This week, the 160 top Afghan Star contestants of Season 9 competed for just 24 spots in the next round. With such intense competition, nothing is predictable in this round!

First up is Javad Hossein from Herat. The judges like his voice but think he should be more self-confident. Next is Anahita Olfat from Mazar-e-Sharif who wows the judges with both her performance and her song choice, and she wins a spot in the next round along with Javad Hossein.

In the second group, the judges hear from Ahmad Qais who also writes two songs, including one dedicated to Afghan Star! Leila and Khoshboo, who are both friends and competitors, are asked by Ustad Shahla to rate each others' voices. Both Leila and Khoshboo make it through to the next round, the surprise of both women.

Shaparak, who reveals her real name as Najmeh, performs in a buqra with her face turned away from the camera and the judges. Abdullah Barakzai, who has lost the full use of his legs, performs an emotional song that connects to the struggles of millions of Afghans and brings the judges to tears, but he doesn't make it through.

At the end of the episode, the judges make a surprise decision to allow a 25th contestant in the next round, a guitarist/singer who had been too sick to compete in the first rounds. The judges are so impressed that they make extra room for him.

Next week, the competition gets even fiercer, so tune in!