Cricket

Zimbabwe is set to host Afghanistan for a historic all-format tour, featuring the country's first Boxing Day Test in 28 years and its inaugural New Year's Test. Both matches will be played in Bulawayo.The tour will commence with three T20Is in Harare from December 9-12, followed by three ODIs from December 15-19. The teams will then travel to Bulawayo for the two-Test series.Zimbabwe's only previous Boxing Day Test was in 1996 against England in Harare, which ended in a draw due to rain. The country has also participated in Boxing Day Tests in Wellington (2000) and Port Elizabeth (2017).Zimbabwe Cricket chair Tavengwa Mukuhlani expressed excitement about the upcoming tour, stating, "Boxing Day and New Year's Test matches are iconic cricket fixtures that we are delighted to be adding to our calendar this festive season."Afghanistan Cricket Board counterpart Mirwais Ashraf added, "The all-format tour to Zimbabwe is a significant event for us. We have a rich history with Zimbabwe, and playing there has always been challenging."Afghanistan and Zimbabwe have faced off in two Test matches, 28 ODIs, and 15 T20Is, with each team claiming one victory in the Test series held in Abu Dhabi in 2021.The tour promises to be a thrilling spectacle, showcasing the talents of both teams across all formats of the game.

Bangladesh's star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has cast doubt over his participation in the upcoming ODI series against Afghanistan, scheduled for November 6-12 in the United Arab Emirates. Shakib's uncertainty stems from a lack of communication from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) regarding his inclusion in the squad.Speaking to Cricbuzz, Shakib expressed his confusion, stating, "How can I tell [whether I will play the ODIs against Afghanistan]? BCB should tell about it." Despite his willingness to represent Bangladesh if selected, sources within the board have raised concerns about his frequent absences from the country.The BCB's selection panel has also acknowledged the uncertainty, confirming that they have not received clear instructions from higher authorities regarding Shakib's availability. The final decision is expected to be made by the BCB's senior officials in the coming days.Shakib's participation in the ODI series has been a subject of speculation since his retirement from Test cricket and T20 Internationals in September. The all-rounder had hoped to play his final Test match at home against South Africa, but security concerns amid political unrest in Bangladesh forced him to withdraw.Despite being accused in a murder case related to the unrest, Shakib was allowed to continue playing in the Test series against India, with the BCB permitting him to remain with the national team until proven guilty. However, his absence from the subsequent South Africa series has raised questions about his future with the Bangladesh team.The BCB's decision on Shakib's inclusion in the ODI squad will be closely watched, as it could have implications for his long-term future with the national team. The all-rounder remains one of Bangladesh's most valuable players, and his absence would be a significant blow to their chances of success in the upcoming series against Afghanistan.

Afghanistan has bolstered its squad for the upcoming ODI series against Bangladesh with the inclusion of opening batter Sediqullah Atal and left-arm wristspinner Noor Ahmad. The 19-man squad will face Bangladesh in three ODIs from November 6 to 11 in Sharjah.Atal, who has six T20I caps, has been in impressive form at the Emerging Teams Asia Cup T20 tournament, scoring 52, 95 not out, and 83. Noor, on the other hand, returns to the squad after a stellar performance in the Caribbean Premier League, where he was named Player of the Series for his 22 wickets for the St Lucia Kings.Afghanistan Cricket Board chief selector Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil explained the squad changes: "Ibrahim Zadran is currently undergoing rehabilitation and continues to recover from the surgery he recently had. Mujeeb Ur Rahman also remains unavailable due to ongoing treatment.""However, Noor Ahmad is back in the squad, and we have included a promising top-order batter in Sediqullah Atal, who has impressed everyone with his consistent top performances."Afghanistan will use the Bangladesh series as part of its preparation for the Champions Trophy in February 2025. In their previous assignment, the three ODIs against South Africa, Afghanistan created history with their first series win against an opposition ranked in the top five of the ICC rankings.

Rashid Khan, Afghanistan's Spin Wizard, Ties the Knot in Grand Kabul CeremonyAfghanistan's star spinner, Rashid Khan, has embarked on a new chapter in his life, tying the knot in a lavish wedding ceremony in Kabul on October 3. The nuptials, held according to Pashtun customs, were attended by numerous cricketers from the Afghanistan national team.The wedding venue, a hotel in the Afghan capital, was adorned with traditional decorations and witnessed a grand celebration. Videos and pictures from the event have taken social media by storm, showcasing the joy and excitement of the occasion.Outside the hotel, a large crowd gathered, some carrying guns, adding to the festive atmosphere. The wedding hall itself was a sight to behold, with intricate designs and elegant lighting.Rashid Khan, widely regarded as the world's top T20I spinner, received heartfelt congratulations from his fellow cricketers. Mohammad Nabi, a veteran of the Afghanistan team, was among the first to extend his well wishes."Congratulations to the one and only King Khan, Rashid Khan, on your wedding! Wishing you a lifetime of love, happiness, and success ahead," Nabi wrote on social media.Other Afghanistan stars, including Wazhma Ayoubi, also took to social media to express their joy and admiration for the newlyweds.Rashid Khan's wedding marks a significant milestone in his personal life and is a testament to his popularity and influence both on and off the field. The Afghan spinner has established himself as one of the most formidable bowlers in the world, holding multiple records to his name.His exceptional skills and dedication have earned him the respect and admiration of cricket fans worldwide. As he embarks on this new chapter, Rashid Khan will undoubtedly continue to inspire and entertain with his remarkable performances on the cricket field.

Afghanistan and Bangladesh are set to clash in a three-match ODI series in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in November. The series will serve as a crucial preparation for both teams ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan next year.The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed the series, which will take place on November 6, 9, and 11. The exact venues for the matches are yet to be announced.The series was originally scheduled as part of a full tour that included Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. However, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) declined to tour the UAE or India in June due to extreme summer temperatures.After extensive discussions, the two boards agreed to proceed with only the ODI leg of the tour. The BCB was keen on playing the ODIs as Bangladesh has only played three ODIs so far in 2024.BCB president Faruque Ahmed met with ACB officials on the sidelines of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting in Malaysia. Ahmed expressed the BCB's desire to play three ODIs against Afghanistan before their tour of the West Indies.After the Afghanistan series, Bangladesh will travel to the Caribbean for a two-Test, three-ODI, and three-T20I series against the West Indies.Afghanistan, on the other hand, has played eight ODIs this year, including a historic 2-1 series win against South Africa. After the Bangladesh series, Afghanistan will tour Zimbabwe for a full series across all three formats.The Afghanistan-Bangladesh ODI series will provide both teams with valuable match practice ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy. Afghanistan will be looking to build on their recent success against South Africa, while Bangladesh will be aiming to improve their ODI record in 2024.

Afghanistan, having secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series against South Africa, opted to bat first in the final encounter. The decision was made after winning the toss, with the hosts making three changes to their playing XI.Rashid Khan, the star leg-spinner who claimed a five-wicket haul in Afghanistan's 177-run victory in the previous match, was rested due to a hamstring niggle. In his absence, Nangeyalia Kharote and AM Ghazanfar will lead the spin attack.Afghanistan also included an additional seamer in 19-year-old Naveed Zadran, who will make his second ODI appearance. The other two changes saw left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi replaced by Fareed Ahmed, while opening batter Riaz Hassan was dropped for Abdul Malik, who will make his ODI debut.Afghanistan's decision to bat first meant that South Africa would once again face challenging weather conditions. Afternoon temperatures were expected to reach 40 degrees Celsius, with a real feel of around 46 degrees.South Africa, on the other hand, made only one change to their team, bringing in allrounder Andile Phehlukwayo for left-arm seamer Nandre Burger. The batting lineup, which has struggled against Afghanistan in the previous two matches, remained unchanged.

Afghanistan, riding high on their historic series win over South Africa, will be aiming to complete an unprecedented 3-0 whitewash when the two teams face off in the third and final ODI on Sunday, July 22.Afghanistan's remarkable success in the series has been built on their exceptional bowling performances, with South Africa being bowled out for under 150 in both matches. The Afghan bowlers, led by star spinner Rashid Khan and wicketkeeper-batsman Rahmanullah Gurbaz, have been in devastating form. However, it is the emergence of young talents like AM Ghazanfar and Nangeyalia Kharote that has been particularly impressive.South Africa, on the other hand, will be desperate to salvage some pride and end the series on a positive note. Their inexperienced side has struggled to cope with the pressure, but they will be hoping for a better performance in the final match.The match will be played at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah, starting at 5:30 PM IST. It will be live telecast on the Eurosport network and live streamed on the Fancode app and website.Afghanistan will be confident of completing the whitewash, but South Africa will be determined to avoid a humiliating 3-0 defeat. The stage is set for an exciting and potentially historic encounter.

Afghanistan's Rahmanullah Gurbaz has etched his name alongside Indian batting legend Virat Kohli in an exclusive club. The 22-year-old Afghan opener has become the second player to score seven ODI centuries before turning 23, matching Kohli's feat.Gurbaz's latest century came in the second ODI against South Africa, where he smashed a magnificent 103 off 100 deliveries. This was his seventh ODI ton, putting him on par with Kohli, who also had seven centuries before turning 23.South Africa's Quinton de Kock holds the record for the most ODI centuries before the age of 23, with eight tons to his name. Gurbaz, who turns 23 on November 28, still has time to match or even surpass de Kock's record.In his 42 ODI appearances, Gurbaz has amassed 1,572 runs at an impressive average of 38.34. His seven centuries and five half-centuries highlight his consistency and ability to score big runs. His highest score of 151 remains a testament to his explosive batting style.Gurbaz's century played a pivotal role in Afghanistan's emphatic 177-run victory over South Africa in the second ODI. The Afghan team registered a famous series win, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.After Gurbaz's century laid the foundation, all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai unleashed a blistering 86 off just 50 balls, propelling Afghanistan to a formidable total of 311.In response, South Africa's batting woes continued as they were bundled out for a paltry 134. Rashid Khan was the star performer with the ball, claiming 5/19, while newcomer Nangeyaliya Kharote chipped in with four wickets.Gurbaz will have one more opportunity to match de Kock's record in the final ODI of the series. The Afghan opener will be eager to continue his impressive form and cement his place among the elite batsmen in world cricket.

Rashid Khan's heroic performance, despite battling a hamstring injury, propelled Afghanistan to a historic series victory over South Africa. The leg-spinner's remarkable figures of 9-1-19-5 dismantled the Proteas' batting lineup, securing a 177-run triumph in Sharjah.Khan's determination to stay on the field stemmed from his belief that his contribution was crucial to Afghanistan's success. Despite a month-long hamstring issue, he pushed through the pain, knowing that his presence could make a significant difference."I had a hamstring injury, but I tried my best to stay on the ground till the end," Khan said. "I knew my contribution would be key, so I had to go for it."Khan's injury woes have been a recurring theme lately. He missed the final week of the Hundred due to hamstring trouble and suffered a back niggle during Afghanistan's domestic T20 league. He also missed the one-off Test against New Zealand.On his 26th birthday, Khan's hamstring flared up again while batting. However, he refused to be sidelined, continuing to bat and eventually finishing with six not out off 12 deliveries."The love for this game is just pushing you to play," Khan said. "I thought I was able to bowl and stay in the field, so why not go for it?"Afghanistan's victory was marred by another injury concern, with half-centurion Rahmat Shah leaving the field with hamstring trouble. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi expressed optimism that Shah's injury was not serious."I talked with him, he's good inshallah," Shahidi said. "Hopefully he will be okay and play the other game."Afghanistan have clinched the series 2-0 but have one more match to play in Sharjah on Sunday. They will then have a break before their scheduled tour of Zimbabwe in December-January.