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ICC expecting findings of study into women’s cricket in Afghanistan

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The International Cricket Council (ICC) will receive a report back from its working group into the issue of Afghanistan women’s cricket within the next two days.

Women’s cricket in Afghanistan has faced an uncertain future after the Islamic Emirate took over the country in August last year.

An IEA official’s comment that women would be banned from playing cricket led to calls for Afghanistan to be culled from the 2021 T20 Men’s World Cup and sparked debate over whether their Full Membership should be stripped.

Cricket Australia also postponed last November’s historic men’s Test with Afghanistan over the issue.

But Afghanistan has continued playing international cricket and the ICC has preferred to wait until a working group tasked with investigating the situation provided its findings.

ESPNcricinfo reported that the working group, in its only recommendation, has found 33-year-old Afghanistan all-rounder Mirwais Ashraf’s appointment as chairman to be in compliance with the ACB and ICC constitutions. If accepted by the board then Ashraf will become an ICC board director.

Ashraf replaced Azizullah Fazli who was in charge for just two months.

“There needs to be stability within ACB,” a former ACB official who was interviewed by the working group, told ESPNcricinfo. “The chairman is meant to be in the role for three years. There needs to be clear directions (by the ICC) to the government that the constitution and procedures need to be met.

“I told them (working group) that Afghanistan cricket shouldn’t be sabotaged because of the Taliban’s takeover of the country.”

Development and pathway structures for women’s cricket are part of strict criteria for Full Membership. When Afghanistan received it in 2017, an exemption was invoked on the provison that they take active measures to develop women’s cricket. Before the IEA’s takeover, the ACB had announced central contracts for a pool of women cricketers though they were still some way off fielding a team.

Former ACB Chairman Azizullah Fazli, however, said in October last year that there was officially no ban on women’s sport, especially women’s cricket.

“They (IEA) have no problem with women taking part in sport. We’ve not been asked to stop women from playing cricket. We’ve had a women’s team for 18 years, although it wasn’t a major team, we’re not on that level yet,” Fazli had said.

“There is no way to know if women’s cricket is developing there right now,” an official familiar with the situation said. “The ACB is saying that women are still allowed to play. Indication is that the ACB is trying. Every country has an obligation to develop women’s cricket.”

“Women’s cricket was moving in the right direction prior to the situation changing,” McCollum told ESPNcricinfo. “The priority is to make sure their players are still available and can play. It’s a difficult situation. Afghanistan is complex.”

Ross McCollum, a member of the working group, told ESPNcricinfo that women’s cricket had been “moving in the right direction prior to the situation changing.”

“The priority is to make sure their players are still available and can play. It’s a difficult situation. Afghanistan is complex,” McCollum said.

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Afghanistan trail Bangladesh by 135 runs at stumps on Day Two

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Afghanistan reached 211 for 4 in their first innings at the close of the second day of their Test match against Bangladesh at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Saturday.

Bangladesh were bowled out for 346 in 92.3 overs in their first innings, extending their overnight total of 317 for 8. Afghanistan ended the day 135 runs behind Bangladesh, with six wickets remaining.

Tanzid Hasan top-scored for Bangladesh with 83 runs, while Shadman Islam contributed 67, helping their side establish a competitive first-innings total.

Afghanistan’s bowlers fought back to dismiss Bangladesh’s remaining batters, with Mohammad Saleem taking four wickets for 82 runs and Yamin Ahmadzai claiming three wickets for 79 runs.

Abdul Malik and Rahmat Shah played an important role in Afghanistan’s response, helping the team build its innings after the loss of four wickets. Afghanistan will look to continue the recovery on the third day and reduce Bangladesh’s lead, while Bangladesh will aim to take early wickets and gain a stronger advantage.

The third day will be crucial for both sides, as Afghanistan seek to close the gap and Bangladesh attempt to take control of the one-off Test.

For cricket fans across Afghanistan, Ariana Television Network (ATN) is broadcasting this Test match, along with the other series live and exclusively.

Stay tuned to Ariana Television Network for the latest news, updates, and live coverage of these exciting cricket events.
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Bangladesh reach 317/8 on Day One against Afghanistan in Test match

For cricket fans across Afghanistan, Ariana Television Network (ATN) is broadcasting this Test match, along with the other series listed in the schedule below, live and exclusively.

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Bangladesh finished the opening day of their Test match against Afghanistan at 317 for 8 after 84 overs at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Friday.

Tanzid Hasan top-scored for Bangladesh with 83 runs, while Shadman Islam contributed 67, helping the team establish a solid foundation in their first innings.

Afghanistan’s bowlers fought back to take eight wickets before the close of play, preventing Bangladesh from building an even bigger total. Mohammad Saleem led Afghanistan’s bowling attack with figures of 3 for 70, while Ismat Alam claimed 2 for 20.

Bangladesh will resume their first innings on the second day with two wickets remaining, looking to add valuable runs to the total. Afghanistan, meanwhile, will aim to dismiss the remaining batters early and begin their reply.

The second day will be important for both sides as Bangladesh seek to strengthen their position with the bat, while Afghanistan look to carry their bowling momentum into their first innings.

For cricket fans across Afghanistan, Ariana Television Network (ATN) is broadcasting this Test match, along with the other series listed in the schedule below, live and exclusively.

Stay tuned to Ariana Television Network for the latest news, updates, and live coverage of these exciting cricket events.
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Arman FC defeat Istiqlal Kabul 3-2 in thrilling comeback

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Arman FC defeated Istiqlal Kabul 3–2 in a high-scoring match in the sixth season of Afghanistan Champions League Roshan in Kabul on Thursday.

The match was played at the Afghanistan Football Federation Stadium and featured a closely contested battle between the two sides.

In the first half, Haroon Noori opened the scoring for Istiqlal Kabul with a long-range strike, putting his team ahead. In the 24th minute, Shokorullah Kohi scored a spectacular equalizer for Arman FC, bringing the score to 1–1 at halftime.

In the second half, Arman FC increased the pressure and, in the 74th minute, Fardin Azizi scored the team’s second goal to put Arman FC ahead.

However, Arman FC’s lead did not last long. In the 79th minute, Haroon Noori scored again to bring Istiqlal Kabul level at 2–2.

Just two minutes later, Maisam Haidari rose to head home a cross from his teammate, scoring Arman FC’s third goal and restoring their 3–2 lead.

Istiqlal Kabul pushed for another equalizer in the remaining minutes, but their efforts were unsuccessful, and Arman FC secured all three points.

In the match, Arman FC committed 12 fouls and received one red card, while Istiqlal Kabul committed 10 fouls and received one yellow card.

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

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