Afghanistan has achieved its highest-ever position in the ICC Men's ODI Team Rankings, climbing to 6th spot and surpassing Sri Lanka, following impressive performances including a 4-0 series win over Ireland and an unbeaten tri-series campaign.
Sediqullah Atal's 111 and Qais Ahmad's unbeaten 49, capped by a last-ball six, helped Afghanistan survive 142 overs to force a dramatic draw against Bangladesh.
Pakistan and the European Union have agreed to enhance their cooperation in combating terrorism across all forms. This commitment was solidified during the 10th Pakistan-EU Bilateral Counterterrorism Dialogue in Islamabad, where both sides condemned terrorism and discussed evolving threats, including those in cyberspace. They also expressed concern over the security situation in Afghanistan and pledged to work together in multilateral forums.
India is grappling with significant selection dilemmas ahead of their opening T20I match against Afghanistan, particularly concerning the choice between Sanju Samson and young Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, and the potential impact of Ishan Kishan's injury scare. The series also serves as crucial preparation for the Asian Games, with India needing to finalise their bowling attack against a strong Afghan side.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board hosted 'Koh-E-Zafar' in New Delhi to celebrate the strong cricketing friendship between India and Afghanistan.
Afghanistan head coach Richard Pybus has identified key areas for improvement in the team's white-ball game following their T20I series loss to India. He stressed the need for better quality pitches at home to develop players and called for a significant increase in the team's strike rate and a reduction in dot balls, especially during the Powerplay.
India pacer Harshit Rana is unlikely to be fit for the upcoming three-match series against Afghanistan due to an ongoing hamstring injury, a BCCI source confirmed.
A Keralite woman travel vlogger, Arunima, faced threats of arrest in Bamyan, Afghanistan, for violating local laws that prohibit women from travelling alone. She recounted being questioned by authorities and needing assistance to proceed, highlighting the challenges faced by solo female travellers in the region.
Sony Sports Network has secured exclusive television broadcast rights for the upcoming three-match T20I series between India and Afghanistan, scheduled from September 13 to 17 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. The series will feature India led by Shreyas Iyer and Afghanistan led by Ibrahim Zadran, with both teams showcasing aggressive T20 cricket. This acquisition strengthens Sony's sports portfolio and offers a platform for Afghanistan to demonstrate its talent against a top-tier team.
India, having already secured the T20 series against Afghanistan, is likely to experiment with its playing XI in the third and final match in New Delhi. This provides an opportunity for players like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and others on the bench to get game time before the Asian Games, while Afghanistan aims for an improved performance to boost morale.
India is set to face Afghanistan in the second T20I, aiming to clinch the series despite ongoing concerns about a reliable fifth bowling option in the absence of Hardik Pandya. The team delivered a dominant performance in the first match, securing a seven-wicket victory.
Abhishek Sharma roared back to form with a blistering 84 off 32 balls, while Arshdeep Singh's superb 3 for 19 helped India cruise to a seven-wicket win over Afghanistan in the opening T20I in Delhi on Sunday.
Former India cricketer Vivek Razdan has shared his preferred batting lineup for India's first T20I against Afghanistan, advocating for Shreyas Iyer to retain his number four spot and Sanju Samson to open the innings. Razdan emphasized performance over the left-right batting combination, highlighting Samson's recent T20 form. The series opener will also see a selection dilemma with multiple openers available and marks Iyer's first home series as captain.
Sanju Samson smashed a quick 57 as India beat Afghanistan by seven wickets to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match T20I series.
India spinner Varun Chakaravarthy has been ruled out of the T20 series against Afghanistan due to a fresh injury, casting significant doubt on his participation in the upcoming Asian Games. This comes shortly after his recovery from a previous hamstring injury, raising concerns about player injury management.
Afghanistan's star leg-spinner Rashid Khan made history by becoming the first bowler to claim 200 wickets in men's T20 Internationals during the second T20I against Zimbabwe. In the same match, Azmatullah Omarzai smashed a spectacular century, leading Afghanistan to a formidable total of 221/7 despite an early collapse.
Kris Srikkanth questioned whether India's star-studded Afghanistan squad was picked out of fear after recent defeats, arguing the series offered an ideal chance to blood promising youngsters.
India's U15 football team suffered a 1-2 defeat against Afghanistan in the quarter-finals for positions 81 to 88 in the FIFA U15 World Cup and Festival. Despite creating early opportunities, India conceded two goals before Nibas Meetei Wahengbam scored to reduce the deficit. The Blue Colts were unable to find an equaliser and will now face Kazakhstan in the semi-finals for positions 85 to 88.
The Indian cricket team is preparing for its upcoming three-match series against Afghanistan, with Jasprit Bumrah set to rejoin training after recovering from injury. The team's net session saw Washington Sundar working hard, while concerns over player injuries have led to the BCCI considering the removal of senior physio Kamlesh Jain. Pace bowling coach Morne Morkel was also absent due to visa issues.
The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) has confirmed that the first T20I between India and Afghanistan will proceed as scheduled on September 13 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, despite earlier requests from Delhi Traffic Police to reschedule due to the high-profile BRICS Summit.
Ibrahim Zadran has been appointed captain of Afghanistan's T20I squad for the upcoming three-match series against India, which will be played in New Delhi. The squad sees the return of fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq and all-rounder Gulbadin Naib, featuring a blend of experienced players like Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi, alongside uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Noor Rahman.
All-rounders Hardik Pandya, Washington Sundar, and Nitish Kumar Reddy are expected to recover from their respective injuries and be available for selection for India's upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, providing a significant boost to the squad.
Tilak Varma has set his sights on winning India's upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan after the Duleep Trophy, where he led South Zone.
Devdutt Padikkal and Mohammed Siraj have joined South Zone for the Duleep Trophy final, while Tilak Varma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Ishan Kishan could feature before India's Afghanistan series.
Jasprit Bumrah, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, and Harshit Rana have been included in India's T20I squad for the upcoming three-match series against Afghanistan, pending fitness clearance from the BCCI's Centre of Excellence.
Krunal Pandya kept his India comeback hopes alive after missing the Afghanistan T20I squad, following a strong IPL season where he impressed with bat and ball.
Indian cricketers Tilak Varma and Ishan Kishan discuss the challenges of transitioning directly from the Duleep Trophy final to the T20I series against Afghanistan. Both players emphasise the importance of adaptability and professionalism in managing the demanding schedule and format changes, while also highlighting key player additions to their respective Duleep Trophy teams.
India A will face Pakistan A on November 22 in the Asia Cup Rising Stars 50-over tournament, scheduled to take place in Doha from November 19.
A drone attack on an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Bannu district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, northwest Pakistan, injured three police personnel on Sunday. The quadcopter drone targeted Tower No. 3 of the camp. Security forces fired upon the drone, forcing it to retreat. No group has claimed responsibility for the incident, which has raised security concerns.
India's U15 football team concluded their FIFA U15 World Cup and Festival campaign with a 6-4 victory over Cuba. The Blue Colts finished 87th among 189 nations, securing five wins, four defeats, and one draw in the tournament.
Afghanistan defeated Ireland by three wickets in the third ODI, securing direct qualification for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
India concluded their Hong Kong Sixes 2026 campaign with a thrilling five-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the Bowl Division playoff. Chasing 117, India secured the win on the final ball, powered by half-centuries from Shashank Singh and crucial contributions from Rahul Tripathi, Rahul Tewatia, and Nitish Rana. Afghanistan won the main title.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board and the Board of Control for Cricket in India have confirmed that Afghanistan will host India for a three-match T20I series at the Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium in Delhi next month.
India's U15 football team, led by Victor Lalawmpuia's four goals, staged a remarkable comeback from a 0-3 deficit to draw 5-5 against Kazakhstan in the FIFA U15 World Cup & Festival Tier C semi-final. Despite the heroic effort, India ultimately lost 4-5 in a penalty shootout for positions 85 to 88.
Anvay Dravid and Aaryavir Sehwag, sons of former India cricket legends Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag, have been selected for India's U19 squad for the ACC Men's U19 Asia Cup in Muscat, Oman, following their impressive performances in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy.
Every six was a mixture of power, timing, sometimes mischief, and even sheer audacity.
Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh has become the first Indian bowler to take 150 wickets in T20 Internationals, achieving the milestone during the 4th T20I against New Zealand at Eden Park.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir has stated that his primary role is to make the 'right decisions' for the team, even if they are not the 'popular ones', emphasising the importance of player security and backing consistent performers.
Hashmatullah Shahidi has resigned as Afghanistan's One Day International captain, citing a personal decision, though he will continue to play in the 50-over format.
Afghanistan has secured automatic qualification for the 2027 Cricket World Cup after defeating Ireland, while the West Indies, ranked 10th, will once again have to navigate qualifiers for the third consecutive edition of the tournament.
