Punjab Kings started their IPL 2025 campaign with a thrilling 11-run victory over Gujarat Titans in Match 5 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, in Ahmedabad on Tuesday. 

In a run-fest, Punjab Kings’ skipper Shreyas Iyer led from the front, smashing an unbeaten 97 off 42—his highest IPL score—to propel his side to a formidable 243/5. 

PBKS posted a daunting 243/5 setting up a thrilling challenge for GT.

Chasing the daunting 244, Gujarat Titans began with intent as skipper Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan laid a solid foundation. 

Despite a valiant effort by the Titans, Punjab’s bowlers held their composure, defending the total with precision to seal a crucial season-opening victory.

Wednesday’s match

Ariana Television will broadcast today’s match live and exclusively in Afghanistan. Fans can tune in from 6:15pm to watch Match 6, between Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders, at the ACA Stadium, in Guwahati.

In continuation of Ramadan aid efforts in Afghanistan, Bayat Foundation this week distributed food aid packages to dozens of needy families in central Ghazni province.

Officials from Bayat Foundation stated that these donations were distributed to deserving families after a thorough assessment was carried out.

The foundation distributed food aid that included essential items such as flour, rice, and cooking oil.

Families who received the aid welcomed the initiative and thanked the foundation. They also appealed to other organizations to help the needy during the holy month of Ramadan.

Bayat Foundation has provided significant aid to the needy residents of this province in the past.

The foundation has also distributed substantial amounts of food aid to several other provinces so far this Ramadan.

Bayat Foundation however has also been at the forefront of providing humanitarian assistance during disasters, such as earthquakes and floods. In addition, it has rolled out numerous projects over the years, such as the project to provide clean drinking water in various provinces. It has also helped build mosques, schools and healthcare centers.

United Nations spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric warned Monday that over four million Afghan girls could be deprived of an education by 2030 if the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) continues with its ban.

Addressing a press conference in New York Dujarric said UNICEF has reported that another 400,000 girls are being deprived of a secondary school education in this new academic year, which started this week.

“UNICEF tells us that in Afghanistan the new school year started today but an additional 400,000 girls are being deprived of their right to education bringing the total number of girls without access to this essential right to 2.2 million.

“That’s 2.2 million girls being deprived of education today. [This] marks three years since the start of the ban on girls secondary education. UNICEF says that if this ban persists until 2030, which we hope it won’t, over four million girls will have been deprived of their right to education beyond primary schooling.”

He went on to say “Afghanistan cannot leave half of its population behind despite the ban.”

Dujarric pointed out that UNICEF has provided access to education to some 445,000 children through community-based learning, 64% of whom are girls. UNICEF is also empowering female teachers to ensure that girls have positive role models,” he said.