International Sports
Ghazanfar stars as MI Emirates secure Qualifier 1 with win over Dubai Capitals
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
AFC Champions League Elite delivers key results as race for knockout stage intensifies
In Tuesday’s action, Sanfrecce Hiroshima claimed a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Johor Darul Ta’zim, strengthening their position as the race for qualification tightens.
The AFC Champions League Elite continued on Tuesday, February 10, with four crucial matches that further shaped the standings in Asia’s premier club competition, as teams battle for places in the knockout rounds.
The AFC Champions League Elite is the top tier of Asian club football, bringing together the continent’s strongest teams in a league-phase format before progressing to the Round of 16 and the knockout stages later in the season.
In Tuesday’s action, Sanfrecce Hiroshima claimed a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Johor Darul Ta’zim, strengthening their position as the race for qualification tightens.
Vissel Kobe continued their impressive campaign with a composed 2–0 win against FC Seoul, reinforcing their push near the top of the standings.
Elsewhere, Buriram United picked up a vital 1–0 away victory over Chengdu Rongcheng, a result that keeps the Thai side firmly in contention for a place in the Round of 16.
Machida Zelvia also enjoyed a successful night on the road, defeating Shanghai Shenhua 2–0 to boost their hopes of progressing from the league phase.
The competition continues on Wednesday with more decisive fixtures on the schedule. Gangwon FC face Shanghai Port in a clash where both sides will be looking to secure valuable points, while Ulsan HD FC host Melbourne City FC in a high-profile encounter with major implications for the standings.
All AFC Champions League Elite matches are being broadcast exclusively in Afghanistan on Ariana Television. Fans are encouraged to follow official social media pages for the latest match schedules, updates, and highlights as the tournament moves closer to the knockout stages.
International Sports
Winter Olympics: Milan action continues with packed schedule on Tuesday
Tuesday’s schedule meanwhile also features a full slate of events, including short-track speed skating finals, cross-country skiing sprints, figure skating competitions and additional freestyle and alpine skiing action.
Competition continued across multiple venues at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics on Monday, with medals decided in speed skating, snowboarding and curling as the Games gathered momentum.
Monday’s highlights included high-stakes finals on the ice and snow, as athletes from Europe and Asia featured prominently in speed skating and snowboard events, while curling teams completed round-robin play to determine semifinal match-ups. Several nations strengthened their early medal positions as crowds filled venues in Milan and the surrounding alpine regions.
Tuesday’s schedule meanwhile also features a full slate of events, including short-track speed skating finals, cross-country skiing sprints, figure skating competitions and additional freestyle and alpine skiing action.
Curling medal matches and women’s ice hockey games are also set to take place as the Olympic programme intensifies.
Organisers said competition would continue throughout the day across multiple sites, with several medal events expected to draw strong international interest.
In Afghanistan, Ariana Radio and Television Network (ATN) holds exclusive broadcast rights to the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
Fans are also encouraged to follow Ariana News and Ariana Television’s official social media platforms for updated daily schedules, results and coverage from the Games.
International Sports
IPL 2026: Franchise sales gather pace as global investors circle teams
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has been put on the market by its current owner and is estimated to be worth up to $2 billion.
Developments off the field are drawing growing attention ahead of the 2026 Indian Premier League season, with two franchises — Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals — formally up for sale and attracting interest from high-profile domestic and international investors.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), one of the league’s most recognisable teams, has been put on the market by its current owner, Diageo’s United Spirits Ltd, following a strategic review. The sale process is expected to be completed by the end of March 2026. Market estimates suggest the franchise could be valued at around $2 billion, reflecting the soaring commercial value of the IPL.
Several bidders have been shortlisted for RCB, including investment groups led by Indian industrialists, private equity firms and overseas sports owners. Among those reported to have shown interest is a consortium linked to the Glazer family, co-owners of English Premier League club Manchester United. Non-binding bids have already been submitted, with binding offers expected in the coming weeks.
Rajasthan Royals (RR), winners of the inaugural IPL title in 2008, are also in the process of being sold. A shortlist of potential buyers has been finalised, featuring a mix of Indian and international investors, including private equity firms, entrepreneurs and media-linked groups. The franchise is expected to attract a valuation of more than $1 billion, according to market estimates.
Final bids for Rajasthan Royals are anticipated in early March, while the RCB transaction is expected to move into its final phase later this month. Any change in ownership will require approval from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
The potential sales mark one of the most significant ownership shake-ups in IPL history and underline the league’s growing appeal as a global sports investment as preparations continue for the 2026 season.
-
Latest News4 days agoAfghanistan to grant one- to ten-year residency to foreign investors
-
Sport4 days agoIran clinch AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2026 in penalty shootout thriller
-
Latest News5 days agoAfghanistan says Pakistan is shifting blame for its own security failures
-
International Sports3 days agoWinter Olympics gain momentum as medal table takes shape
-
Latest News4 days agoTraffic police receive new cars
-
Sport2 days agoChampions League Elite action continues as qualification race tightens
-
Latest News3 days agoTajik foreign minister urges international community to help Afghanistan address its challenges
-
Latest News3 days agoAfghan counter-narcotics delegation travels to Indonesia
