Sport
IPL 2025 Qualifier 2: Weather no threat as PBKS and MI prepare for battle
As the Punjab Kings prepare to take on Mumbai Indians in a high-stakes IPL 2025 Qualifier 2 clash, all eyes are not just on the players, but also on the skies above the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
The match is set for Sunday, June 1, and the atmosphere is already electric — but fans have one burning question: Will the weather hold up?
Punjab Kings are chasing history, hoping to reach their first-ever IPL final after 14 long seasons.
On the other hand, Mumbai Indians are eyeing a record-extending sixth title. With so much on the line, the weather could play a crucial role — but here’s the good news.
The latest updates suggest that rain is unlikely to impact the game.
The skies are expected to remain mostly clear throughout the evening with no significant cloud cover or storm warnings.
However, the temperature will stay on the hotter side, and humidity is the only discomfort fans and players might have to deal with.
There was some light drizzle on Saturday, but Sunday looks dry and clear, much to the relief of players and fans alike.
What If Rain Interrupts the Match?
While the chances are minimal, there’s always a contingency plan. If rain were to unexpectedly halt play and the match cannot be completed, the team that finished higher in the league standings will advance to the final.
In this scenario, Punjab Kings would move on, having placed above Mumbai in the points table. Still, with the current forecast showing no signs of interruption, this outcome seems unlikely.
All signs point to a full, uninterrupted contest under the lights at Narendra Modi Stadium.
Fans can breathe easy and get ready for a thrilling battle between two of IPL’s most determined teams.
Fans in Afghanistan can tune in to Ariana Television from 5:30 pm to watch the match live.
Sport
Omar Zawak thrash Istiqlal Kabul 5-1 in ACL
Omar Zawak secured an emphatic 5-1 victory over Istiqlal Kabul in the 80th match of the sixth season of Afghanistan Champions League Roshan, delivering an impressive attacking performance.
The match was played in Kabul on Tuesday. Both teams struggled to find the back of the net in the first half, which ended goalless.
However, Omar Zawak stepped up their attacking efforts in the second half, scoring five goals to take control of the match. Istiqlal Kabul managed to score just once as Omar Zawak sealed a convincing 5-1 victory.
Omar Zawak will face Ariana Khost in their next match on November 12, while Istiqlal Kabul will take on Aino Mina Kandahar on the same day.
All matches of the sixth season of Afghanistan Champions League are broadcast live on Ariana Television.
Sport
First Test between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe ends in a draw
Zimbabwe produced a remarkable batting display to secure a draw against Afghanistan in the first Test in Sharjah, with Craig Ervine and Wessly Madhevere scoring unbeaten centuries on the final day.
Resuming the fifth and final day at 164/3, Zimbabwe finished on 523/5 in their second innings, following their first-innings total of 504. This marked the first time in Test cricket history that a team has scored more than 500 runs in both innings of a match.
Craig Ervine remained unbeaten on 206, while Madhevere scored 100 not out, as the pair frustrated Afghanistan’s bowlers throughout the day.
Ervine, aged 41 years and 82 days, became the third-oldest player to score a double century in Test cricket.
Afghanistan had posted 514 in their first innings. Afghanistan needed early wickets to put pressure on the hosts, but Zimbabwe’s batters showed patience and discipline on a pitch offering little assistance to the bowlers.
Brian Bennett scored a half-century before Mohammad Saleem dismissed him, while debutant Antum Naqvi contributed 61 runs. Naqvi and Ervine shared a 140-run partnership before Abdul Malik broke the stand.
However, Madhevere joined Ervine and the pair put together an unbeaten 208-run partnership for the sixth wicket, the highest for that wicket in Zimbabwe’s Test history. Madhevere also registered his maiden Test century during the partnership.
The result leaves the two sides level heading into the second and final Test, which is scheduled to begin in Sharjah on November 13.
Sport
Portugal beat Afghanistan 2-0 in Dakar Youth Olympics futsal semi-finals
Afghanistan’s Under-18 futsal team missed out on a place in the gold medal match at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games after suffering a 2-0 defeat to Portugal in the semi-finals on Monday.
Portugal took the lead through Joao Carvalho, who capitalised on a goalkeeping error by Afghanistan’s Ahmad Esmaeili to score into an unguarded net from inside his own half.
Diego Ferreira doubled Portugal’s advantage before half-time, putting the European side firmly in control of the match.
Afghanistan pushed hard to get back into the game in the second half, creating several opportunities to reduce the deficit. However, they were unable to find the net, with Portugal goalkeeper Bernardo Borges making several important saves.
The victory sends Portugal into the gold medal match, while Afghanistan will now compete for the bronze medal at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
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