Rohit-Akram hug amid India-Pakistan tension — and more

Rohit Sharma and Wasim Akram embraced warmly before the India-Pakistan clash in Colombo, creating a viral moment amid diplomatic tensions between the cricketing rivals. The gesture stood in contrast to India's continued no-handshake stance with Pakistan, maintained since the Asia Cup.

The former India captain, present as a World Cup brand ambassador, shared laughs and photos with Akram while walking out with the trophy, offering a softer image as cricket's biggest rivalry unfolded.

Feb. 17—***

Eventually, the pack of superstars Ryan Day has accumulated at Ohio State will be ready to turn pro. After the 2026 season, receiver Jeremiah Smith will be going to the land of play for more pay.

And that means Day and his staff need to find the next wave of potential greats. So far, so good.

According to ON3, Ohio State currently has the top class for 2027. The nine commits include two five-stars and five four-stars. Yes, there is a possible replacement for Smith: Jamier Brown of Wayne, Ohio. He will probably be off to the NFL in 2030.

Ohio State is one of just two Big Ten teams in the Top 10 today. The other is a big surprise: Nebraska, which is coming off a rough finish in 2025 and expected to struggle in '26. Among the commits is quarterback Trae Taylor, who is reportedly moving from Illinois to a Nebraska high school for his senior season.

It is very early, but three more Big Ten schools are in the Top 20: No. 12 Michigan, No. 19 Oregon and No. 20 Iowa.

Indiana is at No. 22, followed by Washington (23) and Wisconsin (27).

The rankings stop at No. 33.

Illinois has one commitment: quarterback Kamden Lopati, a three-star prospect from Utah.

Tony Clark is stepping down as the head of the Major League Baseball Players Association, a person familiar with the union’s internal discussions confirmed on Tuesday.

The decision, initially reported by ESPN, was expected to be formally announced later the same day.

Clark’s departure comes amidst a federal investigation by the US Attorney in Brooklyn, New York, into One Team Partners, a licensing company co-founded by the MLB Players Association and the NFL Players Association.

The move also precedes crucial collective bargaining negotiations, set to commence in April, for a new labor agreement. The current five-year contract is due to expire on 1 December.

Management is anticipated to propose a salary cap, a contentious issue that could potentially trigger a work stoppage, leading to the cancellation of regular-season games for the first time since 1985.

In an immediate consequence of the development, the union cancelled Tuesday’s scheduled start of its staff’s annual tour of the 30 spring training camps.

Clark, 53, a former All-Star first baseman, made history as the first former player to lead the union.

He last played in 2008 and joined the union staff following Michael Weiner’s brain tumor diagnosis.

He assumed leadership after Weiner’s death in late 2013, guiding players through significant negotiations that resulted in agreements in 2016 and 2022, the latter following a 99-day lockout.

Bruce Meyer, who served as the lead negotiator under Clark during the 2021-22 period, was promoted to deputy executive director in the summer of 2022 and is expected to lead future negotiations.