Sport
Thrilling battles await as AFC Futsal Asian Cup Indonesia 2026 set to kickoff in hours
The opening matchday begins at the Jakarta International Velodrome on Tuesday January 27, where Thailand (FIFA Rank: 11) will face Lebanon (54) in Group B.
Thrilling battles await at the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Indonesia 2026 when the tournament gets underway on Tuesday, January 27, in Jakarta, with 16 teams chasing ultimate continental glory.
Now in its 18th edition, the competition brings together a familiar cast of contenders, with 13 teams returning from the 2024 Finals, including the ever-present quartet of Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Thailand and Uzbekistan, who continue their remarkable record of appearing at every Finals to date.
Hosting the hard-court showpiece for the second time after 2002, Indonesia will stage matches across two venues, with the champions set to be crowned on February 7.
The opening matchday begins at the Jakarta International Velodrome on Tuesday January 27, where Thailand (FIFA Rank: 11) will face Lebanon (54) in Group B.
The match will get underway at 9:30am Kabul time.
Three-time runners-up, including in 2024, Thailand will be determined to finally go all the way, while Lebanon—seven-time quarter-finalists—return for their 13th Finals appearance.
Later in the day, Vietnam (20), fourth-place finishers in 2016, open their eighth campaign against Kuwait (40), who are contesting their 14th Finals.
Meanwhile, action at the Indonesia Arena sees Group A kick off at 11:30am, with Iraq (37) beginning their 14th appearance against a Kyrgyz Republic (43) side. Hosts Indonesia (24) will enjoy strong home backing at 4pm as they take on Korea Republic (57), who are aiming to surpass their runners-up finish from 1999 in their 16th appearance.
Among the teams to watch is Afghanistan, who return with growing confidence after a memorable debut in 2024, where they reached the quarter-finals for the FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024. This marks Afghanistan’s second appearance at the Finals, with their best finish already an impressive last-eight showing.
Afghanistan booked their ticket to Indonesia 2026 with a relatively straightforward qualifying campaign, finishing as Group H winners. They began with a dominant 10–1 victory over Maldives, before sealing qualification emphatically with an 8–0 win against Myanmar.
Drawn once again alongside heavyweights, Afghanistan will open their Group D campaign against Saudi Arabia (45)—making their fourth Finals appearance—on January 28 at 9:30m at the Jakarta International Velodrome.
Later that day, reigning champions Iran (5), the only side never to have finished outside the top three, begin their quest for a record-extending 14th title against Malaysia (70).
Despite the challenge, Afghanistan will have no fear. They pushed defending champions Iran hard when the sides met in the group stage of the 2024 edition, a performance that underlined their rapid rise in Asian futsal.
Having impressed on their debut, Afghanistan will expect to advance to the knockout stage once again at Indonesia 2026.
Elsewhere, Japan (13) go in search of a fifth crown after a shock group-stage exit in 2024, opening Group C against Australia (51) at 3pm. Four-time finalists Uzbekistan (22) will also be eyeing a maiden title as they face Tajikistan (47) at 7pm, with Tajikistan looking to build on their historic fourth-place finish from 2024.
For fans back home, every moment of the tournament will be within reach. ATN has secured exclusive live broadcasting rights across Afghanistan and will broadcast matches on Ariana Television, ensuring nationwide coverage of the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Indonesia 2026.
Sport
IPL double-header delivers drama: GT seal dominant win, KKR win Super Over
The Indian Premier League (IPL) served up a thrilling Sunday double-header, with Gujarat Titans producing a dominant victory over Chennai Super Kings before Kolkata Knight Riders edged Lucknow Super Giants in a dramatic Super Over finish.
In the opening match of the day, Gujarat Titans produced a clinical all-round performance to defeat Chennai Super Kings by eight wickets at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
After winning the toss, Gujarat captain Shubman Gill elected to field first, and the decision paid immediate dividends as the Titans bowlers kept the hosts under pressure throughout the innings.
Chennai found stability through skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, who anchored the innings with an unbeaten 74 off 60 balls. Late hitting from Jamie Overton, who struck 18 from just six deliveries, helped lift CSK to 158/7 from their 20 overs.
The innings also featured a major milestone for Sanju Samson, who became the fastest Indian batter to reach 5,000 IPL runs.
However, Gujarat pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada starred with the ball, claiming 3/25 in a superb spell.
In reply, Gujarat’s openers made an aggressive start, racing to 55 without loss in the Powerplay. Gill scored 33 before being stumped off Noor Ahmad, but Chennai’s brief hope quickly disappeared.
Sai Sudharsan then took complete control with a magnificent 87 off just 46 balls, striking boundaries all around the ground. He shared a decisive 97-run stand with Jos Buttler, who remained unbeaten on 39, as Gujarat reached 162/2 in 16.4 overs.
Player of the Match: Kagiso Rabada for his figures of 3/25.
Lucknow Super Giants vs Kolkata Knight Riders
The evening contest in Lucknow delivered one of the most dramatic finishes of the season as Kolkata Knight Riders defeated Lucknow Super Giants in a Super Over.
Lucknow captain Rishabh Pant chose to bowl first and saw paceman Mohsin Khan produce a sensational spell.
The left-armer ripped through Kolkata’s top order, dismissing Tim Seifert, Ajinkya Rahane and Rovman Powell before later removing Cameron Green and Anukul Roy.
His superb figures of 5/23 left KKR struggling at 93/7 in the 15th over.
But Rinku Singh then produced a remarkable rescue act. Calm under pressure before exploding at the death, Rinku smashed four sixes in the final over and finished unbeaten on a stunning 83 from 51 balls, lifting Kolkata to 155/7.
Lucknow’s reply was led by Pant’s 42, with Aiden Markram contributing 31 and Ayush Badoni adding 24. Kolkata’s bowlers kept striking at vital moments, with Vaibhav Arora taking 2/24 and Varun Chakaravarthy claiming 2/33.
The drama peaked on the final ball when Lucknow needed seven runs to win. Mohammed Shami launched a sensational six over long-off to tie the scores at 155/8 and force a Super Over.
Kolkata dominated the tie-breaker.
Sunil Narine bowled a superb Super Over, dismissing Nicholas Pooran with the first ball before Markram also fell. Lucknow managed just one run.
Needing only two to win, Rinku Singh smashed the first delivery of the chase to the boundary to seal a memorable victory.
Player of the Match: Rinku Singh for his unbeaten 83 and outstanding fielding display.
Attention now turns to today’s clash as Delhi Capitals take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru in another crucial contest in the race for the playoffs.
The match will be broadcast live across Afghanistan on Ariana Television.
Sport
Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan secure top spots at Kabul wrestling festival
An international traditional wrestling festival hosted by Afghanistan has concluded in Kabul after three days of competition involving athletes from seven countries.
The event brought together 160 athletes from Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Turkey, along with Afghan competitors, competing across multiple weight categories.
The tournament featured three disciplines: Kurash, Rustami wrestling, and Kushtingiri, showcasing a mix of regional traditional combat sports.
In the Kurash category, Uzbekistan secured first place, Tajikistan came second, and Afghanistan finished third.
In Rustami wrestling, Afghanistan achieved first place, followed by Uzbekistan in second and Tajikistan in third.
In Kushtingiri, Tajikistan took first place, Uzbekistan placed second, and Afghanistan finished third.
Officials said the results highlight strong regional competition and growing cooperation among participating countries through traditional sports, as Afghanistan continues efforts to promote cultural and athletic exchange in the region.
Sport
Kohli, Padikkal fire Bengaluru into IPL top two with win over Gujarat
A blistering knock from Virat Kohli and a rapid half-century by Devdutt Padikkal powered Royal Challengers Bengaluru into the top two of the Indian Premier League standings after a five-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans on Friday.
Chasing a formidable 206, Bengaluru rode on Kohli’s fluent 81 off 44 balls — an innings that began with a reprieve off the very first delivery — and Padikkal’s explosive 55 to reach 206-5 in 18.5 overs. The duo stitched together a decisive 115-run partnership for the second wicket, putting Gujarat’s bowling attack under sustained pressure.
Earlier, Gujarat posted 205-3, anchored by a superb century from Sai Sudharsan, who struck an even 100 off 58 balls — his third IPL hundred. The left-hander also etched his name in the record books, becoming the fastest player to reach 2,000 IPL runs, surpassing the previous mark held by Chris Gayle.
Kohli capitalized on an early dropped chance by Washington Sundar and went on to hit eight fours and four sixes. Padikkal, the more aggressive of the pair, raced to his half-century in just 20 balls, hammering six sixes and two boundaries. Together, they took on Gujarat’s key bowlers, including Kagiso Rabada and Rashid Khan.
Despite a brief wobble that saw Bengaluru lose four wickets in quick succession — including Padikkal to a Rashid googly and Kohli to a slower ball from Jason Holder — the hosts regained control. Krunal Pandya and Tim David calmly guided the chase home.
Earlier in the innings, Sudharsan dominated proceedings, sharing a 128-run opening stand with captain Shubman Gill, who contributed 32. Sudharsan’s innings featured 11 fours and five sixes before he was dismissed by Josh Hazlewood.
Late fireworks from Holder helped Gujarat cross the 200-run mark after a change in bowling plans saw Pandya deliver the final over.
With the win, Bengaluru climbed to second in the table, marking their fourth home victory, while Gujarat slipped to seventh on net run rate.
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