Ariana Radio and Television Network (ATN) has secured the rights to produce and broadcast the second season of the Ariana Snooker Championship, following the success of its inaugural tournament last year.

The second edition of the competition will run from May 11 to May 22, 2026, over a 10-day period across two weeks. Matches will air daily from 13:00 to 18:00 from the ATN Big Studio in Kabul.

Around 60 male players from across the country—including teenagers, young adults and experienced competitors—are expected to take part.

The tournament will follow a structured format beginning with a group stage, progressing to knockout rounds, semifinals and a final. This season will again feature the fast-paced 6-ball snooker format.

The championship builds on a highly competitive first season, which concluded with Naveed Naderi lifting the trophy after a closely contested 7–6 victory over Rayees Khan Hotak in the final. The 32-year-old Naderi, ranked number two in Afghanistan at the time, secured the title following a week of high-quality matches.

Sixteen of the country’s top players—many of them teenagers—competed in the inaugural event, highlighting the depth of emerging talent in Afghan snooker. Wahidullah Asghari, head of the national federation, praised the performances at the time, noting that young players had demonstrated strong potential and pointing to a promising future for the sport.

The first tournament was organised and broadcast nationwide by ATN, underscoring the network’s ongoing commitment to supporting and developing sport in Afghanistan. Its coverage drew significant viewership and helped raise the profile of snooker across the country.

Snooker has grown steadily in popularity in Afghanistan, particularly among younger generations in urban areas, with local clubs and competitions providing a foundation for talent development. The return of the Ariana Snooker Championship is expected to further strengthen that momentum.

With expanded participation and continued national broadcast coverage, organisers say the second season aims to build on last year’s success and provide an even stronger platform for Afghan players to showcase their skills on a national stage.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) delivered another entertaining match on Monday, March 30, with Rajasthan Royals registering a convincing eight-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings in a one-sided encounter.

After being put under pressure early, Chennai Super Kings struggled to post a competitive total, with their batting lineup failing to build meaningful partnerships. Regular wickets and tight bowling from Rajasthan Royals kept the scoring rate in check, leaving Chennai with a below-par target to defend.

Rajasthan Royals, in response, approached the chase with confidence and intent. A commanding innings from young opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi anchored the pursuit, as he played an attacking brand of cricket that quickly shifted momentum in Rajasthan’s favour.

Supported by steady contributions from the middle order, the Royals comfortably chased down the target with plenty of overs to spare.

The bowling unit was equally impressive for Rajasthan, with pace spearhead Jofra Archer leading the attack.

His disciplined lines and ability to generate pace made it difficult for Chennai’s batters to settle, while the supporting bowlers maintained consistent pressure throughout the innings.

The result gives Rajasthan an early boost in the tournament standings, while Chennai will look to regroup and address batting concerns ahead of their next fixture.

Attention now turns to today’s clash, March 31, where Punjab Kings take on Gujarat Titans in what promises to be another competitive matchup.

Both teams will be aiming to build momentum in the early stages of the tournament, with key players expected to play decisive roles.

The IPL continues to draw strong interest from cricket fans in Afghanistan, where the tournament enjoys widespread popularity.

Viewers across the country can watch all matches live and exclusively on Ariana Television, which is providing comprehensive coverage of the competition, including live broadcasts and expert analysis.

With high-quality cricket and thrilling finishes already on display, fans can expect more excitement as the tournament progresses.