Sport
From Nangarhar to Scotland: Afghan refugee cricketer eyes ODI debut
Scotland coach Owen Dawkins has described Zainullah as a player with “high potential”, highlighting his work ethic and the progress he has made through club, regional and Under-19 cricket.
Afghan-born cricketer Zainullah Ihsan is on the brink of making his Scotland ODI debut, completing an extraordinary journey from playing tape-ball cricket in Nangarhar to the international stage.
The 20-year-old fast bowler arrived in Glasgow as a refugee in 2022 following a difficult journey from Afghanistan through Europe. According to The National, he spoke almost no English when he arrived, knowing little more than “Hi” and “Hello”.
Originally from Nangarhar, Zainullah began his cricket journey playing tape-ball cricket in Afghanistan. Shortly after arriving in Scotland, a friend spotted his bowling ability and encouraged him to join a local cricket club.
He arrived in Scotland on June 1, 2022, and within two weeks was playing competitive cricket. In his first match, he claimed four wickets, quickly earning a place in the club’s first team.
His rapid rise continued from club cricket to regional competition, Scotland Under-19s and eventually the national side.
Zainullah was also included in Scotland’s squad for this year’s T20 World Cup in India after the team received a late invitation to replace Bangladesh. Although he did not make the starting XI during the tournament, he has already earned two T20 international caps.
He could now take another major step in his career by making his ODI debut as Scotland continue their Cricket World Cup League 2 campaign against Canada and the United Arab Emirates.
Scotland coach Owen Dawkins has described Zainullah as a player with “high potential”, highlighting his work ethic and the progress he has made through club, regional and Under-19 cricket.
His development has not been limited to the cricket field. When he arrived in Scotland, Zainullah had very limited English. Four years later, he is almost fluent while continuing his studies alongside other refugees from different countries.
His growing cricket career has also been a source of pride for his family in Afghanistan, although they initially struggled to believe that he had been selected to represent Scotland.
Zainullah said his father later encouraged him to continue working hard and to strive to become not only a better cricketer, but also a good person.
From tape-ball cricket in Nangarhar to the possibility of representing Scotland in ODI cricket, Zainullah’s rise is already a remarkable story of talent, determination and opportunity — and the young fast bowler has no intention of stopping here.
Khyber Sultani, an Afghan national and international boxing referee, has traveled to China to officiate at the 9th International Boxing Festival.
According to Afghanistan’s General Directorate of Physical Education and Sports, Soltani was sent to Xinjiang by the International Boxing Federation in coordination with the country’s Olympic and sports authorities.
The tournament, hosted in China, will run from September 21 to September 30.
Ahead of the competition, Afghanistan’s national boxing team, which had already arrived in China, completed a two-day training camp to prepare for the event.
The Afghan delegation consists of seven athletes, two coaches and one team official, who will represent Afghanistan at the international tournament.
Sultani’s appointment adds an Afghan official to the international officiating team for the competition.
Sport
Aino Mina edge Sarsabz Yashlar 1–0 in ACL match
Season 6 features 10 clubs competing in a home-and-away format, with the tournament running until November 21.
Aino Mina secured a narrow 1–0 victory over Sarsabz Yashlar Faryab in the second Afghanistan Champions League Roshan match of the day Monday.
Aino Mina claimed all three points after converting a penalty to score the only goal of the match.
Sarsabz Yashlar were unable to find an equaliser as Aino Mina held on for the win in a closely contested encounter.
The result adds another three points to Aino Mina’s campaign as the sixth season of the Afghanistan Champions League continues.
Aino Mina’s Ahlullah Darman was named Player of the Match.
Season 6 features 10 clubs competing in a home-and-away format, with the tournament running until November 21.
Ariana Television Network (ATN) is broadcasting all Afghanistan Champions League matches live and exclusively in Afghanistan.
Fans can follow ATN’s social media platforms for match schedules, results, updates and coverage throughout the season.
Sport
ACL: Ariana Khost continue impressive debut with 2–1 win over Istiqlal
Season 6 features 10 clubs competing in a home-and-away format, with the tournament running until November 21.
Ariana Khost continued their impressive debut campaign in the Afghanistan Champions League on Monday, September 21, with a 2–1 victory over Istiqlal Kabul.
Ariana Khost secured all three points in Match 16 of Season 6, and team member Habib Hotak was named Player of the Match for his stirling performance.
The result is another positive step for Ariana Khost, who are making their debut in the Afghanistan Champions League this year and have made a strong start to their first campaign.
For Istiqlal Kabul, the defeat leaves them still searching for their first points of the season.
Season 6 features 10 clubs competing in a home-and-away format, with the tournament running until November 21.
Ariana Television Network (ATN) is broadcasting all Afghanistan Champions League matches live and exclusively in Afghanistan. Fans can follow ATN’s social media platforms for match schedules, results, updates and coverage throughout the season.
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