Afghanistan
England Cricketer Withdraws from Afghanistan T20 Draft Over Women's Rights
England batter Ollie Pope withdrew from the Afghanistan Premier League draft citing concerns over the Taliban's treatment of women and girls, supported by cricket director Rob Key who called it a personal moral decision. Other players including Will Smeed and David Willey also withdrew, though some cricketers remained in the draft despite ethical concerns.
Litton Das Leads Bangladesh toward Victory in Abu Dhabi Test
Bangladesh set a formidable 479-run target against Afghanistan after Litton Das scored his seventh Test century in a 149-run seventh-wicket partnership with Mehidy Hasan Miraz. With Afghanistan struggling at 132-3 on the fourth day, Bangladesh's pacers and spinners on a wearing pitch are well-positioned to secure victory in the final Test of the series.
Rahmat Shah Steers Afghanistan's Test Fightback
Afghanistan cricket captain Rahmat Shah scored an unbeaten 84 runs on day two of a Test match in Abu Dhabi, keeping his team's hopes alive against Bangladesh. A fifth-wicket stand of 72 runs between Shah and Ikram Alikhil positioned Afghanistan closer to matching Bangladesh's first-innings total.