Sport
Zadran calls on Afghan fans to rally behind team against India
Although the matches are being played in India, Afghanistan are the designated hosts for the series.
Afghanistan captain Ibrahim Zadran has called on Afghan fans in India to come out in force and support the national team as it begins its three-match T20I series against India today, Sunday September 13.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the opening match in New Delhi, Zadran said the presence and encouragement of Afghan supporters could provide the team with an important boost.
“All those fans and Afghans who are located in India, if they could come and encourage their team, we will be so pleased,” Zadran said.
“We all wish that our countrymen come to the matches and encourage us because we get lots of energy from their encouragement.”
The series begins today, September 13, with the second T20I scheduled for September 15 and the third on September 17. All three matches will be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
Although the matches are being played in India, Afghanistan are the designated hosts for the series.
Zadran said Afghanistan’s players are also well prepared for the challenge after gaining valuable experience in domestic and international leagues.
“The boys are well prepared. They were all busy in leagues and playing in different parts of the world,” he said.
The captain believes T20 cricket is particularly suited to Afghanistan’s players because of their extensive experience in the format.
“Our boys are talented in this format. I can say this is our best format because the boys are playing in different leagues and have good experience,” he said.
Afghanistan have yet to beat India in a bilateral T20I series, but Zadran said his team would focus on its own strengths rather than being overwhelmed by the challenge.
“So far, we have not won (a series) against India. We will try to make it easy for us and not difficult and focus on what is our ability and what we have in our hands,” he said.
“I am sure we will perform a good match for our countrymen.”
The three-match series runs from September 13 to 17, with Ariana Radio and Television Network (ATN) broadcasting all three matches live and exclusively across Afghanistan.
Afghanistan vs India — T20I Series
1st T20I: September 13
2nd T20I: September 15
3rd T20I: September 17
Venue: Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi
Host: Afghanistan
Live: ATN across Afghanistan
Afghanistan defeated Zimbabwe by 37 runs in the opening match of their three-match T20I series in Sharjah on Tuesday, thanks to a blistering half-century from Ijaz Ahmadzai and impressive all-round performances from Rashid Khan and Fazalhaq Farooqi.
Afghanistan were struggling at 66 for 5 in the 12th over before Ahmadzai turned the innings around with an explosive knock. He reached his half-century off just 20 balls, putting Zimbabwe’s bowlers under pressure with a series of powerful shots.
Ahmadzai combined with Shahidullah, who scored 46 off 42 balls, to rebuild the innings. The pair added 61 runs in just 4.5 overs, helping Afghanistan recover from their early setbacks.
Rashid Khan provided another late surge, smashing 30 runs off just 10 deliveries, including four sixes and a four. Afghanistan were eventually bowled out with one ball remaining in their innings but managed to post a competitive total of 177.
Newman Nyamhuri was Zimbabwe’s leading bowler, claiming four wickets for 31 runs.
In reply, Zimbabwe struggled against Afghanistan’s disciplined bowling attack and were bowled out for 140, handing Afghanistan a comfortable victory.
Rashid played a key role with the ball, taking two wickets for 20 runs, while Fazalhaq Farooqi also claimed three wickets to restrict Zimbabwe’s chase.
Afghanistan tightened their grip during the middle overs as Rashid and Mujeeb Ur Rahman struck crucial blows. Mujeeb finished with two wickets, while Zimbabwe continued to lose batters at regular intervals and failed to build the partnerships needed to challenge the target.
The victory marked Afghanistan’s sixth consecutive T20I win against Zimbabwe and improved their overall record in the format to 20 wins against two defeats.
The sides will meet again for their next T20I on Thursday.
Afghanistan’s national under-18 futsal team arrived in Dakar, Senegal, over the weekend to prepare for the upcoming Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, where they will face Panama, Argentina and hosts Senegal in the group stage.
The Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF) announced that the squad would undertake a six-day training camp in Senegal ahead of the competition, with support from the federation.
Coached by Behrouz Jafari, the Afghan side have been preparing for the tournament in Kabul and Tehran since October 5, in order to arrive in Senegal ready for the international challenge.
According to the announced schedule, the futsal competition will run from November 1 to 12, with Afghanistan facing a demanding group featuring two international opponents and the home side.
The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games will take place from October 31 to November 13 across Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly.
The event marks the first time an Olympic competition has been hosted on African soil and is expected to bring together approximately 2,700 athletes from more than 200 National Olympic Committees.
The Games will feature a wide range of sports, including athletics, swimming, basketball, boxing, gymnastics, cycling, wrestling and futsal, celebrating young sporting talent and promoting international friendship and cultural exchange.
Ariana Radio and Television Network (ATN) has secured the exclusive television and digital media rights to broadcast the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games across Afghanistan, bringing the international sporting event to audiences nationwide.
The coverage forms part of ATN’s ongoing commitment to delivering world-class sporting events to Afghan viewers and connecting young people with international competition.
Afghanistan’s participation in the futsal tournament will give audiences an opportunity to follow the country’s young athletes as they represent Afghanistan on the Olympic stage.
Sorkh Poshan Khafi produced a strong performance to defeat Toofan Herat 3–0 in the 60th match of the sixth season of the Roshan Afghanistan Champions League in Kabul on Tuesday.
Sorkh Poshan Khafi took the lead in the 35th minute through Sohrab Afghan, heading into half-time with a 1–0 advantage.
They continued their dominance after the break, doubling their lead in the 52nd minute before Yar Mohammad Zakarkhail sealed the victory with a third goal in the 72nd minute.
Toofan Herat tried to get back into the match but could not find a breakthrough, as Sorkh Poshan Khafi held firm to secure all three points.
The match also saw Toofan Herat commit 15 fouls and receive one yellow card, while Sorkh Poshan Khafi recorded five fouls.
Sorkh Poshan Khafi will next face Abu Muslim Farah on October 30, while Toofan Herat are set to meet Khurasan Faryab on October 31.
The sixth season of Afghanistan Champions League Roshan is being broadcast live on Ariana Television Network.
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