Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Sunday said that the cricket board would “operate Multan Sultans” this year, with plans to auction the franchise after the conclusion of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

The announcement comes a month after Ali Tareen said he was parting ways with the PSL franchise as his relations with the PCB had strained over the past year.

Addressing a press conference in Lahore, the PCB chief confirmed that the cricket board would operate the franchise this year, saying “the franchise will be auctioned after the PSL concludes”.

Sultans were originally awarded as the sixth PSL team to the Schon Group under a $5.2 million agreement, making it the most expensive franchise at the time.

However, the PCB terminated the agreement after the inaugural season when franchise payments were not made.

In 2018, Alamgir Tareen, along with his nephew Ali, acquired the franchise for $6.3 million.

Meanwhile, Naqvi said that the board wanted to begin the upcoming PSL season earlier than planned.

“We want to start the PSL from March 23 instead of March 26, and a final decision will be made after consultation with all franchises,” he added.

The PCB chief announced that former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram had been appointed as the PSL’s brand ambassador ahead of the upcoming edition.

On the league’s expansion, he said that the bidding for the two new PSL teams will take place on January 8 in Islamabad.

“It is an important day for us, and our teams will sell well,” he said, adding that ten parties have qualified for the second round of the auction.

The PCB confirmed the same a day earlier, saying that its bid committee had shortlisted 10 bidders for the second round of the auction to sell the rights for two new teams in the PSL.

The PSL, which began in 2016 with five franchises and later expanded to six sides in 2018, is set for further expansion with the addition of two new teams from its upcoming 11th edition, set to be played next year.

With the upcoming additions, the PSL will undergo its first major restructuring in seven years, bringing the total number of franchises to eight.

On India-related cricket issues, the PCB chief said that whatever happens with India “will be on an equal footing”.

“If they do not want to shake hands, we have no such desire either,” Naqvi added.

He revealed plans to bring up the conduct of India’s Under-19 team before the International Cricket Council (ICC).

On team management, Naqvi stated that a final decision on the appointment of the red-ball team head coach has not yet been made, adding that a PCB team was currently reviewing the matter.

College basketball coaching legend Tom Izzo didn’t hold back when asked about James Nnaji returning to Baylor after being selected in the NBA Draft but never having played a game for a team.

Nnaji announced he would return to the Bears after a stint at FC Barcelona. He was selected by the Detroit Pistons in 2023 and was traded twice during his career. He was a part of the trade that sent Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks before the 2024-25 season.

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But Nnaji is part of a growing trend of former college basketball players, with NCAA eligibility remaining, returning to school following stints in the G League or elsewhere. Izzo suggested on Saturday he’s had enough of it.

“Now we’re taking guys that were drafted in the NBA and everything,” the Michigan State men’s basketball coach said, via the Detroit Free Press. “I said it to you a month and a half ago – c’mon Magic (Johnson) and Gary (Harris), let’s go baby, let’s do it. Why not? I mean, if that’s what we’re going to (do), shame on the NCAA. Shame on the coaches, too. But shame on the NCAA, because coaches are gonna do what they gotta do, I guess. But the NCAA is the one. Those people on those committees that are making those decisions to allow something so ridiculous and not think of the kid.

James Nnaji of Barcelona takes a shot during the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season Round 34 match between LDLC Asvel Villeurbanne and FC Barcelona at LDLC Arena on April 12, 2024 in Lyon, France. (Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

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“So everybody talks about me thinking of my program or I’m selfish. No. Get that straight, for all of you. I’m thinking of, what is best for my son if he was in that position? And I just don’t agree with it.”

Izzo maintained he wasn’t going to fight the growing trend, but he also wasn’t going to let it pass him by without sharing his thoughts on the issue. He maintained that if college basketball is going to be more like the professional ranks, then it should go all in instead of dipping a toe or two in those waters.

James Nnaji of FC Barcelona in action during warm up prior the 2023/2024 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Play Offs match 1 between FC Barcelona and Olympiacos Piraeus at Palau Blaugrana on April 24, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. (Rodolfo Molina/Euroleague Basketball)

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He expressed similar sentiments in October when the first crop of G League players returned to school.

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Uche Ikpeazu scored a late equaliser before teammate Allan Okello missed a penalty as Uganda had to settle for a 1-1 draw with East African rivals Tanzania in their Africa Cup of Nations Group C clash in Rabat on Saturday.

It is a first point for both sides in their pool after they opened their 2025 campaign with defeats by Tunisia and Nigeria, respectively. Those two sides are in action later on Saturday in Fes.

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The top two teams in each group, as well as the four best third-placed sides across the six groups, qualify for the last 16.

Tanzania took the lead in the 59th minute when Simon Msuva converted a penalty following a handball in the box, but they were to be denied a first-ever win at the continental finals at the 11th attempt.

Ikpeazu’s diving header drew Uganda level, before they were awarded a penalty and the chance to win it late on, only for talisman Okello to put his spot kick over the crossbar.

There was a familiar feel to the contest between two long-standing regional rivals, though this was their first meeting at the Cup of Nations.

Uganda came close to the opener when Rogers Mato’s header came back off the crossbar inside 15 minutes, but the game really came to life in the second half.

Tanzania were awarded a penalty when Alphonce Msanga’s shot from outside the box struck the arm of Uganda midfielder Baba Alhassan, which was deemed to be in an unnatural position.

Msuva stepped up to take the spot kick and fired it into the roof of the net.

But Tanzania could not see the game out and were denied a maiden Cup of Nations finals win when powerful forward Ikpeazu stooped to head in Denis Omedi’s cross from the right.

Moroccan referee Jalal Jayed awarded Uganda a penalty following a tug on the shirt of James Bogere by Haji Mnoga.

Okello is known as ‘Star Boy’ in his homeland, such is his talent, but fluffed his lines on this occasion as he sent his spot kick over the crossbar.