and in 2000 in Nairobi, Kenya.
The event was then renamed the ICC Champions Trophy in 2002 and was held every two years until 2009.
Subsequently the event moved to a four year cycle and features the top eight teams in the ICC one-day rankings.
The first round comprises two groups of four with the top two in each group progressing to the semi-finals and the winners contesting the final.
The event is short, sharp and highly competitive.
The tournament, scheduled to start late January, is supposed to take place in Pakistan but due to India’s refusal to play in their neighboring country, the ICC is scheduled to convene a meeting of its executive board on Tuesday to find a solution.
Sport
ACB names Afghanistan A squad for tri-nation series

Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on Monday announced Afghanistan A squad for the upcoming tri-nation series against Sri Lanka A and Ireland A in the UAE.
The tour will be held from April 7 to May 2, 2025, in the UAE, which will feature a total of seven One Day matches, along with Afghanistan competing in a four-day match against each participating team.
The tour will begin on April 7 with a four-day match between Afghanistan A and Ireland A. The only four-day match will be followed by the start of the Tri-Nation One Day series on April 13, with Ireland A taking on Sri Lanka A in the series opener.
The Tri-Nation 50 Overs Series will be played in Abu Dhabi in a round-robin format, where each of the three teams will face each other twice. The top two teams from the first round will advance to the final, which is scheduled for April 25 at the same venue. Following the conclusion of the Tri-Nation Series, Afghanistan A will face Sri Lanka in a four-day match from April 29 to May 2, marking the end of the event.
Currently, Afghanistan A are undergoing a training and preparation camp in two separate groups in Nangarhar province, gearing up for both the white and red ball formats of the series.
“The Tri-Nation series and the two four-day games are incredible opportunities for our emerging cricketers to showcase their talent on the international stage and further develop their skills,” ACB CEO Naseeb Khan stated. “We are committed to identifying promising players for the red-ball format as part of our plans to build a strong red-ball team and improve the overall standard of red-ball cricket in the country.”
ACB Interim Chief Selector Ahmad Shah Suliman Khail added: “We have selected our squad to strike a balance between providing opportunities for our players and ensuring the competitiveness needed to win matches. The squad includes nationally contracted bench players in various roles, along with some top-performing and impactful emerging players.
“We hope they perform well and, with their abilities and preparations, continue to develop their skills and contribute to the team’s success during the tour.”
Afghanistan A Squad for the four-day matches: Darwish Rasooli (C), Abdul Malik (VC), Ikram Alikhil (WK), Afsar Zazai (WK), Riaz Hassan, Imran Mir, Bahir Shah Mahboob, Ijaz Mehri, Shams Ur Rahman, Ismat Alam, Zia Ur Rahman Akbar, Arab Gul Momand, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, Ibrahim Abdulrahimzai, Bashir Ahmad and Fareed Ahmad Malik.
Afghanistan A squad for the Tri-Nation Series: Darwish Rasooli (C), Sediqullah Atal (VC), Ikram Alikhil (WK), Mohammad Ishaq (WK), Abdul Malik, Zubaid Akbari, Ijaz Mehri, Bilal Ahmad Tarin, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Farmanullah Safi, Qais Ahmad, Zia Ur Rahman Akbar, Naveed Zadran, Khalil Ahmad, Abdul Rahman Rahmani and Bilal Sami.
In addition, Mohammad Saleem, Khalil Gurbaz, Yama Arab, and Faridoon Dawoodzai are part of the reserve pool with both squads.
Sport
AFC Beach Soccer: UAE thrash Afghanistan 7-1 in opener

Afghanistan’s national beach soccer team lost 7-1 to the United Arab Emirates in Friday’s opening match at the AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup 2025 in Thailand.
Afghanistan will face Iran in their second group-stage match next Sunday.
In this year’s tournament, the Afghan team is placed in Group C alongside Iran, UAE, and Indonesia.
Sport
IPL 2025 celebrates 18 years of immense success

With just four days to go until the opening match of this year’s IPL, cricket fever is already taking hold and for fans across Afghanistan, Ariana Radio and Television Network (ATN) will once again bring this thrilling event into the homes of Afghans in the country.
This year’s IPL is in fact the 18th season and has undoubtedly become a firm favorite on the world’s annual cricket schedule.
The popularity of the IPL is so immense that the cumulative brand value was estimated at $12 billion in 2024, a 13% increase from $10.7 billion in 2023, according to the 17th Brand Finance IPL 2024 valuation report.
According to Brand Finance, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) leads as the most valuable IPL franchise in 2024, with a brand valuation of $122 million.
This 52% growth is attributed largely to the enduring legacy of their former captain MS Dhoni.
CSK is followed by Mumbai Indians, which is valued at $119 million and
Royal Challengers Bengaluru is worth $117 million.
Defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders is at $109 million; Sunrisers Hyderabad is $85 million; Rajasthan Royals is $81 million and Delhi Capitals is $80 million.
Saturday’s opener will see KKR take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Kolkata.
IPL 2025 gets underway on Saturday, March 22, and runs for two months, ending on May 25.
IPL fans can tune in to Ariana Television from 6:15pm for a pre-match show on Saturday. The KKRvsRCB match will start at 6:30pm
For more news and updates follow us on social media and watch this space.
-
Latest News4 days ago
Afghan prisoners in Iran sent home
-
Latest News5 days ago
Afghanistan ranks last in World Happiness Report
-
World5 days ago
Trump, Zelenskiy pledge in phone call to work for end to war in Ukraine
-
Regional5 days ago
Macron and Saudi Crown Prince discuss Gaza, Ukraine peace process
-
Latest News4 days ago
Pakistan once again urges IEA to act against militants
-
Latest News5 days ago
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister opposes military operations in the province
-
Regional4 days ago
At least 91 killed in Gaza as Israel abandons ceasefire, orders evacuations
-
Sport3 days ago
AFC Beach Soccer: UAE thrash Afghanistan 7-1 in opener