Kai Sotto denies Jordan as Gilas Pilipinas gets World Cup bid back on track

The Abu Dhabi T10 League is preparing for a major transformation as it heads towards its 10th season, with new ownership and stronger institutional oversight expected to reshape the tournament following a series of controversies. The league, launched in 2017 as the world’s first major T10 cricket competition, has attracted international players and significant attention for its fast-paced format. However, allegations and investigations linked to corruption, payment disputes involving players and frequent changes in franchise ownership have affected its reputation in recent years. In response to these challenges, the Abu Dhabi government has taken a more direct role in the competition. Through the Abu Dhabi Cricket and Sports Hub, the government has acquired a majority stake in the league, a move aimed at bringing greater stability and long-term planning to the tournament. The authorities are now seeking new franchise owners through a competitive bidding process being conducted under the supervision of Deloitte. Final offers are expected to be submitted later this week, potentially marking a new chapter for the league. Abu Dhabi Sports Council chief executive Matt Boucher said the focus is on creating institutional stability and establishing longer-term agreements with franchise owners. The move is expected to provide teams with greater certainty while helping the competition strengthen its commercial and sporting foundations. Despite the planned restructuring, officials have indicated that the league will retain its current eight-team format. There are no immediate plans to increase the number of franchises, while expansion over the next three years is also not considered a priority. With fresh ownership, tighter management and a focus on stability, the Abu Dhabi T10 League now hopes to rebuild its credibility and establish itself as a sustainable annual cricket competition in the region.

KOLKATA: Indian wicketkeeper-batter Abishek Porel has been arrested by Kolkata Police in connection with a case involving allegations of rape and other sexual offences, with a court remanding the 23-year-old cricketer to three days of police custody. Porel was arrested on Monday night and produced before the High Court the following day. The development comes as police investigate allegations made against the emerging cricketer. The allegations have not been proven in court. The case was filed on June 23. During an earlier hearing on July 14, the court was informed that police needed to take further steps to seize electronic devices allegedly linked to the accused. According to court proceedings, investigators were seeking the devices because they allegedly contained obscene photographs of the complainant. The court directed police authorities to continue efforts to apprehend the individuals concerned and seize the devices to prevent the alleged material from being circulated. During the August 11 hearing, the court was informed through a message from the officer in charge of Mogra Police Station that one of the respondents had been arrested on the night of August 11. Police subsequently sought additional time to complete the required legal and investigative procedures. Porel, who bats left-handed and keeps wicket, has emerged as one of India’s promising young domestic cricketers. He has represented Bengal and has played 32 first-class matches, while also featuring in 35 Indian Premier League games. His most recent competitive cricket came during the 2026 IPL season, when he appeared in four matches for Delhi Capitals before the tournament concluded. The arrest is likely to draw significant attention because of Porel’s growing profile in Indian cricket. However, the allegations remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings, and no conclusion about his guilt can be drawn from the arrest alone. The police investigation is expected to focus on the allegations, the electronic evidence mentioned in court and statements from those involved in the case.

TORONTO: World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka made an emphatic return to hard-court tennis with a straight-sets victory over Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima at the WTA 1000 Toronto Open, reinforcing her status as one of the favourites heading into the North American swing. The Belarusian star defeated qualifier Uchijima 6-3, 6-3 in her opening match on Tuesday, bouncing back strongly after disappointing exits at both the French Open and Wimbledon. The convincing win marked another milestone in Sabalenka’s remarkable hard-court campaign, where she has now won 24 of her last 25 matches on the surface. Her only defeat on hard courts this season came against Elena Rybakina in the Australian Open final, highlighting just how dominant Sabalenka has been throughout the year. Despite the comfortable scoreline, the match was far from straightforward. Uchijima stunned the top seed early by breaking serve in the opening game after recovering from a 40-15 deficit, quickly taking a 2-0 lead. However, Sabalenka responded like a champion, winning the next five games to seize complete control and eventually close out the opening set with authority. The second set proved equally competitive, with both players exchanging five service breaks in an entertaining battle. Sabalenka eventually established a crucial 3-2 advantage before tightening her game at the right moment. She held serve confidently to move ahead 4-2 and later sealed victory on her second match point with a powerful overhead winner. Speaking after the match, Sabalenka expressed satisfaction with both her physical condition and mental approach following a short break from competition. “I’m happy with the performance and the fight. I expected some challenges after the break, but I felt mentally and physically ready,” she said. The victory keeps Sabalenka’s momentum alive as she targets another successful North American campaign, including a possible third consecutive US Open title later this month. Awaiting her in the third round is experienced Chinese player Zhang Shuai, who advanced after Jelena Ostapenko retired while trailing 6-0, 4-0. With confidence growing and hard-court form peaking once again, Sabalenka has sent an early warning to the rest of the field that she is ready to challenge for another major title as the road to New York gathers pace.