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The Big Bash League (BBL) season 15 will embrace a distinctly Pakistani flavour as the Melbourne Renegades and Sydney Sixers introduce fan zones to celebrate their superstar signings, Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam.

The Renegades have unveiled the ‘Rizwan v Babar Bay’ at Marvel Stadium ahead of their New Year’s Day clash against the Sixers, marking one of the most anticipated fixtures of BBL 15.

The franchise announced the initiative through its social media platforms, captioning the post: “Kicking 2026 off with a bang! Two icons. One bay. An electric atmosphere. Don’t miss it!”

 

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Meanwhile, the Sixers have launched “Babaristan,” a special fan zone dedicated to former Pakistan captain Babar Azam.

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The franchise made the announcement across its social media platforms with the caption, “Introducing Babaristan — A Fan Zone Like No Other,” sparking excitement among cricket fans both in Australia and Pakistan.

 

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“We’re celebrating cricket culture like never before with Babaristan — a brand-new Sixers fan zone dedicated to welcoming one of the world’s greatest cricketers, Babar Azam,” the franchise said in its official statement.

Fans will get their first glimpse of Babaristan when the Sixers open their campaign against the Adelaide Strikers on December 17.

The BBL’s 15th edition, running from December 14, 2025, to January 25, 2026, will feature 44 matches, all scheduled in early-evening slots to attract maximum viewership.

The tournament kicks off with a blockbuster clash between two powerhouse sides, the Perth Scorchers and Sydney Sixers, at Perth Stadium.

WATCH: Ali Tareen responds to PCB’s legal notice with apology video

Multan Sultans owner Ali Tareen has issued a sarcastic video “apology” after receiving a legal notice from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over alleged violations of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise agreement.

The PCB had accused Tareen of breaching several clauses of the 10-year contract and demanded a public apology and retraction of his statements, warning of possible termination of the franchise’s contract and his blacklisting from the league.

In a video shared on his social media accounts, Tareen acknowledged the notice but responded with biting irony, criticising the PCB’s management and communication approach while ostensibly complying with the demand for an apology.

He said the board never attempted to resolve the matter through direct discussion.

 

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“I didn’t receive a single call, message, email, or invitation to meet and sort things out,” Tareen remarked. “Instead, I was served a legal notice. If you were more competent, you’d know these matters aren’t handled this way.”

Ali Tareen accused the PCB’s management of being surrounded by “yes-men” and unable to take criticism.

“The PSL belongs to the fans and to all of Pakistan, not just a handful of people currently running it,” he added.

While stating that his legal team saw no reason to issue an apology, Tareen said he would still offer one “because I want the PSL to improve.”

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His apology, however, was laced with sarcasm as he reiterated earlier grievances about the league’s professionalism and management.

He “apologised” for criticising the PSL’s opening ceremony, mockingly praising the “amazing” lip-syncing performances and noting that expecting the event to “start and finish on time” or have “a working mic” might have been asking “too much.”

Tareen also referenced minor complaints cited in the notice, apologising for being ten minutes late to a Zoom meeting and for his remarks about the league’s logistics, sarcastically highlighting how “half of the team was in one hotel and the other half in another.”

The video concluded with Tareen tearing up the legal notice, marking a dramatic end to his “apology.” “So, I hope you like my apology video,” he said.

READ: India overwhelm New Zealand to book semi-final spot in Women’s World Cup

NAVI MUMBAI: Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal’s sparkling centuries powered India to a comfortable win over New Zealand, sealing a semi-final spot for the hosts in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025.

After India’s win here at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy on Thursday, New Zealand and Sri Lanka were eliminated from the mega-event.

Set 325 in 44 overs as per DLS method in a rain-affected encounter, the White Ferns could only manage 271-8.

After losing Suzie Bates in the second over, Brooke Halliday and Georgia Plimmer
added a 50-run stand for the second wicket.

Plimmer made 30 from 25 balls, striking five fours, while Amelia Kerr scored 45 from 53 deliveries with the aid of four boundaries.

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However, India made a roaring comeback, removing set Plimmer and Sophie Devine in quick succession. As a result, New Zealand slumped to 59-3 in 11.3 overs.

Despite brief partnerships in the middle-order, New Zealand were unable to chase the target due to the mounting required run rate.

Brooke Halliday fought hard with her valiant 81 from 84 balls; however, it was not enough to take her side home.

For India, Renuka Singh and Kranti Gaud scalped two wickets each.

Earlier, after being put into bat, India piled up 340-3 in 49 overs, courtesy of Pratika Rawal’s and Smriti Mandhana’s imperious opening stand.

The duo added 212 for the opening wicket, which threw New Zealand out of the game. Mandhana 109 from 95 balls was laced with 10 fours and four sixes, while Rawal 122 from 134 deliveries included 13 fours and two sixes.

Jemimah Rodrigues was the other notable contributor, making 76 off just 55, which helped India finish strong at the back end of the innings.

For India, Amelia Kerr, Suzie Bates, and Rosemary Mair picked up one wicket each.

Playing XIs

India XI: Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Renuka Singh, Kranti Gaud, Shree Charani

New Zealand XI: Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine (capt), Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Isabella Gaze (wk), Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Eden Carson, Lea Tahuhu

READ: Pakistan withdraw from Junior Hockey World Cup in India

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) on Thursday announced its withdrawal from the Junior Hockey World Cup, which is scheduled to be held in India next month.

PHF secretary Rana Mujahid confirmed that the federation has officially informed the International Hockey Federation (IHF) that Pakistan would not feature in the tournament due to tensions between the two nations.

“It is by no means appropriate to travel to India and play under the current situation,” he said.

He also lamented the handshake saga that occurred during the Asia Cup 2025 and condemned receiving the trophy.

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“The incident of not shaking hands with the Pakistan cricket team is regrettable,” he continued.

“Not receiving the trophy from President ACC and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi is also condemnable. In such a situation, one cannot go to India,” he remarked.

This comes after the heightened tension between both countries since the terrorist attack on tourists in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) Pahalgam area.

For the unversed, the Junior Hockey World Cup will run from November 28 to December 10 across Chennai and Madurai.

With 23 teams competing, the pool stage will run over five days, with December 3 set aside as a rest day. The crossover stage will take place afterward, leading up to the final match on December 10.

READ: Lionel Messi signs new contract with Inter Miami

Lionel Messi has agreed a contract extension with Inter Miami, which will see the Argentine superstar remain in Major League Soccer until the end of the 2028 season, the club confirmed on Thursday.

Inter Miami’s X feed posted a video of Messi signing a contract sitting at a table in the middle of the club’s new Freedom Park stadium, which is under construction, with the simple caption: “He’s Home.”

“It makes me really happy to stay here and to continue with this project that, besides being a dream, has become a beautiful reality — playing in this stadium, at Miami Freedom Park,” Messi, 38, said in a club statement.

“Since I arrived in Miami, I’ve been very happy, so I’m truly glad to keep going here,” Messi added.

Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham said Messi’s decision to extend reflected his “commitment to the city, to the club, to the game”.

“He’s still as committed as he’s ever been and he still wants to win,” Beckham said. “As owners to have a player that loves the game as much as he does, and who has done as much for the game in this country and to inspire the next generation of young talent as he has, we feel very lucky.”

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The World Cup-winner’s current contract expires at the end of the 2025 MLS season.

A new deal had been viewed as a formality after club sources told AFP last month that the franchise had reached an agreement on an extension.

Messi’s contract ensures he will remain in competitive action until and long after the 2026 World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The tournament gets under way on June 11, with the final to be played at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19.

Messi moved to Inter Miami in 2023 after an unhappy spell at Paris Saint-Germain, but the bulk of his stellar career was spent at Barcelona, where he played from 2004 to 2021 after coming through the youth system at the Spanish giants.

At Barcelona, he won the La Liga title 10 times and lifted the UEFA Champions League trophy on four occasions.

In 2022, he led Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar and has expressed a desire to try to retain the trophy next year.

He has scored 114 international goals and also won the Copa America twice with Argentina, in 2021 and 2024.

READ: Bangladesh thump West Indies to clinch ODI series

MIRPUR: Soumya Sarkar and Saif Hassan’s gutsy knocks, backed by a clinical bowling performance, powered Bangladesh to a 179-run victory over West Indies in the final ODI of the three-match series here on Thursday.

With this victory, the Tigers won the series 2-1, marking their first after losing four consecutive away series.

Set 297, West Indies batting faltered under pressure and were bowled out for a mere 117 in 30.1 overs.

The visitors’ chase started on a shaky note as they lost their top three batters inside eight overs.

Nasum Ahmed ran through the top-order, trapping Alick Athanaze and Ackeem Auguste for 15 and nought respectively. As a result, West Indies were reduced to 28-2 in 6.2 overs.

Soon after, Nasum castled Brandon King for 18 to put Bangladesh on top of the game.

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Following the early hiccups, the visitors’ batting lineup could not handle the slide, with Bangladesh spinners tormenting through the middle-order.

Akeal Hosein remained the top-scorer with 27 from 15, striking four boundaries and a maximum.

For Bangladesh, it was an all-round bowling effort; however, Nasum Ahmed and Rishad Hossain — player of the series, stood out with three wickets each.

Earlier, after opting to bat first, Bangladesh racked up 296-8 in their allocated 50 overs.

Saif Hassan and Soumya Sarkar forged a 176-run partnership for the opening wicket, which set the tone for Bangladesh to finish strong.

Hassan made 81 from 72 balls, studded with half a dozen fours and the same number of sixes, while Sarkar struck seven fours and four maximums on his way to 91 from 81 balls.

For West Indies, Akeal Hosein starred with the ball, picking up four wickets in his quota of 10 overs while giving away 41.

READ: PCB issues termination notice to Multan Sultans

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has issued a termination notice to Pakistan Super League (PSL) team Multan Sultans, with the contents of the notice now surfacing, sources revealed to ARY News on Thursday.

According to the sources, the franchise faces the risk of termination from the PSL if it fails to provide a satisfactory response to the notice within the given timeframe.

The notice reportedly accuses Multan Sultans of repeatedly violating contractual obligations and damaging the reputation of the PSL.

Serious allegations include claims that the team’s owner encouraged aggressive play, even announcing a $1,000 reward for hitting an opposing player’s helmet with a ball — a video of which is said to be circulating on social media.

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PCB sources stated that Multan Sultans allegedly used delaying tactics in the PSL valuation process, failed to provide input during official meetings, and caused reputational harm to the league through social media activity.

As per the PSL contract, no franchise is allowed to take actions that could harm the league’s image or credibility, the notice reportedly reminds the team.

Meanwhile, sources said the valuation process of the PSL, which saw a record 3.4 billion views during Season 10, is expected to be completed within the current week.

The bidding and inclusion process for new teams is also likely to be finalized by December, with two additional franchises expected to join PSL Season 11.

Meanwhile, Multan Sultans, in its defence, described the PCB’s actions as an attempt to silence constructive criticism.

“Every statement he has made has been in the best interest of the PSL, urging the league to aim higher and do better,” the team said in a statement, calling the notice “outrageous” and reflective of “pettiness within the current management.”

READ: South Africa thump Pakistan in Rawalpindi Test to level series

KARACHI: In a bid to bolster sports activities, the Sindh government has decided to host more than 22 mega sports events across the province from the last week of October till June 2026.

The decision was taken during a key meeting chaired by Sindh Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs,  Sardar Muhammad Bux Mahar, which was also attended by Sports Secretary Munawar Ali Mahesar, Chief Engineer Aslam Mahar, Sindh Olympic Association officials Ahmed Ali Rajput, Asghar Baloch, Ali Dino Gopang, and others.

The meeting reviewed preparations for the 35th National Games and the upcoming Sindh Games 2026, along with other major events such as the ‘Thar Jeep Rally’.

Following the meeting, Sardar Mahar shed light on the planning of the forthcoming events.

“For the first time, the Sindh government will organize the Sindh E-Sports Championship in Karachi next month, featuring young gamers from across the country,” he said.

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He further said that under the theme “Hoslay Kamal Ke” (Spirit of Excellence), the Sindh Special Games will be held in November, featuring athletes with disabilities from all over the province.

“Sindh will also host the Youth Science and Technology Expo 2025 in Karachi during the last week of November, while a Taekwondo, Karate, and Table Tennis Tournament is set to take place in Karachi’s South district later this month.”

Meanwhile, Thatta will host a two-day Kohistan Bull Cart Race in November, and a major Futsal Championship titled “Jazba Junoon” will kick off in early November in Karachi.

Sardar Mahar added that the 19th Sindh Games 2026 and Thar Jeep Rally will be held in Ghotki in January.

He said the “Youth Science and Technology Festival” will bring together students from public and private universities, industry experts, and innovators from across Karachi, allowing young scientists to showcase their projects and connect with the country’s industrial sector.

“Providing opportunities for youth engagement in positive activities is a top priority of the Sindh government,” he concluded.

READ: South Africa suffer double blow ahead of white-ball series against Pakistan

South Africa suffered a major setback ahead of the white-ball series against Pakistan, as stand-in T20I skipper David Miller and all-rounder Gerald Coetzee have been ruled out due to injuries.

Miller was ruled out of the tour due to a hamstring strain, scans revealing a grade one tear. He will miss the tour and undergo a rehabilitation program.

Meanwhile, Donovan Ferreira, who captained South Africa in the one-off T20I in Namibia, will lead them in the format.

All-rounder Coetzee, who was included in both T20I and ODI squads, is also out of the tour after a pectoral muscle injury. The 25-year-old will undergo a rehab program. Ottniel Baartman has been named as his replacement in the ODIs.

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Following the injuries, Matthew Breetzke and Tony de Zorzi, who are yet to play in T20Is, have been added to the squad.

The T20I series will commence on October 28 in Rawalpindi, followed by two matches in Lahore on October 31 and November 1.

South Africa Updated Squad

T20I squad: Donovan Ferreira (captain), Ottneil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Reeza Hendricks, George Linde, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Andile Simelane, and Lizaad Williams

ODI squad: Matthew Breetzke (captain), Ottneil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira, Bjorn Fortuin, George Linde, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Sinethemba Qeshile, and Lizaad Williams

South Africa Tour of Pakistan

October 28 — First T20I at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi

October 31 — Second T20I at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

November 1 — Third T20I at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

November 4 — First ODI at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad

November 6 — Second ODI at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad

November 8 — Third ODI at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad

READ: Short, Connolly star as Australia beat India to clinch ODI series

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has granted No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for players participating in the Big Bash League (BBL) 15.

According to a report, seven Pakistan cricketers are set to feature in the 15th edition of the tournament.

This comes after the PCB had suspended the NOCs for players to participate in the overseas T20 leagues on 30 September 2025.

“With the approval of Chairman PCB, all No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for players with respect to participation in leagues and other out-of-country tournaments are hereby put on hold until further orders,” the board had said.

However, the reason behind the decision was unknown, with reports stating that PCB wanted to link the NOCs to a performance-based system.

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For the unversed, the BBL starts on 14th December, with major Pakistani stars like Shaheen Afridi, Babar Azam, and Mohammad Rizwan set to feature in the league.

Earlier today, Sydney Sixers rolled out a grand welcome for Pakistan’s batting superstar Babar Azam, announcing the launch of a special fan zone titled “Babaristan” ahead of the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) season.

The franchise made the announcement across its social media platforms with the caption, “Introducing Babaristan — A Fan Zone Like No Other,” sparking excitement among cricket fans both in Australia and Pakistan.

Babar’s inclusion has already created a wave of anticipation, with the Sixers’ fanbase preparing to turn sections of the stands into “Babaristan,” a symbolic nod to Pakistan’s deep-rooted cricket passion.

The upcoming edition of the tournament promises to be a star-studded affair, featuring 44 matches between December 14, 2025, and January 25, 2026.

The tournament opener will see the Perth Scorchers take on the Sydney Sixers in a blockbuster encounter at Perth Stadium.

Besides Babar, pacer Shaheen Afridi was picked by Brisbane Heat as the first overseas and platinum pick, while Mohammad Rizwan joined the Melbourne Renegades.

Haris Rauf will continue with the Melbourne Stars, Shadab Khan will represent the Sydney Thunder, Hasan Ali has joined the Adelaide Strikers, and all-rounder Hassan Khan will return to the Renegades.

READ: Sydney Sixers unveil ‘Babaristan’ fan zone to welcome Babar Azam