Sport
Records set to be broken in final as India chase historic World Cup milestone
There are a host of records and milestones set to be broken during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup final and India get the chance to create history if they can defeat Australia and claim a third title Sunday after a grueling six-week tournament.
India
– If India do prevail and add another trophy to the World Cup titles they won in 1983 and 2011 they will become the first nation in the history of the Men’s Cricket World Cup to have won the tournament twice on home soil after they famously defeated Sri Lanka in Mumbai 12 years ago.
– Virat Kohli (711) can extend his final figure having broken the record for the most runs at a single men’s Cricket World Cup, after his 50th ODI century against New Zealand in semi-final one.
– Rohit Sharma already holds the record for the most centuries in Men’s Cricket World Cup history (seven) and the India skipper gets the chance to move even further clear in this category if he can reach triple figures against the Aussies.
– Rohit has scored 550 runs at this tournament and can break his own personal record for most runs in a single edition of the Men’s Cricket World Cup by scoring another 99 against Australia to surpass the 648 runs he managed in 2019.
– Mohammed Shami has taken a total of 54 wickets at three different Men’s Cricket World Cups and three scalps against Australia will see him go past Pakistan great Wasim Akram (55) and Sri Lanka quick Lasith Malinga (56) and become the fourth-highest wicket-taker in the history of the event.
– Shreyas Iyer can join an illustrious group of Indian greats made up of Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli by scoring 24 runs in the final and becoming just the fourth batter from his country to have scored more than 550 runs at a single edition of the Men’s Cricket World Cup.
– KL Rahul can become the eighth highest run-scorer for India in the history of the Men’s Cricket World Cup and surpass the great MS Dhoni (780 runs) by scoring 34 runs against Australia.
Australia
– If Australia win yet another World Cup trophy – having previously tasted success in 1987, 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2015 – they will have won six World Cup titles, which is easily the most of any country.
– Pat Cummins has a total of 32 wickets in Men’s Cricket World Cups and four more scalps against India will see the Australia captain surpass fellow quick Brett Lee (35) and become the third-highest wicket-taker for Australia in the history of the tournament.
– Adam Zampa is Australia’s leading wicket-taker at this year’s tournament with 22 scalps and a five-wicket haul against India will see the spinner equal Mitchell Starc (27 in 2019) for the most wickets by any bowler in a single edition of the Men’s Cricket World Cup.
– David Warner has scored six centuries in the history of the Men’s Cricket World Cup and could draw level with India captain Rohit Sharma (seven) for most centuries ever at the event by reaching three figures in the final.
– Warner could also become just the sixth Men’s player from Australia to achieve the milestone of 7,000 ODI runs if he can score 75 or more in the final.
– If Glenn Maxwell can score 101 in the final he will become just the seventh Australian player to have scored more than 1,000 runs in the history of the Men’s Cricket World Cup.
For the Fans
Having brought this year’s thrilling World Cup ODI tournament into the homes of millions of Afghans, Ariana Television Network (ATN) will once again deliver Sunday’s match.
With exclusive broadcasting rights for Afghanistan ATN will broadcast the final live, from 12.30 Sunday, on Ariana Television, Ariana News and Ariana FM 93.5.
Iran claimed the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Indonesia 2026 title after defeating host nation Indonesia 5–4 on penalties in a thrilling final that ended 5–5 after extra time.
The victory marks Iran’s 14th Asian futsal crown.
Indonesia opened the scoring in the third minute through Rio Pangestu, but Iran quickly equalized via Hossesin Tayebibidgoli. The hosts then surged ahead with goals from Reza Gunawan and Israr Megantara, who scored twice, putting Indonesia 4–1 up.
Iran fought back, with Mahdi Karimi scoring in the 18th minute and again in the 38th to force extra time. Ahmad Abbasi also scored, while Samuel Eko added two more goals for Indonesia.
In extra time, Megantara gave Indonesia the lead again, but Iran responded immediately through Abbasi, sending the match to penalties.
In the shootout, Indonesia’s goalkeeper Muhammad Nizar saved Iran’s first kick, but Iran recovered as Mahdi Rostami denied Indonesia’s fourth attempt. Hossein Sabzi converted the decisive penalty to secure the title.
All matches of the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Indonesia 2026 were broadcast exclusively and legally across Afghanistan by Ariana Radio and Television Network (ATN).
Indonesia produced a stunning performance to defeat four-time champions Japan 5–3 after extra time on Thursday, securing their first-ever place in the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Indonesia 2026 final. The hosts will face Iran in Saturday’s title clash.
Indonesia led 3–2 late in the match before Japan forced extra time with a last-minute penalty, but the home side regained control in the additional period to complete a famous victory.
Both teams made a fast start. Japan’s Shoto Yamanaka and Ryoto Kai threatened early, while Indonesia responded through Yogi Saputra and Samuel Eko. Chances continued at both ends, with Kokoro Harada hitting the post and Indonesia testing Japan from distance.
The breakthrough came in the 11th minute when Samuel Eko reacted quickest to a loose ball, spinning and firing into the bottom corner. Japan pushed back strongly, striking the woodwork again and forcing several saves from keeper Ahmad Habiebie.
Indonesia nearly doubled their lead before halftime through Eko, but Tabuchi kept Japan in the game.
Early in the second half, Indonesia captain Mochammad Iqbal was denied at close range before an own goal by Takehiro Motoishi made it 2–0 in the 23rd minute. Japan responded by intensifying their attacks, hitting the post once more.
Motoishi pulled one back in the 31st minute after Ahmad failed to hold his low shot. Japan equalized in the 35th minute through Kazuya Shimizu’s powerful strike. Firman Adriansyah appeared to win it for Indonesia late on, but Japan forced extra time with a penalty converted by Shimizu after a handball.
Indonesia showed their resilience in extra time. Reza Gunawan punished a misplaced pass to restore the lead just before the break, and Rizki Amanda capitalized on another Japanese error to finalize the 5–3 victory.
The historic win sends Indonesia into the continental final for the first time, igniting celebrations across the host nation.
Fans can watch the final live on Ariana Television.
The 2026 Winter Olympics are underway in Italy, running from February 6 to 22, with events staged across Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo and surrounding alpine venues.
It is the first time the Winter Games are being hosted jointly by two cities, with Milan hosting ice events and mountain competitions spread across Cortina and nearby valleys.
The Winter Olympics were first held in 1924 in Chamonix, complementing the Summer Games revived in 1896. Traditionally dominated by European and North American nations, Norway remains the most successful country in Winter Olympic history.
Italy last hosted the Winter Olympics in 1956 (Cortina d’Ampezzo).
The 2026 Games will feature 16 sports and 116 medal events, including the Olympic debut of ski mountaineering.
Key Dates
Opening Ceremony: 7 February
Games conclude: 22 February
From high-speed alpine racing to gravity-defying snowboarding and freestyle skiing, Milano Cortina 2026 promises a showcase of elite winter sport, iconic Italian scenery and some of the most exciting Olympic competition yet.
For sports enthusiasts across Afghanistan this event is not one to be missed and can be viewed live and exclusively on Ariana Radio and Television Network (ATN).
While the opening ceremony is only on Saturday, February 7, early events get underway tonight (Thursday February 5) at 10.30pm on Ariana Television. So be sure to tune in.
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