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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) aims to sell Multan Sultans ahead of the start of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11, Cricinfo reported on Sunday.

A month earlier, the PCB had said that it would take charge of the franchise for the upcoming season and auction it after the tournament.

“As soon as the PSL ends, we will auction the franchise off, and in the next eight to ten days, we will appoint an acting head to run the franchise,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi stated.

The decision was taken after the former owner of the Multan Sultans, Ali Tareen, decided not to renew the franchise agreement for the next decade.

However, according to the report, the board is considering selling the outfit as soon as possible.

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“The PCB is in active discussions to sell off the franchise as soon as legally possible. The proposal has the support of senior officials at the PCB and the PSL, with a final sign-off required by chairman Mohsin Naqvi,” the report quoted.

The decision is likely to be driven by record bids received during the historic auction for two new franchises — Hyderabad and Sialkot.

Following the conclusion of the auction, Naqvi vowed to run Sultans amid financial speculations.

“I took a challenge, and that is that there were a lot of claims on social media that the team was in losses. So I, and all of the team, decided that we will show you how much profit this business offers, publish the numbers before going for the auction,” Naqvi stated.

“The pressure has started to be built up on me to sell out the team,” he said in a light-hearted manner while referring to Naseer.

It is worth noting that Sultans were first acquired by the Dubai-based Schon Group in 2017 under an eight-year contract worth $5.2 million.

However, the deal was terminated after a year due to the franchisee’s inability to meet its financial obligations under the agreement.

READ: PSL 11 players draft: tentative date revealed

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11 players’ draft is expected to take place on January 30, with preparations already underway ahead of the expanded edition of the tournament, sources told on Saturday.

According to insiders, PSL management is working to complete all procedural and administrative matters well in advance to ensure a smooth and timely draft process.

While the venue and final date are yet to be announced officially, sources revealed that the event has been tentatively scheduled during a one-day gap in the Pakistan-Australia T20I series, i.e., January 30.

Notably, PSL has officially expanded ahead of season 11 in a historic auction, with Hyderabad and Sialkot confirmed as the two new franchises following a high-stakes auction held at the Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad.

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The two teams will make their debut in PSL season 11, joining the existing six franchises: Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, Peshawar Zalmi, Quetta Gladiators, Islamabad United, and Multan Sultans.

FKS Group acquired the Sialkot franchise for Rs1.75 billion, while OZ Developers secured the Hyderabad team for Rs1.85 billion. The official names of the Hyderabad and Sialkot teams will be announced at a later stage.

The 11th edition of the PSL is scheduled to run from March 26 to May 3, 2026.

READ: Shubman Gill breaks silence on T20 World Cup 2026 exclusion

VADODARA: India’s Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill addressed his surprising omission from the national squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 ahead of the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, starting Sunday.

The 26-year-old batter, who scored just 291 runs in his last 15 T20Is at an average of 24.25, was left out of the 15-member squad as selectors opted for a more attacking top order for the mega-event.

Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, and Ishan Kishan were preferred for India’s top three slots in the shortest format.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Gill described the decision as part of “destiny” and said he respected the selectors’ call.

“Firstly, it is my belief that in my life, I am where I am supposed to be. Whatever is written in my destiny, I will have it,” Gill said.

“As a player, you have a belief that if you play the World Cup, you will win for your team, you will win for your country.

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“But having said that, I respected the selectors’ decision, whichever decision they took, wishing the T20 team all the very best and I really, really hope that they win the [T20] World Cup for us.”

India, defending champions of the T20 World Cup, will look to continue their dominance despite Gill’s absence. Notably, the marquee event will be played across India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.

Turning his focus to the ODI series, Shubman Gill acknowledged the presence of stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the squad as major support.

The duo, who retired from T20Is after leading India to glory in the 2024 T20 World Cup in Barbados and subsequently stepped away from Tests in 2025, now play only in the ODI format.

“Definitely, when you have these two people in your team, it makes your life a lot easier,” Gill said.

“And whenever you are in a tough situation, they always have been in those kinds of situations and conditions many times in their life, so you can always go to them and see how they are thinking or what they would do, and that piece of information is very valuable for any captain.”

READ: Usman Khawaja shines on BBL return as Heat cruise past Thunder

Carlos Alcaraz beat his great rival Jannik Sinner in a light-hearted sell-out exhibition match in South Korea on Saturday ahead of the Australian Open.

Eight days before the Melbourne Grand Slam and in their first appearances this year, the Spanish world number one won 7-5, 7-6 (8/6) in front of an enthusiastic 12,000 crowd in Incheon.

Neither will play competitively until the Australian Open, where Italy’s world number two Sinner is the defending two-time champion.

South Korean organisers have not said how much the two players earned, but reports in Italy suggest each could pocket more than $2 million for the match that lasted one hour and 47 minutes.

It was not always entirely serious; the smiling duo treated a packed house to some trick shots between their legs, drawing cheers, and reacting to calls from the crowd by making heart gestures.

“Jannik, we finished the season playing together. We started the season playing together,” Alcaraz said on court afterwards.

“So hopefully this season is going to be such a good one like last year. You deserve the best.”

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Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have taken a stranglehold on men’s tennis over the past two years, splitting all four Grand Slam titles between them in 2024 and 2025.

“It was a close match, so a little bit of tension also,” said Sinner.

“We were just happy to be here for the first time, seeing something new. It made us feel at home, and we felt it on the court.”

Arch competitors on the court but good friends off it, Alcaraz has the upper hand in their rivalry and came into the exhibition boasting a 10-6 head-to-head record.

They will be the favourites when the Australian Open starts in Melbourne on January 18, when the serious work begins.

Alcaraz, who at 22 is two years younger than Sinner, has never gone beyond the quarter-finals at the first Grand Slam of the year, and it is the only major he has failed to win.

READ: Harper, Rogers power Stars past Renegades in Melbourne derby

Sam Harper and Thomas Rogers struck commanding half-centuries as Melbourne Stars cruised to a dominant win over the Renegades in the Big Bash League (BBL) 15 derby at Docklands Stadium on Saturday.

Stars captain Marcus Stoinis won the toss and opted to bowl, a decision that paid dividends early when Tom Curran removed in-form opener Tim Seifert for three in the second over.

Josh Brown attempted to anchor the Renegades innings and kept the scoreboard ticking despite wickets falling at regular intervals.

Hassan Khan and Mohammad Rizwan offered brief resistance with 23 and 21, respectively, but Brown remained the lone bright spot before he was trapped lbw by Peter Siddle in the 18th over.

Brown top-scored with a fighting 80 off 50 balls, which included seven fours and four sixes, as the Renegades posted 166-7 in their 20 overs.

Stoinis led the bowling effort with three wickets, while Haris Rauf claimed two. Curran and Siddle chipped in with one apiece to keep the Renegades in check.

In reply, the Stars made a flying start through Harper and Rogers, who added 84 runs in just 45 balls for the opening wicket.

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Rogers played the aggressor, smashing a rapid 53 off 24 deliveries, featuring four fours and four sixes, before a mix-up led to his dismissal.

Campbell Kellaway’s stay was short-lived, and his departure brought Glenn Maxwell to the crease.

Maxwell combined with Harper in an unbroken 78-run partnership that took the game away from the Renegades.

Harper anchored the chase with an unbeaten 84 off 51 balls, striking eight fours and four sixes, as the Stars sealed an eight-wicket victory with 25 balls to spare.

The result lifted Melbourne Stars from third to second place on the BBL 15 points table, strengthening their push for a playoff berth.

The Renegades, meanwhile, remained seventh despite suffering defeat after back-to-back wins. While their position leaves little margin for error, they are still mathematically in contention heading into their remaining fixtures.

READ: Final squads announced for ICC U19 World Cup 2026

BERLIN: Drew McIntyre defeated Cody Rhodes on Friday night to win the Undisputed WWE Championship in a brutal Three Stages of Hell match on SmackDown at the Uber Arena in Berlin, Germany.

The highly anticipated clash was the culmination of a rivalry that had been simmering for months.

McIntyre had last challenged Rhodes for the title on the November 1 edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event, where the champion retained after pinning the Scottish Warrior with a DDT on the title belt, followed by a Cross Rhodes.

Following continued attacks on the champion, SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis suspended McIntyre indefinitely.

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The former champion, however, made a dramatic return by interfering in Rhodes’ match against Oba Femi on the December 13 episode of Saturday Night’s Main Event, reigniting the feud.

Tensions escalated further when Rhodes attacked McIntyre at his home, setting the stage for Friday’s title showdown. As part of the stipulation, McIntyre was allowed to choose the stipulation for the match, and he chose the Three Stages of Hell match.

The opening fall was contested under standard rules. Drew McIntyre capitalised on a referee distraction, caused after exposing the top turnbuckle, to deliver a low blow, followed by a Claymore, to take the first fall.

Cody Rhodes responded in the second stage, a Falls Count Anywhere match that descended into chaos across the arena.

McIntyre put the champion through a table early, while Rhodes fought back with a daring frog splash from the crowd barrier. The champion eventually levelled the match by hitting a Cross Rhodes on the announce desk to secure the pinfall.

With the score tied 1-1, the steel cage was lowered for the decisive third stage. Both men, visibly exhausted, pushed themselves to the limit in a tense final stretch.

As McIntyre attempted to escape through the cage door, he was confronted by a hooded figure, revealed to be Jacob Fatu, who made a surprise return after being mysteriously attacked backstage in October.

Fatu entered the cage and attacked McIntyre before turning his attention to Rhodes. Amid the chaos, Drew McIntyre seized the opportunity to crawl out of the cage, securing the victory and the Undisputed WWE Championship.

READ: Usman Khawaja shines on BBL return as Heat cruise past Thunder

All 16 teams have finalised their squads for the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026, setting the stage for the marquee youth tournament scheduled to run from 15 January to 6 February in Namibia and Zimbabwe.

The 16th edition of the U19 World Cup will follow its established format, featuring 16 teams divided into four groups, a total of 41 matches, and a Super Six stage culminating in the semi-finals and final.

Group A brings together the most successful side in the tournament’s history, India, winners of five titles, alongside 2020 champions Bangladesh, New Zealand, and the USA.

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Group B includes co-hosts Zimbabwe, Pakistan, England, and Scotland, promising several high-profile contests in the opening round.

Defending champions Australia headline Group C, where they will face Sri Lanka, Ireland, and Japan.

Group D comprises South Africa, the West Indies, Afghanistan, and Tanzania, completing a balanced and competitive group stage lineup.

Squads for U19 World Cup 2026

GROUP A

Australia: Oliver Peake (c), Kasey Barton, Naden Cooray, Jayden Draper, Ben Gordon, Steven Hogan, Thomas Hogan, John James, Charles Lachmund, Will Malajczuk, Nitesh Samuel, Hayden Schiller, Aryan Sharma, William Taylor, Alex Lee Young

Ireland: Olly Riley (c), Reuben Wilson, Alex Armstrong, Callum Armstrong, Marko Bates, Sebastian Dijkstra, Thomas Ford, Samuel Haslett, Adam Leckey, Febin Manoj, Luke Murray, Robert O’Brien, Freddie Ogilby, James West, Bruce Whaley.

Reserves: Peter le Roux, William Shields

Japan: Kazuma Kato-Stafford (c), Charles Hara-Hinze, Gabriel Hara-Hinze, Montgomery Hara-Hinze, Kaisei Kobayashi-Doggett, Timothy Moore, Skyler Nakayama-Cook, Ryuki Ozeki, Nihar Parmar, Nikhil Pol, Chihaya Sekine, Hugo Tani-Kelly, Sandev Aaryan Waduge, Kai Wall, Taylor Waugh

Sri Lanka: Vimath Dinsara (c), Kavija Gamage, Dimantha Mahavithana, Viran Chamuditha, Dulnith Sigera, Chamika Heentigala, Adam Hilmy, Chamarindu Nethsara, Sethmika Seneviratne, Kugathas Mathulan, Rasith Nimsara, Vigneshwaran Akash, Jeewantha Sriram, Senuja Wekunagoda, Malintha Silva

GROUP B

Bangladesh: Azizul Hakim Tamim (c), Zawad Abrar, Samiun Basir Ratul, Sheikh Parvez Jibon, Rizan Hossan, Shaharia Al Amin, Shadin Islam, Md Abdullah, Farid Hasan Faysal, Kalam Siddiki Aleen, Rifat Beg, Saad Islam Razin, Al Fahad, Shahriar Ahmed, Iqbal Hossain.

Reserves: Abdur Rahim, Debashis Sarkar Deba, Rafi Uzzaman Rafi, Farhan Shahriar, Farzan Ahmed Alif, Sanjid Majumder, Md Sobuj

India: Ayush Mhatre (c), R.S. Ambrish, Kanishk Chouhan, D. Deepesh, Mohamed Enaan, Aaron George, Abhigyan Kundu, Kishan Kumar Singh, Vihaan Malhotra, Udhav Mohan, Henil Patel, Khilan A. Patel, Harvansh Singh, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Vedant Trivedi

New Zealand: Tom Jones (c), Marco Alpe, Hugo Bogue, Harry Burns, Mason Clarke, Jacob Cotter, Aryan Mann, Brandon Matzopoulos, Flynn Morey, Snehith Reddy, Callum Samson, Jaskaran Sandhu, Selwin Sanjay, Hunter Shore, Harry Waite

USA: Utkarsh Srivastava (c), Adnit Jhamb, Shiv Shani, Nitish Sudini, Advaith Krishna, Sahir Bhatia, Arjun Mahesh, Amrinder Gill, Sabrish Prasad, Adit Kappa, Sahil Garg, Amogh Reddy Arepally, Ritvik Appidi, Rayaan Taj, Rishabh Shimpi

GROUP C

England: Thomas Rew (c), Farhan Ahmed, Ralphie Albert, Will Bennison, Ben Dawkins, Caleb Falconer, Ali Farooq, Alex French, Alex Green, Luke Hands, Manny Lumsden, Ben Mayes, James Minto, Joe Moores, Sebastian Morgan

Pakistan: Farhan Yousaf (c), Usman Khan, Abdul Subhan, Ahmed Hussain, Ali Hasan Baloch, Ali Raza, Daniyal Ali Khan, Hamza Zahoor, Huzaifa Ahsan, Momin Qamar, Mohammad Sayyam, Mohammad Shayan, Niqab Shafiq, Sameer Minhas, Umar Zaib.

Reserves: Abdul Qadir, Farhanullah, Hassan Khan, Ibtisam Azhar, Mohammad Huzaifa

Scotland: Thomas Knight (c), Finlay Carter, Max Chaplin, George Cutler, Rory Grant, Finlay Jones, Ollie Jones, Olly Pillinger, Ethan Ramsay, Theo Robinson, Manu Saraswat, Ram Sharma, Shreyas Tekale, Shlok Thaker, Jake Woodhouse

Zimbabwe: Simbarashe Mudzengerere (c), Kian Blignaut, Michael Blignaut, Leeroy Chiwaula, Tatenda Chimugoro, Brendon Senzere, Nathaniel Hlabangana, Takudzwa Makoni, Panashe Mazai, Webster Madhidhi, Shelton Mazvitorera, Kupakwashe Muradzi, Brandon Ndiweni, Dhruv Patel, Benny Zuze

GROUP D

Afghanistan: Mahboob Khan (c), Khalid Ahmadzai, Osman Sadat, Faisal Khan, Uzairullah Niazai, Aziz Mia Khil, Nazif Amiri, Khatir Stanikzai, Nooristani, Abdul Aziz, Salam Khan, Wahid Zadran, Zaitullah Shaheen, Rohullah Arab, Hafieez Zadran.

Reserves: Aqil Khan, Fahim Qasemi, Izat Noor

South Africa: Muhammad Bulbulia (c), JJ Basson, Daniel Bosman, Corne Botha, Paul James, Enathi Khitshini Tembalethu, Michael Kruiskamp, Adnaan Lagadien, Bayanda Majola, Armaan Manack, Bandile Mbatha, Lethabo Phahlamohlaka, Jason Rowles, Ntandoyenkosi Soni, Jorich van Schalkwyk

Tanzania: Laksh Bakrania (c), Karim Kiseto, Hamza Ally, Khalidy Amiri, Abdulazak Mohamedi, Ayaan Shariff, Omary Ramadhani, Dylan Thakrar, Agustino Mwamele, Ally Hafidhi, Acrey Pascal (wk), Darpan Jobanputra, Mohammedi Simba, Raymond Francis, Alfred Daniel

West Indies: Joshua Dorne (c), Jewel Andrew, Shamar Apple, Shaquan Belle, Zachary Carter, Tanez Francis, R’jai Gittens, Vitel Lawes, Micah McKenzie, Matthew Miller, Isra-el Morton, Jakeem Pollard, Aadian Racha, Kunal Tilokani, Jonathan Van Lange.

Reserves: Brendan Boodoo, Tyriek Bryan, Earsinho Fontaine, Deshawn James

READ: Here’s the schedule for the ICC U19 World Cup 2026

BRISBANE: Recently retired Usman Khawaja marked his return to the Big Bash League (BBL) in style, producing a commanding knock to lead Brisbane Heat to a dominant victory over bottom-placed Sydney Thunder at The Gabba on Saturday.

The win kept the Heat firmly in the playoff hunt. Starting the day seventh on the BBL 15 points table, the home side climbed to fifth with the crucial result, while Thunder’s miserable campaign continued as they remained rooted to the bottom.

Thunder captain David Warner won the toss and opted to bat, becoming the first skipper to do so this season. He justified the decision with a fluent innings at the top, even as his side lost early wickets and slipped to 49-2 inside seven overs.

Warner found solid support in Sam Billings, with the pair adding 84 runs from 50 balls for the third wicket.

Warner dominated the stand with aggressive stroke play before his innings ended via a run-out. He top-scored for Thunder with 82 off 56 balls, laced with eight fours and three sixes.

Billings followed soon after, scoring 34 off 26, while Nic Maddinson added a quick 21 off 14.

However, Thunder failed to capitalise in the latter stages and were restricted to 180-6 in their allotted 20 overs.

Matt Renshaw picked up two wickets for Heat, with Xavier Bartlett, Matthew Kuhnemann and Thomas Balington claiming one apiece.

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In reply, Brisbane Heat came out firing as Jack Wildermuth and captain Usman Khawaja smashed 57 runs in just 23 balls to give the chase early momentum.

Daniel Sams broke the opening stand by dismissing Wildermuth, who hammered 39 off 15 deliveries, including three sixes and four fours.

Nathan McSweeney made a brief stay, scoring 12 off 10, before Khawaja combined with Renshaw to put the result beyond doubt. The duo added 93 runs from 56 balls for the third wicket in a decisive partnership.

Khawaja fell with only five runs required, denied a match-winning finish, but he had already done the damage with a superb 78 off 48 balls, featuring ten boundaries, seven fours and three sixes.

Renshaw remained unbeaten on 42 off 26, while Max Bryant sealed the win in emphatic fashion by smashing the first ball he faced for a six, as Heat crossed the line with 22 balls to spare.

For Thunder, Wes Agar, Daniel Sams and Chris Green picked up one wicket each, but the bowlers were unable to halt Heat’s charge on the night.

READ: Martin Guptill ‘excited’ after Kingsmen acquire PSL new team

Hosts Morocco beat Cameroon 2-0 in their Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final on Friday to stay on course to win the continental title for the second time in their history.

Brahim Diaz and Ismael Saibari scored the goals either side of half-time as Morocco set up a semi-final against the winners of Saturday’s last-eight clash between Algeria and Nigeria.

Real Madrid winger Diaz got the decisive touch to Ayoub El Kaabi’s 26th-minute header in front of more than 64,000 fans at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in the capital Rabat.

Diaz’s fifth goal in five matches at the tournament was followed by Saibari’s strike in the second half, with Morocco well worth their victory as they progress to a semi-final against the winner of Saturday’s clash between Algeria and Nigeria.

“It is historic. Moroccans have not seen their team in the semi-finals of an AFCON for 22 years,” said coach Walid Regragui.

“They deserve it, but we need to keep our feet on the ground and make this even more historic.”

Regragui was also full of praise for Diaz, adding, “Today he was the X-factor of my team. He has been amazing during the competition. Tonight, the way he ran and fought send out a message to the rest of the team.”

The semi-final promises to be a stiffer test for Morocco than that posed by Cameroon, who were hoping to spring an upset, having already exceeded expectations in coming this far after a troubled build-up to the tournament.

The Indomitable Lions, five-time African champions, created little with Manchester United forward Bryan Mbeumo struggling to make an impact.

Recently-appointed Cameroon coach David Pagou was nevertheless proud of his side in defeat.

“We are satisfied with how the boys played. We only started working with the team on December 16, not even a month ago, but they gave joy to the people of Cameroon,” Pagou said.

Morocco, Africa’s top-ranked team and World Cup semi-finalists in 2022, are under enormous pressure to win the Cup of Nations in front of their own fans, half a century after their last continental title.

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There have been doubts as to whether they can handle the weight of expectation, but they remain on course to achieve their objective.

It is the first time Morocco have reached the AFCON semi-finals since they lost the 2004 final to Tunisia.

The hosts were unchanged from their 1-0 last-16 win over Tanzania as they looked to continue an unbeaten record going back to their defeat by South Africa at the 2024 AFCON.

Fresh from knocking out South Africa in the last round here, Cameroon were clearly banking on frustrating Morocco as much as possible in an attempt to turn the crowd against the home side.

Morocco were beaten by the Cameroonians in the semi-finals the last time they hosted AFCON in 1988, but a repeat outcome never really looked likely.

Cameroon were not helped by the early loss of right wing-back Jackson Tchamadeu, who tried to carry on after Noussair Mazraoui landed heavily on his knee before eventually being stretchered off.

Moments after that, Morocco scored. Achraf Hakimi sent in a corner from the right, which was headed towards goal by El Kaabi at the near post, and the ball struck Diaz in the groin before going in.

That calmed a frenetic home support, who cheered their team off at the break after seeing Abde Ezzalzouli and El Kaabi come close to adding further goals.

Morocco were on top, and Cameroon’s response was to change formation after the break, from a back three to a 4-2-3-1, in an attempt to create more danger.

Ezzalzouli headed just over from a Hakimi corner, and then a cross by the Paris Saint-Germain star caused havoc in the Cameroon box as Samuel Kotto hooked the ball away from the line.

Mbeumo had appeals for a penalty dismissed by the Mauritanian referee before PSV Eindhoven’s Saibari fired in the killer second goal on 74 minutes after controlling Ezzalzouli’s dead-ball delivery, as Morocco march on to Wednesday’s semis.

READ: Aryna Sabalenka into third straight Brisbane final ahead of Australian Open

Aryna Sabalenka beat Karolina Muchova in straight sets to reach her third Brisbane International final in a row on Saturday, a week ahead of the Australian Open.

Sabalenka looked in great touch against the tricky Czech, who had won their last three meetings and went into the match as one of the few players with a winning record over the world number one.

But Sabalenka showed her class and power as she broke Muchova once in each set to take the semi-final 6-3, 6-4 in 89 minutes.

“I struggled against her a couple of times (in the past),” Sabalenka said.

“I’m happy that today I was focused from the beginning and I was able to show such great tennis and put her under so much pressure and get the win in straight sets. That’s just super great.”

The 27-year-old Belarusian said she could feel her level getting better with every match in Brisbane, where she is yet to drop a set.

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She said that with seven of the world’s top 10 having entered, it was ideal preparation for the Australian Open, which begins in Melbourne on January 18.

Aryna Sabalenka is aiming to win a third Australian Open in four years.

“I definitely feel that compared to the first match here, I’m playing better and better,” she said.

“That’s really important heading to Melbourne, to build that level, and to play some great matches against great opponents.

“So I’m super happy with the performance so far and cannot wait to play my final match here.”

Sabalenka, the defending champion, will play either fourth seed Jessica Pegula or Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk in Sunday’s final.

READ: Senegal outplay 10-man Mali to reach AFCON semi-finals