Sport
Afghanistan’s spirits lifted after convincing 62-run win against Namibia

It was a convincing 62-run win over Namibia for Afghanistan but also an emotional day for the national team’s former captain Asghar Afghan, who was carried off the field after his final match before retirement.
Twenty-two year old Naveen-ul-Haq was named Man of the Match. He dedicated his award to Asghar.
Afghanistan won the toss and opted to bat first in Abu Dhabi in the third of their four Super 12 matches in the ICC T20 World Cup. After losing to Pakistan in their previous game, Afghanistan had hoped for a win against Namibia.
Their triumph Sunday was a bittersweet moment however as only hours earlier the team’s former captain and allrounder Asghar Afghan announced he would retire after the match.
“I will retire from all international cricket after the game against Namibia,” the 33-year-old said in a video message on Facebook.
Afghanistan meanwhile put on a dominant display which saw them crush Namibia by 62 runs to boost their semi-final hopes.
Chasing 161 after Afghanistan’s imposing effort, Namibia limped to 98-9 from 20 overs.
Hamid Hassan, who played his first international T20 since 2016, took a brilliant 3-9 and fellow seamer Naveen-Ul-Haq also shone with 3-26.
Hard-hitting openers Hazratullah Zazai and Mohammad Shahzad added 53 for the first wicket before captain Mohammad Nabi (32 not out from 17) and Asghar Afghan (31 from 23), boosted the total.
The victory keeps Afghanistan second on the table behind Pakistan. However, the team has played more games than India and New Zealand, who meet Sunday evening.
* We Give So They May Live Campaign – Donate Here: http://www.helpafg.org
Ariana News and Ariana Television fully support the Bayat Foundation’s initiative to raise funds to provide emergency aid to poverty-stricken Afghans. As official media partners, we appeal to you to help provide food essentials to as many Afghan families as possible.
Sport
India upbeat over Champions Trophy win against New Zealand
The final on Sunday in Dubai will decide the winner of the eight-nation tournament played in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.

India’s Shubman Gill on Saturday said the team will look to win the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand to get over their 2023 ODI World Cup title defeat.
The final on Sunday in Dubai will decide the winner of the eight-nation tournament played in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.
“I am quite excited,” vice-captain Gill told reporters. “My second ICC event for team India and second final. The last time which we couldn’t do, we will try to do it this time.”
India went down to Australia in the 50-over World Cup final in November 2023 on home soil in Ahmedabad in a heartbreaking defeat for the team, which had come into the title clash unbeaten, AFP reported.
However, Rohit Sharma’s team eased the heartache of fans a few months later when they lifted the 2024 T20 World Cup title — India’s first victory in a major global event since the 2013 Champions Trophy.
Gill, who was not part of the T20 triumph, said the ICC title in Barbados allows the team to go into Sunday’s final without any baggage.
“It’s also about once you get one title that kind of breaks the jinx and then it gives you the momentum and also you are not desperate about getting the title,” said Gill.
“Winning the title in 2024 doesn’t mean that we are less hungry, but it kind of gives us more balance that we have won an ICC title and we will try to do our best to win this one.”
India come into the title clash unbeaten in four matches after they went past Australia in the semi-final to eye a third Champions Trophy crown, AFP reported.
India have played all their matches in Dubai after they refused to tour hosts Pakistan due to political tensions.
Gill said the importance of a final does come into the equation when they walk out but a champion team knows how to handle pressure.
“The big-match pressure is always there,” said Gill.
“This is the reason why we talk about big teams of previous years, including West Indies and Australia. Those teams played their best cricket in knock-outs. Easier said than done, but good teams play their best cricket under pressure.”
Virat Kohli has been in top form as he hit an unbeaten 100 against arch-rivals Pakistan in a group game and hit 84 in another successful chase in the semi-final.
Rohit has been slammed for not converting his starts into bigger scores, but his quick cameos have nonetheless allowed the team to build totals.
Gill, who opens with Rohit, said India’s batting depth has allowed the top-order to bat freely.
“I think this is the best batting line-up that I have been part of,” said Gill. “Rohit, Virat, I think all-time one-day greats. Rohit one of the best openers in white-ball and Virat one of the best ODI batsman ever,” he said.
Fans across Afghanistan can tune in to watch the final live and exclusively in the country on Ariana Television. The final gets underway at 1:30pm Kabul time.
Sport
Afghanistan beat Greenland 5-4 in Brazil futsal tournament

Afghanistan’s national futsal team defeated Greenland 5-4 in their first match of the Intercontinental Futsal Cup in Brazil on Friday.
Afghanistan’s goals were scored by Omid Qanbari, Khudadad Ebrahimi, Farzad Mahmoodi and Bahman Girgich.
Four teams including Brazil, Afghanistan, Iran and Greenland are participating in the tournament.
Sport
Afghanistan’s futsal team to face Greenland in Brazil tournament

The Afghanistan National Futsal Team will play its first match in the Four-Nation Brazil Tournament against Greenland, the National Football Federation (NFF) said on Thursday in a post on Facebook.
NFF announced that the match will take place at 1:30 AM Kabul time on Friday.
The national futsal players arrived in Brazil on Wednesday after resolving visa-related challenges.
The tournament features teams from Brazil, Afghanistan, Iran, and Greenland.
-
Sport5 days ago
Afghanistan’s futsal team to face Greenland in Brazil tournament
-
Sport4 days ago
Afghanistan beat Greenland 5-4 in Brazil futsal tournament
-
Business5 days ago
Uzbekistan set to open permanent trade center in northern Afghanistan
-
Latest News4 days ago
Pakistan backs Trump’s push to recover military equipment left behind in Afghanistan
-
World4 days ago
Trump says he will go to Saudi Arabia to reach $1 trillion deal
-
Latest News4 days ago
Afghanistan ranks ninth in 2025 Global Terrorism Index
-
International Sports5 days ago
FIFA announces massive $1 billion prize pool for Club World Cup
-
Sport5 days ago
Champions Trophy: Williamson praised for propelling New Zealand to semi-final win