Sports
PTV to broadcast Baseball United’s Karachi Monarchs and Mumbai Cobras matches | The Express Tribune
Season opener Subcontinent Series will enable viewers to witness the historic matchup on November 14th, 15th, and 16th
The Karachi Monarchs – the first professional baseball franchise in the history of Pakistan. PHOTO COURTESY: baseballunited.com
Pakistanis can watch Karachi Monarchs’ games live on PTV Sports as Baseball United, the first professional baseball league focused on the Middle East and South Asia, announced that they will be partnering with the national broadcaster.
The highlight will be Pakistan’s first professional baseball outfit taking on Mumbai Cobras, and the season opener Subcontinent Series will enable viewers to witness the historic matchup on November 14th, 15th, and 16th.
This is the first time Pakistani viewers will watch baseball on this scale through live broadcast.
The collaboration will include coverage of all 21 of Baseball United’s Season One games this November and December, including several primetime games featuring the Karachi Monarchs, Pakistan’s first professional baseball franchise, according to the details revealed in the Baseball United press release.
Broadcasts will feature English commentary and graphics, catering to Pakistan’s massive youth population – nearly 60% of the country’s population is under 25.
Baseball United’s inaugural season will feature the league’s four founding franchises — the Arabia Wolves, Mid East Falcons, Mumbai Cobras, and Pakistan’s team, the Karachi Monarchs. The Monarchs roster includes four Pakistani players – Musharaf Khan, Faisal Hayat, Amar Mahmood, and Pierce Khan.
Subcontinent Series
The league’s season opens with a historic matchup between Karachi and Mumbai in the three-game “Subcontinent Series”.
The event will mark the first-ever meeting between professional baseball teams from Pakistan and India, symbolizing a new chapter of sportsmanship, growth, and unity through sport.
In addition to the four Pakistani players, the Monarchs’ roster features players from 10 additional countries, including the United States, The Netherlands, and South Korea.
The partnership with PTV builds upon Baseball United’s history of strong viewership in Pakistan, after the league drew three million viewers per game during last February’s friendly series between its two UAE franchises.
That number came without a Pakistani franchise on the field, with no Pakistani players, and no India-Pakistan rivalry game.
This season’s Opening Weekend series of Karachi versus Mumbai is set to significantly top those figures.
“We are very grateful to announce this partnership with Pakistan Television Corporation,” said Kash Shaikh, Chairman, CEO, and Co-Founder, Baseball United.
“This move continues to reinforce our growth across the Subcontinent. PTV Sports has been the home of sports in Pakistan for decades, connecting generations of fans through cricket, football, and now, baseball. Millions of Pakistanis will now have the chance to experience a brand-new sport that builds upon their passion for Bat and Ball, led by their own professional franchise, the Karachi Monarchs.
“We’re honored to join forces with such a trusted and iconic broadcaster to grow the game and inspire the next generation of Pakistani athletes.”
PTV Sports will support the launch with on-air promotions, cross-channel marketing, and collaborative social media campaigns with Baseball United’s marketing team.
Pakistan represents one of Baseball United’s most promising markets.
The country’s deep sports culture, love for competition, and enthusiasm for international events make it a cornerstone of the league’s long-term strategy, marking a pivotal moment in bringing professional baseball to fans in the world’s fifth-most populous nation.
“PTV Sports is delighted to partner with Baseball United League to introduce this exciting global sport to Pakistani audiences,” said Aaliya Rasheed, Executive Director, PTV Sports. “This collaboration reflects our commitment to diversifying sports content and giving fans access to world-class international action.”
Baseball United’s first full season will feature 21 games in 30 days, all played at Baseball United Ballpark in Dubai. All games will be broadcast LIVE with world-class players, music, entertainment, and family-friendly experiences. The season will culminate with the United Series Championship, set for December 12th, 13th, and 14th.
Supported by 20 Major League Baseball legends, including Mariano Rivera, Barry Larkin, Adrián Beltré, and Albert Pujols, Baseball United is building the first professional baseball ecosystem in the Middle East and South Asia. Each franchise represents the first professional baseball team in its respective city, and the league has constructed significant grassroots infrastructure in Pakistan and surrounding countries to help develop top talent.
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Tarik Skubal, the Detroit Tigers’ ace and two-time defending AL Cy Young Award winner, is set to undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left elbow that will keep him sidelined for months, manager A.J. Hinch said on Monday.
Skubal isn’t done for the season, but he is expected to be out two to three months following the surgery to remove loose bodies in his left elbow, ESPN reported.
Hinch called it an “easy process and procedure” while delivering the news, but it’s certainly a blow to the Tigers’ staff and Skubal personally that he is sidelined for months.
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Detroit pitcher Tarik Skubal watches during the Atlanta Braves game on April 29, 2026, at Truist Park in Atlanta, Ga. (Rich Von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire)
Skubal’s arm locked up during a bullpen session on Sunday ahead of his scheduled start against the Boston Red Sox on Monday night. Now, he will undergo the surgery, with Hinch providing no specific timeline for his return.
Skubal’s last start came in a 4-3 win over the league-leading Atlanta Braves this past Wednesday, where he allowed two runs on five hits across seven innings of work. He struck out seven Braves hitters during his outing.
TIGERS ACE TARIK SKUBAL WINS RECORD-BREAKING $32M IN ARBITRATION: REPORTS
However, in that game, Skubal was spotted rubbing his left arm, leading to Hinch and a Tigers trainer going to the mound to check on the pitcher. Skubal, though, remained in the game after tossing a warm-up pitch, and he went on to pitch seven strong innings.
As a result of Skubal being out, the Tigers recalled Ty Madden to the big leagues. Tyler Holton will also be making the spot start on Monday night, serving as the Tigers’ opener before Hinch needs to get creative with his bullpen.
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal reacts after giving up a hit against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minn., on Aug. 14, 2025. (Jesse Johnson/Imagn Images)
Skubal is the latest Tigers starter to be placed on the injured list, joining Casey Mize and Justin Verlander. That leaves Framber Valdez and Jack Flaherty as the only healthy starters at the moment.
For Skubal, the timing isn’t great, especially with impending free agency looming.
Skubal won a record-breaking arbitration case this offseason, where the Tigers were told to pay the left-handed ace $32 million for the 2026 campaign after they proposed a $19 million salary. The victory beat Juan Soto’s arbitration pay by the New York Yankees in 2024 by $1 million.
Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers between pitches during the Braves game at Truist Park in Atlanta on April 29, 2026. (Brandon Sloter/Getty Images)
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But, with no long-term deal in place for Skubal, the electric starter is set to be one of the top free agents after the season, unless he and the Tigers don’t figure something out before then. It seems unlikely that will happen at this point.
All teams interested in Skubal will be watching his recovery and eventual return closely. Until then, Hinch and the Tigers will need others to step up in the meantime for the starting rotation.
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Fernando Mendoza skyrocketed to the top of every NFL pundit’s draft board during the 2025 college football season as the Indiana Hoosiers standout won the Heisman Trophy and led the school to a national championship.
Mendoza’s status stayed clean as the Las Vegas Raiders selected him with the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft. He will be tasked with returning the franchise back to glory under head coach Klint Kubiak and veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, who is set to serve as Mendoza’s mentor.
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Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza runs through a drill during a rookie minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center in Henderson, Nev., on May 2, 2026. (Candice Ward/Imagn Images)
A detractor came out of the woodwork on Monday as an anonymous ACC coach told ESPN that he didn’t believe Mendoza had the “NFL traits.” The coach competed against Mendoza when the quarterback was tossing the pigskin around for the Cal Golden Bears.
“He’s a good decision-maker, but I don’t think he’s got the NFL traits,” the coach told ESPN. “They’re all back-shoulder (throws). That’s not working in the NFL. His receivers made plays to make him look better than he is. In the NFL, those throws are getting picked off.”
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza warms up during a rookie minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center in Henderson, Nev., on May 2, 2026. (Candice Ward/Imagn Images)
Mendoza showed grit and determination with some of the throws he made at Indiana. One that comes to mind is the game-winning touchdown pass to Omar Cooper Jr. against Penn State.
Cooper made the catch and an incredible toe-tap for the touchdown with 36 seconds left in the game, which kept Indiana’s dream season alive.
Raiders general manager John Spytek said last month he nixed any talk of trading the No. 1 pick because he was sure Mendoza would be their guy.
“I think any coach is excited to work with a big, athletic, talented thrower that is extremely smart and a very driven worker, and that’s been our experience with Fernando,” Spytek said. “That’s a great starting spot for any quarterback.”
It’s the heart that Mendoza showed throughout the season, including in the national title game against the Miami Hurricanes, that made him an attractive prospect for NFL teams.
Quarterback Fernando Mendoza, selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft, attends a news conference at the Raiders Headquarters in Henderson, Nev., on April 24, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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He had 3,535 passing yards and 41 touchdown passes in his lone season at Indiana.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday announced the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 Team of the Tournament, naming Babar Azam skipper after a title-winning campaign.
The Team of the Tournament comprises three players each from Peshawar Zalmi and Hyderabad Kingsmen, two apiece from Lahore Qalandars and Islamabad United, and one player each from Multan Sultans and Quetta Gladiators.
The selection was made by a five-member panel drawn from the commentary team. The jury also finalised the Emerging Team of the Tournament, recognising the standout young performers of the season.
A total of 44 matches were played from March 26 to May 3 across Lahore and Karachi.
Babar Azam, who lifted his third PSL title as a player and first as captain, finished as the leading run-scorer with 588 runs.
Opening the innings, he also claimed the Hanif Mohammad Cap and equalled the record for most runs in a single PSL season, matching Fakhar Zaman’s tally from 2022.
His campaign featured two centuries in four matches against Quetta Gladiators and Islamabad United.
Peshawar Zalmi are further represented by Kusal Mendis and Sufyan Moqim. Mendis scored 550 runs, including four half-centuries and a century, while also contributing eight dismissals behind the stumps.
His century came against Karachi Kings at the National Bank Stadium on April 9. Left-arm wrist-spinner Sufyan Moqim took 22 wickets at an average of 14.40 and an economy rate of 7.20, earning both Player of the Tournament and Best Bowler honours.
Hyderabad Kingsmen have three representatives in Usman Khan, Hassan Khan and Hunain Shah. Usman finished fourth among the top run-scorers with 389 runs, including a century and three half-centuries.
Hassan contributed 139 runs at a strike rate of 195 alongside six wickets and strong fielding performances. Hunain Shah impressed with 17 wickets in 10 matches, emerging as a key bowler in the latter stages of the competition.
Lahore Qalandars’ Fakhar Zaman and Shaheen Shah Afridi also feature in the XI. Fakhar scored 401 runs to finish third overall, while Shaheen claimed 16 wickets at an economy rate of 7.86.
Multan Sultans’ Shan Masood is included after scoring 367 runs at an average of 45.87 and a strike rate of 158.18. Islamabad United captain Shadab Khan also makes the side after a strong all-round season, scoring 173 runs and taking 17 wickets, earning the Best All-Rounder of the Tournament award.
Teammate Richard Gleeson is selected for his impactful new-ball performances, finishing with 12 wickets at an economy rate of 7.13.
Quetta Gladiators’ Hasan Nawaz has been named as the 12th player after scoring 291 runs.
PSL 11 Team of the Tournament
Babar Azam (Peshawar Zalmi) (c), Fakhar Zaman (Lahore Qalandars), Kusal Mendis (Peshawar Zalmi) (wk), Shan Masood (Multan Sultans), Usman Khan (Hyderabad Kingsmen), Shadab Khan (Islamabad United), Hassan Khan (Hyderabad Kingsmen), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Lahore Qalandars), Hunain Shah (Hyderabad Kingsmen), Sufyan Moqim (Peshawar Zalmi), Richard Gleeson (Islamabad United) and Hasan Nawaz (Quetta Gladiators) (12th player).
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