Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has announced a major uplift in incentives for Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises, linking financial rewards not only to on-field performance but also to contributions toward cricket development, beginning with the PSL 2026 season.

In an update shared on X on Friday, Naqvi revealed a revised rewards structure under which the PSL 2026 champions will receive $500,000, while the runners-up will take home $300,000, in addition to the official prize money that will be disclosed later.

The PCB chairman also introduced a new category: a $200,000 award for the “Best Franchise Contributing to Cricket Development,” aimed at encouraging long-term investment in nurturing talent and strengthening the sport’s infrastructure.

Naqvi stated that the newly announced prize money for the franchises will come in effect from PSL 2026 season onwards.

“Let’s take Pakistan cricket to new heights,” Naqvi wrote in his announcement

Manchester United are considering a move to bring Scott McTominay back to Old Trafford but could face competition from Arsenal, while Liverpool are interested in activating Antoine Semenyo‘s release clause in January. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.

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TRENDING RUMORS

– Arsenal and Manchester United have sounded out a move for Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay, TEAMtalk reports. The former United player has enjoyed a career-best spell in Serie A since making his £25 million move last year, most notably winning the MVP award last season as his side lifted the Scudetto. The 28-year-old also scored a stunning overhead kick against Denmark earlier this week to help Scotland qualify for their first World Cup finals since 1998. As such, the player is wanted by a host of Premier League clubs, who would need to stump up at least £70m to secure his services next summer.

– Liverpool are “seriously interested” in Antoine Semenyo, whose £60m release clause becomes active in January, Fabrizio Romano reports. Bournemouth hope they can retain the winger until June, when his release clause drops to around £50m. However, the final decision is likely to be with Semenyo, who may well be the subject of several offers in January. Alongside Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City have also been linked with the 25-year-old, who has nine goal involvements in 11 Premier League matches so far this season.

– Manchester United are tracking Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, according to The Times. United view the England international as a potential long-term replacement for Casemiro, who is expected to leave Old Trafford next summer. Anderson has also been linked with Liverpool and Newcastle United, despite recently being valued at around the £100m mark. The 23-year-old has been a standout performer for Forest this season, and has also established himself as a regular starter for England under manager Thomas Tuchel.

– Inter Milan are interested in signing Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez in January amid doubts over Yann Sommer‘s future at the club, according to Football Insider. The Argentina international was heavily linked with a transfer back in the summer, but a reported move to Manchester United ultimately failed to materialize. Villa are willing to sanction a midseason exit as long as a suitable replacement can be found.

– Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are concretely interested in Anderlecht midfielder Nathan De Cat, according to Sky Germany. The Belgian giants are holding out for a bid of around €25m, as De Cat is under contract until the summer of 2027. Bayer Leverkusen are also in the race to sign the youngster, who has played 14 times in the league this season for Anderlecht, scoring once. He is also a Belgium under-18 international with four caps to his name.

EXPERT TAKE

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OTHER RUMORS

– Liverpool are battling to retain England youth winger Joshua Abe, with Arsenal and Chelsea both pursuing the 15-year-old. (Daily Mail)

– Real Madrid and Antonio Rüdiger remain open to extending his expiring contract beyond 2026. However, interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia “remains strong”, while a return to the Premier League also cannot be ruled out. (Sky Germany)

– Harvey Elliott could be on the move in January, with clubs in the Bundesliga and Serie A interested. The 22-year-old is currently on loan at Aston Villa from Liverpool but has played just 97 minutes of Premier League football for the club so far. (Football Insider)

– Bayern Munich have enquired about Nantes defender Tylel Tati, who has a €50m valuation. (Footmercato)

– Tottenham Hotspur have “zeroed in” on Porto forward Samu Aghehowa, who is viewed as the ideal profile of striker for manager Thomas Frank. (TEAMtalk)

– Sunderland have reopened talks to try to sign Matteo Guendouzi from Lazio in January. (Nicolo Schira)

– Crystal Palace defender Chadi Riad could be set for a loan move in January as he looks to rebuild match fitness. (Sky Sports News)

– Crystal Palace want to cut short the loan of Getafe forward Christantus Uche. Uche, 22, joined the Eagles on a season-long loan but the Nigerian international has played only eight minutes in the Premier League this season. (Diario AS)

Top-10 junior L.J. Smith committed to Ohio State on Thursday, becoming the highest-ranked 2027 prospect off the board.

Smith is the first five-star junior to make a commitment at this point in the cycle.

“I picked Ohio State because it felt like home to me,” Smith said. “I feel like it’s a place where I can succeed and reach my goals.”

In addition to Ohio State, Smith also took visits to Georgia, Tennessee and North Carolina this fall, but his relationship with coach Jake Diebler made the difference for the Buckeyes.

“My connection with Coach Diebler is great; he’s a great guy who believes in me a lot,” Smith said. “I noticed he loves to work with his players and help them reach their goals and succeed. Their plan for me is to come in and play the role of John Mobley Jr.”

A 6-foot-4 shooting guard from Lincolnton, North Carolina, who transferred to Oak Hill Academy (Virginia) in August, Smith is ranked No. 10 in the SC Next 60 for the 2027 class. His commitment marks the second consecutive class in which Diebler has landed a five-star recruit, after Ohio State hadn’t landed one since D’Angelo Russell in 2014. Last month, five-star senior Anthony Thompson — ranked No. 13 in the SC Next 100 — picked the Buckeyes over Indiana.

Smith becomes Ohio State’s highest-ranked recruit since Jared Sullinger (No. 2) in 2010.

Playing up an age group with Team Thad on the Nike EYBL circuit, he averaged 13.8 points and 3.6 rebounds last spring and summer, shooting 41.9% from 3-point range.

Smith is one of the better long-range shooters in the class of 2027. He can make shots off the catch and from a rhythm dribble. He displays body balance with vision and positional size, while also demonstrating excellent transition ability with his straight-line driving ability.

What makes Smith particularly hard to defend is he’s equally effective scoring off the ball as he is with the ball in his hands. He moves with purpose off screens with a change of speed and direction, reading his man and squaring up into his shot. When defenders close out hard, he shows instincts to drive it and can finish at the rim against help defense.