Sport
Netherlands eye Super 12 berth following victory over Namibia
The Netherlands have leapt to the top of Group A and are well placed to qualify for the Super 12 stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup following their nail-biting five-wicket triumph over Namibia in Geelong on Tuesday.
It came down to the final over with the Netherlands needing six to win and experienced all-rounder Bas de Leede held his nerve and made sure he did enough to clinch the Player of the Match award by guiding his side home with three balls remaining.
It was an excellent team performance from the Netherlands, with skipper Scott Edwards rotating his bowlers well to ensure Namibia could muster just 121/6 in good conditions at Kardinia Park.
The European side used seven different bowlers to put the clamps on their opponents, with de Leede (2/18) the main beneficiary and the only bowler to pick up multiple wickets for the winners.
Opening duo Vikramjit Singh (39) and Max O’Dowd (35) got the Netherlands off to a bright start and the victory target was always within reach, with de Leede’s steady knock of 30* enough to overcome a late wobble.
The victory sees the Netherlands move to the top of Group A and they can clinch a berth at the Super 12 stage by defeating Sri Lanka in their final group match on Thursday.
While the narrow loss was not ideal for Gerhard Erasmus’ talented side, they are still in the mix to make it through to the Super 12 stage if they can win their final match on Thursday against the UAE.
Namibia will enter that contest knowing what they need to do to qualify, given Sri Lanka take on the Netherlands in the other group match at the same venue in Geelong earlier in the day.
Sport
Afghan cricket umpire Bismillah Shinwari passes away aged 41
Shinwari, aged 41, played a key role in the development of Afghan cricket, both domestically and on the international stage.
Bismillah Shinwari, one of Afghanistan’s most experienced and respected cricket umpires, has passed away after a period of illness, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announced.
Shinwari, aged 41, played a key role in the development of Afghan cricket, both domestically and on the international stage.
A member of the ICC International Panel of Umpires “Bismillah Jan was a great servant of Afghan cricket,” the ACB said Tuesday.
Shinwari began his umpiring career in the early 2000s and steadily rose through the ranks as Afghanistan’s presence in world cricket grew. Over the years, he became known for his professionalism, calm demeanor, and deep understanding of the game.
He officiated in 34 One Day Internationals (ODIs), 26 T20 Internationals, 31 First-Class matches, 51 List A games, and 96 domestic T20 matches—making him one of the most active and experienced umpires in the country’s cricketing history.
The ACB described Shinwari’s passing as “a great and irreparable loss” to the sport in Afghanistan, noting his contributions not just on the field, but also as a mentor to younger officials and a supporter of cricket’s growth across the country.
His legacy is deeply woven into the rise of Afghan cricket over the past two decades. (edited)
Afghanistan’s national football team will face Tajikistan, Iran, and Malaysia in Group B of the CAFA Nations Cup 2025.
Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF) announced on Thursday that Group B matches will be hosted by Tajikistan.
Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Oman will compete in Group A of the tournament.
The tournament, featuring eight teams, will take place from August 9 to September 8, 2025, with Uzbekistan and Tajikistan serving as co-hosts.
In the continuation of Afghanistan Premier Futsal League, Etihad FC delivered a spectacular performance in the 45th and final match of the first half of the season on Tuesday, defeating Deyar Sanayee with an impressive score of 10–2.
The 45 first-leg matches of Afghanistan Premier Futsal League Season 4 came to an end on Tuesday with exciting and entertaining games.
The second half of the season, the return leg of these 45 matches will kick off on July 8.
Futsal fans across the country are encouraged to stay tuned and watch the matches live and exclusively on Ariana Radio & Television Network (ATN) starting July 8.
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