Sport

ILT20’s final phase sees change around in a number of players

Published

7 months ago

February 7, 2024

Desert Vipers have moved to offset the loss of a trio of Pakistan internationals, who are heading for the PSL ahead of the last leg of the ILT20, by signing England stars Sam Curran and Phil Salt who are expected to help the side’s push for a play-off place.

The last few days have however seen numerous changes, as some players depart for international duty and other leagues, while others arrive from the SA20.

Kieron Pollard has joined the ranks of league-leading MI Emirates after arriving from South Africa.

Pollard, Salt and Curran have meanwhile been brought in to the ILT20 to cover the departure of four leading players. Shaheen Afridi, Azam Khan and Shadab Khan who have returned to Pakistan to prepare for the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Wanindu Hasaranga has also returned to Sri Lanka for international duty.

Speaking of Curran and Salt’s arrival, Vipers’ coach Tom Moody said: “Both players are proven international performers with exceptional Twenty20 records and they will add an extra dimension to our team.

“I know Sam extremely well having worked with him for the Oval Invincibles at The Hundred and I know the quality he offers with bat, ball and in the field.

“He loves to be involved in big games at important times and that is the sort of attitude we want from our players.

"Phil has developed into one of the most exciting players in world cricket at the top of the order, as he showed in the Caribbean with England in December, and he is also an excellent wicketkeeper and so provides us with options in that regard,” Moody said.

Wednesday’s match

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders ABD lock horns with Sharjah Warriors at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, February 7, in match 25 of the ILT20.

Knight Riders lost three out of their first five games. However, they are now on a three-match winning streak and are one victory away from booking their place in the playoffs. They have 10 points from eight games so far.

Meanwhile, Sharjah Warriors are hanging by a thread in the competition as they still have a mathematical chance of progressing to the playoffs. They have lost five out of their eight games thus far. Their disappointing net run-rate of -2.019 is a huge reason for concern. The Warriors are on a three-match losing streak and will be desperate to get back to winning ways.

To watch the upcoming match stay tuned to Ariana Television and don’t forget to follow our updates on social media.

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Afghanistan raring to go ahead of Futsal World Cup match against Angola

Twenty-four teams will take part in the tournament, with Afghanistan, Tajikistan, New Zealand and France making their debut

Published

3 hours ago

September 15, 2024

Ariana News

Afghanistan will meet Angola later Sunday, September 15, in their first FIFA Futsal World Cup match in Uzbekistan.

The match will kick off at 4.30pm and will be broadcast live on Ariana Television.

Players have spent the past week in practise, preparing for their matches, and said Saturday they are well prepared for their debut at this year’s Futsal World Cup.

The World Cup got underway on Saturday, September 14, in Uzbekistan.

Twenty-four teams will take part in the tournament, with Afghanistan, Tajikistan, New Zealand and France making their debut and Portugal defending the title they won three years ago in Lithuania.

The first-ever FIFA tournament in Central Asia kicked off on 14 September in Bukhara and the capital, Tashkent. The eastern city of Andijan will complete the trio of venues for the 24-team competition.

The 2024 edition will be the tenth in the history of the FIFA Futsal World Cup and will run until October 6.

Uzbekistan will be joined in the competition by four former champions - Argentina, Brazil, Portugal and Spain - and four debutantes: Afghanistan, France, New Zealand and Tajikistan.

Angola, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Guatemala, Iran, Kazakhstan, Libya, Morocco, Netherlands, Panama, Paraguay, Thailand, Ukraine and Venezuela complete the line-up after successfully completing the 121-team qualifying process.

Sport

Rashid returns as Afghanistan call up fresh faces for South Africa ODIs

Gulbadin Naib, and Mohammad Nabi also feature in an heavily experienced squad. However, injuries to a couple of known faces has paved a way for the addition of two young contenders.

Published

2 days ago

September 13, 2024

Ariana News

Afghanistan have announced a 17-member squad for three-game ODI series against South Africa.

Hashmatullah Shahidi will lead Afghanistan in their historic bilateral ODI series against South Africa, while Rahmat Shah will be his deputy. The side also sees the return of Rashid Khan, who missed their previous ODI series against Ireland because of an injury.

Gulbadin Naib, and Mohammad Nabi also feature in an heavily experienced squad. However, injuries to a couple of known faces has paved a way for the addition of two young contenders.

Afghanistan will be without the services of Ibrahim Zadran, who was ruled out due to an ankle sprain, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who is yet to recover from a right phalanx sprain. This opens up doors for Abdul Malik, the talented right-handed top-order batter who recently impressed in the domestic List A competition, and Darwish Rasooli, another top-order option with the experience of seven T20Is to his name.

Afghanistan Squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmat Shah (vc), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Abdul Malik, Riaz Hassan, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Bilal Sami, Naveed Zadran and Farid Ahmad Malik.

“Hosting South Africa for the first time in our cricketing history is a huge milestone for Afghanistan Cricket," ACB CEO Mr. Naseeb Khan said. "They are a top-quality side, and playing against them in an ODI series is something we are all excited about.

"Our team has shown great performances in ICC events over the past two-three years, and we are focused on making our team equally competitive in bilateral cricket."

This ODI series will be the first meeting between Afghanistan and South Africa outside of ICC tournaments, with all three games set to be hosted by ACB at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

The teams last met at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024, where the Proteas overcame Afghanistan in the semi-finals with ease.

ODI Series Schedule:

Wednesday, 18 September

1st ODI, Sharjah Cricket Stadium, UAE

Friday, 20 September

2nd ODI, Sharjah Cricket Stadium, UAE

Sunday, 22 September

3rd ODI, Sharjah Cricket Stadium, UAE

Sport

Afghanistan v NZ test abandoned without a ball bowled

Afghanistan will play their first of the three-match ODI series against South Africa on Wednesday.

Published

2 days ago

September 13, 2024

Ariana News

Afghanistan's one-off test against New Zealand became just the eighth match in the format's history to be abandoned without a ball being bowled after rain washed out the fifth and final day in India's Greater Noida region on Friday.

The first ever test scheduled between the sides looked doomed from the start due to steady rain for over two weeks in the region. It was also the first test to be scheduled at the Shahid Vijay Singh Pathik Sport Complex near Delhi.

Afghanistan will play their first of the three-match ODI series against South Africa on Wednesday.

New Zealand will fly to Sri Lanka on Saturday for a two-test series in Galle from the same day.