Sport

History in the making as Afghanistan face South Africa in their ICC T20 World Cup semi-final

South Africa’s former president Nelson Mandela saw sport as a unifying mechanism that could lessen divisions between the people

Published

1 year ago

June 26, 2024

Ariana News

Afghanistan and South Africa are set to face off early Thursday in the first semi-final of this year’s T20 World Cup and whichever team wins will make history, as neither have ever played in an ICC T20 World Cup final.

For Afghanistan, the mere thought of making it this far in the tournament was a pipe dream just a few years ago.

However, the team has taken the world by surprise and risen up through the T20 ranks at a meteoric pace.

Since being granted international status in 2011, Afghanistan’s success in just 13 years is testimony to the Afghan cricketing fraternity and the players’ resilience and commitment to the game.

Excitement ahead of the match was almost palpable by Wednesday afternoon with social media platforms buzzing with anticipation for a potential India vs Afghanistan final.

Thousands of users expressed their support for Rashid Khan and his men, a team that has carried the tag of “underdog” for quite some time. While others leaned more towards an India vs South Africa final, an “underdog” win on a global sport stage is not unheard of.

In fact South Africa, also once considered an underdog, pulled off an incredible win in the 1995 Rugby World Cup, after having been in global isolation for years, due to sanctions leveled against the former apartheid government.

This Rugby World Cup had been the first major sporting event to take place in South Africa following the end of apartheid and it was the first Rugby World Cup in which South Africa was allowed to compete.

Today, that match stands as a hugely symbolic moment in South African history.

‘One Team, One Country’ – Nelson Mandela’s slogan to forge unity among a divided nation in 1995

The president at the time, Nelson Mandela, used the opportunity to orchestrate a show of unity among the people of a deeply divided nation by using the slogan “One Team, One Country.”

The former government’s policy of apartheid along with its gross human rights violations had long made South Africa an international pariah and from 1964 to 1992 the country was banned from most global sporting events including the Olympic Games.

Mandela however saw the rugby world cup as a way to help lessen divisions between Black and White South Africans and foster a shared national pride – especially as the country was host to this global event.

By the time South Africa made it to the final, against New Zealand, the nation had rallied in support of the team, put aside their differences, and were rooting wholeheartedly for their country.

Since then, South Africa has gone on to become a global powerhouse in rugby and in cricket, with countless players earning international respect by playing for foreign clubs and leagues.

To a degree, parallels can almost be drawn between South Africa’s history and Afghanistan’s current situation.

For years, cricket in Afghanistan was considered a Pashtun game, just like Black South Africans originally considered rugby to be a game played exclusively by White South Africans.

But this perception in Afghanistan has changed considerably over the past 10 years. After each victory, each milestone, and each successful sale of a player to one or other cricket league, the Afghanistan fan base has grown.

Today, millions of fans watch the matches on TV, they follow the team and players on social media, and hundreds of thousands of Afghan children look up to national players such as Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Fazalhaq Farooqi and Rahmanullah Gurbaz to name just a few.

Afghanistan after beating Bangladesh earlier this week

It’s these players who are the role models, the heroes, who have against all odds risen up through the debris of war and taken the cricketing world by storm.

The power of sport as a uniting force was clear after the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

In his biography, Mandela, Martin Meredith wrote: “The whole of South Africa erupted in celebration, Blacks as joyful as the Whites.”

“Never before had Blacks had cause to show such pride in the efforts of their White countrymen. It was a moment of national fusion that Mandela had done much to inspire.”

Following South Africa’s victory, Mandela donned a Springbok rugby shirt and cap and proudly presented the trophy to the South African captain Francois Pienaar.

Years later, when Mandela died, Pienaar said that “when the final whistle blew, this country changed forever.”

South Africa’s former president Nelson Mandela hands Francois Pienaar the 1995 Rugby World Cup trophy

It was this display of unity, through sport, that crossed race, tribal and religious lines, and left instead “One Team, One Country”.

In the spirit of Mandela’s words and wisdom, one can understand what Afghanistan’s team captain Rashid Khan was alluding to in his video message on Wednesday when he called on the country, on Afghans at home and around the world, to support their team, and to keep them in their prayers.

But no matter the outcome of the T20 semi-final match on Thursday, the Afghanistan team are already winners in the eyes of millions of fans after having carved out their slice of history – by proving to be worthy of a nation’s pride and unquestionable support.

Fans across the country can tune in to Ariana Television on Thursday morning from 4.30am for the pre-match show. The match will be broadcast from 5am live and exclusively on Ariana Television.

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International Sports

IPL 2026: Teams take shape after auction as franchises balance star power and depth

Big-money overseas signings, bold investments in uncapped Indian players and a renewed focus on squad depth were among the key themes to emerge.

Published

2 days ago

December 17, 2025

Ariana News

The ten Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises have finalized their squads for the 2026 season following a busy mini-auction, with teams taking contrasting approaches as they prepare for the new campaign.

Big-money overseas signings, bold investments in uncapped Indian players and a renewed focus on squad depth were among the key themes to emerge.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) drew the most attention after spending a large portion of their purse on two uncapped players, Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma, signalling a shift from their traditionally experience-driven strategy. While the additions of Akeal Hosein and Matt Henry offer tactical flexibility, questions remain over inexperience in the middle order and bowling unit.

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) largely retained their core, underlining confidence in a settled squad. The return of Venkatesh Iyer at a significantly lower price strengthens their top order, while Jacob Duffy and Mangesh Yadav add depth to the pace attack without disrupting team balance.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) adopted a more cautious approach despite having a healthy purse. Their standout buy was England all-rounder Liam Livingstone, but the exit of Mohammed Shami has left concerns over their pace resources. An inexperienced spin unit will also be tested across conditions.

Mumbai Indians (MI) entered the auction with few gaps to fill and focused on value buys. Securing Quinton de Kock at base price and adding more all-rounders has given MI flexibility, reinforcing their reputation as one of the most balanced squads in the league.

Gujarat Titans (GT) made minimal changes, with Jason Holder their most notable addition. Already well stocked in most departments, GT opted not to use their full overseas quota, backing squad continuity while still addressing depth concerns.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) were the biggest spenders, headlined by the record-breaking ₹25.20 crore ($2.7 million) signing of Cameron Green. With Andre Russell transitioning into a coaching role, Green is expected to fill a major all-rounder void. KKR also strengthened their death bowling and wicketkeeping options, giving them one of the deepest squads on paper.

Rajasthan Royals (RR) focused on rebuilding their spin department, landing Ravi Bishnoi and adding two more wristspinners. The acquisition of Adam Milne bolsters their pace attack, though the lack of a proven all-rounder could be a concern.

Punjab Kings (PBKS) largely stood pat after a strong IPL 2025 campaign. Cooper Connolly was brought in to cover for Josh Inglis, while experienced bowlers provide insurance against injuries. Continuity remains their biggest strength.

Delhi Capitals (DC) assembled one of the most versatile squads, with multiple options across batting and bowling combinations. Their flexibility allows them to adapt line-ups to form and conditions, a factor that could prove decisive over a long season.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) addressed their bowling by adding Wanindu Hasaranga and Anrich Nortje but still appear top-heavy in batting. Injuries and availability issues among key players may shape their season.

With squads now locked in, attention turns to on-field execution. While some teams banked on stability, others gambled on fresh talent, setting the stage for another highly competitive IPL season when the tournament begins in March next year.

Sport

Abu Muslim Farah crowned champions of fifth season of Afghanistan Champions League

Matches from the tournament were broadcast live nationwide by Ariana Television Network (ATN), allowing supporters from all provinces to follow the action and celebrate the achievements of their teams. The widespread coverage helped boost interest in the league and brought Afghan football into homes across the country.

Published

3 days ago

December 16, 2025

Ariana News

Abu Muslim Farah have reaffirmed their status as one of Afghanistan’s leading football clubs after being crowned champions of the fifth season of the Afghanistan Champions League, completing a flawless campaign to lift the title.

The Farah-based side won all nine of their matches in the season, finishing with a perfect 27 points to claim the championship in emphatic style. Their title was sealed on Sunday in the 42nd and final match of the competition, where Abu Muslim Farah produced a dominant 4–0 victory over Ettifaq Khanzadah.

The triumph marks back-to-back titles for Abu Muslim Farah, who also won the fourth season of the league last year, underlining their growing dominance in domestic football. Their consistency throughout the tournament, combined with an attacking brand of play and a solid defensive record, set them apart from their rivals.

The fifth season of the Afghanistan Champions League featured 10 teams from across the country and served as one of the top-tier domestic football competitions aimed at strengthening the sport at the national level. The league has played an important role in developing local talent, providing competitive exposure for players, and keeping football alive and visible for fans across Afghanistan.

Abu Muslim Farah’s unbeaten run and commanding title victory have been widely praised by fans and analysts, with many viewing the club as a benchmark for professionalism and performance in Afghan football. As the Champions League continues to grow in stature, Abu Muslim Farah’s success sets a high standard for future seasons and reinforces their reputation as a powerhouse of the domestic game.

Sport

ILT20: Sharjah Warriorz secure 11-run victory over Gulf Giants

Cricket fans across Afghanistan can meanwhile tune in to Ariana Television today, Tuesday December 16, from 2pm to watch the next match, between Sharjah Warriorz and MI Emirates.

Published

3 days ago

December 16, 2025

Ariana News

Sharjah Warriorz continued their winning run in the DP World ILT20 Season 4, defeating Gulf Giants by 11 runs at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Monday to make it two wins from two matches.

A composed batting effort led by Tom Abell, followed by disciplined bowling spearheaded by Matheesha Pathirana, proved decisive as the Warriorz successfully defended a total of 174/6.

Abell anchored the innings with a polished 68 off 41 balls, striking five fours and three sixes. After an early setback that saw Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Johnson Charles dismissed cheaply, Abell steadied the innings alongside James Rew, who contributed 39 off 33. The pair added 71 runs before Abell fell, with Dwaine Pretorius providing late impetus with a quick 28 off 13 to lift the Warriorz to a competitive total.

In reply, the Gulf Giants suffered an early collapse as Wasim Akram and Taskin Ahmed removed Pathum Nissanka and James Vince inside the powerplay. Matheesha Pathirana further dented the chase with a wicket-maiden, leaving the Giants struggling at 44/4 after six overs.

Azmatullah Omarzai (41 off 26) and Moeen Ali (45 off 41) mounted a brief recovery, adding 79 runs for the fifth wicket. However, timely breakthroughs halted the momentum, with Akram breaking the partnership and Pathirana striking again in the death overs.

The Warriorz bowlers maintained pressure late in the innings, with Pathirana and Pretorius picking up key wickets to restrict the Giants to 163/9 and seal the 11-run win.

Pathirana finished with three wickets and was named Player of the Match, while stand-in captain Sikander Raza praised his bowling unit for executing plans under pressure and closing out crucial moments.

Cricket fans across Afghanistan can meanwhile tune in to Ariana Television today, Tuesday December 16, from 2pm to watch the next match, between Sharjah Warriorz and MI Emirates.