Ariana Television Network (ATN) is thrilled to announce it has secured the exclusive rights to broadcast the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 live in Afghanistan.

This news will definitely bring joy to Afghans, who have shown their gratitude over the past few months for ATN’s commitment to bringing international sporting events into the homes of fans across the country.

Once again, ATN has worked closely with the ICC to make this possible. Company officials said Thursday they are committed to ensuring people across the country are not deprived of accessing global sporting events.

This World Cup meanwhile is the 9th edition and will be co-hosted by the United States and the Caribbean.

The event will run from June 1 to June 29 and will feature a record number of teams – with 20 different sides represented.

Format

The 20 teams will be separated into four groups of five for the first stage of the event, with each team playing a minimum of four matches against their other group members during that initial group stage.

The top two sides from each group then progress to the Super 8s stage of the event, with the bottom three teams from each group eliminated.

The remaining eight teams are then split into another two groups during the Super 8s phase, with sides to play three matches against their group rivals to determine the semi-finalists.

The semi-finals will be played out between the top two teams from each Super 8s group, with the winners then progressing to the one-off final in Barbados on June 29.

Venues

A total of three venues in the USA and six in the Caribbean will be used during the duration of the tournament, with 16 contests to be held in Lauderhill, Dallas and New York and the blockbuster clash between India and Pakistan scheduled for the new Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in Long Island on 9 June.

Forty-one matches will be played in the Caribbean across six different nations, with semi-finals in Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana, before the title decider scheduled to be played in Barbados on 29 June.

Any match that finishes in a tie will see a Super Over be played and if the Super Over is a tie, with subsequent Super Overs played until there is a winner.

There is also additional time available to ensure the completion of all knockout fixtures at the semi-final and final stage of the event.

ATN will broadcast these matches live and exclusively on Ariana Television. News and tournament information will be published regularly, so don’t forget to watch this space for updates.

Ariana Television Network has secured the rights to broadcast FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024, which will take place in Uzbekistan from September 14 to October 16.

As such, futsal fans across Afghanistan will be treated to all matches live and exclusively on Ariana Television.

This is yet another feather in ATN’s broadcasting cap, as the media company strives to bring as many top-rated international sporting events into the homes of its loyal viewers.

Earlier this month, the brand and emblem for this year’s FIFA Futsal World Cup was launched in an exciting milestone moment towards Uzbekistan – the first Central Asian country to host a FIFA tournament.

The tenth edition of the FIFA Futsal World Cup brand and emblem is inspired by the kalampir peppers that flavor cuisine in many traditional Uzbek dishes.

Drawing on the concept of ‘Masters of Speed’, the brand identity reflects the fast-paced, high tempo and dynamic nature of futsal, while the official emblem is shaped like the FIFA Futsal World Cup trophy, with five interpretations of the kalampir peppers forming a ball at the top.

“As the first FIFA tournament to be held in Central Asia, the FIFA Futsal World Cup in Uzbekistan will not only be a landmark moment in futsal, but also one for this incredible region that has so much to offer both teams and fans,” said Jaime Yarza, Director of FIFA Tournaments.

“The striking colors and patterns of the official look capture some of the flavor of what everyone who comes to Uzbekistan will experience during what will be an exciting and exceptional tournament.”

Ravshan Irmatov, Senior Vice President of the Uzbekistan Football Association, added: “The logo of the tournament is made in very bright colors, attractive and modern style. It shows a real oriental and Uzbek flavor. It can also be seen that it reflects the harmony of Uzbekistan’s cultural heritage and historical values.”

The official branding will get a first major public outing on Sunday, May 26, in Samarkand’s resplendent and historic Registan Square when the 24 participating teams will feature in the group-stage draw.

Record five-time winners Brazil, defending champions Portugal, Spain, IR Iran and Argentina make up the top five teams heading into the draw.

It will also include four Central Asian countries for the very first time, with the hosts being joined by freshly crowned Asian champions IR Iran, who collected a 13th continental title at the AFC Futsal Asian Cup in April.

This will be the first time that Tajikistan have participated in a senior FIFA tournament, while Afghanistan will make their first appearance at a FIFA event since their only other previous outing at the Olympic Football Tournaments in 1948.

Meanwhile, the 2024 edition will be Kazakhstan’s third straight appearance at the tournament and their fourth campaign in total, after they took to the global stage for the first time back in 2000.

Three Host Cities, the capital, Tashkent, Andijan in the Fergana Valley and in ancient Silk Road trading center of Bukhara, will stage games as Uzbekistan becomes the fourth AFC member to host the FIFA Futsal World Cup after Hong Kong (1992), Chinese Taipei (2004) and Thailand (2012).

The 24-team line-up for the FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024 is as follows: Afghanistan, Angola, Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, France, Guatemala, IR Iran, Kazakhstan, Libya, Morocco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Panama, Paraguay, Portugal, Spain, Tajikistan, Thailand, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Venezuela.

Meanwhile, futsal fans can watch this space for news and updates, which will be posted to Ariana News and Ariana Television platforms in the run up to the exciting event later this year.

Virat Kohli suffered more heartbreak on Wednesday as Royal Challengers Bengaluru were knocked out of the IPL after a four-wicket loss to Rajasthan Royals in Ahmedabad.

Rajasthan restricted Bengaluru to 172-8, a total they overhauled with six balls to spare in the do-or-die play-off at the world’s biggest cricket stadium.

Rajasthan will face Sunrisers Hyderabad in the last play-off on Friday in Chennai to decide Kolkata Knight Riders’ opponent in the final on May 26.

Kolkata made their fourth IPL final after they hammered Hyderabad in the first play-off on Tuesday in Ahmedabad’s intense heat.

Trent Boult, with figures of 1-16, and Ravichandran Ashwin, 2-19, played pivotal roles in a disciplined bowling attack for Rajasthan, who elected to field first.

Rajasthan stuttered in their chase after Yashasvi Jaiswal, caught behind off Cameron Green on 45, and skipper Sanju Samson, stumped out for 17, departed in the space of five deliveries.

Riyan Parag, who hit 36, and Shimron Hetmyer, who smashed 26, put on 45 to get their chase back on track before Rovman Powell steered the team home with a six in his unbeaten 16.

Rajasthan, who won the inaugural edition of the IPL in 2008 under late Australian legend Shane Warne, bounced back from four losses in five matches including a washout.

Bengaluru’s dream run ended after they rose from the bottom of the table after eight matches to win six in a row and make the play-offs.

Ahmedabad remained hot as temperatures in the afternoon soared above 43 degrees Celsius for the third successive day.

There was a sea of Kohli fans who braved the heat and stadium officials said over 85,000 people turned up for the eliminator.

Substitutes ran with towels and water bottles all around outside the boundary ropes to keep their players on the field hydrated.

Most of India’s northern states have remained under government heatwave alerts since last week.

According to local reports, Bollywood actor and IPL team owner Shah Rukh Khan was hospitalised in Ahmedabad due to a heatstroke a day after he celebrated Kolkata’s victory at the venue.

Earlier, skipper Faf du Plessis departed early on 17 after Powell took a stunning forward diving catch running from deep mid-wicket off left-arm quick Boult.

Kohli attempted to set the pace in his 24-ball 33 but fell to Yuzvendra Chahal’s leg-spin, much to the disappointment of the crowd at the 132,000 capacity stadium.

Kohli consolidated his position as the season’s leading batsman with 741 runs including a century and five half tons in 15 matches.

Rajasthan bowlers kept a check on the scoring and took regular wickets including two off successive balls when off-spinner Ashwin sent back Green, for 27, and Glenn Maxwell, for a duck.

AFP