Sport
ICC World Cup 2023 Trophy set to tour Afghanistan
Much to the delight of cricket fans across Afghanistan, the coveted ICC World Cup 2023 trophy will arrive in Kabul this week as part of its world tour.
The ICC has confirmed the trophy will visit various locations across Kabul on Thursday and Friday this week giving fans the chance to see the prized silverware and take pictures.
Meanwhile, in keeping with its commitment to bringing world-class sporting news and events to Afghans across the country, Ariana Television Network (ATN) is thrilled to announce that it has partnered with the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) as media partner for this thrilling event.
Highlights of the tour will be broadcast across the country, ensuring cricket enthusiasts get to see the traveling trophy.
This two-day visit is part of the trophy's tour of countries across the globe and is expected to captivate cricket enthusiasts nationwide.
The trophy, which is made of silver and gold and weighs 11 kilograms, is the ultimate prize for cricket-playing nations. It was first awarded in 1975, when the inaugural edition of the World Cup was held in England. Since then, it has been lifted by eight different teams, with Australia being the most successful with five titles.
Mirwais Ashraf, head of the ACB, said recently that it is indeed an honor to be included in the tour schedule.
“We are very proud and honored to host the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Trophy once again. It is a great opportunity for our people to witness this prestigious prize and feel connected to the global cricket community. It is also a motivation for our players to work hard and prepare for the World Cup,” Ashraf said.
The Trophy Tour kicked off in June this year in grand style when it was launched 120,000 feet above the Earth. This feat was achieved with the World Cup Trophy attached to a bespoke stratospheric balloon, which set the stage for the biggest ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Trophy Tour ever.
The tour will officially end in the world’s biggest cricket stadium, the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, in India, this year’s host country.
The Trophy Tour aims to give one million fans the chance to connect with the prized silverware ahead of the highly anticipated global event, and will visit locations in 18 countries across five continents.
In addition to visiting participating countries, the trophy will also tour a number of emerging nations such as Bahrain, Kuwait, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Nigeria, Uganda, France, Italy and the United States, enabling new and existing fans to get a glimpse of world cricket’s ultimate prize.
ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice said at the launch: “The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Trophy Tour is an important milestone in the countdown to what will be the biggest ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup ever. This Tour will see the iconic silverware meet heads of states, launch community initiatives and support cricket development programmes in addition to visiting some of the most iconic landmarks around the globe.
“Cricket has more than a billion fans and we want to give as many people as possible the opportunity to get up close to this famous trophy that has been held aloft by some of the greatest legends of our sport.”
Rounding up the year
After months of world-class cricket tournaments televised across the country by ATN, the World Cup will be no exception, as matches will be broadcast live daily for the duration of the challenge.
This year’s 50-over format event will see 10 countries battle it out for the coveted trophy, which was last won in 2019 by England. The tournament is scheduled to take place in India from October 5, 2023 to November 19, 2023, culminating in the final match at the famous Narendra Modi Stadium.
ATN will meanwhile publish all schedules and broadcasting times ahead of the matches and keep fans posted on new developments. So be sure to watch out for updates on our website and social media platforms.
Sport
ACB appoints Younis Khan as Mentor for Champions Trophy 2025
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announced on Wednesday it has appointed former Pakistan batter Younis Khan as mentor for the Afghanistan National team for the Champions Trophy 2025.
The tournament gets underway on 19 February in Pakistan and Khan will accompany the team during their conditioning and preparation camp in Pakistan.
He will remain with the team for the duration of the tournament.
This isn't Khan’s first time with the national team; he previously served as a batting coach during a 15-day camp in April 2022 in the UAE.
With a prolific career, Younis Khan has played 265 ODIs, scoring over 7,000 runs, and has participated in 118 Test matches, amassing more than 10,000 runs for his country.
The Afghanistan team had previously benefited from the expertise of players from host nations in major tournaments, achieving commendable results in the last ODI and T20 World Cups and hope that this assignment will lead the national team to exceptional outcomes in the upcoming Champions Trophy, the ACB said.
CEO of the Afghanistan Cricket Board Naseeb Khan said that ACB is pleased to sign a contract with Younis Khan as interim mentor of the national team for the Champions Trophy 2025.
Naseeb Khan said: “Since the Champions Trophy is being held in Pakistan, it was required to assign a talented and experienced player as mentor from the hosting country.
“We already had efficient experience with hosting countries’ mentors in ODI World Cup 2023 and T20I World Cup 2024. Observing the conditions, therefore, we have appointed Younis Khan as mentor for our national team for the upcoming mega event and wish him best of luck in his crucial assignment.”
Ariana Television and Radio Network (ATN) has the rights to broadcast the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy live in Afghanistan.
International Sports
Manchester United ace rumored to be heading for Al-Nassr
Manchester United are unlikely to do big business in January and one high earner could be on his way out.
Ruben Amorim wanted an improved start to 2025 after five defeats in six Premier League games to end 2024.
This did not happen entirely as Sunday’s match saw United draw 2-2 with Liverpool.
That performance sparked some hope for United fans but Amorim will still need plenty of signings in 2025 to make real progress.
Amorim isn’t expecting a major January though and certainly needs players to leave in order to make new signings.
United will however also be looking to offload big earners this year and one player who fits the bill is Casemiro.
Casemiro joined United from Real Madrid in 2022 with the Brazilian arriving in a big-money move – both in terms of fee and wages.
Selling Casemiro this month is something football journalist Fabrizio Romano has claimed is on the cards – a move which could save United a whopping £350,000-a-week (about $440,000).
It is also a move which could prove lucrative for United, with Saudi Arabia appearing to be the likeliest move for Casemiro.
It is thought that United would sell Casemiro for around €30m ($52 million), which represents a huge loss on the €70m ($73 million) which was spent on the Brazilian back in 2022.
If United receive £25m, it would pay off a big chunk of one possible replacement.
Sport
Afghanistan triumphs in Test victory against Zimbabwe
Rashid Khan played a key role, claiming 7-66 and helping Afghanistan clinch the series
Afghanistan secured victory on Monday against Zimbabwe in their second test match, winning by 72 runs in just 15 balls at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
Rashid Khan played a key role, claiming 7-66 and helping Afghanistan clinch the series.
This marks Afghanistan's fourth test win since obtaining test status in 2017.
Zimbabwe was all out for 205 without adding to their overnight score, losing the final two wickets in a quick 13 minutes.
Richard Ngarava's run-out in the day's second over, due to confusion with skipper Craig Ervine, set the tone.
Ervine fell in the next over, trapped leg before wicket by Rashid Khan's decisive leg-spin, culminating in figures of 7-66.
Khan's performance on Sunday shifted momentum when Zimbabwe was poised for victory at 157-4, chasing 278.
The first test in Bulawayo ended in a draw, but Afghanistan's win secured their fourth test victory, two coming against Zimbabwe, since acquiring test status in 2017.
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