Sport
Three Afghans among ICC’s ‘selection’ for ideal T20 World Cup 2024 team
Six players from World Cup winners India make the cut including skipper Rohit Sharma and Player of the Tournament Jasprit Bumrah.
Three Afghan cricket players have made the ICC’s T20 World Cup 2024 team of the tournament list.
This year’s selection panel, which was made up of commentators Harsha Bhogle, Ian Bishop and Kass Naidoo and ICC General Manager of Cricket Wasim Khan, announced their selection on Sunday, which included Rashid Khan, Fazalhaq Farooqi and Rahmanullah Gurbaz.
Six players from World Cup winners India make the cut including skipper Rohit Sharma and Player of the Tournament Jasprit Bumrah.
The team of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 (in batting order) is:
Rohit Sharma (captain) – India
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wicketkeeper) – Afghanistan
Nicholas Pooran – West Indies
Suryakumar Yadav – India
Marcus Stoinis – Australia
Hardik Pandya – India
Axar Patel – India
Rashid Khan – Afghanistan
Jasprit Bumrah – India
Arshdeep Singha – India
Fazalhaq Farooqi – Afghanistan
Anrich Nortje – South Africa
Rohit Sharma will captain the team of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 after leading India to their second victory in the competition.
Sharma finished as the second top run-scorer in the competition, scoring 257 runs in eight innings. The pick of his performances came in the win over Australia, when he smashed 92, before adding 57 in the semi-final success against Australia.
He is joined at the top of the order by Afghanistan wicket-keeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz, the only man to outscore the Indian opener.
Rahmanullah made 281 runs as Afghanistan progressed to the semi-finals for the first time in their history, making half-centuries in three matches. His 60 against Australia proved pivotal as Afghanistan progressed from the Super 8s.
In at No.3 is Nicholas Pooran, the West Indies wicket-keeper batter, who scored 228 runs at an average of 38, including a 53-ball 98 in victory over Afghanistan.
The second Indian player in the XI is Suryakumar Yadav, the hard-hitting batter rewarded for some crucial innings, notably in the semi-final against England, 47, and the Super 8s win over Afghanistan when he smashed 53 off just 28 balls.
At No.5 is the sole Australian in the team, with Marcus Stoinis included after a stellar tournament. Stoinis contributed with bat and ball, scoring his 169 runs at an average of over 40, and a strike rate in excess of 160. He also chipped in with 10 wickets across the tournament.
The next all-rounder comes from India, Hardik Pandya scoring 144 runs at an average of 48, while also picking up 11 wickets with the ball, and bowling the all-important final over to seal victory.
His teammate Axar Patel was similarly influential with bat and ball. The left-armer was promoted up the order in the final, scoring an invaluable 47, while his three for 23 helped secure victory over England in the semi-final.
Rashid Khan comes in at No.8, the Afghanistan all-rounder excelling in the Caribbean with 14 wickets at an average of 12.78 and an economy rate just over six.
He is followed by Jasprit Bumrah, the standout performer across the entire tournament. It was his spell that swung the final back India’s way, and he finished with 15 wickets at an average of just 8.26, with a remarkable economy rate of 4.17.
The final Indian player in the XI is Arshdeep Singh, who was outstanding in his second World Cup. His 17 wickets were the joint most of any player, including a crucial two for 20 in the final.
The only man to match Arshdeep’s wicket tally was Fazalhaq Farooqi, of Afghanistan, the final player in the XI. His four for 17 helped beat New Zealand in the group stages, as Afghanistan progressed ahead of the Black Caps.
Runners-up South Africa provide the 12th man in the team, with Anrich Nortje having been outstanding for the Proteas. He took 15 wickets at an average of 13.40 and an economy rate under six.
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Sport
Afghanistan rise above England to match their highest-ever ODI ranking
Afghanistan previously reached seventh place in May 2025, and their latest rise marks another milestone in the team’s progress in international cricket.
Afghanistan have climbed to seventh place in the latest International Cricket Council (ICC) men’s ODI team rankings, overtaking England and matching their highest-ever position in the format.
According to the rankings released on Saturday, October 24, Afghanistan have 94 rating points, moving one place up to seventh. England, the 2019 Cricket World Cup champions, have dropped to eighth with 93 points, while Sri Lanka occupy sixth place with 95 points
Afghanistan previously reached seventh place in May 2025, and their latest rise marks another milestone in the team’s progress in international cricket.
Tri-Series Triumph Boosts Afghanistan
Afghanistan’s improved ranking follows their impressive performance in the recently concluded tri-series featuring Zimbabwe and Bangladesh. Afghanistan defeated Zimbabwe by seven wickets in the final on Friday, October 23, to secure the title.
After winning the toss, Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza elected to bat first. However, Afghanistan’s bowling attack restricted Zimbabwe to 169 runs.
Raza was Zimbabwe’s leading scorer, making 68 off 83 deliveries, including three fours and three sixes. Rashid Khan led Afghanistan’s bowling effort with three wickets, helping dismantle Zimbabwe’s batting lineup.
Zadran and Rahmat Lead Successful Chase
Afghanistan comfortably chased down the target, reaching 170 for three in 34.3 overs.
Ibrahim Zadran anchored the innings with an unbeaten 70 off 96 balls, while captain Rahmat Shah contributed 43 off 63 deliveries to guide Afghanistan to victory.
Rashid Khan’s bowling performance and Zadran’s composed batting proved crucial in securing the championship and strengthening Afghanistan’s position in the global rankings.
England Slip After Sri Lanka Defeat
Meanwhile, England have fallen to eighth place following a disappointing ODI defeat against Sri Lanka.
England failed to defend a formidable target of 430 runs, as Sri Lanka completed the second-highest successful run chase in men’s ODI cricket history.
Afghanistan’s rise above England highlights the team’s continued progress on the international stage and provides further momentum as they build toward future major tournaments, including the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
Sport
ACL: Arman FC rally late but fall 3–2 to Sorkh Poshan Khafi
Arman FC scored twice in the closing stages but suffered a 3–2 defeat to Sorkh Poshan Khafi in the second half of the sixth season of the Roshan Afghanistan Champions League on Saturday.
Sorkh Poshan Khafi took control at the Afghanistan Football Federation Stadium, with Basit Nazari opening the scoring from a free kick before Sohrab Afghan doubled the lead in the 27th minute.
The visitors extended their advantage to 3–0 in the 53rd minute, leaving Arman FC facing an uphill battle.
However, Arman FC mounted a late comeback attempt when Damola Iseoluwa Akanni scored in the 77th minute. Shokorullah Kohi then struck from long range in the 89th minute to reduce the deficit to one goal and set up a tense finish.
Despite their late surge, Arman FC could not find an equaliser as Sorkh Poshan Khafi held on to secure all three points.
Arman FC received one red card and committed nine fouls, while Sorkh Poshan Khafi recorded 10 fouls and received two yellow cards.
Arman FC will face Khurasan Faryab on October 26, while Sorkh Poshan Khafi take on Toofan Herat on October 27.
The sixth season of the Roshan Afghanistan Champions League is being broadcast live on Ariana Television Network.
Sport
Toofan Herat secure narrow win over Ariana Khost in ACL season six
Toofan Herat defeated Ariana Khost 1-0 in the 54th match of the second half of the sixth season of Afghanistan Champions League Roshan on Saturday.
The match was played at the Afghanistan Football Federation Stadium, with Obaidullah Omari scoring the only goal of the game to secure victory for Toofan Herat.
Omari headed the ball into the net in the first half to give Toofan Herat the lead. Despite efforts to equalize, Ariana Khost failed to find the back of the net.
Both teams created scoring opportunities in the second half, but neither managed to change the scoreline, and the match ended with a 1-0 victory for Toofan Herat.
Toofan Herat committed 16 fouls and received two yellow cards during the match. Ariana Khost, meanwhile, committed 17 fouls and received three yellow cards.
Toofan Herat will face Sorkh Poshan Khafi on October 27, while Ariana Khost will take on Abu Muslim Farah on October 26.
Matches in the sixth season of Afghanistan Champions League Roshan are being broadcast live on Ariana Television Network.
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