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حسمت وزارة الشباب والرياضة الجدل الدائر في الساعات الأخيرة بشأن ما تردد عن تقدّم مجلس إدارة نادي الزمالك باستقالته، نظرًا للظروف المالية الصعبة التي يمر بها النادي.

وأكدت الوزارة أن كل ما تم تداوله بهذا الشأن لا يمت للحقيقة بصلة، وأن المجلس يواصل مهامه بصورة طبيعية دون أي تغييرات إدارية.

وأوضح محمد الشاذلي المتحدث الرسمي باسم الوزارة، في تصريحات إعلامية، أن الجهة الحكومية لم تستقبل أي طلبات أو مراسلات رسمية تتضمن نية رئيس النادي حسين لبيب أو أي عضو من مجلسه التقدم بالاستقالة.

وشدد على أن ما انتشر عبر بعض المواقع وصفحات التواصل الاجتماعي، يدخل ضمن إطار الشائعات التي تهدف لإثارة البلبلة داخل الوسط الرياضي.

طالع أيضًا | “مش هنضرب الأرض تطلع فلوس”.. تصريحات مُثيرة من داخل إدارة الزمالك وحقيقة التقدم بالاستقالة

وأكد الشاذلي أن وزارة الشباب والرياضة تتابع عن قرب أوضاع الهيئات الرياضية، وتحرص على ضمان استقرارها الإداري والفني، مشيرًا إلى ضرورة تحري الدقة قبل تداول أخبار تمس المؤسسات الرياضية الكبرى.

كما لفت إلى أن الوزارة تعتمد الشفافية في التعامل مع الجمهور ووسائل الإعلام، وأن أي تطورات تخص مجلس إدارة نادي الزمالك سيتم إعلانها بشكل رسمي فور حدوثها، داعيًا الجماهير إلى عدم الانسياق وراء الأخبار غير الموثوقة وانتظار البيانات الرسمية فقط.

The stage is set for one of the most memorable ends to a Rothesay County Championship season with the battle for the Division One title and relegation places still very much alive heading into the final round this week.Nottinghamshire put themselves in pole position to win their first title in 15 years after snatching a 20-run win over three-time reigning champions Surrey last week. It was a contest to highlight the very best of the Rothesay County Championship and leaves Notts needing a maximum of 10 points to be crowned champions when they host Warwickshire at Trent Bridge starting Wednesday.With excitement building in the east Midlands after their success at the Kia Oval, Notts captain Haseeb Hameed has warned they will still need to produce “four more days of quality cricket”.Related

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• Rahul Chahar joins Surrey for final Championship match of the season

“We have to go into the game with that mindset and focus because Warwickshire are a really good team,” Hameed told ecb.co.uk. “I think you can see that across the whole County Championship this season – anyone can beat anyone. It has been a really tight and tough year and that’s probably why it’s so close at the bottom as well.”There are no easy wins in this division and we go into the final round knowing we have to play four more days of quality cricket.”Surrey have been the county to catch for the past four seasons as they have set the bar high for the chasing pack. They will draw on that culture of success as they look to become the first county, since the great Surrey side of the 1950s, to win four titles in a row when they travel to Hampshire.Rory Burns’ team know that anything other than a win will probably not be enough while Hampshire, who could welcome back talisman Liam Dawson from England duty, have plenty to play for themselves as one of five counties that head into the final round looking to avoid relegation.The south-coast club are just two points above Durham, who sit inside the relegation zone on 140 points, but the northern-most county do have their fate in their own hands as make the journey down the A1 to a Yorkshire team who need 10 points to be assured of staying up.Sussex and Essex both have 150 points and know avoiding defeat in their final-round matches against already-relegated Worcestershire and third-placed Somerset respectively would be enough to retain their place in the top tier.It sets the scene for an intriguing final round at both ends of the table and Hameed admits he’d have it no other way.”At the start of the season the goal of every team would be to put themselves in the position we’re in heading into the final round,” he said. “It’s a great position to be in, but there’s work still to be done and that’s the focus. There is going to be a bit of noise around and there will be some excitement I’m sure across the four days with everything that is going on at the top of the bottom of the division.”We just have to be ready to go on Wednesday morning and focus on doing what we’ve done in the 13 matches so far.”Hameed is not letting himself think about becoming a title-winning captain, after reviving his career since moving to Notts from Lancashire ahead of the 2020 season. The 28-year-old, who has 10 Test caps, scored 1235 runs when he helped Notts win promotion from Division Two in 2022 and could surpass that mark this week as this season’s second-leading runscorer.”I just want to lead from the front and do my job. I’ve been here five or six years now and it feels like home and I’ve enjoyed my cricket,” said Hameed, who also highlighted the influence of his opening partner Ben Slater, who could pass 1000 runs for the season this week.”It’s been great establishing an opening partnership with Slats. He’s had a great season and has loads of experience which is so important. But I come back to it – the whole team knows we have to focus on our job because Warwickshire are a quality team. I’d love to see a good crowd at Trent Bridge and hopefully we can make it a week to remember.”In Division Two, Leicestershire will head into the final round knowing the title – and a return to Division One for the first time in 22 years – is already assured. The Foxes’ star allrounder Rehan Ahmed, who has struck five Championship centuries in a breakout summer with the bat, was not born when they were last in the top-flight.Leicestershire make the short trip to Northamptonshire to round out their season while Glamorgan, who under head coach Richard Dawson have secured their place in Division One for the first time since 2004, will host Lancashire at Sophia Gardens.Kent welcome Derbyshire to the Spitfire Ground in Canterbury while Middlesex host Gloucestershire at Lord’s.

A report emerged earlier this week that claimed that Celtic were set to complete a deal to sign Bobby Clark from RB Salzburg in the January transfer window.

It was said that the Hoops were on course to tie up a £6m move for the former Liverpool starlet, who is currently on loan at Derby County in England.

However, CeltsAreHere have since reported that there has not been any contact over a deal for Clark, which suggests that the Scottish Premiership giants are not on the verge of securing his signature.

Why Celtic should not sign Bobby Clark

Celtic should avoid a deal to sign Bobby Clark for £6m in January, as they appear to be doing with CeltsAreHere’s latest update, because he has struggled for form since leaving Liverpool in the summer of 2024.

Clark joined Salzburg for £10m from the Premier League giants and was sent out on loan to Derby this summer after a disappointing debut campaign in Austria.

Appearances

17

8

Starts

7

5

Goals

1

0

Key passes per game

0.6

0.4

Assists

0

0

Tackles + interceptions per game

0.8

1.1

Duel success rate

35%

35%

As you can see in the table above, the 20-year-old midfielder has scored one goal and failed to provide any assists at league level since the start of last season, losing 65% of his defensive duels in that time too.

These statistics suggest that he would not add any immediate quality to the Celtic squad, offensively or defensively, which is why the club should not pay £6m to sign him in January.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

On top of concerns over his form, Celtic should not sign Clark from Salzburg because they already have their own version of him in Arne Engels.

Why Arne Engels is a Bobby Clark-type player

Per FBref, Clark was the fourth-most statistically comparable central midfielder to Engels in the 2024/25 campaign in the Champions League.

The chart above shows that they both excelled in similar areas of the game, hence the comparison, but the Belgium international was significantly more effective as a creative force for his team, with more assists and xAG per 90.

Engels, who was signed from Augsburg for a club-record £11m fee, is also similar to Clark in terms of the kind of signing he was, as a young player who was brought in to develop and improve in value, as Salzburg attempted to do with the Englishman.

The 22-year-old starlet enjoyed a strong first season with the Scottish giants. He scored ten goals and provided 13 assists in 52 appearances in all competitions, per Transfermarkt, although eight of those goals came from the penalty spot.

U23 scout Antonio Mango claimed that Engels is “going to thrive” at Parkhead, but his form has taken a turn for the worse in the 2025/26 campaign.

The Belgian whiz has no goals and one assist in 12 appearances in all competitions, per Transfermarkt, which shows that his form in front of goal has suffered a dip, much like Clark’s since his move to Salzburg.

This is another reason why the Hoops do not need to sign the Derby County loanee in January, because they already have a young and promising central midfielder who is in need of a turnaround in form to get his career back on track.

Celtic paid £11m to sign Engels, which is £5m more than they may have to pay to sign Clark, and Brendan Rodgers should currently be looking at ways to get the midfield talent back to his very best at Parkhead so that £11m does not become a wasted investment.

Celtic dud who should be in "bottom end of League One" is on borrowed time

This Celtic attacker is now on borrowed time at Parkhead ahead of the January window.

ByDan Emery Oct 16, 2025

Therefore, the Premiership champions should focus on reviving the Belgian star’s career at Parkhead instead of splashing £6m on another underperforming young midfielder.

The New York Yankees were able to stay alive in the World Series with an 11-4 victory in Game 4 on Tuesday night. While it was a huge victory for the team, one of the most memorable moments didn't come from any of their players, but rather from two fans who were ejected after prying a foul ball out of Mookie Betts's glove.

In case you missed it, Betts made a nice catch in the first inning, reaching over the wall in foul territory in right field. Two fans quickly started to grab at Betts's glove and his other hand, eventually ripping the ball away from him.

ESPN caught up with the fans, Austin Capobianco and John Peter, at a local bar after their ejection and they offered a ridiculous reason for doing what they did.

"We always joke about the ball in our area," said Capobianco, 38, who was the one who pried the ball out of Betts's glove. "We're not going to go out of our way to attack. If it's in our area, we're going to 'D' up. Someone defends, someone knocks the ball. We talk about it. We're willing to do this."

Capobianco had this to say to ESPN about his ejection:

"I know when I'm in the wrong and as soon as I did it, I was like, 'Boys I'm out of here. I patrol that wall and they know that."

Betts didn't want to talk too much about that bizarre moment after the game.

"When it comes to the person in play, it doesn't matter," Betts said. "We lost. It's irrelevant. I'm fine. He's fine. Everything's cool. We lost the game and that's what I'm kind of focused on. We got to turn the page and get ready for tomorrow."

Game 5 is Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium. Capobianco, who is a season ticket holder, said he was told they would be allowed to attend.

The weekend of baseball is here, and two streaking teams look to continue its form in a measuring stick matchup for each club.

The Houston Astros and New York Mets have erased slow starts to the year to get back to .500 and in the Wild Card picture in its respective leagues, but who will have the edge in the series opener on Friday?

I have bets for EVERY game on the loaded Friday night card, catch it all below.

Marlins vs. Phillies Prediction and Pick

Pick: Phillies (-235)

No team struggles more against left handed pitching than the Marlins, who are last in OPS against southpaws. 

Philadelphia should build on its NL East lead. 

Nationals vs. Rays Prediction and Pick

Pick: Nationals (+135)

The Nats are a strong underdog pick in a battle of two teams flirting with getting above .500 as we hit the halfway point of the season. 

Washington will start lefty Mitchell Parker, who can showcase his fine control and elite breaking ball pitches, against a Rays team that is about league average against lefty pitching. 

Rangers vs. Orioles Prediction and Pick

Pick: Orioles (-135)

While Max Scherezer may give the Rangers some upside in this matchup, the team isn’t hitting well enough in the month of June to trust as underdogs against an elite Orioles team. 

Texas is 28th in OPS in the month of June and has a below average bullpen as Scherezer still may be eased into his role in just his second start of the season. 

Yankees vs. Blue Jays Prediction and Pick

Pick: Blue Jays (+100)

New York has dropped nine of 10 games and it may not get easier against the Blue Jays left hander Yusei Kikuchi.

The Yankees lineup has been shallow around MVP front runner Aaron Judge and Juan Soto, and the team is below average in OPS this season against left handed pitching, which Kikuchi is. 

With that in mind, I’ll keep fading the Yankees. 

Rockies vs. White Sox Prediction and Pick

Pick: Rockies (+105)

It’s tough to decipher the difference between these teams, each team is more than 25 games under .500, and with that in mind I’ll grab the underdog Rockies in a game that features two futile clubs. 

Astros vs. Mets Prediction and Pick

Pick: Astros (-115)

Two of the hottest teams in baseball in the month of June meet in Flushing, New York on Friday. 

I’ll side with the road favorite Astros, who have finally gotten on track this season and will start one of its more consistent starters in Ronel Blanco. 

Blanco has been pitching above expectations this season, but not more than Jose Quintana of the Mets, who has posted an xERA of 5.14 with a 15th percentile hard-hit percentage. 

Both teams are playing its best, but I’ll give the nod to Houston. 

Padres vs. Red Sox Prediction and Pick

Pick: Red Sox (-155)

Nick Pivetta is an underrated arm in the American League postseason picture. A savvy veteran who does a good job at forcing soft contact, Pivetta has continued to strike out batters at a high clip (81st percentile). The righty has an ERA of 4.06, but his xERA is slightly lower at 3.95. 

Boston is rightfully a considerable favorite, but its the only side I can back. 

Pirates vs. Braves Prediction and Pick

Pick: Braves (-180)

Atlanta is just outside the top 10 in OPS against left handed pitching, and should have little issue knocking around Martin Perez, who is in the fourth percentile in terms of xBA and has an xERA of 5.70. 

Cubs vs. Brewers Prediction and Pick

Pick: Cubs (+115)

I can’t trust Colin Rea of the Brewers, one of the most regression bound pitchers in baseball. 

Rea is in the bottom 10 percentile in xERA, xBA and strikeout rate, a futile trio to be included in. 

Meanwhile, the Cubs lineup is far below the quality of the Brewers, but the team has the edge on the mound with Jameson Taillon, who has a 2.90 ERA with an elite hard-hit percentage (80th percentile), which can limit the ability for Milwaukee to have a big outing at the plate. 

Guardians vs. Royals Prediction and Pick

Pick: Royals (+100)

The Royals maintain a strong home record at Kauffman Field, 28-15 at home, and I like the team’s chances of winning a second straight against the Guardians. 

Cleveland will start Triston McKenzie, who has struggled all season, and it can get worse. McKenzie has no control of his pitches this season, his 14% walk rate is in the fourth percentile, and has an xERA of 5.24. 

The Royals lineup is struggling, but at home I like the team to handle McKenzie. 

Reds vs. Cardinals Prediction and Pick

Pick: Reds (+110)

I view this game as a coin flip, so I’m inclined to go with the underdog Reds who have a slight pitching edge on Friday. 

Frankie Montas isn’t striking out batters at the same clip as he has in the past, but has done an excellent job of limiting hard contact with an increased blend of off-speed pitches. 

The Reds have been the better team at the plate of late, 11th in OPS this month compared to the Cardinals at 16th, and I’ll take them as road underdogs. 

Tigers vs. Angels Prediction and Pick

Pick: Angels (+100)

The Tigers aren’t the upstart contender we envisioned in the preseason, and shouldn’t be favored against many teams on the road when starting Kenta Maeda. 

Maeda has seen his strikeout rate dwindle to 17%, about 10% lower than last season, and its shown in his spike in ERA to 6.00. 

Twins vs. Mariners Prediction and Pick

Pick: Mariners (-130)

Logan Gilbert should be able to navigate a surging Twins lineup and get the Mariners an impressive win. 

Gilbert has an ERA of 2.71 while showcasing pinpoint command (86th percentile) with the most devastating breaking ball pitches in the bigs this season (100th percentile in terms of run value). 

He’s a must bet at a small price tag. 

Athletics vs. Diamondbacks Prediction and Pick

Pick: Diamondbacks (-155)

Arizona is the third best hitting team against left handed pitching in terms of batting average (.272), which sets up nicely against J.P. Sears of the Athletics. 

Dodgers vs. Giants Prediction and Pick

Pick: Giants (-110)

The Giants will hope Logan Webb can continue to string together consistent efforts with a 94th percentile groundball rate, and limit the power of the Dodgers with his command, 86th percentile walk rate, to get the Giants a win against its high priced division foe. 

Meanwhile, the Dodgers will turn to rookie Landon Knack, who has shown some promise, but his 2.10 ERA is supported by a 3.28 xERA.

Tottenham Hotspur managed a late comeback last night in Norway to secure a 2-2 draw with Bodo Glimt in their second Champions League outing of the 2025/26 campaign.

At one stage, it looked certain as though Thomas Frank’s men would be heading for a defeat after the hosts established a two-goal lead with just 24 minutes remaining.

However, Micky van de Ven’s goal and an own goal from Jostein Gunderson secured a point for the Lilywhites to maintain their unbeaten European record this season.

It was far from an impressive display by Frank’s men, but the Dane will no doubt be impressed by his side’s ability to come back from an almost certain defeat.

Despite the fightback, numerous starters failed to take advantage of the chance that had been handed to them, with the manager desperately needing to drop multiple of them from his side.

Brennan Johnson’s performance against Bodo Glimt

Over the last couple of weeks, Brennan Johnson has been dropped to the Spurs bench in somewhat controversial fashion, after scoring twice in his first two outings of the Premier League campaign.

However, the Welsh international was handed a recall to the side for the clash in the Champions League last night – subsequently having the perfect chance to stake his claim for a regular starting role again.

The 24-year-old was unable to take advantage of the opportunity handed his way, producing a performance to forget against the Norwegian outfit.

He featured for an hour of the contest, but failed to create any chances for his teammates, whilst only registering one effort on goal, but failed to direct it on target.

Johnson also failed to complete any of his attempted dribbles, whilst also being unable to find a teammate with any of his crosses – subsequently being replaced by Mohammed Kudus.

However, despite the winger’s dismal showing, he wasn’t alone in failing to impress, with one other starter unable to make the impact he would’ve craved.

The Spurs star who produced a 3/10 display

After winning the Europa League last season, it has handed a generation of Spurs supporters the chance to endure a new and memorable adventure across the continent following their team.

The victory on the opening day may not have been the most convincing display, but it did manage to kickstart their ambitions of going deep in one of the world’s biggest competitions.

However, the performance against Bodo Glimt was one the manager will want to forget in a hurry, but their ability to come back will please the manager somewhat.

However, just like Johnson, numerous players failed to deliver during the draw, with centre forward Richarlison another talent who had an evening to forget.

The Brazilian has been the Dane’s main talisman during the opening weeks of the season, but he may need to experiment with his options after the latest showing from the forward.

During his 90-minute display, the 28-year-old only managed a total of 10 touches – an average of one every nine minutes, with such a tally lower than goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, who notched 46.

Richarlison also only managed to complete two passes, whilst also losing possession five times – an average of once every two times he made contact with the ball.

Minutes played

90

Touches

10

Passes completed

2

Possession lost

5

Big chances missed

1

Chances created

0

Fouls committed

1

Match rating

3/10

To further rub salt into his wounds, the attacker also missed a big chance, highlighting his wasteful nature despite having limited chances to make an impact in the final third.

As a result of his showing, the Brazilian was handed a measly 3/10 match rating by The Standard journalist Matt Verri – further highlighting his lack of quality in Norway.

After such a display, Frank simply must be left with no choice but to finally drop the attacker from his starting eleven, with Richarlison unable to build on his impressive form early on in the season.

It’s clear that reinforcements are still needed in such a department, but if the club are to be successful in the short-term, the boss desperately needs to come up with an immediate solution to the current centre-forward issue.

Forget Moore: Spurs have a bigger talent than Vuskovic in teen "superstar"

Tottenham Hotspur already have a star who could reach the next level under Thomas Frank.

ByEthan Lamb Sep 30, 2025

Bayern Munich's young midfielder Tom Bischof admitted his first few weeks under manager Vincent Kompany were 'truly crazy.' The 20-year-old German, who joined the club in the summer, said he was 'annoyed' by how demanding his new coach was at first, but now sees that constant push as one of the main reasons behind his quick growth.

• Bischof's breakthrough under Kompany

  The 20-year-old joined Bayern on a free transfer from Hoffenheim this summer. After missing the start of the season due to appendicitis, Bischof made his first Bundesliga start on September 26, registering an assist for Konrad Laimer’s late goal in Bayern’s 4-0 win over Werder Bremen. Since then, he has made seven appearances for the club and is steadily earning Kompany’s trust. 

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Bischof hails Kompany as rare coach who combines control and fun

  In an interview with , the German midfielder, who signed a four-year deal with the Bundesliga giants in January, heaped high praise on Kompany and his unique coaching style, describing him as a rare manager who blends strict control with an enjoyable atmosphere. 

  "I've rarely seen a coach who has the team so under control and, at the same time, brings so much fun to training sessions and the team as he does. The first three weeks were truly crazy," he said. "He told me something about practically every move. I almost thought: 'Please, that's enough.' I was annoyed, but I have to say that, looking back, it's helped me tremendously. I constantly think of his words in my actions. Run after them, always keep up! He drilled that into my head. And it's stuck there forever."

• German youngster says Bayern’s winning mentality was key factor behind move

  Bischof said his move to Munich was a deliberate decision despite knowing the level of competition that awaited him. "I'm a guy who likes challenges. And I've often said that the identity of Bayern Munich suits me. I'm a winner. When you go to the training ground, you just notice that the lads want to win; they fight for every ball. All of that suits me, and I'm keen to assert myself."

  He also credited several senior teammates for helping him settle in. 

  "Of course, I also learn from Jo [Kimmich], because he's one of the best in his position. But I could name so many. Jonathan Tah, Leon Goretzka, Aleks Pavlovic, Serge Gnabry, Harry Kane, Michael Olise – they all keep an eye on me, take me by the hand, and give me tips. That gives me a lot of confidence on the pitch."

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  What's next for Bayern and Bischof?

  Bayern have been in unstoppable form under Kompany, winning all 10 of their matches this season. Meanwhile, Bischof, who also featured for Germany’s senior national team in the Nations League this year, will be seen in action for the Under-21 side against Greece in Friday’s European Championship qualifier.

Sakariya himself is working his way back from injury, having last played competitive cricket in February 2024

ESPNcricinfo staff16-Mar-2025Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have brought in left-arm seamer Chetan Sakariya as a replacement for Umran Malik, who has been sidelined from IPL 2025.Malik, 25, has not played a competitive match since IPL 2024, when he played just one game for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Sakariya himself is working his way back from injury. He was last in action in a representative match during the Ranji Trophy in February 2024.An out-and-out quick who can hit 150kph, Malik burst on to the scene in 2021, but has been troubled by injuries and illness since. He was due to play the Duleep Trophy at the start of the 2024-25 domestic season, but had to be withdrawn after suffering a bout of dengue. He then suffered a hip fracture.Related

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Malik has played eight T20Is, picking up 11 wickets at an economy rate of 10.48. As for Sakariya, he has played two T20Is, taking one wicket at an economy rate of 9.27.Sakariya could potentially fill in for Spencer Johnson, who is KKR’s first-choice left-arm fast bowler. Malik’s injury-enforced absence now means that KKR don’t have a like-for-like Indian option for Anrich Nortje, who is also prone to injury.Sakariya was with the KKR squad as a reserve player last season and in this season, he was a net bowler with them before being picked as a replacement player.”I feel very happy. It feels like I never left the squad, and have just rejoined the team the next year with the same energy and in the same environment,” Sakariya told . “I am very grateful to the KKR management for trusting me. I am in a good state of mind and I have prepared well.”Sakariya is looking forward to working with the KKR coaching staff, including B Arun and Dwayne Bravo.”In our coaching staff, we can work on our technical aspect as well as tactical. We have the combination of both,” he said. “If we need any help with planning for a match, we can go to DJ Bravo, and if there’s an issue with our rhythm or something, Bharat Arun is renowned for that. So we fast bowlers will get both benefits here.”KKR are the defending champions, having beaten SRH in the IPL 2024 final.Click here for KKR’s full squad.

The tenth season of the six-team Pakistan Super League (PSL) will begin on April 11 with a fixture between defending champions Islamabad United and two-time champions Lahore Qalandars in Rawalpindi. The matches – 34 in total – will be played across Rawalpindi, Karachi, Multan and Lahore, with the playoffs slotted for Rawalpindi (May 13) and Lahore (May 14 and 16) and the final also in Lahore on May 18.The refurbished Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore will host the most matches, 13, including two of the playoff fixtures and the final, while Rawalpindi will host 11, including the opener and the first qualifier, and Karachi and Multan will host five matches each. There will be a total of three double-headers: Peshawar Zalmi vs Quetta Gladiators in Rawalpindi and Karachi Kings vs Multan Sultans in Karachi on April 12; Sultans vs Kings in Multan and Qalandars vs Gladiators on May 1; Sultans vs Gladiators in Multan and United vs Kings in Rawalpindi on May 10.”We are thrilled to officially announce the schedule for the historic 10th edition of the HBL Pakistan Super League,” PSL chief executive Salman Naseer said in a PC statement. “Over the past decade, the HBL PSL has grown into a globally recognised tournament, showcasing the best of Pakistan’s cricketing talent.”Related

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• PCB confirms PSL expansion from 2026 with two new teams

This season, there will also be an exhibition match in Peshawar before the start of the tournament – the teams for it have not been announced yet, but it is scheduled for April 8, three days before the start of the tournament proper.”As part of our commitment to expanding the reach of the HBL PSL, we are delighted to host an exhibition match in Peshawar before the start of the tournament, which is a significant step in bringing top-tier cricket to Peshawar, a city with a deep-rooted love for the game,” Naseer said. “We remain dedicated to enhancing the experience for players, fans, and stakeholders, who have witnessed some breathtaking contests in the league over the years.”Starting this year, the PSL will be played in an April-May window, clashing with the IPL. This year, the schedule was changed to accommodate the ongoing Champions Trophy, which is being played in the traditional PSL window, but from next year, because the ILT20 and the SA20 have eaten into the PSL window, it will officially move to later dates.This edition will also be the last six-team PSL, with the PCB and the six existing franchises having agreed to add two new teams from 2026.Though the cities for the two new teams have not been announced yet, there could, potentially, be some changes around, since the ten-year lease ownership agreements the PSL had reached with franchise owners expire in 2025. All six owners have the right of first refusal, meaning ownership of a current franchise only goes up for sale in the event of an owner declining to match the franchise’s valuation.

Seattle Sounders midfielder Obed Vargas is in top form, but it hasn’t earned him a call from Javier Aguirre, who he says he hasn’t spoken with about a spot. Vargas has 2,183 MLS minutes this season plus 1,107 across the Club World Cup, Champions Cup and Leagues Cup. Yet the Alaska-born 20-year-old has just one Mexico cap, with only three FIFA dates left before 2026.

Getty Images SportThe midfield leader – but for the U-20s

Despite an unclear situation with Mexico's first team, Vargas is set to lead Mexico at the upcoming U-20 World Cup, where will face Brazil, Morocco, and Spain in Group C. The Seattle Sounders midfielder has already showcased the quality that many believe could help Aguirre’s senior team. So far, though, his only appearance with the senior side came in a friendly against the United States in October 2024.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportNo contact with Aguirre for now

Asked if he had any conversations with Aguirre about a possible call-up, Vargas was blunt.

 “No, nothing," he said to ESPN. “I know that the league I play in and the Mexican league… maybe a lot of people see Liga MX as superior to MLS, and that’s why they don’t give me as much credit for what I do here. I don’t understand it, but I don’t get sad about it. I know these are obstacles I have to overcome, like many I’ve already faced. I’ll just keep doing well with my team, winning trophies like we’ve been doing. If we reach the MLS final and the CONCACAF Champions Cup and do well, then why not [get called up]? I’m not closing the door on that mission.”

Getty Images SportHe stays realistic about his current situation

Vargas has quickly become a fan favorite in Seattle, even earning selection to the MLS All-Star Game this year. His performances have fueled talk of a possible World Cup role, though the midfielder remains realistic. 

“I’ve said it before – if the World Cup was today, I wouldn’t go," he said. "But maybe I’m closer than I think. Sometimes I look at the national team and tell myself that for the next World Cup, I’ll be there. If it started in a week, I wouldn’t go. The good thing is I still have time, and a lot can happen. I’m not closing the door because it’s a dream, but I’m also realistic about the steps I need to take to get there.”

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Getty Images SportHis mind is set on the youth World Cup

For now, his focus is firmly on the U-20 World Cup, which kicks off Sept. 28 against Brazil. Vargas praised the chemistry and preparation of Mexico’s youth squad. 

“This camp was short, only seven days, but with Gil Mora and the rest of the guys, it was easy to fit in since we already knew each other," he said. "We’re excited and motivated with the group we have. We know the group stage will be tough, but sooner or later, you have to face the best, and we’re mentally ready. If you want to go far in a U-20 World Cup, you need a strong, united team – and I think we have that.”