Cricket news

Afghanistan Cricket Board says Taliban won’t interfere in cricketing activities, all scheduled bilateral series remain on track

The day after Taliban took control of the Afghan capital Kabul, the country’s cricket board said its team management would be honoured as there has been no interference from any quarters. Afghanistan Cricket Board CEO Hamid Shinwari assured that Taliban loves cricket and supported since the beginning.

Published

5 years ago

August 16, 2021

Amid the ongoing turmoil in Afghanistan, questions have been raised over the future of Afghanistan Cricket Board and its player’s participation in the upcoming international cricket activities.

The day after Taliban took control of the Afghan capital Kabul, the country’s cricket board said its team management would be honoured as there has been no interference from any quarters.

Despite the crisis and turmoil, Afghanistan Cricket Board CEO Hamid Shinwari assured that Taliban loves cricket and supported since the beginning.

Shinwari also assured that the members of the national team and their families are safe as the Taliban took over the reins of the country on Sunday. Talking about the players safety, he said other than four or five players who are playing overseas the rest are all in Kabul.

The BCCI is also keeping an eye on the developments and is hoping to see participation of Afghan players in the India Premier League.

Star players including Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb Zadran are playing in the UK in the ‘Hundred’ tournament but their families are stuck in Kabul.

Shinwari said that the country is heading towards normalcy and same as the board that will resume office from tomorrow. All their scheduled bilateral series remain on track and all three IPL bound players — Rashid, Nabi and Mujeeb — have got NOCs from the board to take part in the cash-rich event ahead of the T20 World Cup, he said.

The Afghan board has recently appointed Shaun Tait as their bowling coach and the team management is in talks with former Sri Lanka batsman Hashan Tillakaratne to be their batting coach. Former South Africa all-rounder Lance Klusener is the head coach. As per Shinwari, all will be available in Sri Lanka with the Afghanistan team.

Asadullah Khan, who resigned as Afghanistan chief selector earlier this month, believes that cricket will not be a casualty under the Taliban rule. Khan personally have gone to the areas where Taliban ruled. They really liked the game, he said.

Too much political intervention in cricket has affected the sport negatively over the past 24 months and that needs to change, Khan said referring to the frequent administrative changes in the board and leadership of the national team.

Cricket’s rise in the country coincided with Taliban’s rule between 1996 and 2001 with many Afghan refugees in neighbouring Pakistan picking up the sport.

In other India News, Reuters in a report by Russian news agency RIA claimed Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani who fled the country after Taliban took over Kabul, left with four cars and a helicopter full of cash ,

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Abhishek Sharma smashes 113 off 38 balls as India beat New Zealand in 3rd ODI

Abhishek Sharma hammered 113 off just 38 balls as India chased down New Zealand’s 199-run target in 13.2 overs, winning the third T20I by six wickets.

Published

1 week ago

October 27, 2026

APNLive Desk

Abhishek Sharma delivered a stunning batting performance in the third T20 International against New Zealand in Wellington, smashing 113 off just 38 balls to power India’s chase of 199. India reached the target in 13.2 overs, winning the match by six wickets.

The Indian opener’s explosive innings proved decisive as India chased down New Zealand’s total of 198/3. His aggressive approach put the hosts under pressure and helped India complete the chase with plenty of overs to spare.

Abhishek Sharma leads India’s chase

Abhishek’s 113-run knock off 38 deliveries was the standout performance of the contest. His innings provided India with the momentum needed to pursue the 199-run target at a rapid pace.

The century also made Abhishek the central figure of the third T20I, with his power-hitting dominating the contest. India’s successful chase underlined the impact of his innings in a match where New Zealand had posted a substantial total.

India chase down 199 against New Zealand

New Zealand scored 198/3 in their innings, setting India a target of 199. However, India’s batters responded with an aggressive chase, reaching the target in just 13.2 overs.

The six-wicket victory gave India an important result in the five-match T20I series. Abhishek’s century was the defining contribution of the match, ensuring that the visitors completed the chase comfortably.

Abhishek Sharma’s innings takes the spotlight

Abhishek’s quickfire century was the major talking point from the Wellington encounter. Scoring 113 runs from only 38 balls, he combined scoring speed with the ability to keep India’s chase firmly on track.

His performance will be among the key highlights of the third T20I as India continue their campaign against New Zealand.

Cricket news

India beat Pakistan by 19 runs to win Asian Games cricket gold

India beat Pakistan by 19 runs in the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket final to retain the gold medal in the competition.

Published

1 month ago

October 3, 2026

APNLive Desk

India defeated Pakistan by 19 runs in the men’s cricket final at the Asian Games 2026 on Saturday to retain the gold medal.

India posted 211 for six after being sent in to bat, before restricting Pakistan to 192 for six in their 20 overs. The victory gave India their second successive Asian Games gold medal in men’s cricket.

India post 211 in final

India’s batting was led by Abhishek Sharma, who scored 61 off 28 balls, while Tilak Varma contributed 51 off 22 balls.

The two batters provided the momentum as India reached 211 for six from their 20 overs.

India captain Shreyas Iyer had won the toss and elected to bat first in the final.

Pakistan fall 19 runs short

Pakistan’s chase was anchored by Hasan Nawaz, who made 96 from 51 balls. Saim Ayub added 29 from 22 balls, but Pakistan finished on 192 for six after 20 overs.

India’s Axar Patel and Washington Sundar each took two wickets as Pakistan fell short of the target.

The result secured the gold medal for India, while Pakistan finished with silver. Sri Lanka won the bronze medal after defeating Bangladesh in the bronze-medal match.

India retain Asian Games cricket title

The victory marked India’s second consecutive men’s cricket gold medal at the Asian Games. India had also won the men’s cricket gold at the Hangzhou edition.

India’s victory over Pakistan also completed a gold-medal double for the country in cricket at the 2026 Asian Games, after the women’s team won the women’s cricket final earlier in the competition.

Cricket news

Jasprit Bumrah becomes first Indian to play T20Is in 13 countries

Jasprit Bumrah became the first Indian to play T20I cricket in 13 different countries after featuring against Sri Lanka in Japan.

Published

1 month ago

October 1, 2026

APNLive Desk

Jasprit Bumrah added another milestone to his international career on Thursday after taking the field for India against Sri Lanka in the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket semifinal in Japan.

Bumrah’s appearance at Nishin made him the first Indian to play T20I cricket in 13 different countries, according to the report. He moved ahead of former India captains Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, along with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who have each played T20Is in 12 countries.

Bumrah’s 13-country T20I record

Before playing in Japan, Bumrah had represented India in T20Is in 12 other countries — India, Australia, Bangladesh, England, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, the UAE, the United States, West Indies and Zimbabwe.

His appearance in Japan took the tally to 13. Kohli, Rohit and Bhuvneshwar had played in all of those countries except Japan, leaving Bumrah alone at the top of the list.

Kohli and Rohit cannot add to their totals as both have retired from T20I cricket, according to the source.

Bumrah shines against Sri Lanka

Bumrah also made an immediate impact in his first T20I appearance in Japan. He claimed two wickets in his opening over against Sri Lanka and finished with figures of 2/7 in two overs.

India went on to dismiss Sri Lanka for 45 in 9.5 overs and won the semifinal by 124 runs to book a place in the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket final.

The result set up an India-Pakistan gold-medal clash, scheduled for October 3.

Jasprit Bumrah has become the first Indian to play T20I cricket in 13 different countries. His appearance against Sri Lanka in Japan took him past Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who have played T20Is in 12 countries each.