Hyderabad Kingsmen, one of the two debutant franchises in the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) season, are exploring options to fill the void left by South African pacer Ottniel Baartman. The 11th edition of the PSL is set to run from March 26 to May 3.

According to sources, the Kingsmen have approached Sri Lankan mystery spinner Maheesh Theekshana to join their squad. His availability, however, hinges on securing a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).

Baartman, who was picked during the historic inaugural PSL auction at Lahore’s Expo Centre on February 11 for PKR 1.1 crore, has withdrawn from the tournament. Neither the player nor the franchise has disclosed the reason for his absence.

Theekshana, meanwhile, offers proven pedigree in the shortest format. The 23-year-old has already represented Sri Lanka in 83 T20Is, bagging 82 wickets at an economy rate of 7.08. His franchise résumé is equally impressive, with stints in the IPL, SA20, ILT20, CPL, and LPL, making him a sought-after asset in global T20 leagues.

The PSL’s landmark 11th edition will feature eight teams, including new entrants Hyderabad Kingsmen and Rawalpindi, battling across 44 matches in 39 days. In a significant shift, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has streamlined the tournament logistics, announcing that all fixtures will be staged in Karachi and Lahore behind closed doors.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirmed the revised plans after consultations with franchise owners and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the Patron-in-Chief of the league. Initially, six cities—Multan, Peshawar, Faisalabad, Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Lahore—were under consideration as hosts, but the board opted for consolidation to ensure smooth operations.
With Baartman’s exit and Theekshana’s potential arrival, Hyderabad Kingsmen’s debut campaign promises intrigue, as the franchise looks to make its mark in Pakistan’s premier T20 competition.

Rajasthan Royals have confirmed Sri Lankan T20I skipper Dasun Shanaka as the replacement for England’s Sam Curran, who has been ruled out of the upcoming IPL season due to injury.

“We are disappointed to lose a player of Sam’s calibre so close to the start of the season,” said Kumar Sangakkara, Director of Cricket and Head Coach of the Royals. “Sam brings immense value with both bat and ball. However, we are pleased to have found an ideal replacement in Dasun Shanaka, a proven finisher and quality all-rounder who maintains the balance of our side.”

Shanaka, 34, is a seasoned campaigner in the shortest format. Since his debut in 2015, he has featured in 131 T20Is for Sri Lanka, amassing 1,912 runs at a strike rate of 128.40. His highest score, an unbeaten 76 against Pakistan at the T20 World Cup earlier this year, underlined his ability to deliver under pressure. With the ball, the right-arm medium pacer has claimed 46 wickets, boasting best figures of 3/16.

The Sri Lankan captain also brings prior IPL experience, having represented Gujarat Titans in 2023. His inclusion is expected to bolster Rajasthan’s lower-middle order and provide valuable depth in both departments.

Rajasthan Royals will kick off their campaign against Chennai Super Kings at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati on March 30.

Kingswood College, Kandy, ended a 68-year wait with a historic triumph at the 119th Battle of the Maroons, defeating Dharmaraja College by 148 runs.

It was their first victory in the annual ‘Big Match’ since 1958, a moment that will be remembered as one of the school’s greatest cricketing achievements.

Kingswood set the tone with a first-innings total of 226 before dismissing Dharmaraja for 160 to secure a 66-run lead. In the second innings, a bold declaration at 248/4 left the Rajans chasing a steep target. The pressure proved too much, and Dharmaraja collapsed for 166, sealing Kingswood’s emphatic win.

The dominant performance brought the T.B. Tennakoon Trophy back to Randles Hill, ending nearly seven decades of anticipation and marking a new chapter in Kingswood’s cricketing legacy.