The HBL Pakistan Super League (HBL PSL) is going to make a global journey another milestone by organizing a remarkable Roadshow at the legendary Lord's Cricket Ground (MCC) in London – the cricket's religious home and one of the most iconic places in the world of sports. The gathering is to open up the world's investors and the commercial partners, as well as the fans of cricket, for an evening that will reveal the league's rapid rise, commercial strength, and ambitious future.

The PSL has changed dramatically over the past ten years from a Pakistani domestic league to one of the most exciting and commercially strong T20 competitions in the world. Besides, the league has already started preparing for its next expansion phase, which will be marked by the introduction of two new teams. To this end, there has already been a considerable interest from the UK potential franchise owners, which is a clear indication of the league's growing international presence and the establishment of its strong connection with UK cricket.

The London Roadshow plans to capitalize on this momentum and provide the attendees with an immersive experience into the HBL PSL's commercial ecosystem, strategic vision, and long-term growth trajectory.

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PCB Chairman Underscores League’s Global Ambitions

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said the occasion was a watershed for the cricket of Pakistan. "The HBL PSL has become synonymous with quality and aspirations, and by taking this Roadshow to Lord's center of cricket history-we are actually indicating our dedication to promoting Pakistan cricket globally. The response we have received from the UK market confirms the league's worldwide attraction. This event is an important chance to engage global partnerships more deeply and to communicate our long-term plans of growth and innovation."

🚨 PSL ROADSHOW AT LORDS ON 7 DEC 🚨 pic.twitter.com/SZyygaRIAl

— Sheri. (@CallMeSheri1_) December 2, 2025

HBL PSL CEO Salman Naseer was also quite happy and said the same thing about the next chapter of the league. "HBL PSL has turned out to be a high-quality cricket league recognized worldwide, having a good commercial value and a dedicated int. audience. Holding our Roadshow at Lord's gives investors unrivaled access to the league's future plans, specifically with two new teams coming. The interest from abroad investors is very encouraging and shows the widespread acceptance of the league."

The Roadshow is likely to draw in major businessmen, potential franchise owners, and cricket fans who cannot wait to be part of the action of one of the fastest-growing leagues in the sport. As a special bonus, 30 superfans will be given the rare chance to attend, and the ticket information will be shared soon.

The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) match in Hyderabad saw a heart-touching scene when a kid fan ran onto the pitch just to see Hardik Pandya. The all-rounder from Baroda, who is recognised for his easy-going nature even in the most stressful scenarios, reacted very coolly. Actually, he didn't let the security staff roughly overpower the trespasser; he instead promptly guided them to be patient and let the fan be taken away gently. This whole thing, which was part of the game, was soon circulating on the internet and being talked about by everybody, so soon enough, Hardik got a lot of applause for his compassion and quick thinking. 

The event transpired during the much-awaited Baroda vs Punjab rivalry, which turned out to be the highest-tracked match of this week’s SMAT line-up. Hardik, who was coming back to competitive cricket after more than two months, was the major attraction of the game. However, his return did not go as expected in terms of bowling. He was playing his first game since representing India against Sri Lanka during the Asia Cup 2025 on September 26; thus, Hardik bowled all his overs but faced a hard time giving away 52 runs with just one wicket to his name.

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Punjab’s Power-Hitters Punish Hardik on His Return

From the outset, Punjab's fierce top order aggressively attacked him. Captain Abhishek Sharma hit a lightning-quick 50 off only 19 balls, and Anmolpreet Singh burdened the opposition even more with his magnificent 69 off just 32 balls. Hardik did have a fleeting chance of atonement in his last over when he got Anmolpreet out, but Punjab had already made a quick and powerful 222.
Watch the video: 

Play stopped multiple times in Hyderabad as fans kept running onto the ground to meet Hardik Pandya!#SyedMushtaqAliTrophy #BarodavsPunjab pic.twitter.com/klHmekLhHz

— Mohsin Kamal (@64MohsinKamal) December 2, 2025

Hardik, who was absent for the first three matches of the tournament for Baroda, was the bowler who opened the bowling for his team, but could not swing the ball or find his rhythm on the pitch at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. With Baroda confronting the overwhelming challenge of getting 223 runs in 20 overs, the focus is now on Hardik's performance with the bat.

The tournament beyond this one match, the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, is very important for the star all-rounder. The five-match T20I series in South Africa next month means the tournament is providing Hardik a very important platform to reclaim his match fitness and confidence. As one of India's most seasoned T20 players, particularly after the T20I retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, Hardik's form is closely monitored, and the viral fan incident has only increased the chatter around his comeback.

India all-rounder Hardik Pandya has successfully gone through a rigorous rehabilitation program at BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) and has been authorized to start bowling again in T20s, PTI said. His much-awaited return is likely to be during the India vs. South Africa five-match T20I series next month. The 32-year-old underwent an elaborate Return to Play (RTP) procedure at CoE between October 21 and November 30, after which the medical team pronounced him completely fit for the shortest format of the game.

Hardik has not played since he got a left quadriceps injury during the Asia Cup in September—the injury that not only ruled him out of the tour to Australia but also made him miss the current ODI series with South Africa. The BCCI had already pointed out that Hardik would be treated as a T20I player only up to the 2026 T20 World Cup, so his being declared a bowling all-rounder was a great help for India’s tactical planning.

SMAT stint to test readiness

In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), Hardik will play for Baroda, as a part of his slow return, to find out if the body can stand the competitive overload. As per PTI, he will be on the field at least two times, once against Punjab on December 2 and once against Gujarat on December 4, with a possible third game against Haryana on December 6. Such activities will indicate whether he is able to bowl in successive matches, which is a significant sign of match fitness.

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Pragyan Ojha, a former India spinner who is now the national selection committee member, is the one to look after Hardik's progress throughout the tournament and to provide the selectors and team management with real-time updates. His presence indicates Hardik's significance in the T20I setup of India, where he is still a power hitter and a good bowler.

The first T20I of the South Africa series is scheduled for December 9 at Cuttack, followed by Mullanpur and other venues. If Hardik gets through the SMAT games, fine, he will be considered for the national squad, which will then coincide perfectly with India's workload management during the T20 World Cup 2026 preparation; hence, it is a win-win situation.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has made an official announcement regarding the rescheduled dates of the sixth season of the Lanka Premier League (LPL). The tournament is now set to be held from July 8 to August 8, 2026. This move signifies a return to the league's usual mid-summer period, a timeframe that proved to be highly advantageous during previous seasons, including the 2023 one.

The shift in schedule is a result of SLC's decision to delay the tournament from late November to late December 2025, which was initially planned for the first week of December. This postponement was necessary as Sri Lanka is set to partner with India in the co-hosting arrangement for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. The global tournament is planned for the months of February and March 2026, and the SLC has made the revelation of the venue’s readiness and related infrastructural revamping at the three chosen World Cup venues a priority.

LPL rescheduled as Sri Lanka focuses on World Cup venues

The renovation project of the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium (RPICS) in Colombo had already been put on hold due to Sri Lanka’s commitment as a co-host of the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup. Now, with another major ICC event approaching, SLC is directing all its efforts towards ensuring the timely completion of all stadium improvements, even if it means finishing ahead of the projected timeline. The board has pointed out that the requirement of meticulous planning for the hosting of back-to-back ICC events makes the alteration of the LPL schedule a very significant act.

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In an official press release, SLC confirmed that this action was taken with a view to the wider national cricketing priorities. The board stated, "The postponement was made with the requirement of preparing the host venues of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 well in advance, which directly justifies the league's mid-year return, constituting several previous editions."

The preparations are still there, and the attention is not just on the teams for the upcoming season, but also on team changes. The four franchises, Colombo Kaps, Dambulla Sixers, Galle Marvels, and Kandy Falcons, have already decided on the 2026 season. Meanwhile, the Jaffna franchise, formerly known as the Jaffna Kings, remains in an uncertain future after SLC's decision to terminate the contract between them. The former owner, Lyca Group, was found unfit and was thus removed from the board. It is still unknown if SLC will rebrand the Jaffna team or if it will be completely replaced with a new franchise.

SLC is looking to the revamped dates to give both the LPL and the T20 World Cup the strategic attention and planning they need, thus ensuring a successful cricketing calendar for 2026.

In a significant development for the sport, Saudi Arabia has made its official entry into mainstream cricket by signing a 15-year strategic agreement with the International League T20 (ILT20). The agreement is intended to develop Saudi cricket within the international framework, with plans to host league matches in the Kingdom and introduce a Saudi-based franchise in a future season.

As part of this agreement, the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation (SACF) has sanctioned and licensed the DP World ILT20, sanctioned by the Emirates Cricket Board, as an official T20 league for men and women to play matches in Saudi Arabia in future seasons. The agreement will also provide that all six ILT20 franchises include at least one Saudi player in their squads from Season 4 onwards, which will take place from December 2, 2025, until January 4, 2026.

In a statement, the ILT20 stated this will create a direct pathway for Saudi players to participate in the league, getting exposure and experience playing alongside international stars. Over the years, ILT20 has featured some of the most recognizable names in cricket, including David Warner, Dwayne Bravo, and Jonathan Trott.

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ILT20 Chairman Khalid Al Zarooni expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "We are very proud to announce our partnership with the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation. Saudi Arabia is an important part of the Gulf region, and to see its ambition to develop cricket is fantastic." 

Prince Saud Bin Mishal Al-Saud, Chair of the SACF, said that the agreement of a partnership demonstrates Saudi Arabia's commitment to developing cricket players as well as advancing its wider sports agenda. "It also allows for an ongoing convergence of fan engagement and provides a new commercial pathway to develop the game with both infrastructure and tourism," he communicated. 

This agreement demonstrates Saudi Arabia's significant progress in becoming a regional cricketing superpower and continuing to diversify its sports ecosystem as part of Vision 2030.

Former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar has criticized star batsman Shreyas Iyer for taking a six-month break from red-ball cricket. Vengsarkar was shocked when Iyer quoted fitness concerns for red-ball cricket but being perfectly fit for white-ball cricket. The 30-year-old Iyer has played 14 Tests for India, making 811 runs with an average of 36.86, including one century and five half-centuries.

Iyer played his last Test in February 2024 before being dropped on grounds of form and fitness issues. He has since played numerous red-ball games in domestic cricket. He was recently appointed captain of India A for the four-day series against Australia A but left the second game after participating in the first.

He was also expected to feature in the Rest of India squad for the Irani Cup and was in line for a potential return to the Indian Test team for the home series against the West Indies. However, Iyer requested a six-month break from red-ball cricket due to back concerns, which the BCCI approved. Secretary Devajit Saikia stated that the period would allow Iyer to build endurance and work on fitness levels.

Vengsarkar Questions Red-Ball Break

Despite the BCCI’s approval, Vengsarkar is unhappy with Iyer’s decision. Speaking to Mid-day, he said, “To be honest, it’s a dilemma for me, because he [Iyer] says that he is unfit for red-ball cricket but is fit for the white-ball cricket. I don’t understand the difference between red-ball cricket and white-ball cricket. I feel that if you are fit for white-ball cricket, you are obviously fit for red-ball cricket too. Choosing red-ball or white-ball and such things are beyond my comprehension.”

See Also: PCB considers Babar Azam recall amid doubts over Salman Ali Agha’s T20I form

Meanwhile, with Rohit Sharma recently sacked as India’s ODI captain, Shubman Gill was elevated to captain for the Australia tour, and Iyer was named his deputy. Legendary spinner Harbhajan Singh praised Iyer’s return to a leadership role, calling him an impact player. “I’m very happy for Shreyas Iyer. He’s one of those guys who hardly gets the credit he deserves. We talk about that World Cup in India, he scored back-to-back centuries, and with what pace! He’s an impact player; when he gets going, he makes things easy for the dressing room and the other batters. I’m happy he’s back in the scheme of things, not just as a player but with a bigger responsibility as vice-captain. I’m looking forward to seeing what he brings to the table in terms of ideas and how he and Shubman Gill take this team forward,” he added.

The Asia Cup 2025 is just a few days away, and the anticipation is ever-building for the eight-team mega T20 international competition. The biennial event is slated to commence on September 9, 2025, and run until September 28, 2025. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) plays host to the continental tournament, with the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai and the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi selected as the venues for the 19 matches. The former will host the final to decide the Asian champions for 2025, preceding the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka. The eight teams competing are India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, UAE, Afghanistan, Oman, and Hong Kong, divided into two groups of four. The group stage is followed by a Super-4 round, and then the top two teams face off in the final for Asian glory.

As is evident in the past, the tournament has witnessed some exciting battles, with players taking centre-stage and emerging as match winners for their respective countries. This edition promises to go a step ahead in delivering that same drama and adrenaline rush for everyone alike. Teams are expected to field relatively younger sides with new heroes in the fray for snatching headlines and eventually becoming the mainstays. This upholds the prevailing excitement and appreciates the anticipation around, with the right ingredients for witnessing intense and mouth-watering cricket contests. In a format driven by strategies, tactics, statistics, and analytics, match-ups and head-to-head individual tussles often hold the power to swing the pendulum towards either of the teams. They have a fair say in the decision of the match, and the majority of the outcomes are hence dependent on them. This fetches the focus and attention on the top three player match-ups to keep a curious eye on in the upcoming Asia Cup. 

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Shubman Gill Vs Shaheen Shah Afridi

Back in the T20 circuit for India and now also as the vice-captain, Shubman Gill is going through a purple patch in his playing career. Having had a great Indian Premier League (IPL) season and backing it up with some stupendous batting performances in the test series in England, the talismanic batter is expected to open the innings with his state-mate Abhishek Sharma. In IPL 2025, he churned 650 runs at a strike rate of 155.87, playing as an opener for the Gujarat Titans, and that tally seems pivotal for his return in the mix. He, however, in a marquee clash against the arch-rivals, will be pitted against Pakistan's ace pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, whose left-arm angle can cause issues for the Indian batter. Shaheen had an impeccable Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 season and led his Lahore Qalandars side to the title as the highest wicket-taker in the tournament. He amassed 19 wickets at an average of 16.42 and an economy of 7.76. He is currently playing in a T20I tri-series involving Afghanistan and the UAE in Sharjah, and scalped 2 wickets for 21 runs in the first match against the Afghanis. The duo will be matching up against each other for the very first occasion in the T20 format. 

SALMAN AGHA Vs RASHID KHAN

The match-up stands tall among all the individual face-offs that the game between Afghanistan and Pakistan throws. The latter enter the tournament with an inexperienced batting line-up, devoid of the stalwarts like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. Their current skipper, Salman Agha, has been in a great nick and is arguably their best batter alongside Fakhar Zaman. In the ongoing tri-series in the UAE, it was the Pakistan captain who played an impressive knock of 53 runs to help his side post a winning total against Afghanistan. Rashid Khan's spin bowling exploits are well-renowned across the cricketing world, and his performances, coupled with leadership duties, will be crucial in Afghanistan's longevity in the competition. In the first two matches of the tri-series, he has been successful in accumulating 4 wickets at an insane average of 11.75. 

Pathum Nissanka Vs Mustafizur Rahman

Arguably, Sri Lanka's best white ball batter among the present crop of players, Pathum Nissanka, for a long time has been the backbone of the island nation's run scoring. He often sets the tone as an opener, and his contingent style of batting enables him to play several roles. He can be explosive or lead as an anchor depending on the game situation. Currently touring Zimbabwe, he won the man of the series award for his scintillating batting performances in the ODI rubber. Sri Lanka will hope that he stays consistent and serves his nation for as long as possible. The fixture against Bangladesh has emerged as a new rivalry in Asian cricket, with some very close and nail-biting thrillers, over the recent years, upholding this fact. Mustafizur Rahman, Bangladesh's premier fast bowler, holds immense potential to wreak havoc among the Lankan batters, and the latter will certainly have to be wary of his immaculate bowling skills. 

Besides these three essential and top match-ups, there can be several other subtle moments in a fixture that can determine the eventualities. T20 cricket is a game of fine margins with little scope for error. The format of the Asia Cup contains the group, round-robin, and knockout stages. It tests every team against the other, and to be crowned the Asian T20I Champions for 2025, sides will have to bring in their premium quality game against some tough oppositions, and in extreme heat weather conditions of the Gulf region. 

Cricket in Hong Kong is entering a new era of growth and opportunity with the announcement of a landmark partnership between Cricket Hong Kong China and Arivaa Sports Private Limited.

Arivaa Sports, an India-based sports management company, has been confirmed as the official sponsor of the Hong Kong Men’s Cricket Team, supporting their journey from grassroots development to the Asia Cup 2025 and beyond. This partnership is expected to boost resources, exposure, and opportunities for Hong Kong cricket as the team continues its upward trajectory in international competitions.

Arivaa to Manage Hong Kong Sixes 2025

Alongside the sponsorship deal, Cricket Hong Kong has also appointed Arivaa Sports as the exclusive management and commercial partner for the Hong Kong Sixes 2025. The iconic short-format cricket spectacle will return on October 31, November 1, and November 2, 2025, at the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground in Hong Kong.

The Sixes is one of the most unique and entertaining cricket events in the world, known for its fast-paced matches, festival-like atmosphere, and international flavor. The 2025 edition promises to be the biggest yet, with players from 12 different countries competing over three action-packed days.

🚨 ARIVAA SPORTS 🤝 CRICKET HONG KONG. 🚨

-Arivaa Sports will be sponsoring Hong Kong's men's cricket team. 👏 pic.twitter.com/YuKbzQcSAw

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) August 23, 2025

Leaders Speak on the New Era

Speaking about the partnership, Mr. Burji Shroff, Chairperson of Cricket Hong Kong China, said: “We are excited to be taking steps forward this year to enhance the Sixes. The Sixes is a tournament steeped in history, and with Arivaa Sports as our exclusive partner, we are convinced this year’s iteration will be larger, better, and more engaging than ever before.”

Adding to this, Mr. Rajneesh Chopra, Co-Founder of Arivaa Sports, expressed his enthusiasm: “We are privileged to be entrusted with such a prestigious global event. The Hong Kong Sixes is a unique celebration of cricket, and we will work hard to ensure a world-class experience for players, fans, and stakeholders.”

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A Bright Future for Hong Kong Cricket

The dual role of Arivaa Sports both as sponsor of the Hong Kong Men’s Team and as commercial partner for the Sixes marks a transformative step for cricket in Hong Kong. The collaboration is designed to bring global exposure, professional expertise, and fan engagement to new heights, blending tradition with innovation.

As the Hong Kong Men’s Team prepares for the Asia Cup 2025, and the legendary Sixes makes its grand return, fans can look forward to a thrilling new chapter in Hong Kong’s cricket journey.

Hong Kong team for Asia Cup 2025

Yasim Murtaza (c), Babar Hayat, Zeeshan Ali, Niazakat Khan Mohammad, Nasrulla Rana, Martin Coetzee, Anshuman Rath, Kalhan Marc Challu, Ayush Ashish Shukla, Mohammad Aizaz Khan, Ateeq ul Rehman Iqbal, Kinchit Shah, Adil Mehmood, Haroon Mohammad Arshad, Ali Hassan, Shahid Wasif, Ghazanfar Mohammad, Mohammad Waheed, Anas Khan, Ehsan Khan

Pakistan's cricket community is ablaze after Chief Selector Ajib Javed confirmed that the recent rumors were true and Babar Azam will not be in the 17-member squad for the T20I Asia Cup. Fans were taken by surprise as they expected the experienced batter to play at this big tournament, but Javed said that they were committed to their team plans, and every decision made was with the long-term plan in mind.

Babar, who is one of Pakistan's biggest run-scorers over the past couple of years, has been outside of the T20I considerations in the last few series, but his omission from the Asia Cup squad has opened up more conversations about the selectors and their perceived biases. Pakistan appears interested in reshaping its batting order and giving younger and newer players opportunities, and management seems focused on keeping a modern look at its talent targets and avoiding perceived inheritances.

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Babar Azam left out of Asia Cup squad but kept on standby by selectors

Reports additionally indicate that Babar was unable to participate in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) this season either. It’s believed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) does not want him playing franchise cricket abroad, instead preferring him to stay on standby for the Asia Cup. While Babar may be off the main squad for now, it shows the selectors have him in their plans for something like a back-up during the tournament, in case they need to call on him.

This situation has raised plenty of debate among fans and experts alike. Some claim it's a risk to leave out a player of Babar's quality, particularly for such an important tournament, given his experience and ability to set an innings up, which has been crucial in recent tournaments. Other comparisons have been made that the selectors are looking ahead and are right to be building a team for the future, capable of doing well and adapting to the fast pace of modern T20 games.

Babar Azam's role in Pakistan's T20 set-up can be somewhat uncertain at the moment. Given his absence, Pakistan may seem to be heading in a different direction strategically, but with him being kept on standby, we cannot officially discount him being called into the playing XI.

Leadership in the shortest format is a scratchy job, and MS Dhoni, the former Indian captain, who earned the T20 World Cup 2007, was known for such instincts in the field, which could change the flow of the game instantly. One of the best aspects of his captaincy was the changes he used to make in the bowling attack and get wickets immediately.

The current Gujarat Titans opener and the former England captain, Jos Buttler, recently expressed that matchups were not part of the game in the past. He reckoned that Dhoni used to do the matchups back in the days, like he would bowl an off-spinner against the left-handed batter.

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‘Sometimes, in a sort of modern cricket, it gets a bit misconstrued that people talk about matchups. Be the word that everyone says on commentary, ‘oh, these are the matchups. It’s the modern thing.’ But back in the day, people just called that cricket knowledge. You know, I like Dhoni was doing matchups a while ago, back in the day, before it became. It’s like let’s just bowl an off-spinner at the left-hander.’ Buttler explained during a recent podcast with former pacer Stuart Broad.

Watch: GT star highlights MS Dhoni’s knowledge on leadership

Buttler, who has experience of 458 games in the T20s for 13055 runs at an average of 35.66 and a strike rate of 145.93, thanks to eight centuries and 93 half-centuries, explained how data would never be the combination of numbers only, but a mixture of experience and other staff.

'MS Dhoni sees things before it's happened. He is fountain of Knowledge' - Jos Buttler while talking about Match Ups in Cricket !! pic.twitter.com/0gwqN7kR3I

— 🎰 (@StanMSD) July 25, 2025

‘It’s not like match-ups. Back in the day, it might have worked. Date isn’t just numbers. Data can be experiences; it can be quantified in loads of different ways. People talk about Dhoni’s captaincy, and it’s like he sees things before they happen. He is the fountain of knowledge and data. There is a collaboration and some kind of conviction, and that’s where teams work very well.’ Buttler shed light.

The thing is very simple. For any captain, it’s about deciding on their own in the field. Matchups will stay there, but having the gut feeling of how the game is panning out on that very day and tweaking the plans around that would put him in the front seat. There could be mistakes, but there are lessons to learn.