Sports
Comment: Will three teams be sold? | The Express Tribune
Most franchises are staying put. The problem lies with Multan Sultan
Alhore Qalandars extend PSL partnership. PHOTO: PCB
“You were saying this ‘game‘ was fixed and no action will be taken against Multan Sultans, Ali Tareen would remain the owner, soon we’d see a picture of him and Salman Naseer exchanging bouquets, and then everyone would live happily ever after. But now the deadline is almost here, and the Sultans’ issues remain unresolved.
Ali Tareen is hinting at a legal battle — that means things are really bad.”
When I said this to a friend who closely follows the PSL, he replied, “I gave my opinion after analyzing the situation, but perhaps I was wrong. Anyway, after waiting so long, wait another couple of days — everything will become clear.”
He said that and went quiet, but the questions in my mind regarding the Pakistan Super League remain.
Multan Sultans became the most expensive franchise in the league, paying 1.08 billion rupees annually.
On the field, their performance this year was poor, but off the field, owner Ali Tareen was hitting plenty of verbal sixes and fours.
Just as players get applause from fans, he did too — but he also had to face the displeasure of PCB officials. I’ve already written about the reasons in detail earlier, but now it seems the matter is reaching an unhappy conclusion.
In a day, the deadline will expire, and we’ll know which franchises are retaining their teams and who is going for rebidding.
Peshawar Zalmi confirmed first, Lahore Qalandars have verbally agreed, Karachi Kings have heavy stakes in the league so they can’t afford to withdraw, and Islamabad United and Quetta Gladiators have found PSL to be a golden goose — they’re not going anywhere either.
So, most franchises are staying put. The problem lies with Multan Sultans. The PCB didn’t even make them an offer to retain the team. Ali Tareen recently said that his messages are being ignored. Every PCB press release uses the term “eligible franchises,” which clearly suggests that it’s time to bid farewell to the Sultans.
By now, Ali likely realizes the seriousness of the situation. He might have thought that fiery statements on social media would save him, but that was a miscalculation.
If Ramiz Raja, Zaka Ashraf, or Najam Sethi were chairman, perhaps a phone call from his father would have fixed things — but Mohsin Naqvi is different; he doesn’t tolerate such behavior.
Ali Tareen thought he was being clever by only targeting Salman Naseer in his criticism, but his statements ultimately hurt the league itself — and no head of an institution can accept that. Now, there seems to be no room left for forgiveness, which is why he’s hinting at legal action. Reportedly, efforts were also made to get other franchises on his side, but few would risk jumping onto a sinking ship.
Although it seems unlikely, if somehow reconciliation happens at the last minute, the franchise fee will increase from 1.08 billion to 1.35 billion rupees. If they had to accept that increase anyway, why start the fight in the first place?
If the dispute continues, Ali Tareen will lose ownership and won’t even be allowed to participate in the rebidding. If he tries to front someone else — an uncle, cousin, or friend — what’s the point? It’ll be a case of “spent nothing, but broke the glass and paid twelve annas.”
Now we’ll see how the drama ends — will there only be two new teams, or will three franchises be sold?
Before departing, though, Multan Sultans have put other franchises in a tough spot too. The audit firm was given financials showing a profit, while several other franchises reported losses. The question arises — if a team paying over a billion rupees annually is profitable, how are the others in loss? Franchise fees have already gone up significantly, but since new teams haven’t yet been sold, it’s better not to discuss specific figures.
What I do know is that many owners are unhappy with how things are unfolding. They’ve held multiple meetings among themselves.
Questions are being raised:
On what formula were the fees increased?
What is the new financial model for new franchises?
Meetings with the audit firm weren’t very fruitful, but for now, no one wants open confrontation. The first priority for all is to retain ownership.
Imagine someone earning 100,000 rupees a month — if that’s divided among six family members and then two more join without any increase in income, the original ones end up losing out. The same applies here: along with revising the financial model, revenue streams must increase.
These franchise owners were the ones who stepped up when no one was willing to embrace the PSL. Ali Tareen joined later, but the others — Javed Afridi, Atif Rana, Sameen Rana, Nadeem Omar, Ali Naqvi, Salman Iqbal — were loyal partners from the very beginning. They deserve respect.
If any owner causes trouble over dues, handle it according to the law. But bring in new owners who aren’t just chasing fame — ones who won’t panic after seeing the first year’s accounts. Bring in people who can take the league to new heights.
Existing franchises, too, should look for new ways to help PSL grow. Only then can the league become bigger and stronger — otherwise, ten years from now, we’ll still be standing exactly where we are today.
Ounahi gave Girona the lead before half-time, but Mbappe equalised from the penalty spot
French forward Kylian Mbappe earned Real Madrid a point from the penalty spot. Photo: AFP
BARCELONA:
Real Madrid were held to a third consecutive La Liga draw in a 1-1 tie at Girona on Sunday, allowing Barcelona to retain pole position.
Azzedine Ounahi fired the hosts into a surprise lead before half-time, with Kylian Mbappe earning Madrid a point from the penalty spot.
After Barcelona beat Alaves on Saturday to move top of the table, Madrid needed a victory at Girona to reclaim top spot but now sit second, a point behind the champions.
Earlier Alberto Moleiro helped Villarreal, third, move back ahead of fourth-place Atletico Madrid with a stoppage time winner in a 3-2 victory at Real Sociedad.
Real Madrid’s draw increases the pressure on Madrid coach Xabi Alonso, after recent rumours suggesting his future is insecure in the Madrid dugout.
“We are up there, it’s all very even, it’s a long season and we have to continue,” Alonso told reporters.
“I liked the reaction from the players. It was not enough to turn it around but we were close, and we have to continue with the unity we have, being self-critical enough, and wanting to win away from home.”
Madrid travel to face Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday for a fourth consecutive league match on the road, a game moved because of the club’s participation in the Spanish Super Cup in January.
“The table will be hard-fought, there will be lots of movement,” added Alonso.
Mbappe and Arda Guler fired off target for Madrid early on in a hotly-contested but scrappy clash, in front of a raucous home crowd.
French superstar Mbappe had a goal ruled out for handball moments before Morocco international Ounahi fired Girona ahead, rifling home from just inside the area to stun their illustrious visitors.
Catalan minnows Girona, 18th, have twice beaten Real Madrid at Montilivi since making their top flight debut in 2017 and for a while it looked like they were going to manage it again.
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made a stunning save to tip away Vanat’s drive across goal before Los Blancos fought back.
After having a goal disallowed for offside Vinicius was clumsily felled in the box by Hugo Rincon.
Mbappe smashed the resulting penalty into the bottom left corner past Gazzaniga’s dive for his 14th La Liga goal of the campaign.
“Absolutely not the result we wanted tonight, but the league is still on and very long,” wrote Mbappe on social media network Instagram.
“We need to change this dynamic and show who we are as a team.”
Keeping the pressure on
Villarreal playmaker Moleiro netted twice in the second half of a thrilling game in San Sebastian.
Villarreal secured their fifth consecutive league win to stay firmly in the Spanish title fight.
Ayoze Perez sent the visitors ahead midway through the first half and teed up Moleiro for Villarreal’s second soon after the break.
Real Sociedad fought back strongly, with Carlos Soler netting on the hour mark.
The Basque side ramped up the pressure and levelled in the final stages through a spectacular Ander Barrenetxea free-kick.
However, Moleiro had the final say, firing home in the 95th minute to maintain his team’s momentum.
“We had that little bit of luck to get three very important points, as important as they were difficult (to get),” said Marcelino.
“To get 32 points out of a possible 42 to me seems a stunning achievement.”
Elsewhere, Real Betis claimed a 2-0 win at Sevilla in a fiery derby clash which was briefly suspended after home fans threw bottles onto the pitch.
The referee ordered players from the field in the 87th minute at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium, with the match resuming 15 minutes later as Betis held on to fifth place.
Star batsman Virat Kohli slammed a record-extending 52nd one-day international century, scoring 135 off 120 balls to lead India to a thrilling 17-run victory over a determined South Africa in the first ODI on Sunday at Ranchi.
Kohli shared a second-wicket partnership of 136 runs with fellow stalwart Rohit Sharma, setting India on course for a competitive 349-8.
South Africa’s number eight, Corbin Bosch, made a valiant 67 off 51 balls, keeping his team in contention until the final moments. Entering the 50th over, the visitors needed 18 runs with one wicket left, but Bosch fell on the second ball, leaving South Africa all out for 332.
Earlier, Matthew Breetzke (72) and Marco Jansen (70) had forged a fighting 97-run stand for the sixth wicket, reviving the chase after South Africa slipped to 11-3 and 77-4.
Kuldeep Yadav was the standout bowler for India, taking 4-68, including a crucial double strike to dismiss Jansen and Breetzke in just three balls—a turning point in the match that helped India secure a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Kohli, now 37, raised his 83rd international century across all three formats with a boundary off Jansen, celebrating with the raucous home crowd.
“If you’ve played over 300 games and so much cricket, you know your reflexes and physical ability are there to bat long,” said Kohli, the player of the match.
“As long as you’re hitting the ball well and playing good cricket, it’s about being physically fit, mentally ready, and excited.”
Kohli mania
An enthusiastic Indian fan breached security and ran onto the field to touch Virat Kohli’s feet before being restrained.
Kohli now holds the record for the most ODI hundreds, with Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar second with 49.
In a single format, he also leads the list, while Tendulkar’s 51 hundreds came in Tests.
Kohli and 38-year-old Rohit Sharma, who scored 57, now only play ODIs after retiring from T20s and Tests.
Their presence strengthened India, led by KL Rahul in the absence of the injured Shubman Gill, following a 2-0 Test series whitewash against South Africa.
Rohit lost fellow opener Yashasvi Jaiswal early for 18, but Kohli walked in to a roar from a 38,000-strong crowd.
The pair steadied the innings before Rohit was trapped lbw by Marco Jansen.
Rohit hit three sixes in his 51-ball knock, taking his total to 352 sixes in ODIs, surpassing Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi (351).
Kohli accelerated after reaching his first century since February, hitting off-spinner Prenelan Subrayen for two fours and two sixes in the 39th over, scoring 21 runs. He eventually fell to Nandre Burger, caught by Ryan Rickelton, after hitting 11 fours and seven sixes.
KL Rahul contributed 60 off 56 balls, while Ravindra Jadeja added 32 off 20.
Corbin Bosch recorded his first ODI half-century, keeping South Africa in the contest, making the series opener an exciting match ahead of the second ODI in Raipur on Wednesday.
“Great to sit in the change room and watch the guys do their thing,” said stand-in skipper Aiden Markram. “Never losing the belief that we can pull off a rabbit from the hat.”
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The Denver Broncos and Washington Commanders’ matchup on Sunday featured several great plays, but the most impactful came in overtime.
It didn’t take long for the Broncos to score. Bo Nix made four completions, including a 41-yard pass to Evan Engram, and then handed the ball off to running back RJ Harvey, who scored from five yards out to take a 27-20 lead.
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Denver Broncos running back RJ Harvey celebrates after scoring during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, in Landover, Maryland. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, in Landover, Maryland. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota created some late-game heroics. He found Deebo Samuel on 3rd-and-14 for a 38-yard gain. He connected with Terry McLaurin to bring the game to within one point. With nothing to lose, the Commanders decided to go for two and the win. Mariota dropped back to pass and his attempt to Jeremy McNichols was blocked by Broncos pass rusher Nik Bonitto.
The Broncos won the game, 27-26.
Nix finished 29-of-45 for 321 yards and a touchdown pass. Harvey had 35 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.
Harvey and Bonito’s overtime heroics were just two of a handful of great plays made during the game.
Nix did his best to pull out all the stops. He helped put Denver ahead before halftime when he threw a touchdown pass to Courtland Sutton as he was falling to the ground. He avoided the rush and his calf was about to hit the ground before he fired the ball to Sutton in the end zone.
Denver Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton (49) breaks up a pass intended for Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (86) in the fourth quarter of the game at Northwest Stadium on Nov. 30, 2025. (Geoff Burke/Imagn Images)
BRONCOS’ BO NIX THROWS TD PASS WHILE FALLING TO GROUND IN STUNNING PLAY
Commanders wide receiver Treylon Burks likely said, “Watch this,” before he made his sensation play. Burks received a pass from Mariota in the end zone. He, somehow, made a one-handed catch for a crucial go-ahead touchdown.
It was Burks’ second career touchdown catch and it was one that the Commanders really needed.
Mariota was trying to keep the drive alive with under four minutes to go in the game. He found tight end Zach Ertz open in the middle of the field. The ball was thrown high and Ertz was able to grab the pass and bring it down.
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, in Landover, Maryland. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (36) celebrates after scoring during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, in Landover, Maryland. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14) celebrates after catching a touchdown pass from quarterback Bo Nix, right, during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, in Landover, Maryland. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
But just as he was going to secure the catch, Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton knocked the ball loose and the pass was incomplete. Washington punted the ball away.
Singleton was playing in his first game since he underwent testicular cancer surgery three weeks ago. It was a big play, but it came just a few minutes too early as Mariota would lead the Commanders down the field to tie the game.
Mariota played as well as one could play in a hard-fought game. He was 28-of-50 with 294 passing yards and two touchdown passes. He also had 55 yards on the ground.
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Ertz finished with 10 catches for 106 yards. McLaurin had seven catches for 96 yards.
Denver improved to 10-2 with the win and have won nine straight games. Washington fell to 3-9.
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