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.

Published

2 months ago

August 8, 2026

Ariana News

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.

Related Topics:#َAfghanistan #AfghanTalent #ODICricket #ScotlandCricket #SportsNews #ZainullahIhsan AfghanCricketer Cricket CricketWorldCup featured

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Omar Zawak edge Arman FC 4–2 in dramatic Afghanistan Champions League clash

Published

2 hours ago

September 22, 2026

Ariana News

Omar Zawak Herat and Arman FC faced each other in the 18th match of the sixth season of Afghanistan Champions League Roshan on Tuesday at the Afghanistan Football Federation Stadium in Kabul. The high-scoring and entertaining match ended 4–2 in favor of Omar Zawak Herat.

The two teams started the match with a close contest, with no goals scored during the opening eight minutes. In the ninth minute, Omar Zawak captain Samir Samandari opened the scoring with a spectacular long-range strike.

Omar Zawak continued to press ahead in the second half, and in the 78th minute, Shadab Malekzadah doubled his side’s lead after receiving a well-delivered pass from a teammate.

Arman FC responded by increasing the pressure on their opponents and pulled a goal back in the 84th minute through a free kick. Omar Salah scored for Arman FC.

The excitement increased in the closing stages, as Esmatullah Hadafmand scored Arman FC’s second goal in stoppage time, reducing the deficit to one goal.

However, Omar Zawak restored their advantage soon after. Captain Samir Samandari scored his second goal of the match in stoppage time, before Shadab Malekzadah added another to complete the 4–2 victory for Omar Zawak Herat.

Arman FC will face Aino Mina in their next match on September 25, while Omar Zawak Herat will take on Toofan Herat on September 26.

Matches from the sixth season of the Roshan Afghanistan Champions League are being broadcast live on Ariana Television.

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Afghan boxing referee heads to China for international festival

Published

6 hours ago

September 22, 2026

Ariana News

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.