A thrilling contest in the Indian Premier League on Wednesday, April 1, saw  Lucknow Super Giants clinch a narrow victory over Delhi Capitals in a low-scoring encounter.

Lucknow posted a modest total of 141 after being bowled out inside 19 overs, with key contributions coming from Abdul Samad and Mitchell Marsh, who steadied the innings. Delhi’s bowlers, led by Thangarasu Natarajan and Lungi Ngidi, kept things tight and ensured the target remained within reach.

In response, Delhi appeared on course for victory but faltered under pressure in the closing stages. Despite a composed chase, they fell just short, handing Lucknow a dramatic win by the narrowest of margins of just 2 runs. The match highlighted the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket, where momentum can shift rapidly in the final overs.

Kolkata take on Hyderabad

Attention now turns to Thursday’s clash, where Kolkata Knight Riders will face Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Kolkata will be looking to build momentum early in the tournament with a balanced squad featuring both experienced campaigners and exciting young talent. Hyderabad, meanwhile, will aim to bounce back strongly, relying on their powerful batting line-up and disciplined bowling attack.

With both teams eager to secure crucial early points, fans can expect another closely fought contest.

The IPL continues to draw massive global audiences, and fans in Afghanistan can follow all the action live. Ariana Television Network (ATN) holds the exclusive broadcasting rights for the tournament in the country.

Matches are being aired live on Ariana Television, bringing every moment of the IPL directly to viewers. Fans are also encouraged to follow Ariana Television and Ariana News on social media for the latest updates, highlights and match coverage throughout the tournament.

The line-up for the FIFA World Cup 2026 is now complete, with Iraq claiming the final berth to cap off a historic and expanded qualification campaign.

Iraq secured their place with a decisive victory over Bolivia in the intercontinental play-off tournament at Monterrey Stadium in Mexico, becoming the 48th and last team to qualify. The win places Iraq in Group I alongside France, Senegal and Norway, setting up a challenging group-stage campaign.

Striker Aymen Hussein scored the crucial goal that sealed qualification and brought Iraq’s long journey to a triumphant conclusion.

The result also marked the end of an extensive global qualifying process that spanned 937 days, featuring 899 matches and producing 2,527 goals at an average of 2.8 per game.

Iraq’s campaign, which began in September 2023, culminated in one of the nation’s most significant football achievements in recent years.

Elsewhere, Europe’s remaining places were decided through tightly contested play-offs. Czechia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Türkiye and Sweden all secured qualification after dramatic fixtures played across multiple cities, completing the continent’s representation at the tournament.

In another play-off clash held in Mexico, DR Congo edged Jamaica 1-0 in Guadalajara to book their place in Group K, where they are set to face Portugal in their opening match in Houston, Texas.

The play-off tournament also doubled as a test event for host venues in Monterrey and Guadalajara, which will stage matches during the World Cup. The fixtures drew strong crowds, with more than 160,000 fans attending across the games, offering an early glimpse of the atmosphere expected next year.

A historic expansion

The 2026 edition of the World Cup will be the largest in history, expanding from 32 to 48 teams for the first time. The tournament will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, marking the first time three nations jointly stage the event.

A total of 104 matches will be played across 16 host cities between 11 June and 19 July, with organisers expecting more than six million fans to attend. The expanded format aims to increase global representation, giving more nations from Africa, Asia and the Americas an opportunity to compete on football’s biggest stage.

The tournament is projected to reach a worldwide audience of around six billion people, underlining the sport’s vast global appeal. With the final qualification spot now filled, attention turns to final preparations, ticket sales, and minor scheduling adjustments ahead of what is expected to be the most inclusive World Cup ever staged.

FIFA says the 2026 tournament will showcase not only elite competition but also the unifying power of football across continents, cultures and generations.