The Abu Dhabi T10 is back for its electrifying eighth season, kicking off on Thursday November 21 with an exhilarating showdown between Team Abu Dhabi and the Ajman Bolts. 

For cricket fans across Afghanistan, all the excitement will be brought to you by Ariana Radio & Television Network (ATN). 

This year’s tournament boasts an expanded format with 10 teams competing in a thrilling season, where the top five will engage in a fierce battle for a place in the final. 

Cricket’s fastest format will unfold over 40 matches in just 12 days, utilizing a round-robin structure at the iconic Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi Cricket & Sports Hub.

The playoffs will start with Qualifier 1 on December 1, featuring the top two teams. 

Teams ranked fourth and fifth will clash in Eliminator 1, followed by Eliminator 2, where Team 3 will face the winner of Eliminator 1. 

The runners-up of Qualifier 1 will then meet the winner of Eliminator 2 in Qualifier 2, leading up to the grand finale on December 2, where the champions of Qualifier 1 and Qualifier 2 will compete for the title.

Defending champions, the New York Strikers will launch their title defense against the Morrisville Samp Army on November 22. Meanwhile, the Deccan Gladiators, last year’s runners-up, are eager to embark on their quest for redemption, determined to capture the victory that narrowly eluded them. 

The 2024 edition features players from 18 different nations, showcasing the truly global nature of the Abu Dhabi T10. 

Cricketing superstars, including Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan, will join the star-studded rosters of all teams, promising an unforgettable season of cricket.

The Abu Dhabi T10 league is the first T10 cricket tournament authorized by the ICC. 

The new season is expected to feature 179 top stars, making it one of the biggest seasons in history. 

By involving the world’s best players, the league has rapidly grown in popularity and today it has an international audience of more than 400 million fans from all over the world. 

Stayed tuned to Ariana Television and Ariana News for all the excitement along with updates, news and schedules.

FIFA has unveiled the official Innovative FIFA Club World Cup Trophy that will be lifted for the first time at next year’s tournament, set to be staged across 11 host cities in the United States.

The tournament will kick off from Sunday 15 June and run through to Sunday 13 July.

The new trophy, designed by FIFA and crafted in collaboration with global luxury jeweller Tiffany & Co., will be presented to the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup winners, who will be crowned after the final at the MetLife Stadium in New York New Jersey.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said: “Innovative, inclusive, groundbreaking and truly global, the new 32-team FIFA Club World Cup deserves a trophy that represents all of this. It is both prestigious and timeless – a golden trophy that is a symbol of the future and inspired by the past.”

“The team who lift this trophy will hold the world of club football in their hands. To the players who win it, history belongs to you! Let’s take it to the world and celebrate it as we look forward to the start of a new era for football when the one and only FIFA club world champions lift the FIFA Club World Cup Trophy in New York New Jersey on 13 July 2025.”

The President and Chief Executive Officer of Tiffany & Co., Anthony Ledru, added: “With a legacy dating back 160 years, Tiffany & Co. has crafted some of the most iconic championship trophies in history, setting the standard for craft and design.

“The FIFA Club World Cup Trophy is the next chapter in our long history of creating the world’s most revered symbols of athletic achievement.”

The trophy meanwhile boasts a 24-carat gold-plated finish and features intricate laser-engraved inscriptions on both sides, showcasing text and imagery that portray football’s rich history.

The inscriptions include a world map and the names of all 211 FIFA Member Associations and the six confederations, representing the geographical and cultural diversity of the game.

The trophy’s central disc displays an array of icons that capture football’s traditions, including symbols of stadiums and equipment and a world map.

The trophy also features engravings in 13 languages and Braille.

Space is available to laser-engrave the emblems of the winning clubs for 24 editions of the tournament.

In addition, the trophy can transform from a shield into a multifaceted and orbital structure – an adaptable design that establishes a powerful visual structure.

An inspiring message to the champions is engraved on the trophy, including the following: “To those who hold this trophy, history belongs to you! You are witness to a moment in time that represents the pinnacle of club football, bestowed upon few but celebrated by many.”

These words reflect the trophy’s status as a symbol of greatness, honoring the legends of the past while inspiring clubs globally.

A trophy for champions

Meanwhile, the winning team at each edition will receive a replica of the FIFA Club World Cup Trophy featuring engravings that mark their triumph after the final.

The FIFA Club World Cup Trophy will be presented to the world in its physical form on Thursday, 5 December 2024, when FIFA hosts the tournament’s draw in Miami, USA.

Eighteen Afghan players have been shortlisted for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) auction scheduled in Saudi Arabia on November 24 and 25.

A total of 29 Afghan cricketers had registered for the auction.

On Friday, the IPL governing body unveiled the shortlist of 574 players, which includes 18 Afghans.

Out of the 574 Players, 366 are Indian and 208 are overseas, including 3 players from associate nations. The auction will include 318 Indian uncapped players and 12 uncapped overseas players.

204 slots will be up for grabs with 70 available slots for overseas players.

Full list of Afghan players shortlisted for the auction:

1. Rahmanullah Gurbaz
2. Noor Ahmad
3. Waqar Salamkheil
4. Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar
5. Mujeeb-ur-Rahman
6. Azmatullah Omarzai
7. Naveen-ul-haq
8. Zahir Khan Pakten
9. Sediqullah Atal
10. Mohammad Nabi
11. Gulbadin Naib
12. Fazalhaq Farooqi
13. Najibullah Zadran
14. Ibrahim Zadran
15. Qais Ahmad
16. Karim Janat
17. Faridoon Dawoodzai
18. Nangyal Kharote