JK Strikers win Karnataka Premier League Saudi Arabia Season 3
The third season of the Karnataka Premier League (KPL) – Saudi Arabia concluded recently, bringing together 15 teams from across the region in a competitive display of cricketing skill and teamwork.
JK Strikers lifted the trophy after a series of closely contested matches, while CFC Suralpady finished as runners-up. Both teams were praised for their consistent performances and discipline throughout the tournament.
The KPL, launched in 2023, has grown into a key sporting event for the Karnataka community in Saudi Arabia. The tournament is managed by a 25-member organizing committee that has been credited for maintaining its professional standards and community focus.
Afwan, who has been a central figure in the organizing committee since its inception, played a major role in leading this season’s efforts. His coordination and leadership were appreciated by players and fellow organizers. Committee members Rehman, Asif, Afnan, and Nasir were also part of the core team that handled planning, logistics, and execution of the tournament.
Over the years, KPL has expanded its reach, with Season 3 introducing improved organization and live coverage through the M9Sports YouTube channel, enabling supporters worldwide to follow the matches.
The organizing committee extended its gratitude to sponsors, supporters, and well-wishers who contributed to the event’s success.
With the completion of Season 3, KPL continues to serve as a platform that promotes cricket and strengthens ties among members of the Karnataka community in Saudi Arabia.
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England sticking with Key, McCullum and Stokes despite Ashes humbling
London (AP): England is not sacking anybody following the 4-1 Ashes loss in Australia.
A review of the tour by the England and Wales Cricket Board, announced within hours of the final match in January, was concluded on Monday. Firing people would “be the easy thing to do,” ECB chief executive Richard Gould said but he insisted, "This is not the time to throw everything out."
Managing director Rob Key, coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes kept their jobs after the best England side to go to Australia in 14 years lost the Ashes in 11 days with two games to spare.
“Moving people on can sometimes be the easy thing to do. That's not the route that we're going to take,” Gould said. “I've seen the driving ambition and determination that we're lucky enough to have within our leadership group to take the lessons from the Ashes and move forward.”
Gould previously was the chief executive of Bristol City soccer club and said the ECB would not follow the same route as soccer's hire-and-fire culture.
“Cricket is a very unique sport in that it takes a team of leadership ... it's not like football where there's a single point of failure or success with a manager," he said. He added the ECB would not “select or deselect management based on a popularity campaign.”
The main criticisms of England's tour were poor preparation, player misbehavior, and selection mistakes.
At a press conference at Lord's, Gould and Key said McCullum and Stokes have not had a “bust up,” they did not want McCullum to “completely change” but “to evolve,” the behavior of some players was “unprofessional,” there will be more consequences for underperforming, and a commitment to “better long-term planning” ahead of major test series.
Some changes were already implemented for the Twenty20 World Cup, where England reached the semifinals. Gould implied that performance saved McCullum.
Key acknowledged that England supporters would be disappointed to see the management team go unpunished.
“I know people want punishment and that people then should be sacked for that,” Key said. “That doesn't mean we don't feel like we've gone through some serious pain: Brendon, myself, Ben. It's been as tough a time as I think I've had.”
