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LAHORE: Multan Sultans owner Ali Tareen have submitted a proposal to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to strengthen the tournament through better governance, transparency, and partnerships.

This comes after the rift between PCB and Multan Sultans. The board had accused Tareen of breaching several clauses of the 10-year contract and demanded a public apology and retraction of his statements.

Following the PCB notice, Ali Tareen responded with a sarcastic apology video, criticising the board’s management and communication approach.

Now, Tareen has written a letter to PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, acknowledging the recent tensions and aiming to rebuild trust through structural reforms.

Tareen reasserted the franchise’s long-standing commitment to the league and highlighted the concerns regarding ad hoc decision-making.

He further stressed the need for better management experience and called for institutional processes and accountability.

Among the four key reforms are franchise representation on PSL committees and working groups. Moreover, the letter also mentions Formal inclusion of every franchise so policies reflect the league’s collective experience across scheduling, recruitment, ticketing, marketing, and match-day operations.

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The proposal also notes the need to establish a structured approach for franchises to add value to each part of the PSL’s planning and implementation.

Ali Tareen also urged the board to look at franchise participation in defining roles, vetting candidates, and providing input prior to selection to improve merit-based recruitment and professional standards.

“The PSL can attract top regional talent and should not rely primarily on current or former PCB employees,” the letter read.

“A clear organizational chart with defined departments for operations, marketing, fan engagement, player affairs, and finance, led by a qualified executive team,” it added.

Tareen also emphasized monthly meetings in the proposal to increase mutual collaboration.

“Monthly meetings on fixed dates with agendas circulated in advance, minutes recorded and shared, and action points tracked across finances, operations, marketing, ticketing, player affairs, and fan engagement. This will increase accountability and collaboration.”

The franchise aimed to take PSL to the next level by aligning with all stakeholders.

“The proposal emphasizes partnership over control and aligns all stakeholders around the shared goal of building a globally respected league for Pakistan and its fans.

After a successful decade, Multan Sultans feel it is time to take the PSL to the next level,” it concluded.

READ: Travis Head issues bold statement ahead of T20I series against India

Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan has reportedly declined to sign his central contract, making him the only player among the 30 contracted cricketers who has yet to do so, sources revealed on Tuesday.

According to details, all other players have signed their respective contracts, but Rizwan has withheld his signature after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) allegedly turned down a few of his personal demands.

“There’s currently no indication that the PCB will revisit Rizwan’s requests,” said one source familiar with the development.

For the unversed, Rizwan was included in Category B of the new central contracts, which also features nine other players, including star batter Babar Azam.

Notably, no cricketer was placed in Category A this time around.

The development comes shortly after Rizwan’s removal as Pakistan’s ODI captain, with Shaheen Shah Afridi taking charge ahead of the upcoming home series against South Africa.

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Mohammad Rizwan was appointed Pakistan’s white-ball captain in October 2024, replacing Babar Azam.

He initially impressed with a series of strong results, including ODI series victories against Australia and South Africa away from home.

However, his stint in the T20I format faltered as Pakistan lost all four matches under his leadership, prompting the PCB to strip him of that role while retaining him as ODI captain.

His ODI captaincy tenure also came under scrutiny after Pakistan failed to qualify for the knockout stage of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, followed by a 3-0 whitewash against New Zealand and a 2-1 series defeat to the West Indies.

In total, Rizwan captained Pakistan in 20 ODIs, winning nine and losing 11, finishing with a 45% win ratio.

READ: Suryakumar Yadav provides update on Shreyas Iyer’s injury

Australia’s explosive opening batter, Travis Head, has sent a strong message to India ahead of their five-match T20I series, stating that they can score any total.

The series between two power-packed sides will begin tomorrow at the Manuka Oval. Mitchell Marsh will captain the Australia side while Suryakumar Yadav will lead India.

Speaking to Cricket Australia on the eve of the opening match, Head named the big power hitters in the lineup and stressed an aggressive approach.

“When you’ve got the power that we’ve got behind us, you’ve got to get a move on,” the left-hander remarked.

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“You don’t want to be chewing up balls at the start when you’ve got guys like Tim David, Marcus Stoinis, Josh Inglis, Cameron Green, and Glenn Maxwell behind you. It’s huge power,” he continued.

Travis Head expressed confidence in scoring above par totals and to go all out from the onset as per the modern-day cricket demands.

“We can score anything if we get going,” Head said. “For Mitch (Marsh) and me, the plan is to make the most of the Powerplay. It’s been a strength of ours in both ODIs and T20s. We try not to be reckless, but sometimes it might look that way. The goal is to get as many runs as possible early on.”

READ: Kamran Akmal predicts Pakistan’s playing XI for first T20I

Suryakumar Yadav, captain of India’s T20I team, announced on Tuesday that middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer is stable and has been in communication with the team from the hospital after suffering a lacerated spleen.

Iyer, 30, sustained the injury as he pulled off a sensational catch to remove Alex Carey, a key moment in the third one-day international against Australia that India won by nine wickets in Sydney.

The Indian ODI vice-captain was forced off the field and hospitalised.

“I have been talking to him over the last two days, he has been replying,” Suryakumar told journalists ahead of the team’s first T20 international in Canberra on Wednesday.

“It’s looking good,” Suryakumar said. “They will keep him under observation for a few days.”

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He added that doctors and physiotherapists described the injury as “rare”.

“But rare things happen to rare talent. God is with him, and he will recover soon, and we will take him along with us.”

Iyer is being closely monitored by the medical team of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

He is not part of India’s T20 squad, which will play five matches in Australia that will serve as a tune-up for the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka in February-March.

He has scored 2,917 runs from 73 ODIs at an average of 47.81 since his ODI debut in 2017.

READ: Kamran Akmal predicts Pakistan’s playing XI for first T20I

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal has unveiled his predicted playing XI for the national team’s opening T20I against South Africa, scheduled later today at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Akmal announced his playing XI on his official X account, featuring uncapped spin bowler Usman Tariq and excluding leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed from the lineup.

He also included pacer Mohammad Wasim Jr, who has featured in 29 T20Is for Pakistan and claimed 36 wickets at an economy of 8.14.

Catch Pakistan vs South Africa news updates here!

He has been part of several recent squads of Pakistan but has struggled to lock down a permanent spot in the playing XI. His last appearance came against New Zealand in Christchurch in January 2024.

Tariq has garnered attention for his impressive performances in franchise leagues. He represented the Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), where he took 12 wickets in 10 matches.

Following that, he made a strong impact in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2025, finishing as the second-highest wicket-taker with 20 wickets in 10 matches for the champion team, Trinbago Knight Riders.

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Akmal’s predicted XI also includes Babar Azam, who is set to make his long-awaited return to international cricket.

The prolific right-hander stands just shy of surpassing India’s Rohit Sharma to become the leading run-scorer in T20I history.

Kamran Akmal’s predicted XI for the first T20I

Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Salman Ali Agha (c), Hassan Nawaz, Usman Khan (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Usman Tariq.

READ: Rizwan looks forward to ‘competitive’ BBL stint with Melbourne Renegades

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has revealed the lineup of match officials for the semi-finals of the Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, with England, South Africa, Australia, and India set to vie for a spot in the grand finale later this week.

The first semi-final, scheduled for October 29 in Guwahati, will see England take on South Africa.

Australia’s Eloise Sheridan and the West Indies’ Jacquline Williams have been appointed as on-field umpires for the high-stakes encounter.

Both officials have had an active role throughout the group stage.

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Sheridan oversaw England’s commanding 10-wicket win over South Africa as well as the Proteas’ victory against Pakistan.

Meanwhile, Williams stood in South Africa’s triumphs against India and Bangladesh and England’s mixed outings against India and Australia.

Vrinda Rathi will serve as the third umpire, Claire Polosak as the fourth, with GS Lakshmi acting as match referee.

The second semi-final, set for October 30 at Dr DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, promises a blockbuster as hosts India face table-toppers Australia.

South Africa’s Lauren Agenbag and England’s Sue Redfern will be the on-field umpires for the much-anticipated clash.

Catch ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 news updates here!

Agenbag has officiated several of India’s group matches, including fixtures against Pakistan, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, while Redfern featured during Australia’s record-breaking chase against India earlier in the tournament.

Kim Cotton will serve as the third umpire, Nimali Perera as the fourth, and Michell Pereira will oversee proceedings as match referee.

In terms of standings, Australia marched into the knockouts unbeaten to top the table, while India secured the final semi-final berth by finishing fourth.

England, buoyed by a dominant win over New Zealand, ended second, setting up a rematch with South Africa, who clinched third place.

READ: Mohammad Rizwan looks forward to BBL stint with Melbourne Renegades

Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan has expressed his excitement to don the Melbourne Renegades colours in the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) 15.

In a video shared by the BBL’s official social media handles, Rizwan opened up about his admiration for Australian cricket and his hunger for new challenges.

“Look, my career, I always love challenges,” Rizwan said.

“And I have seen the cricket of Australia. The way I have played against these guys, they are challenging players. I love the way they play.”

The Pakistan star praised the Australian cricketing mindset, highlighting their discipline and clarity in execution.

“It doesn’t matter what the world is doing; Australian players always stick to their plans. Whatever they decide, they go for it, no matter the situation,” he added.

Set to join a new dressing room for the first time in a major franchise league outside Asia, Mohammad Rizwan shared his enthusiasm about integrating into the Renegades setup and learning from the experience.

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“I always love challenges, the atmosphere of the stadium, the people, the cricketers, I love them all,” he added.

“The cricket in the Big Bash is very competitive; it’s not easy cricket. Every game tests you.”

Calling the Renegades his “new family,” Rizwan expressed confidence that the experience would be both enjoyable and rewarding.

“Yes, the Renegades might be a new family for me, but they have a great history. We’ll enjoy our time together, let’s see what happens there,” he concluded.

The 15th season of the Big Bash League is set to begin on December 14, 2025, featuring 44 matches.

The opening fixture will see Perth Scorchers take on Sydney Sixers at the Perth Stadium, a contest that will also mark Babar Azam’s much-anticipated BBL debut.

READ: Pakistan wrestler Hasan Ali advances to Asian Youth Games Quarter-finals

MANAMA: Pakistan’s young wrestler, Hasan Ali, started his Asian Youth Games 2025 campaign strong by defeating Marafi Abdul Rahman of Jordan 6-4 in his opening bout, qualifying for the quarter-finals of the 71kg category.

Hasan will now face Bazaarzada of Tajikistan in his quarterfinal clash, scheduled to take place within the next 30 minutes.

The promising wrestler is part of a two-member Pakistani wrestling squad competing at the continental event, alongside Muhammad Abdullah (65kg), who will take the mat on October 29 against S. Aliyev of Azerbaijan.

All mat wrestling bouts are being held at 12:00 PM Pakistan Standard Time, while beach wrestling events are set for October 30, featuring additional Pakistani participants.

In preparation for the Games, the Pakistan Wrestling Federation (PWF) organized a two-month national training camp in Gujranwala, where the wrestlers trained under the supervision of coach and secretary general Inam Butt.

Inam Butt earlier expressed full faith in his young wrestlers.

“Our young wrestlers are fully prepared to give their best today. Insha’Allah, they will win medals and raise the green crescent flag high for Pakistan,” he stated.

Pakistan has sent a 53-member contingent to the ongoing Asian Youth Games 2025, being held in Bahrain from October 22 to 31.

The country has already opened its medal tally with a bronze in the boys’ kabaddi event.

The tournament marks the third edition of the Asian Youth Games, bringing together young athletes from across the continent to compete in a wide range of disciplines.

READ: Lionel Messi breaks silence on World Cup 2026 participation

Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal could miss more than two months after the La Liga leaders said Monday he needed further knee surgery.

Real captain Carvajal came back from injury to play as a substitute in Madrid’s 2-1 win over Barcelona on Sunday.

But the 33-year-old defender will miss the Champions League trip to Liverpool next week, and is likely to be sidelined for Manchester City’s visit to the Santiago Bernabeu on December 10.

“Following tests carried out on our captain, Dani Carvajal, by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with the presence of a loose body in his right knee joint. Carvajal will now undergo an arthroscopy,” said Madrid in a statement.

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The club did not specify his expected absence period; however, it is believed that the right-back’s absence will last upwards of six weeks, potentially sidelining him until January 2026.

Dani Carvajal suffered a severe knee injury in the same leg in 2024 and had an operation, which kept him out for most of last season.

Spanish media reports suggested the Spanish right-back could miss between six and 10 weeks, meaning he will not feature in his country’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers in November.

READ: Lionel Messi breaks silence on World Cup 2026 participation

The talented wrestlers from Pakistan are set to launch their campaign today at the Asian Youth Games 2025, taking place in Manama, Bahrain.

The national team features Hassan Ali (71kg) and Muhammad Abdullah (65kg), both determined to make an impression against Asia’s finest young grapplers.

Hassan will compete in his pre-quarterfinal bout today (October 27) against Marafi Abdul Rahman of Jordan, while Abdullah will take the mat on October 29 to face S. Aliyev of Azerbaijan.

According to the event schedule, all mat wrestling bouts will begin at 12:00 PM Pakistan Standard Time (PST), while beach wrestling competitions are slated for October 30, where Pakistani wrestlers will also be seen in action.

In preparation for the Games, the Pakistan Wrestling Federation (PWF) conducted a two-month national training camp in Gujranwala, focusing on technique, endurance, and mental conditioning under the supervision of coach and secretary general Inam Butt.

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Speaking ahead of the opening bout, Inam Butt expressed confidence in his young squad’s preparation.

“Our wrestlers are fully prepared to give their best today. Insha’Allah, they will win medals and raise the green crescent flag high for Pakistan,” he said.

The PWF has called on the nation to extend prayers and support for its athletes as they aim to bring home laurels from Bahrain.

Pakistan has sent a 53-member contingent to the Asian Youth Games 2025, which are being held in Bahrain from October 22 to 31.

The country has already opened its account at the event, claiming a bronze medal in the boys’ kabaddi competition.

The Asian Youth Games 2025 mark the third edition of the multi-sport event, featuring young athletes from across the continent competing in a wide range of disciplines

READ: Real Madrid’s Carvajal ruled out of Liverpool clash with knee injury