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Author: News Desk

  • PCB considers shifting PSL season 10 playoffs at foreign venue

    PCB considers shifting PSL season 10 playoffs at foreign venue

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is considering hosting the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 10 playoffs at a foreign venue.

    The proposal suggests three possible venues in England for four key play-off matches. Proposed venues include famous stadiums such as Manchester, Birmingham and The Oval in London.

    The move is expected to bring many benefits to the PSL, especially considering England’s status as a cricket powerhouse and the presence of the tournament’s main broadcaster in the country.

    With a large number of Pakistani and Indian cricket fans settled in England, the decision to choose neutral venues in the country is aimed at attracting a wider audience and enhancing the global appeal of the tournament.

    While Australia was also suggested as a possible venue during discussions at the PSL General Council meeting, the focus seems to be on England for now.

    The 10th edition of PSL could be held in April-May next year. The decision has been taken because the event will clash with the ICC (International Cricket Council Champions) Trophy in the February-March window.

  • PTI leader Meher Bano Qureshi admits Nawaz Sharif was wronged

    PTI leader Meher Bano Qureshi admits Nawaz Sharif was wronged

    Meher Bano Qureshi, a prominent Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf member, recently admitted on a podcast with journalist Mansoor Ali Khan that things “went wrong” with political rival and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) head Nawaz Sharif.

    Qureshi expressed disappointment at the Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, saying she “Believed CJP Isa wouldn’t do something against the law.”

    Mansoor asked the PTI leader if she has reservations with CJP Isa then she should have the same stance against ex-CJP Saqib Nisar and his rulings against Nawaz Sharif.

    Meher Bano admitted that whatever was done to Nawaz Sharif was wrong but said “Two wrongs don’t make a right.”

  • Are two more seasons of Ishq Murshid on the cards?

    Are two more seasons of Ishq Murshid on the cards?

    News about ‘Ishq Murshid’ season two is circulating on social media after the first season ended on a successful note. The drama won over audiences, becoming a huge hit. Fans loved watching Durefishan Saleem and Bilal Abbas Khan together.
    The drama was written by writer Abdul Khaliq Khan, directed by Farooq Rind and the produced by Moomal Shunaid and MD Production.


    Abdul Khaliq talked to SAL Ahmed on his YouTube channel where he shared updates about ‘Ishq Murshid’s’ new season. Khan said the story and characters were so engaging that he had to write about them. “I have designed three stories, and the first one, about a guy’s journey to win his love, has already been released.”
    For Season Two, he said, “The next story follows a boy who will overcome challenges and make sacrifices for the happiness of a loved one.”

    For Season 3, he narrated that, “The story will explore the unconditional love of Allah, which is the true meaning of Ishq (love).”

    All very enigmatic but the good news is that our favourite story will continue in one shape or another.

  • Japan introduces armpit sweat-infused rice balls

    Japan introduces armpit sweat-infused rice balls

    Sweat-infused rice balls, shaped in the armpits of young pretty girls is a surprising culinary hit in Japan.

    The rice ball snack, locally known as onigiri, is a traditional food item in Japan. The recipe has been given a culinary twist which is making waves locally and said to fetch prices as high as ten times those of regular Onigiri in certain restaurants.

    According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), young women use their armpits to shape the balls in this new bizarre twist to the onigiri. Strict measures are taken to ensure hygiene and safety in the process. Before commencing, all ingredients and body parts that will come into contact with the food undergo thorough disinfection. The chefs then partake in physical activity to induce sweating, using their armpits instead of their hands to shape the rice balls.

    Review of the taste

    As per SCMP, a diner who tried the new version expressed that it is not different or does not have a distinctive flavour from the usual taste of rice balls.

  • Legendary football coach César Luis Menotti passes away

    Legendary football coach César Luis Menotti passes away

    Legendary Argentine football coach Cesar Luis Menotti has died after a long illness.

    According to Argentine media, Luis Menotti had been ill for the past few months and died on Sunday in Buenos Aires.

    Menotti was the head coach of Argentina’s 1978 FIFA World Cup winning team on home soil.

    He also won trophies with Spanish club Barcelona, and he was the coach of Argentina’s under-20 team that won the Youth World Cup.

    Menotti was a big fan of Pakistan Hockey Team. His strategy to win the World Cup was inspired by Pakistan Hockey Team. He expressed in an interview that he wanted the Argentina football team to play like Pakistan hockey team.

  • Scotland qualifies for Women’s T20 World Cup for first time

    Scotland qualifies for Women’s T20 World Cup for first time

    Scotland’s women’s team has qualified for their first World Cup after defeating Ireland in a T20 qualifier and will compete in the tournament in Bangladesh later this year.

    Scotland have now become the first qualifying team to make it to the tournament after defeating Ireland in the first semi-final.

    Ten teams competed for two spots in the 2024 T20 World Cup in a two-week qualifying event in Abu Dhabi.

    Batting first, Ireland Women were restricted to 110 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in response to which Scotland easily achieved the target.

    This is the first time in nine editions that the Scotland Women’s team will play in the T20 World Cup.

    The Women’s T20 World Cup will start from October 3 and the final will be played on October 20.

  • IMF team set to visit Pakistan to discuss new programme before budget finalisation

    IMF team set to visit Pakistan to discuss new programme before budget finalisation

    An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission is set to visit Pakistan in May to discuss a potential new financial programme, the IMF announced on Sunday.

    This visit comes as the Pakistani government begins crafting its annual budget for the next financial year with the aim of stabilising the economy and implementing necessary reforms.

    The announcement follows the completion of a short-term $3 billion programme last month, which helped Pakistan avoid a sovereign default.

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government is now seeking a more comprehensive and longer-term agreement with the IMF to ensure sustained economic recovery and growth.

    “A mission is expected to visit Pakistan in May to discuss the FY25 budget, policies, and reforms under a potential new programme for the welfare of all Pakistanis,” the IMF stated in an email response to Reuters.

    However, the exact dates of the visit and the specifics of the programme were not disclosed.

    Pakistan’s fiscal year runs from July to June, and the budget for fiscal year 2025 must be presented before June 30.

    The IMF emphasised the importance of accelerating reforms, stating that the size and duration of the new programme would be determined by the reform package and the country’s balance of payments needs.

    Pakistan’s economy, which is valued at around $350 billion, has shown signs of stabilisation following the last IMF programme, with inflation decreasing from a record high of 38 per cent in May 2023 to about 17 per cent in April 2024.

    However, the country still faces significant fiscal challenges and a high deficit, and growth has stagnated due to strict import controls.

    The current growth rate is expected to be around 2 per cent this year, a slight improvement from the negative growth rate experienced last year.

    In a recent interview with Reuters, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb expressed optimism about reaching an agreement on a new IMF programme in May. Pakistan is expected to seek at least $6 billion in additional financing from the IMF, including funding under the Resilience and Sustainability Trust.

    The forthcoming IMF visit is crucial for Pakistan as it prepares its budget and seeks to implement reforms to strengthen the economy.

    The discussions are likely to focus on fiscal discipline, economic growth, and the welfare of all Pakistanis, with an emphasis on achieving long-term stability and sustainability.

  • Story behind sudden resignations in Pakistan Cricket Board

    Story behind sudden resignations in Pakistan Cricket Board

    The series of resignations of the directors of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) continues, but the internal story behind the resignations of the top officials has come to light.

    Sohail Imran has reported for Geo that resignations are not being given in the board but resignations are being taken by force, neither is anyone leaving out because of boredom nor is there any disagreement with anyone.

    According to board sources, de-politicization of PCB is the top priority at the moment, so no one can stay in office on the political basis or because of relationships, groupings or recommendations. The formula of ‘Right Man for the Right Job’ will be strictly followed on board .

    Chairman Mohsin Naqvi had initially conveyed the message to all officials.

    After Chairman Mohsin Naqvi assumed office, resignations of 6 senior officials have accepted while more resignations are likely to be come in the coming days in the board.

  • CDWP gives go-ahead to 10 development projects valued at Rs115 billion

    CDWP gives go-ahead to 10 development projects valued at Rs115 billion

    In a key meeting held on Friday, the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) approved a total of 10 development projects, with an overall cost of Rs115.458 billion.

    Out of these, eight projects totaling Rs17.297 billion were given the green light by the CDWP forum, while two projects, valued at Rs98.161 billion, were recommended to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for final approval.

    Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Mohammad Jehanzeb Khan chaired the meeting, attended by Secretary Planning Awais Manzur, Planning Commission members, Additional Secretary Planning, and representatives from federal ministries and provincial governments.

    The meeting’s agenda covered a range of sectors, including agriculture and food, energy, governance, health, higher education, physical planning and housing, science and technology, transport and communication, and water resources.

    A notable project from the agriculture and food sector, the “Sindh Livestock and Aquaculture Development Project,” valued at Rs38.36 billion, was recommended to ECNEC for final approval.

    This World Bank-assisted project aims to improve competitiveness, inclusivity, climate resilience, and sustainability in Sindh’s livestock and aquaculture sectors.

    Another significant project from the energy sector, the “765/500/220/132kV Islamabad West Substation,” worth Rs59.801 billion, was also referred to ECNEC for final approval.

    This World Bank-backed initiative is part of the National Transmission and Modernization Project Phase-I and aims to address increasing power demands in the Islamabad region through a new substation and related transmission lines.

    The governance sector saw approval for the “Modernization and Upgradation of Pakistan Mint Phase-II” project, costing Rs2.48 billion, as well as the “Federal Project Management Unit (FPMU) Post-Flood 2022 Reconstruction Program” project, valued at Rs2.38 billion.

    In the physical planning and housing sector, five projects were discussed, including the “Smart Environmental Sanitation System and Landfill Project” in Gwadar, worth Rs3.277 billion, and the “Construction of Audit House, Lahore,” valued at Rs1,528.931 million. Both projects received approval from the CDWP forum.

    A project related to science and technology, the “Establishment of Regional Nuclear Safety Inspectorate at Lahore,” costing Rs515 million, was also approved by the CDWP. This project aims to enhance nuclear safety and oversight in the region.

    The approval of these projects underscores the government’s commitment to advancing critical infrastructure, promoting sustainable development, and addressing energy needs, among other priorities. The recommendations to ECNEC signal the importance of these projects for the country’s growth and development.

  • ICC has announced the T20 World Cup umpires and referees

    ICC has announced the T20 World Cup umpires and referees

    The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced its lineup of umpires and referees for T20 World Cup 2024.

    A panel of 20 umpires and six referees has been selected for the opening round of the T20 World Cup.

    According to the ICC, match referees include David Bone, Jeff Crowe and Ranjan Madugale, in addition to Andrew Pycroft, Richie Richardson and Jugal Srinath.

    The panel of umpires also includes Pakistan’s Ahsan Raza, Asif Yaqub and Rashid Riaz.

    ICCT Twenty World Cup will be played from June 1 to June 29 in USA and West Indies.