Sport
Sri Lanka secures 3-0 whitewash over Afghanistan in ODI series
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.
Afghanistan’s national cricket team defeated Ireland by three wickets on Monday in the third ODI of the five-match series in Belfast.
Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bowl first.
Ireland were bowled out for 206 runs in 46.3 overs, setting Afghanistan a target of 207 runs.
Rashid Khan and Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar claimed three wickets each for Afghanistan.
Afghanistan’s batters then produced a solid performance in the second innings, chasing down the target for the loss of seven wickets in 44.5 overs.
Afghanistan had also won the second match by 92 runs.
The fourth match between the two teams will be played on Wednesday, August 12, in Belfast, Ireland.
Fans can watch the fourth match live and exclusively in Afghanistan on Ariana Television.
Sorkh Poshan Khawafi are leading the Afghanistan Champions League U17 standings after week six, having collected 15 points from six matches.
According to the latest standings released by the Afghanistan Football Federation, Sorkh Poshan Khawafi have won five of their six matches and suffered one defeat. They have scored 22 goals and conceded just two, giving them a +20 goal difference.
Sarsabz Yashlar sit second with 14 points, following four wins and two draws, while Aino Mina are third, also on 14 points but with an inferior goal difference.
Arman FC are fourth with 12 points, followed by Khurasan Faryab with 10 points and Toofan Herat with eight.
In the lower half of the table, Ettifaq Khanzadah have six points, Abu Muslim FC have five, while Jawanan Perozi and Istiqlal Kabul are yet to earn a point after six matches.
Istiqlal Kabul have conceded 35 goals, the most in the competition so far, while Sorkh Poshan Khawafi have the tournament’s strongest attack with 22 goals.
The Afghanistan Champions League U17 is being contested by 10 teams and is being held at the Afghanistan Football Federation Stadium in Kabul.
Abasin Defenders produced a dominant bowling performance to defeat Kabul Zalmi in the second match of the Kabul Premier League on Saturday, August 8, at the Ayoubi Cricket Ground in Kabul.
Kabul Zalmi won the toss and elected to bat first, but their innings quickly unravelled as Abasin Defenders’ bowlers struck regularly.
Kabul Zalmi were bowled out for 63 in 7.2 overs, leaving Abasin Defenders with a modest target to chase.
Sediqullah Pacha was the standout performer for Abasin Defenders, claiming the Player of the Match award for his match-winning bowling performance.
Abasin Defenders chased down the target comfortably to secure a convincing victory and get their Kabul Premier League campaign off to a winning start.
The result followed the opening match of the tournament earlier on Saturday, when Pamir Stars defeated Shamshad Eagles by 116 runs.
The Kabul Premier League features six teams — Pamir Stars, Shamshad Eagles, Kabul Zalmi, Speenghar Warriors, Abasin Defenders and Band-e-Amir — competing in the 2026 tournament.
All matches are being broadcast live and exclusively on Ariana Television, allowing cricket fans across Afghanistan to follow the competition.
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