Sport

Sri Lanka secures 3-0 whitewash over Afghanistan in ODI series

Published

3 years ago

February 15, 2024

Sri Lanka on Wednesday chased down a 267-run target in just 35.2 overs as they completed a dominant seven-wicket win in the third and final ODI in Pallekele against Afghanistan, and with it secured a 3-0 whitewash of the series.

Pathum Nissanka recorded his second century in three games to become the highest run-scorer in a three-match series for Sri Lanka with 346 runs.

In Wednesday’s match he racked up a 101-ball 118, and in the process became the fastest Sri Lankan to 2,000 ODI runs, achieving the feat in 52 games – 11 games quicker than next fastest Upul Tharanga.

Afghanistan for their part will rue a missed opportunity. Despite fifties from Rahmat Shah and Azmatullah Omarzai – and a blazing start from Rahmanullah Gurbaz – they lost 6 for 43 at the end to be bowled out for 266.

With the one-off Test and the three ODI matches behind them, Afghanistan will now be looking to add at least one win to their belt in the upcoming T20I stage.

The third and final stage of the tour is scheduled to be played from Saturday, February 17 to 21 at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium.

On Monday, the Afghanistan Cricket Board’s National Selection Committee announced the squad for the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka.

Rashid Khan, Afghanistan’s regular T20I captain, continues to recover from back surgery and has not been drafted into the squad. Ibrahim Zadran, who led Afghanistan in the previous two T20I series in the UAE and India, will captain the team against Sri Lanka.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman also missed out on the squad after injuring his right hand before the start of the ODI series against Sri Lanka last week.

In addition, fast bowler Mohammad Saleem Safi, who was part of the Afghanistan squad for the India tour, has been left out of the squad due to a hamstring strain. However, Wafadar Momand has been recalled to the squad to face Sri Lanka, as Safi’s replacement.

Chief Selector Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil says this stage of the tour will help prepare for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

“We have a close sight on the upcoming T20 World Cup for which we want to prepare a very good mix of players consisting of both juniors and seniors. This series alongside the three T20Is against Ireland in March is a good opportunity for us to test our bench strength and finalize a good squad for the mega event.”

Afghanistan Squad for the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka:

Ibrahim Zadran (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Mohammad Ishaq Rahimi (WK), Hazratullah Zazai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad, Naveen Ul Haq, Noor Ahmad, Wafadar Momand and Qais Ahmad.

For fans, Ariana Television will broadcast Saturday’s match live – so be sure to check for news and updates on ATN’s websites and social media platforms.

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Sorkh Poshan Khafi rout Istiqlal Kabul 6-0 in ACL season six

Published

4 hours ago

September 25, 2026

Ariana News

Sorkh Poshan Khafi secured a convincing 6-0 victory over Esteqlal Kabul today (Friday) in the 23rd match of the sixth season of the Afghanistan Champions League at the Football Federation Stadium in Kabul.

Reza Gholami opened the scoring for Sorkh Poshan Khafi in the fourth minute with a header before Sohrab Afghan doubled the lead in the 21st minute.

Afghan struck again four minutes into the second half to make it 3-0, while Yar Mohammad added the fourth goal in the 52nd minute.

Sorkh Poshan Khafi completed the rout with two further goals in the 68th and 70th minutes, securing a 6-0 win.

The sixth season of the Roshan Afghanistan Champions League is being broadcast live on Ariana Television.

Sport

Afghanistan Champions League: Arman FC and Aino Mina play out goalless draw

Arman FC will return to action on September 28, when they face Sarsabz Yashlar. Aino Mina Kandahar will play their next match on September 29 against Toofan Herat.

Published

6 hours ago

September 25, 2026

Ariana News

Arman FC and Aino Mina Kandahar played out a goalless draw on Friday in the 22nd match of the sixth season of Afghanistan Champions League Roshan at the Afghanistan Football Federation Stadium in Kabul.

Both sides started the match with an attacking approach, creating several opportunities and making efforts to break the deadlock. However, neither team was able to convert their chances as the first half ended without a goal.

The attacking contest continued after the restart, with both Arman FC and Aino Mina looking for an opening goal. Arman FC continued to push forward in search of a breakthrough, while Aino Mina also created opportunities of their own.

Despite the efforts from both sides and several attempts to find the decisive goal, neither team managed to unlock the opposition defense. The match ultimately ended 0–0, with both teams taking a point from the encounter.

The match also saw Aino Mina commit 15 fouls and receive one yellow card. Arman FC committed eight fouls and finished the game without receiving either a yellow or a red card.

Arman FC will return to action on September 28, when they face Sarsabz Yashlar. Aino Mina Kandahar will play their next match on September 29 against Toofan Herat.

Matches in the sixth season of the Roshan Afghanistan Champions League are broadcast live on Ariana Television.

Sport

Nepal beat Afghanistan in Asian Games cricket

Published

11 hours ago

September 25, 2026

Ariana News

Nepal made a strong start to their Asian Games campaign on Friday, defeating Afghanistan by six wickets after bowling them out for 102.

Afghanistan, who had beaten Japan in their opening match, struggled against Nepal’s disciplined bowling attack after choosing to bat first.

Afghanistan lost their first three wickets for just 16 runs. Faisal Shinozada then steadied the innings with 30 runs from 33 balls, putting together a 39-run partnership with Najibullah Zadran.

However, Shinozada’s dismissal triggered another collapse, with Afghanistan falling from 55 for four to 65 for six. Zadran remained at the crease and scored 30, while Nangeyalia Kharote added 17 runs to help Afghanistan pass 100.

Nepal’s bowlers Lalit Rajbanshi and Kushal Bhurtel were the main contributors. Rajbanshi took three wickets for 13 runs, while Bhurtel claimed four for 21 and came close to a hat-trick.

Chasing 103, Nepal also lost two early wickets to slip to 12 for two. Captain Rohit Paudel and Sundeep Jora then steadied the innings.

Paudel remained unbeaten on 33, while Jora scored 34 as Nepal comfortably moved towards the target and completed the chase with six wickets in hand.

The victory gives Nepal a winning start to their Asian Games campaign, while Afghanistan now have one win and one defeat from their opening two matches.

Nepal will face Japan on September 26, with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.