Sport
Rashid Khan makes waves as he steps into role of IPL all-rounder
Rashid Khan is known as one of the best leg-spinners in the world but commentators are starting to wonder if he isn’t fast becoming an impressive all-rounder, especially in the IPL short format.
After having been snapped up by the new team on the block, the Gujarat Titans, Rashid’s batting skills are on the mark in this year’s tournament – skills which have helped his team leap-frog their way up to the top of the points table.
With a reputation of being a wicket-taker formed by playing all these years in IPL, the batters don’t take risks against him. This year however, in IPL 2022, batters have taken a more defensive approach with him – leaving him with fewer wickets than he’d like.
However, he has scalped nine wickets from nine matches with an outstanding economy of 7.11.
Over the years, he has been phenomenal in the IPL taking 102 wickets from 85 matches with an economy of just 6.41 but this year, Rashid has stepped up his game to become a key batter in only a few matches.
Going into the IPL 2022, the responsibility of finishing the innings was going to be in the hands of Rahul Tewatia and Hardik Pandya. David Miller was also in the team but his IPL numbers were not so impressive as he had scored only 124 runs in 2021 while 213 runs in 2019.
This meant the batting not only lacked depth but Hardik started playing in the middle-order for the team.
In came Rashid. In the game against Chennai Super Kings, the team was chasing a target of 170 runs but were reduced to 87/5 at one stage. David Miller went on to rescue the team with his half-century but Rashid played a perfect supporting act by playing a cameo.
His knock was so effective that it turned the game on its head and a tough target was within the team’s reach.
Rashid secured 25 runs from a single over off Chris Jordan, which tilted the game in Gujarat Titans’ favor.
His cameo of 40 runs from 21 balls helped his team win the game by three wickets in the last over but his next appearance with the bat came against Sunrisers Hyderabad, which had been on a winning streak.
Against Sunrisers, it was one of the worst days for him with the ball as he leaked 45 runs without taking any wicket and the rival team went on to post a total of 195/6.
Chasing such a huge target was going to be tough for Gujarat Titans which were reduced to 140/5 when Rashid walked in to bat.
But he was a picture of calmness and produced a remarkable finish.
Speaking to the media about his batting skills this week, Rashid said he has been quietly working on it for the past two to three years.
“From the last two-three years, I’ve been working on my batting. I have that self-belief that I should be there and finishing for the team,” Rashid said,
“I have those skills and talent but it was just about the confidence in myself that I could finish. The best thing is I get more opportunity here in this team to bat,” he said.
Facing his former franchise Hyderabad, Rashid showed how devastating his batting could be, slamming an unbeaten 31 off just 11 balls as Gujarat Titans completed an improbable chase of 195 to halt Hyderabad’s winning run.
Rashid walked in with the Titans 140/5 in 16 overs, all five wickets falling to Umran Malik’s pace. There were 56 runs needed from the last four overs, but in Rashid and Rahul Tewatia, Gujarat had two men familiar with conjuring victories out of nothing.
Rashid finished it off with three sixes in four balls, the last two coming off the final two balls when nine were needed for victory.
“The snake shot” is what he calls it, because of the way the wrists uncoil and strike.
Sport
13 climbers successfully ascend Janwar Koh in Balkh
Thirteen members of the “Nawshakh Unity” mountaineering team, in coordination with the National Olympic Committee, the Department of Physical Education, and the Balkh Mountaineering Federation, successfully reached the summit of Janwar Koh, a peak standing approximately 1,800 meters high in Marmol district.
Officials from the Balkh Mountaineering Federation said the expedition aimed to improve athletes’ technical climbing skills, build team spirit, and promote the development of mountaineering as a sport in the province.
Sport
Gill stars as Gujarat Titans enter IPL top four; Kolkata’s winless run continues
All IPL matches are being broadcast live and exclusively on Ariana Television Network across Afghanistan.
Indian Premier League action delivered another dramatic finish as the Gujarat Titans surged into the top four with a composed five-wicket victory over the struggling Kolkata Knight Riders.
Captain Shubman Gill led from the front with a commanding 86 off 50 balls, anchoring Gujarat’s chase of 181 and guiding his side home with two balls to spare at 181-5. The win marks Gujarat’s third consecutive triumph and underlines their growing momentum in the tournament.
Kolkata, meanwhile, remain without a win this season, having lost five matches while one fixture was abandoned due to rain. Despite a much-needed return to form from Cameron Green, their campaign continues to falter.
Green struck 79 off 55 deliveries in a lone battle, but lacked consistent support as Kolkata were bowled out for 180 on the final ball. Early damage from Kagiso Rabada (3-29) left them reeling at 32-3 in the powerplay, putting pressure on the middle order once again.
After winning the toss, Kolkata skipper Ajinkya Rahane opted for an aggressive approach, but his plan quickly unraveled when he fell first ball to Mohammed Siraj. Though partnerships involving Rovman Powell (27) and Anukul Roy helped rebuild, a late collapse saw five wickets fall for just 26 runs in the death overs.
Gujarat’s chase began explosively, with Gill and Sai Sudharsan (22) putting on 57 runs inside five overs. Jos Buttler added a brisk 25, maintaining the required rate with attacking stroke play.
Gill reached his half-century in just 27 balls, showcasing control against both pace and spin. Though he fell late in the innings, slicing Vaibhav Arora to Green, the foundation he set proved decisive.
Saturday’s matches
Attention now shifts to Saturday’s matches, where Royal Challengers Bengaluru take on Delhi Capitals, while Sunrisers Hyderabad face Chennai Super Kings. Both fixtures are expected to have significant implications for the standings as teams push for early dominance in the competition.
All IPL matches are being broadcast live and exclusively on Ariana Television Network across Afghanistan.
Sport
SRH dominate Royals as Kishan shines in IPL clash
Sunrisers Hyderabad produced a commanding all-round performance to defeat Rajasthan Royals by 57 runs in their Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter on April 13.
After posting an imposing total of 216/6, Hyderabad’s bowlers backed up the effort with a clinical display, dismissing Rajasthan for 159 in 19 overs.
The standout performer was Ishan Kishan, who was named Player of the Match for his explosive 91 off 44 balls, anchoring SRH’s innings and setting up the victory. On the bowling side, Sakib Hussain and Praful Hinge delivered decisive spells, each claiming four wickets to dismantle the Royals’ batting line-up.
Despite a fighting 69 from Donovan Ferreira, Rajasthan struggled to keep pace with the required run rate and ultimately fell well short.
CSK vs KKR – Action Continues Today
Attention now turns to today’s IPL fixture as Chennai Super Kings take on Kolkata Knight Riders in what promises to be a high-stakes clash.
Chennai will look to capitalize on their experienced core, while Kolkata aim to continue their strong campaign with an aggressive batting approach and versatile bowling attack.
Fans in Afghanistan can watch the match live and exclusively on Ariana Television, which continues to bring IPL 2026 coverage to viewers across the country.
With both teams pushing for crucial points in the standings, another thrilling contest is expected.
-
Business5 days agoAfghanistan moves toward self-sufficiency in car battery production
-
Latest News3 days agoAfghanistan launches media platform to improve access to information
-
Business5 days agoUzbekistan launches exchange-based trade system with Afghanistan to boost bilateral commerce
-
Latest News4 days agoAfghanistan to airlift 30,000 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia in 96 flights for Hajj 2026
-
Regional4 days agoShips crossing Hormuz need OK from IRGC, unfreezing funds part of deal, Iran official says
-
Business4 days agoAfghan commerce minister highlights trade trust and market stability at Antalya Forum
-
Latest News2 days agoAfghanistan, Belarus hold talks on fuel imports
-
Latest News4 days agoAfghanistan and Russia discuss expansion of banking cooperation in Moscow meeting
