Alex Eala, Iva Jovic put friendship on pause for US Open showdown

The Pakistan Super League management met with all eight franchise owners this week and the purpose behind it was simple. They wanted to review how season 11 went, and to look ahead at what comes next. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi led the session. Several key officials joined him. These included PSL CEO Salman Naseer and PCB CFO Javed Murtaza. PSL Director Usman Wahla was also present. So were Senior Manager Hijab Zahid and Manager Operations Usman Tasleem, along with a few others. The meeting was not just about looking back. It also became a space for brainstorming. Officials discussed several off-season and pre-season activities. The goal is to keep fans engaged during the break. A big part of the discussion focused on what made season 11 special. Officials pointed to new additions in broadcast and fan engagement. They also praised the overall quality of cricket across all 44 matches. Viewership numbers came up too. The season saw strong engagement across social media, streaming platforms and television. More specific numbers are expected to be released soon. Planning for the future took up a large chunk of the meeting as well. Stakeholders discussed the playing window for PSL 12. They also touched on early scheduling ideas. However, full details will likely only be revealed after the PSL Governing Council meets in late August. The group also reflected on how far the league has come. Two new franchises joined this season. At the same time, three existing teams changed ownership. The tournament was held at just two venues this year, a decision made under unusual circumstances. It also ran in a new scheduling window for the second year running. Looking ahead, PSL confirmed a new initiative. It plans to launch a merchandise platform alongside the franchises. This will let fans, both at home and abroad, buy official gear. That includes merchandise from all eight participating teams. To keep the momentum going, more workshop sessions have now been planned. These will focus on finalising the schedule. Player retentions and direct signings will also be discussed. So will a fresh review of playing conditions for the next season. With season 11 now wrapped up, all eyes are already on what comes next. Officials say the goal is to build on this year’s success. The aim is to make PSL 12 an even bigger draw for fans everywhere.

KABUL: Afghanistan have handed top-order batter Darwish Rasooli the captaincy for their 2026 Asian Games campaign, naming a largely inexperienced 15-member squad for the tournament in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The squad reflects Afghanistan’s desire to give emerging players a bigger stage, with six players yet to make their international debuts. Five other members have played fewer than 10 international matches. The Asian Games will take place from September 24 to October 3, with Afghanistan choosing to rest several of their biggest names. Regular captain Rashid Khan has been left out, along with explosive opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz and all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai. Their absence creates an opportunity for younger players to step into important roles. Afghanistan have, however, retained some experience. Najibullah Zadran and Karim Janat are included and are expected to provide leadership and stability around the younger members of the squad. Much of the selection was influenced by performances in the recently completed 11th edition of the Shpageeza Cricket League. Several players impressed enough in the domestic tournament to earn their opportunity on the Asian stage. Top-order batter Mohammad Akram was among the leading performers, scoring 339 runs in eight innings, including one century and two half-centuries. All-rounder Ismat Alam also caught the selectors’ attention. He scored 294 runs and took nine wickets, earning the Shpageeza Cricket League’s best-player award. Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Ishaq, Hassan Eisakhil, Khalid Taniwal and Imran Mir are among the other promising youngsters selected. Rasooli will now face the challenge of guiding a relatively inexperienced group through a major multi-sport event. His leadership could prove crucial as Afghanistan look to turn their emerging talent into international performers. The Asian Games assignment comes soon after Afghanistan’s scheduled three-match T20I series against India in Delhi. The series is expected to be played in the week leading into the continental competition, giving several players valuable preparation before they travel to Japan. Afghanistan Asian Games squad: Darwish Rasooli (c), Mohammad Ishaq (wk), Mohammad Akram, Hassan Eisakhil, Khalid Taniwal, Imran Mir, Faisal Khan Shinozada, Najibullah Zadran, Farmanullah Safi, Ismat Alam, Karim Janat, Nangyal Kharoti, Arab Gul Momand, Faridoon Dawoodzai, Abdullah Ahmadzai.