Sport
Punjab Kings edge Gujarat Titans in thrilling IPL clash as tournament gathers pace
The Indian Premier League (IPL) continued to deliver high drama on Tuesday, March 31, as Punjab Kings secured a three-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans in a closely fought encounter.
Chasing a competitive total, Punjab Kings held their nerve to cross the line with just five deliveries to spare, capping off an intense contest that swung back and forth. A match-winning knock from Cooper Connolly proved decisive, anchoring the chase under pressure and guiding his side to an important early-season win.
Earlier, Gujarat Titans posted a solid total, with skipper Shubman Gill contributing a steady innings at the top. However, disciplined bowling from Punjab, particularly in the middle overs, helped restrict the scoring and kept the chase within reach.
The result gives Punjab valuable momentum as teams look to establish themselves in the opening phase of the tournament.
Today’s match
Attention now shifts to Wednesday’s fixture, where Lucknow Super Giants will take on Delhi Capitals in another key early clash of the competition.
Both sides will be aiming to build consistency, with star players expected to play a crucial role as the race for playoff positions begins to take shape.
Broadcast in Afghanistan
Fans in Afghanistan can follow all the action live, with Ariana Television Network (ATN) holding exclusive broadcast rights for the tournament.
Matches are being aired on Ariana Television, bringing the excitement of the IPL directly to Afghan audiences, who continue to show strong passion for the game.
With thrilling finishes and high-quality performances already on display, IPL 2026 is shaping up to be another memorable season for cricket fans worldwide.
Abu Muslim Farah beat Omar Zawak Herat 4-0 in the 30th match of the sixth season of the Roshan Afghanistan Champions League, delivering an impressive performance.
The match was played today (Wednesday) at the Afghanistan Football Federation Stadium.
Samiullah Naderi scored Abu Muslim Farah’s opening goal in the final minutes of the first half.
Abu Muslim Farah continued their attacking play in the second half, with Aman Sardari scoring the team’s second goal in the 69th minute with a spectacular header.
Omid Rajabi and Mirois Ghafouri then added two more goals to complete a 4-0 victory for Abu Muslim Farah.
Amanullah Sardari, captain of Abu Muslim Farah, was named Player of the Match against Omar Zawak Herat.
Abu Muslim Farah will face Ariana Khost in their next match on October 2, while Omar Zawak Herat will take on Istiqlal Kabul on the same day.
The sixth season of the Roshan Afghanistan Champions League is being broadcast live on Ariana Television.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board’s High Performance Center is set to launch a nationwide fast-bowling talent identification program, titled “Afghan Thunder,” across several provinces throughout October.
According to the ACB, the program will begin in Kunduz on October 4, with assessments continuing in Herat, Kandahar, Kabul, Khost, Paktia and Kunar before concluding in Nangarhar on October 27.
The board says eligible participants must be between 19 and 26 years old, at least 180 centimeters tall, hold a valid electronic National ID (e-Tazkira) and be capable of bowling at speeds of at least 140 kilometers per hour.
The assessment schedule is as follows: Kunduz on October 4–5, Herat on October 9–10, Kandahar on October 12, Kabul on October 14–15, Khost on October 19, Paktia on October 21, Kunar on October 25 and Nangarhar on October 27.
The ACB has encouraged eligible players who believe they have the potential to develop into high-level fast bowlers to take part in the Afghan Thunder Fast-Bowling Talent Hunt Program on the designated dates.
The board says the initiative aims to identify promising fast-bowling talent from across Afghanistan and provide talented players with a pathway into the country’s high-performance cricket system.
Toofan Herat and Aino Mina Kandahar drew 1-1 in the 29th match of the sixth season of Afghanistan Champions League Roshan on Tuesday.
Enayatullah Koohi scored the opening goal for Toofan Herat in the first half, but Ahmad Nabi Moqaddas equalized for Aino Mina Kandahar in the 32nd minute.
Both teams created chances to score in the second half, but neither side was able to find the net, and the match ended 1-1.
Toofan Herat committed 12 fouls and received one yellow card, while Aino Mina Kandahar committed 16 fouls and received two yellow cards.
Toofan Herat will face Arman FC in their next match on October 1, while Aino Mina Kandahar will take on Abu Muslim Farah on October 2.
The sixth season of the Roshan Afghanistan Champions League is being broadcast live on Ariana Television.
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