AIFF optimistic about ISL clubs’ consent to its 20-year proposal; also finds interest from new corporates!
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) seems optimistic that the clubs that were handed a long-term (20-year) proposal to run the country’s top-tier football league on Friday will finally agree. The Federation is waiting for the clubs’ consent in the next crucial meeting on 29th December, scheduled at the Football House in New Delhi. The club representatives, however, will reportedly convince the respective club owners before agreeing to the AIFF proposal. They are also expected to confirm the model of the ISL, proposed by the three-man committee. AIFF, however, is aware that with the resumption of the ISL this year, operated by the clubs themselves, it will not be able to gain financial profit. But it is believed that three multi-national corporate houses have expressed a desire to invest in Indian football in the near future. They are reportedly keen to join the ISL as commercial partners, but from the next season. It is also believed that once the AIFF gets clubs’ official consent in its 29th December meeting, the Federation has planned to appeal to the Union Sports Ministry to ask the respective state governments to come forward with their support for the ISL clubs who will be hosting their home matches, after choosing the proposed model.
BPL coach Mahbub Ali Zaki dies minutes before the team’s opener
Dhaka Capitals assistant coach Mahbub Ali Zaki died on Saturday after collapsing suddenly at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, minutes before the commencement of his team’s opening Bangladesh Premier League match against the Rajshahi Warriors. Team staff and medical personnel immediately administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) after Zaki, 59, collapsed on the ground during his team’s pre-match preparations. He was taken by ambulance to Al Haramain Hospital, where he was declared dead. The match went ahead as per the original schedule, with the players, coaches, and match officials observing a minute’s silence for Zaki. “The Bangladesh Cricket Board deeply mourns the passing of Mahbub Ali Zaki (59), Specialist Pace Bowling Coach of the BCB Game Development Department and Assistant Coach of Dhaka Capitals in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) T20 2026. “He passed away today, 27 December 2025, in Sylhet at around 1:00 PM. Mahbub Ali Zaki’s dedication and invaluable contribution to the development of fast bowling and Bangladesh cricket will be remembered with profound respect and gratitude. “The Bangladesh Cricket Board extends its deepest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and the entire cricketing fraternity at this time of immense loss,” said the BCB in a statement on Saturday. The sudden collapse shocked everyone on the ground, with team officials saying Zaki gained prominence in Bangladesh’s cricket circles after working closely with fast bowler Taskin Ahmed when the paceman’s bowling action came under scrutiny during the Men’s T20 World Cup in India in 2016.
Billie Jean King says, ‘Battle of Sexes’ between Sabalenka and Kyrgios has no historic value!
Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios will meet in the ‘Battle of Sexes’ on Sunday in an exhibition match that reminds the tennis fraternity of the first historic ‘Battle of Sexes’ between legendary Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs in September 1973. Women’s world number one Sabalenka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, takes on injury-prone Australian Kyrgios in a highly publicised showdown that has not only divided tennis fans, but also raised questions over tagging the name of the exhibition match, as King herself feels this Battle of Sexes does not have any historic value. Rather, it is going to be only a high-publicity event. Although Aryna Sabalenka says the ‘Battle of the Sexes’ exhibition match against Nick Kyrgios will continue to help women’s tennis, the 82-year-old Billie Jean King, while speaking to BBC, stated, “It is not the same. I showed that women are strong.” In 70s, when King and Riggs participated in the ‘Battle of Sexes’, the women’s professional tours were budding, fighting for their legitimacy and prize money for the female players, which was far lower than that for the men. King pioneered the battle for female tennis players, and her relentless effort off the court paid off as women nowadays are receiving equal prize money at each of the four Grand Slams. King added, “Ours was about social change. But this one is not. Mine was really political. It was rough, culturally, what was coming in with it. I knew I had to beat him for social change. I had a lot of reasons to win.” King, one of the all-time greats of the women’s game who was at the peak of her powers, trounced the 55-year-old Riggs, a top player in his day, 6-4, 6-3, and 6-3 in Houston.
NITA FA’s winning streak continues; Shreebhumi FC on a winning note too
NITA FA’s winning streak continues as in their second match of the Indian Women’s Super League (IWL) on Saturday, the Odisha team humbled Kickstart FC of Karnataka 5-0 at Kalyani Stadium. India international Pyari Xaxa was, as usual, in good touch, scoring a hat-trick. Togolese international Amiratou N’Djambara and Neha Sillay scored one each. NITA’s national coach, Paromita Sit, although satisfied with the girls’ performance, said, “It would have been better if the team had obtained at least a month for intensive training. Still, they have been improving gradually.” Paromita praised Pyari Xaxa also for her consistency despite the fact that she had to travel the whole night by bus from Odhisha to Kolkata on the day before NITA’s opening match against Gukalam FC, as she was not initially allowed by her employer, Odhisha Police, to take part in the ongoing IWL. However, in another match on Saturday morning at the National Centre of Excellence (NCE) ground, Shreebhumi FC edged past debutant SESA Goa Academy to maintain their winning line. India international Anju Tamang scored the winner in the 20th minute.
MCG turns into a sea of white-and-red! England win after 14 years on Australian soil
The Melbourne Cricket Ground turned into a sea of white and red on Sunday as England fans, consisting of the ever-vocal Barmy Army, finally had a moment they had waited more than a decade for. Songs echoed across the stands, flags fluttered in every corner, and chants drowned out the home crowd as England sealed a long-overdue Test victory on Australian soil, after 14 years. The Barmy Army finally had reason to celebrate. England completed a four-wicket win in the fourth Test at Melbourne, chasing down a tricky target of 175 and triggering scenes of jubilation among travelling supporters at the MCG. For a fan base known for unwavering loyalty, this was catharsis. Across two days, more than 186,000 fans packed into the iconic venue, and while the crowd was largely Australian, England’s travelling support made itself heard at every crucial moment. The green-top wicket once again raised questions as Australia faced the music, failing to survive against the English bowlers on a bowlers’-friendly pitch. At the same time, England’s batters showed clarity and intent. Although the pitch already shown its volatility, England reached the total in just 32.2 overs, registering their first successful fourth-innings chase in Australia since 1962 and their first Test win in the country since 2011. The match ended inside two days, the second such finish of the series, with 36 wickets falling across the contest. With only 13 days of cricket played so far in the Ashes, pitch conditions have become a major talking point. England have at least avoided a whitewash. As the focus shifts to Sydney, Australia will aim to close out the series 4-1, while England, buoyed by belief and the voice of the Barmy Army, will look to finish the tour on a high.
Virat and Rohit’s earnings from the Vijay Hazare Trophy are nearly Rs 1 Lakh per match!
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s return to the Vijay Hazare Trophy has added a fresh layer of interest to the domestic white-ball competition. The presence of the veteran duo, however, has seen fans’ interest peak in the structure of the tournament and the way it functions. Both Kohli and Rohit remain contracted players of the BCCI. According to a national media report, their earnings in the Vijay Hazare Trophy have been revealed. Although it cannot be compared to their earnings in the IPL, both the greats are earning nearly Rs 1 Lakh per match in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. The players’ salaries in the Vijay Hazare Trophy are fixed. The primary metric is the number of List-A matches (domestic one-day games) a player has featured in. The players who are in the senior category, having played more than 40 List-A matches, are paid Rs 60,000 per match. The cricketers who are in the reserve list of the respective squads get Rs 30,000 per match. In the current season, Kohli, representing Delhi, and Rohit, representing Mumbai, earn exactly the same as any other domestic veteran. Because both have surpassed the 40-match threshold, they receive Rs 60,000 per match. But, additionally, the cricketers can increase their earnings in the Vijay Hazare from daily allowance for travel, food, and accommodation during the tournament, and also from performance bonuses, while man-of-the-match awards usually carry a cash prize of Rs 10,000.
Amorim changes formation for the first time in 13 months! Manchester United earn a Christmas present
Manchester United coach Ruben made jokes in September that even Pope would not be able to persuade him to change the team’s style of play. But for the first time since he took charge 13 months ago, he fielded a back four and Manchester United earned a Christmas present with a 1-0 victory against Newcastle United to advance to the fifth position in the Premier League table. Patrick Dorgu struck the winner in the first half. The victory was achieved with 33.4% possession, their lowest share of possession in any game this season. It was United’s lowest percentage of possession in a victory since the 29.4% they had when beating Manchester City in January 2023. Despite the low possession, United managed nine shots at Old Trafford, while Newcastle recorded 16. The visitors also had 43 touches in United’s box, compared to Amorim’s men, who could manage only 15. The host has 29 points after 18 matches, with the rest of? The next matches are to be played on Saturday and Sunday, while Newcastle is 11th with 23 points. “Yes,” was the unequivocal reply when asked whether this was one of the most satisfying wins in his stressed 13 months as the chief coach of the team. He also explained, “The feeling is good. If you compare to other matches, we suffered so much more today, but in certain moments we put everything on the line. We are defending every cross. Especially if you see the second half, sometimes we managed to defend with a back six,” explained Amorim. He added, “We had many matches where we controlled the opponent much better, but it is a good feeling to have a clean sheet. We suffered together, and if we always have this spirit, we are going to win more matches.”
