Pak cricketers likely to play in BBL after stalemate resolved
SYDNEY, Oct 25: Pakistan stalwarts like Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Muhammad Rizwan are likely to play in the upcoming Big Bash League after Cricket Australia has reportedly secured a last-minute reprieve on PCB banning its players from participating in franchise-based T20 tournaments overseas.Last month, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had suspended all no-objection certificates for its players wanting to compete in T20 leagues outside the country.PCB’s decision to suspend the NOCs had come a day after Pakistan lost a thrilling Asia Cup final to India in the UAE.The move came as a huge blow to Cricket Australia and BBL clubs as they had contracted several Pakistani players for the upcoming season.A report in SEN Radio said a solution had been reached.“About three weeks ago the Pakistan Cricket Board emailed agents of star players to tell them no objections certificates would be on hold,” Australian journalist Tom Morris told SEN.“Pakistan – like India – would not allow its players to play in the Big Bash or any franchise league outside of the country. This rocked the Big Bash, it rocked Cricket Australia with seven of the eight clubs having one Pakistan player,” he said.“I’ve done more digging and I understand CA reached to the PCB on the issues and now they have clarified that these seven players will be allowed to play in the BBL and there is no material change.” The report did not mention how the stalemate was broken. (PTI)
Delhi to host UKK season 3
NEW DELHI, Oct 25: The Ultimate Kho Kho (UKK) League will be hosted in the national capital for the first time when action unfolds in the third edition from November 29 at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium.Pune and Cuttack had hosted the previous two editions.The six-team league unveiled its season-3 anthem, a vibrant celebration of Kho Kho’s speed, energy, and emotional connect across India and features top league players Dilip Khandavi, Rohan Singhade, and Avdhut Patil, along with fans and athletes from diverse corners of the country.“Ultimate Kho Kho is a movement celebrating India’s Kho Kho legacy through a modern lens,” said Amit Burman, Promoter of UKK.Arriving at a time when India’s bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games is gathering momentum, UKK’s Delhi edition underscores the growing spotlight on indigenous sports. (PTI)
Raman makes history as first Indian head coach in WNBA
NEW YORK, Oct 25: New York assistant Sonia Raman has agreed to a deal to become the head coach of the Seattle Storm, a person familiar with the hire told The Associated Press.The person spoke on condition of anonymity on Friday because no official announcement has been made.Raman was an assistant with the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies for four years before coming to the New York Liberty this past season. She’ll make history as the first person of Indian descent to be a head coach in the WNBA.Seattle fired coach Noelle Quinn last month after the Storm were eliminated by the Las Vegas Aces in the first round of the playoffs.ESPN was the first to report the hire.With this hire, New York is the only team still without a head coach. The Liberty didn’t renew Sandy Brondello’s contract after Ne w York lost in the opening round to Phoenix. Raman was up for the New York job as well.The Storm could look very different next year with All-Stars Nneka Ogwumike, Skylar Diggins, Gabby Williams and Brittney Sykes set to be unrestricted free agents. Mostveteran players in the WNBA will be with a new collective bargaining agreement expected to raise salaries when it finally gets done.Still, Raman will have sensational young forward Dominique Malonga, who was the No. 2 pick the draft last season.Raman’s coaching career started at MIT where she was a head coach from 2008-20. She led the school to the Division III NCAA Tournament twice and remains the winningest coach in program history. (AP)
