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Football star Lionel Messi shares Saudi Arabia’s ‘unexpected wonders’ on Instagram

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Football star Lionel Messi – Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Ambassador – shared a picture celebrating one of the Kingdom’s “unexpected wonders” on his Instagram page, al Arabia reported.

In partnership with Visit Saudi, the Paris Saint-Germain player took to his social media to share an image of Saudi Arabia’s date palm groves with the caption: “Who thought Saudi has so much green? I love to explore its unexpected wonders whenever I can.”

The Argentinian sports icon visited the Kingdom in May 2022 after he was named the country’s Tourism Ambassador, al Arabia reported.

His latest Instagram post refueled rumors on social media that Messi would be leaving PSG for a mega-offer from Saudi club Al Hilal.

An unnamed source told ESPN earlier this month that Messi was “actively considering a move to Saudi Arabia that would see him join Al Hilal, the city rivals of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr.”

Barcelona has also been openly trying to persuade Messi to return to the club two years after he left when they could no longer afford to renew his contract.

Ronaldo made international headlines when he joined Al Nassr on January 1.

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Ariana Snooker Championship 2025: Naderi and Hotak through to final

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Ariana Snooker Championship semi-finals wrapped up on Sunday with Naveed Naderi and Raees Khan Hotak both moving on to the final on Monday.

In the first semi-final on Sunday, Naveed Naderi, who is ranked number 2 in Afghanistan, beat Zulmai Salamkhil 5-3.

Later in the day, Raees Khan Hotak, who is ranked number 4 in Afghanistan, defeated Nader Khan Rohani 5-4 in a fiercely contested match.

Hotak, who at 42 years of age, has over 40 domestic tournaments under his belt and has played in 30 international matches.

Naderi is 32 years old and while not as experienced as Hotak, he does have 35 domestic games to his name. He has also played in one international event.

Both players however have their eye on the title. Their match will get underway at 4pm Kabul time on Monday.

Snooker enthusiasts across Afghanistan can watch the exciting final on Monday live on Ariana Television, the Ariana Sports Facebook page, the Ariana Sports YouTube channel, and the Ariana Television website.

The match will start at 4pm but a preview show will be broadcast from 3pm. Stay tuned!

 

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Mujeeb Ur Rahman replaces injured Ghazanfar in Mumbai Indians’ squad for IPL 2025

Mujeeb had gone unsold at the IPL 2025 auction, but now joined MI at a fee of INR 2 crore ($230,000).

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Afghanistan offspinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman has replaced his countryman AM Ghazanfar in Mumbai Indians’ (MI) squad for IPL 2025 after an injured Ghazanfar was ruled out of the Champions Trophy, and the IPL that follows.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) said recently that Ghazanfar had been ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy due to a fractured vertebra sustained during Afghanistan’s tour of Zimbabwe last month.

Ghazanfar, who will be out of cricket for at least four months, will also miss out on IPL this year, his first contract with the league.

Mujeeb meanwhile last played at the IPL in 2021, for Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Most recently, he was with Paarl Royals at the SA20, where his side lost to finalists Sunrisers Eastern Cape in Qualifier 2. However, he was Royals’ highest wicket-taker in the tournament, with 14 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 23.14.

He wasn’t picked by Afghanistan for the Champions Trophy, as according to Ahmad Suliman Khil, their interim chief selector, “he has been advised by his doctor to focus on T20s for a while to ensure his full recovery before returning to ODIs”.

This was after he sustained a hand injury that left him out of cricket for five months. Only in November last year was he able to return.

Mujeeb had gone unsold at the IPL 2025 auction, but now joined MI at a fee of INR 2 crore ($230,000).

The ICC Champions Trophy gets underway on Wednesday, February 19, in Pakistan when the hosts take on New Zealand. Afghanistan will play their first match on Friday, February 21, when they take on South Africa.

IPL will start on Friday, March 21 and run through to Sunday May 25.

Cricket fans meanwhile can stay tuned with Ariana Radio & Television Network (ATN) as all Champions Trophy matches will be broadcast live across the country.

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Ariana Snooker Championship 2025: Quarterfinals conclude with thrilling matches

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Zulmai Salamkhil clinched a 5-3 victory over Zarif Afzali in a gripping quarterfinal match on Saturday, securing his spot in the semifinals of the Ariana Snooker Championship.

In another electrifying encounter, Naweed Naderi edged out Mohammad Mir Noorzai 5-4, advancing to the semifinals after a fiercely contested game.

The day wrapped up with Nader Rohani delivering a dominant 5-1 win against Saleh Mohammad Mohammadi, solidifying his place in the semifinals.

Snooker enthusiasts across Afghanistan can watch the exciting semifinal matches, starting this Sunday, live on Ariana Television, the Ariana Sports Facebook page, the Ariana Sports YouTube channel, and the Ariana Television website. Stay tuned!

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