Sports
Naqvi unveils US, Australia-based owners of new HBL PSL franchises | The Express Tribune
Interior minister calls bidding continuation of recent investment initiatives, saying it will generate Rs36b for PCB
Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. SCREENGRAB
Interior Minister and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday unveiled the owners of the two newly auctioned HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises, announcing that the successful bidders are based in the United States and Australia.
Addressing a press conference following the bidding ceremony, alongside the US Chargé d’Affaires and the new franchise owners, Naqvi said that five companies from the United States had participated in the auction, calling it a sign of growing international confidence in Pakistan.
He described the bidding as a continuation of recent successful investment initiatives, adding that the process would generate Rs36 billion for the PCB. The funds, he said, would be utilised for the promotion and development of cricket in the country.
Naqvi announced that Fawad Sarwar, who migrated to the United States 26 years ago, had acquired one of the franchises, while Hamza Majid of OZ Developers, based in Australia, secured the other. He said the prime minister and the field marshal were pleased with the outcome of the bidding and expressed pride that substantial investment would now be directed towards sports development.
US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker said she was pleased to attend the event as the American representative in Pakistan. She welcomed the participation of US companies, noting that their investment would help strengthen trade relations between Pakistan and the United States. She also congratulated Hamza Majid on acquiring a franchise.
Speaking on the occasion, Sarwar termed the acquisition the fulfilment of a childhood dream. He thanked his team and said the investment would contribute to strengthening ties between the two countries.
Meanwhile, Majid said cricket runs in their blood and highlighted the importance of Sialkot securing a team. He added that his group would aim to win HBL PSL 11.
Earlier, addressing the ceremony after the conclusion of the bidding, Naqvi described the day as a historic moment for the PSL. He said investor confidence in Pakistan was being restored and termed the successful auction a victory for cricket fans.
What a historic, heart-pounding day for Pakistan cricket!
HBL PSL New Teams Auction has been nothing short of spectacular – record-breaking bids, passionate investors, and two incredible new franchises joining our family!
FKS Group takes Hyderabad for PKR 17.5 billion, OZ…— Mohsin Naqvi (@MohsinnaqviC42) January 8, 2026
He congratulated the people of Hyderabad and Sialkot, as well as the new franchise owners, adding that the HBL PSL was more than just a tournament and was deeply linked with national emotions. He assured full PCB support for the next 10 years and pledged continued efforts to strengthen the league and cricket in Pakistan.
A Manchester United fan group has branded the club “a laughing stock” while announcing fresh plans to protest against the hierarchy.
The 1958 group have previously organised demonstrations against those in charge at Old Trafford, particularly majority owners the Glazer family.
They have accused United’s leadership — including minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe — of “turning the club into a circus” and say they intend to protest ahead of the Premier League game against Fulham on Feb. 1.
Anger directed towards British billionaire Ratcliffe has been growing since the 73-year-old assumed control in February 2024.
An anti-Ratcliffe banner was displayed by United supporters in the away end at Turf Moor during the 2-2 draw with Burnley on Wednesday — the first game since the sacking of head coach Ruben Amorim.
“After lurching from one disaster to another, Ratcliffe comes across as an incompetent clown turning the club into a circus,” said the 1958 group in a statement.
“Instead of best in class, we’re a laughing stock.
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“It has been an extraordinary and deeply troubling few days at Manchester United.
“On the pitch, we are watching mediocre performances from an average team drifting without identity, direction, or ambition. Off it, the chaos is even worse.”
United are continuing their search for an interim manager to take over from Amorim with former players Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Michael Carrick and Ruud van Nistelrooy all under consideration.
Current caretaker Darren Fletcher, who was in charge at Burnley, will lead the team again when Brighton visit Old Trafford on Sunday in the third round of the FA Cup.
The second game of the three-match T20I series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka has been abandoned due to relentless rain on Friday at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium.
The weather caused repeated interruptions, preventing the toss from taking place and leaving no possibility for the match to proceed. Both teams will now turn their focus to the final encounter of the series.
The green shirts currently lead the series 1-0 after winning the opener at the same venue on Wednesday. In that match, the visitors successfully chased a modest target of 129, winning by six wickets with 20 balls to spare.
The third and final match of the series is scheduled to take place at the same venue on Sunday.
Pakistan got off to a strong start as openers Farhan and Saim Ayub put together a 59-run partnership until Ayub was dismissed by Maheesh Theekshana on the penultimate delivery of the batting powerplay.
Ayub scored 24 off 18 balls, including three fours and a six.
Farhan then added 25 runs for the second wicket with captain Salman Ali Agha before both batters fell in successive overs, leaving Pakistan at 101/3.
Farhan finished as the top-scorer with a quickfire 51 off 36 deliveries, featuring four fours and two sixes, while Agha contributed 16 off 11 balls, with two fours.
Pakistan lost another wicket when Fakhar Zaman was stumped off Dhananjaya de Silva in the 14th over after scoring five off 10 balls.
With 23 runs still needed, Usman Khan and Shadab Khan steadied the chase, putting together a match-winning partnership and guiding Pakistan to victory in the 17th over. Shadab remained unbeaten on 18 off 12 balls, while Usman finished 7 not out.
For Sri Lanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Theekshana and de Silva each claimed a wicket.
Earlier, Pakistan captain Agha’s decision to field first proved effective as his bowlers skittled the home side for 128 in 19.2 overs. Sri Lanka’s innings started poorly, losing both openers—Kamil Mishara (0) and Pathum Nissanka—inside the powerplay with just 15 runs on the board.
Kusal Mendis (14) and Dhananjaya de Silva (10) attempted to stabilise the innings, putting on 22 runs for the third wicket before falling in quick succession, leaving Sri Lanka at 38/4 in 6.5 overs.
Janith Liyanage then anchored the middle order, scoring 40 off 31 balls, including two fours and a six, before being dismissed by Abrar Ahmed in the 18th over.
Left-arm pacer Salman Mirza added further damage, dismissing captain Dasun Shanaka (12) and tailender Chameera (0) in the penultimate over.
Mohammad Wasim Jr wrapped up the innings by catching Maheesh Theekshana off his bowling on the second ball of the final over.
Abrar Ahmed and Salman Mirza led Pakistan’s bowling attack with three wickets each, while Shadab Khan and Mohammad Wasim Jr claimed two wickets apiece.
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Veteran sports agent Leigh Steinberg believes John Harbaugh’s recent availability as an NFL head coach is comparable to that of Bill Belichick.
Steinberg told Fox News Digital in a recent interview that Harbaugh is far and away the best candidate for all eight teams currently with head coaching vacancies.
“He will be the hottest free agent coach in years,” Steinberg said. “He’s the quintessential perfect hire for multiple teams this year, which is going to give him lots of leverage.”
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Head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens looks on in the fourth quarter against the Buffalo Bills at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, on Oct. 2, 2022. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump even endorsed Harbaugh in a Truth Social post Wednesday, writing, “HIRE JOHN HARBAUGH, FAST.”
Steinberg revealed how he thinks Trump’s endorsement may affect the demand for Harbaugh’s services.
“I don’t really think so,” Steinberg said when asked if Trump’s comments would increase Harbaugh’s market value. “It’s quite flattering to have the President of the United States as a fan, so that part’s a positive. But as I said before, I don’t think a coach has had this much leverage and options in years.”
With Harbaugh bound to be the most accomplished coach in the cycle, and eight teams looking to hire, one match in particular stands out to Steinberg.
“I don’t know why, but the New York Giants stand out to me,” Steinberg said.
The agent said the Giants are an intriguing destination specifically because of the emergence of quarterback Jaxson Dart.
“To win in contemporary football, it’s necessary to have a franchise quarterback,” Steinberg said. “It’s impossible to win consistently in the NFL without that franchise quarterback. So that would be high on my list.”
The Giants were the odds-on favorite to hire Harbaugh up until at least Thursday morning. However, once the Miami Dolphins fired their head coach Mike McDaniel on Thursday, Harbaugh quickly became the favorite to be the next Dolphins coach, according to Kalshi.
Whether Harbaugh decides between the Giants and Dolphins will come down to the chemistry that occurs in the upcoming interviews, and whichever franchise the coach believes will provide the most synergy and support.
“It will be the chemistry that occurs in those interviews,” Steinberg said. “If it’s narrowed down to a couple [options] then I’m sure a coach will look for that chemistry, that mind meld, that shared vision, and to have a feeling that he will be coming into a supported space.”
Harbaugh is coming off an 18-year tenure with the Baltimore Ravens that included a Super Bowl XLVII win, 12 playoff appearances, four AFC Championship games, six division titles, the most wins in franchise history (over 193 total, 180 regular season), and only three losing seasons in 18 years.
Still, Harbaugh is now fired as a head coach for the first time in his career and is navigating those waters as a terminated head coach for the first time.
Steinberg’s analysis of the fired Harbaugh comes at a time when Steinberg himself is publishing a book about bouncing back from low points in life and careers.
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Head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens walks the field prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on Jan. 4, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
“We all go through life. Inevitably, we’ll go through a reverse at some point… there will be a crash of some sort where someone loses the arc of where their life is in darkness and desperation,” Steinberg said.
The book, titled “The Comeback” will be published on March 3.
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