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Ahmed Shah Pakteen becomes first on-field Test umpire from Afghanistan

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The first Test Tuesday between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe was a big day for Ahmed Shah Pakteen, who became the first Afghan to be an on-field umpire in a Test match.

According to ESPNcricinfo, Pakteen made his debut as an international cricket umpire in January 2017. He has previously stood in 15 ODIs and 20 T20Is.

In March 2019, Pakteen became the first Afghan to be a TV umpire during the only Test between Afghanistan and Ireland. Ten months later, in January 2020, he became the first Afghan umpire at an ICC main event when he officiated at the Men’s Under-19 World Cup in South Africa, ESPN reported.

While there is no Afghan representation in the 12-member elite panel of umpires (the highest category), there are four in the international panel: apart from Pakteen, there are Ahmed Shah Durrani, Bismillah Jan Shinwari and Izatullah Safi.

The ongoing Test also marked a debut in Tests for Durrani, who became the second Afghan – after Pakteen – to be a TV umpire in the longest format.

Pakteen’s debut now means that Ireland is the only full-member nation to not field an on-field umpire yet, ESPN reported.

Ireland have played three Tests so far, and the only official from their country has been Mark Hawthorne, who was the TV umpire in their debut Test, against Pakistan in 2018 .

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Arman FC begin second half of Afghanistan Champions League with 2-0 win

Ariana Khost pushed for an equaliser, but Arman FC held firm before Mir Agha Sharifi struck in stoppage time to secure all three points.

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Arman FC opened the second half of the Afghanistan Champions League Season 6 with a 2-0 victory over Ariana Khost at the Afghanistan Football Federation Stadium on Tuesday.

The sides played out a goalless first half in a closely contested encounter, with neither team able to convert their chances.

Arman FC stepped up their attacking efforts after the break and took the lead in the 54th minute when Fardin Azizi scored from close range.

Ariana Khost pushed for an equaliser, but Arman FC held firm before Mir Agha Sharifi struck in stoppage time to secure all three points.

Sharifi was named Man of the Match following his contribution to the victory.

The match was a physical contest, with Arman FC committing 15 fouls and receiving four yellow cards. Ariana Khost recorded nine fouls and one yellow card.

Arman FC will next face league leaders Sorkh Poshan Khafi on October 24, while Ariana Khost are scheduled to take on Toofan Herat on the same day.

The sixth season of the Roshan Afghanistan Champions League features 10 clubs competing across 90 matches, with the team finishing top of the standings set to claim the title.

All matches are being broadcast live on Ariana Television Network (ATN).

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Atal’s century and Rashid’s four wickets seal Afghanistan’s 158-run win over Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe struggled in their chase and were bowled out for 136 in 38.4 overs.

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Afghanistan secured a comprehensive 158-run victory over Zimbabwe in the UAE ODI Tri-Series on the back of Sediqullah Atal’s century and Rashid Khan’s four-wicket haul.

Batting first, Afghanistan scored 294 runs before being bowled out, with Atal making 102 and Ibrahim Zadran contributing 90.

The pair built a 140-run partnership for the second wicket, putting Afghanistan in a strong position despite losing their final six wickets for just 35 runs.

Zimbabwe struggled in their chase and were bowled out for 136 in 38.4 overs.

Rashid Khan led Afghanistan’s bowling attack, taking four wickets for 17 runs, while Ryan Burl and Sikandar Raza were among the key wickets to fall. Burl scored 31 and Raza made 48.

Fazalhaq Farooqi and Azmatullah Omarzai also struck early, leaving Zimbabwe at 43 for four. Afghanistan’s bowlers maintained the pressure, preventing the opposition from building a meaningful partnership.

Atal’s 102 marked his third century in One-Day Internationals, while Zadran narrowly missed his own hundred, falling for 90.

The victory keeps Afghanistan in contention for a place in the tri-series final. Afghanistan and Zimbabwe have two points each, while Afghanistan’s final group match against Bangladesh on Wednesday will determine the remaining qualification picture.

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Afghanistan finish runners-up after 6-0 defeat to Brazil in futsal final

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Afghanistan lost 6-0 to Brazil in the final of the 2026 Futsal Nations Cup on Sunday, finishing runners-up after an impressive run to the final of the six-nation tournament.

Brazil dominated the final at the Max Rosenmann Gymnasium in São José dos Pinhais, Paraná, with Fabinho scoring twice, while Leandro Lino, Cléber, Serginho and Rufino added one goal each.

Afghanistan secured their place in the final with a 4-2 victory over Cape Verde in the semi-final. Hamid Reza Hosseini scored twice, while Seyed Hossein Mousavi and Omid Qanbari also found the net.

The Afghan team had earlier drawn 0-0 with Japan and defeated Peru 3-0 in the group stage, advancing to the final after an unbeaten run in their previous matches.

Brazil, meanwhile, claimed their third Futsal Nations Cup title, having previously won the competition in 2023 and 2025.

Despite the defeat in the final, Afghanistan’s progress to the championship match marked a notable campaign for the national futsal team on the international stage.

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