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Ghazanfar stars as MI Emirates secure Qualifier 1 with win over Dubai Capitals

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MI Emirates sealed a top-two finish with a commanding eight-wicket win over Dubai Capitals at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Saturday, setting up a Qualifier 1 clash against Desert Vipers on Tuesday.

Captain Kieron Pollard led the chase with an unbeaten 44, smashing five sixes as MI Emirates cruised to the target with ease. Earlier, their bowlers laid the foundation, with young spinner Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar returning impressive figures of 3/28, while Shakib Al Hasan conceded just 11 runs for his lone wicket to restrict Dubai to 122/8.

Dubai Capitals struggled to build momentum throughout the innings as sustained pressure in the middle overs kept scoring in check, despite a brief contribution from James Neesham.

In response, openers Muhammad Waseem and Andre Fletcher gave MI Emirates a brisk start before Pollard and Tom Banton took control. Pollard effectively ended the contest in the 14th over, hammering Waqar Salamkheil for 30 runs. He and Banton then guided the team home with an unbroken 67-run partnership.

The outcome also confirmed that the loser of Sunday’s final league match between Gulf Giants and Abu Dhabi Knight Riders will face Dubai Capitals in the Eliminator on January 1.

Player of the match Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar said he trusted his preparation and execution. “I bowled with the same confidence and stayed true to my plans. As a finger spinner, executing variations isn’t easy, but the work I put in behind the scenes really pays off,” he said. Reflecting on his caught-and-bowled dismissal, Ghazanfar added that he committed to his best delivery despite the risk of conceding a six.

Dubai Capitals captain Mohammad Nabi admitted his side fell short with the bat. “We didn’t put enough runs on the board on this surface, and credit to the MI Emirates — they bowled very well,” he said. “As a bowling unit, we gave it our best, but Pollard took the game away from us. The conditions in Dubai suit us, and hopefully we can bounce back with a strong performance in the next match.”

Fans across Afghanistan can watch the next ILT20 match (Qualifier 1 between MI Emirates and Desert Vipers) live on Ariana Television from 7pm on Tuesday.

International Sports

IPL 2026: Royals cruise past Super Giants as Jadeja shines

Batting first, Rajasthan Royals posted 159 for 6 in their 20 overs, with Ravindra Jadeja anchoring the innings with a composed unbeaten 43.

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Indian Premier League (IPL) action on Wednesday saw Rajasthan Royals register a commanding 40-run victory over the Lucknow Super Giants in Match 32 of the 2026 season.

Batting first, Rajasthan Royals posted 159 for 6 in their 20 overs, with Ravindra Jadeja anchoring the innings with a composed unbeaten 43. The Royals recovered well after a steady middle phase, adding valuable late runs to set a competitive target.

In reply, Lucknow faltered under pressure and were bowled out for 119 in 18 overs, despite a fighting 55 from Mitchell Marsh. The Royals’ bowling attack proved decisive, led by Jofra Archer, who claimed three crucial wickets to break the back of the chase.

Jadeja’s all-round performance earned him the Player of the Match award, highlighting his impact with both bat and ball in a dominant team display.

The win strengthens Rajasthan’s position in the standings, while Lucknow continue to search for consistency as the tournament progresses.

Attention now shifts to Thursday’s blockbuster clash between the Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, one of the most storied rivalries in the IPL.

The high-profile encounter is expected to draw widespread attention, with veteran star MS Dhoni once again in the spotlight as Chennai look to challenge a strong Mumbai side.

The match will be broadcast live and exclusively across Afghanistan on Ariana Television, continuing the network’s coverage of the IPL for cricket fans across the country.

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IPL 2026: Mumbai Indians crush Gujarat Titans by 99 runs

The match was defined by a sensational innings from Tilak Varma, who struck an unbeaten 101 off just 45 deliveries to power Mumbai to a commanding total.

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Mumbai Indians returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion on Monday, defeating Gujarat Titans by 99 runs in a dominant Indian Premier League encounter at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

The match was defined by a sensational innings from Tilak Varma, who struck an unbeaten 101 off just 45 deliveries to power Mumbai to a commanding total. The left-hander’s maiden IPL century came at a crucial time for his side, lifting them out of a recent slump with a display of clean, aggressive hitting that dismantled the Gujarat bowling attack.

After a steady start, Varma accelerated sharply through the middle and death overs, finding boundaries with ease and maintaining a high strike rate to push Mumbai well beyond Gujarat’s reach.

In reply, Gujarat Titans faltered under scoreboard pressure. Their batting lineup failed to build partnerships as Mumbai’s bowlers tightened control early on. Ashwani Kumar led the charge with the ball, claiming four wickets in a disciplined spell that ensured the hosts never threatened the target.

Gujarat were eventually bowled out well short, handing Mumbai one of their most convincing wins of the season and snapping a four-match losing streak.

The result provides a timely boost for Mumbai Indians as the tournament enters a critical phase, while Gujarat Titans will be left searching for answers after a heavy defeat on home soil.

Attention now turns to Tuesday’s IPL fixture, where Sunrisers Hyderabad take on Delhi Capitals. Hyderabad will be aiming to continue their strong run of form, while Delhi are looking to secure an important victory to improve their standing in the competition.

All IPL matches are being broadcast live and exclusively in Afghanistan on Ariana Television, providing fans nationwide with comprehensive coverage of the tournament.

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Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings win IPL double-header

The results add further intensity to the league standings as teams continue their push for playoff positions.

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The Indian Premier League (IPL) produced two matches yesterday, Sunday April 20, in the latest round of fixtures, with wins for the Kolkata Knight Riders and the Punjab Kings.

In the first match, Kolkata Knight Riders defeated Rajasthan Royals by 4 wickets in a tightly contested encounter. Rajasthan set a competitive total, but Kolkata managed the chase with two balls to spare in a controlled finish.

Bowler Varun Chakravarthy was named Player of the Match for his impactful spell, which helped restrict Rajasthan during the middle overs and shift momentum in Kolkata’s favour.

In the second match, Punjab Kings secured victory over the Lucknow Super Giants in a high-scoring contest. Punjab’s batting unit laid the foundation with an aggressive total, which their bowlers defended despite a late push from Lucknow.

Shikhar Dhawan was awarded Player of the Match for his key contribution at the top of the order.

The results add further intensity to the league standings as teams continue their push for playoff positions.

Gujarat Titans vs Mumbai Indians

Today’s match features the Gujarat Titans taking on the Mumbai Indians in what is expected to be a competitive clash between two strong sides.

Both teams will be aiming for consistency as the tournament progresses, with Gujarat looking to strengthen their position and Mumbai seeking momentum.

The match will be shown live and exclusively across Afghanistan on Ariana Television Network.

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