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Author: News Desk

  • ‘They are very good people’; Ishant Sharma praises Pakistan’s hospitality

    ‘They are very good people’; Ishant Sharma praises Pakistan’s hospitality

    Veteran Indian fast bowler Ishant Sharma fondly recalled his tour of Pakistan, offering high praise for the country’s hospitality and its people on a recent Indian YouTube podcast.

    Sharma emphasized his positive experience, saying, “We even went to Pakistan to play. They are not bad; in fact, they are very good people. They offer a good welcome and serve good food. We really enjoyed being with them.”

    The fast bowler noted that the current animosity between the nations developed later. “This atmosphere (tension) between Pakistan and India developed now; initially, we used to play series together,” he stated.

    Addressing the pressure of playing an Pakistan-India match, Sharma acknowledged it existed but remarked on the intensity of past contests. “The pressure in a match against Pakistan is quite high,” he admitted.

    However, he added, “I think the pressure of the earlier Pakistan-India matches was much more because the Indian team played against a Pakistani team that included players like Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar, Shahid Afridi, Saqlain Mushtaq, and Inzamam-ul-Haq; they were all great players.”

    Ishant Sharma was part of the Indian squad when Pakistan hosted the Asia Cup in 2008.

  • Diljit Dosanjh responds to Sardaarji 3 backlash, turns focus on Pak-Ind cricket matches

    Diljit Dosanjh responds to Sardaarji 3 backlash, turns focus on Pak-Ind cricket matches

    Singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh has broken silence over the controversy surrounding his and Pakistani actress Hania Aamir’s film Sardaarji 3, taking a dig at Pakistan–India cricket matches being held despite growing tensions between the two neighbours.

    Dosanjh had come under fire for featuring Hania in his film despite recently military clashes between the two countries. The same had also led to a ban on the film across the border as critics accused him of insensitivity, questioning his allegiance.

    During a recent concert in Kuala Lumpur, Dosanjh addressed both the controversy and the ongoing Pakistan-India cricket matches. He acknowledged he has “a lot of answers” but said he chose to stay silent up until now.

    He explained that Sardaarji 3 was filmed in February, before the attack took place.  Speaking to the audience, he said, “When my film Sardaarji 3 was shot in February, the matches were being played. After that, the tragic Pahalgam attack happened […] we have always prayed that the terrorists receive the strictest punishment.”

    “I have many answers, but I kept quiet, kept everything inside me. Whoever tells you anything, you shouldn’t take that poison inside you […] there are a lot more things to say, but I don’t want to say them,” he added.

    Dosanjh also addressed media outlets that described him as “anti‑national”, asserting that national media tried its best but Punjabis and the Sikh community could never go against the nation.

    Sardaar Ji 3’s collection in Pakistan is estimated to be over PKR 50 crore, making it the highest-grossing Indian film in Pakistan. Whereas, the film earned over INR 60.70 crore as of July 2025, with its overseas performance breaking Punjabi film records and ruling the overseas box office.

  • ‘PCB chairman on fire’: Social media reacts to Mohsin Naqvi’s viral Ronaldo post

    ‘PCB chairman on fire’: Social media reacts to Mohsin Naqvi’s viral Ronaldo post

    Off-field tensions between Pakistan and India have escalated, moving from match-day snubs to a social media post by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi.

    Naqvi sparked debate online after appearing to back pacer Haris Rauf’s viral gesture during the recent Super Fours clash at the Asia Cup.  While fielding near the boundary, Rauf had on Sept 21 responded to jeering Indian fans by mimicking a fighter jet crashing down.

    The gesture that was aimed at mocking India’s loss of jets during May’s military clashes against Pakistan, quickly drew attention and sparked outcry across the border.

    Days later, Naqvi posted to X a video of football legend Cristiano Ronaldo making a similar gesture, which fans saw as a witty reference.

    The video, posted without any caption, instantly ignited social media as Pakistani fans praised Naqvi for engaging boldly. 

    “PCB chairman on fire ,” commented one while another wrote, “Our chairman cooked so-called Indian journalists .” Some even joked that Naqvi’s move earned him forgiveness for past decisions, with one user writing, “Mohsin Naqvi ke saaray aglay pichlay gunaah maaf [All of Mohsin Naqvi’s past sins are forgiven].”

    Fans also loved the Ronaldo reference, with one posting, “Ronaldo aur kitna dil jeeto gy .” Others added playful suggestions, linking the gesture to Pakistan’s proud history of military victories, with one remarking, “I wish following 7 seen on his shirt, there was a zero somewhere. That would’ve made it perfect :).”

    While a majority of comments were supportive, a few reminded the PCB chief of his main role.

    One fan advised, “Boss ap trolling hum pay choro or cricket theek karo jo apka kaam hai [Boss, leave the trolling to us and focus on fixing cricket].” Another reacted with surprise, saying, “Boss ye kis line mei agai ap (Boss, what line of work have you entered)?”

    Some users also dismissed criticism from across the border, pointing out that Naqvi’s post was shared in his personal capacity. One fan wrote, “Take a chill India He posted this video as Interior Minister of Pakistan, not as ACC president .”

    With fans divided between admiration and reminders of responsibility, Naqvi’s post has added a new dimension to the ever-intense Pakistan-India cricket rivalry, proving that the battle is now being fought as much online as it is on the field.

    It, however, merits a mention that Ronaldo’s video was not originally a political statement, but a goal celebration following a precise header against UAE’s Al Wasl in February this year.

  • Fawad, Mahira’s Neelofar set for theatrical release this winter

    Fawad, Mahira’s Neelofar set for theatrical release this winter

    After years of anticipation, the much-awaited film Neelofar, starring Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan, is finally slated for release this winter.

    The film marks the on-screen reunion of the beloved duo, who rose to stardom with their iconic television drama Humsafar in 2011.

    Mahira Khan recently unveiled the official poster of Neelofar on Instagram, captioning it with a poetic message: “Agli mulaqat ka intezar rahay ga. Neelofar – This Winter.” The announcement has reignited excitement among fans eagerly awaiting the film’s release.

    Directed and written by Ammar Rasool, Neelofar has been in the making since 2019. Production was initially delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which forced the team to pause filming with only 10 days remaining in the shoot. However, shooting eventually resumed and was wrapped up in late 2020, with key sequences filmed in the historic Walled City of Lahore.

    Speaking at an event in June last year, Fawad Khan confirmed that the film had entered its final stages of completion.

    Mahira, too, had previously shared emotional reflections from the set, hinting at a deeply personal connection to her role. Though the original posts have since been removed, her words, “I take with me a piece of you… leaving a bit of my soul with you,” captured the sentiment surrounding the project.

    With the film now heading to cinemas, Neelofar is expected to recreate the magic of Humsafar and offer audiences a memorable cinematic experience.

    The duo’s last collaboration was 2022’s The Legend of Maula Jatt that earned over PKR 274.7 crore (approximately $9.5 million) worldwide, with PKR 115.02 crore in Pakistan and PKR 160.8 crore in other territories as of December 2022.

    It should be mentioned here that the power duo will again be seen together in the upcoming Netflix series Jo Bachay Hain Sang Samait Lo.

  • FIR filed in Mumbai against Quaid-e-Azam’s grandson for ‘forgery’

    FIR filed in Mumbai against Quaid-e-Azam’s grandson for ‘forgery’

    The Mumbai police have filed a case against Nusli Nevil Wadia, the grandson of Pakistan’s founder Quaid-i-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah, and some of his family members, as well as others, for allegedly using forged and fabricated documents in their court proceedings against Ferani Hotels Pvt Ltd, a leading daily Indian newspaper has reported. 

    The First Information Report (FIR) was registered following orders by the metropolitan magistrate court at Borivili, which directed the Bangur Nagar police to register a case against 81-year-old business tycoon Nusli Wadia, Maureen Wadia, 78, Ness Wadia, 54, Jehangir Wadia, 52, H.J. Bamji, 75, K.F. Bharucha and R.E. Wandewala, 65, for alleged cheating and forgery.

    The case revolves around a 30-year-old development agreement between Wadia and Ferani Hotels on a plot of land in Malad, which Ferani Hotels was to develop with builder K. Raheja, along with paying Wadia 12 percent of the gross sale proceeds. 

    However, disputes arose in 2008, leading to legal battles over Jinnah’s grandson’s share of sales and the management of the land. Mala fide, lack of authority, and commercial disputes are among the allegations in the case, which has proceeded through various courts, including the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court.

    On Monday, the FIR was registered under Sections 3(5) (general explanations), 318(4) (cheating), 331(2) (punishment for house-trespass or house-breaking), 336(3) (forgery), 339 (possession of a document described in Section 337 or Section 338, knowing it to be forged and intending to use it as genuine), 340(2) (forged document or electronic record and using it as genuine), and 61(2) (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

    According to the FIR, Mahendra Chande, the chief executive officer of Ferani Hotels Private Limited and its group companies, complained to the police that the accused persons had allegedly forged documents and submitted them to the court in 2010 in a commercial matter against them.

    “We are still verifying the complaint and will be able to comment on the matter only after scrutinising the bulky documents involved in the case,” a police officer from Bangur Nagar police station was quoted as saying by the outlet.

    Despite text and WhatsApp messages, Wadia’s son Ness Wadia remained unavailable for comment, it added.

  • PCB mulling Babar Azam’s return to T20 squad

    PCB mulling Babar Azam’s return to T20 squad

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is planning to bring former skipper and star batter Babar Azam back to the national squad for the upcoming T20I series against South Africa.

    According to reports, the decision follows the national side’s batting struggles in the ongoing Asia Cup. Reports said that selector Aaqib Javed and head coach Mike Hesson previously supported a policy of giving opportunities to new players over established batters like Babar and Mohammad Rizwan. However, following the recent defeats against India, PCB officials have directed management to bring Babar back to the team.

    A few days ago, officials even decided to send the senior batter to the UAE to join the Asia Cup squad. Organisers, however, informed the board that tournament rules prohibited squad changes unless a player sustained an injury.

    Reports now claim a strong possibility of Babar’s return for the T20I series against South Africa.

    Babar last played a T20 International match against South Africa in December. Since then, selectors have kept him out of the squad, citing concerns over his strike rate.

    It may be noted that he is the second-highest run-scorer in T20 history (4,223 runs) globally, trailing only behind India’s Rohit Sharma. He also boasts the second-most fifties in T20I career history, among other significant records.

  • ‘Didn’t think people would like it,’ Hasan Raheem shares Gilgit wedding details

    ‘Didn’t think people would like it,’ Hasan Raheem shares Gilgit wedding details

    Singer Hasan Raheem has shared details about his Gilgit wedding and celebrations, saying he didn’t think people would love them.

    In an interview with BBC Asia journalist Haroon Rashid, Hasan opened up about his traditional Gilgit wedding. At his mother’s request, he wore traditional cultural attire and through his wedding, the world got to see the rich traditions of Gilgit-Baltistan.

    On the wedding, Hasan wore traditional Gilgit-Baltistani clothing and performed a traditional dance, which was widely appreciated for its authenticity and cultural richness.

    He called his wedding week the best week of his life, adding that through his attire, dance and celebrations, people across the world learned about Gilgit-Baltistan’s wedding customs and cultural heritage.

    Hasan expressed special gratitude to his mother who encouraged him to wear the “shouqa” (a traditional coat).

    “I really liked my cap and the jacket I wore called Shuqa which was actually my father’s… gifted by my nana (maternal grandfather).” Decorated with a feather and called “shati”, he said the credit of his look goes to his mother.

    Hasan admitted that he didn’t expect people to appreciate his attire, traditions or dance as the traditional dance is usually performed by a select few within the community. “I wasn’t sure that people are going to like it but everyone loved it.”

    He shared that he was initially worried about how people would receive his dance, but after the videos surfaced online, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive with many commenting that they had never seen such a dance before and found it incredibly impressive.

    “I was surprised by the response. Before the dance went viral, I told his friends that if music didn’t work out, I’d pursue dancing instead.”

    When asked about expressing love for his wife, Hasan said that before bringing her on camera, he had many thoughts running through his mind, but he silenced them all, trusting that what he was doing felt right.

    He once again emphasised that his wedding week was the best of his life. Although he initially didn’t plan to share the wedding publicly, his mother asked him, “Should we confiscate the phones of all the wedding guests?” To which he said no. “I said to my mom, our relatives will not approve of the idea.”

    As a result, many videos of the wedding were filmed and later went viral on social media, giving the world a glimpse of the beauty of Gilgit-Baltistan’s culture.

    Hasan Raheem got married to Noor, a close relative, in August, with the celebrations lasting an entire week.

  • Shaheen Afridi’s ‘Tigers koan?’ comment sparks social media humor ahead of Bangladesh clash

    Shaheen Afridi’s ‘Tigers koan?’ comment sparks social media humor ahead of Bangladesh clash

    Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi shared a light moment during a pre-match media session when he momentarily forgot Bangladesh’s popular cricket nickname ‘Tigers’ before the crucial Super Four match in the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025.

    When a reporter asked Afridi about Pakistan’s playing XI against the Tigers, the pacer replied with a laugh, “Tigers who? Sorry, I don’t know.”

    Afridi’s remark immediately spread on social media, prompting a mix of humor and slight nervousness among fans regarding the high-stakes contest.

    The joke quickly became a talking point, with many users cautioning against giving Bangladesh extra motivation. 

    One user commented, “Kaheen wo mazak ko seriously he na le len (Hope they don’t take that joke seriously)”. Another fan humorously played up the rivalry, writing, “Phir match se pehle panga leliya. (They picked a fight again before the match).”

    Others acknowledged the need for a strong performance, posting, “Aj pata chale ga tiger kon hay . (Today we will find out who the tiger is)”. Some tried to smooth things over, commenting, “Bangladesh Bhaio serious maat Lena it was just a joke. (Bangladeshi brothers, don’t take it seriously, it was just a joke).

    A few users pointed out the confusion that sometimes arises from multiple teams having similar animal-themed nicknames: “Many times we heard Lankan tigers i think many of us were too worried which tiger journalist was talking about.”

    Shaheen Afridi quickly turned serious when discussing the upcoming match, emphasizing that Pakistan was fully focused on securing a win.

    “Bangladesh are a good team and have been playing good cricket recently,” Afridi told reporters. “In such games, you must land the first punch and not give them opportunities. We will have to play well in all three departments—batting, bowling and fielding—to win.”

    He also addressed the recent increased aggression shown by Pakistan’s fast bowlers, particularly during the Super Fours encounter against India.

    “It’s nothing new. We’ve always been aggressive since the day we started playing cricket. That’s how fast bowling is done,” he remarked. “When a fast bowler shows aggression, it lifts the energy of the whole team. There is no special plan for this—our job is to show aggression and take wickets.”

    Afridi stressed the team’s professional outlook: “Everyone has their own opinion, but our job is to play cricket. We won the tri-nation series; now we are here to win the Asia Cup. As a team, we are working hard to give Pakistan joy.”

    The 25-year-old also reiterated his commitment to the team’s all-round performance. “My role is to give 100 percent in whatever position I’m asked to play—batting, bowling, or fielding,” he said. “Everyone has to contribute in whatever role they are given so that Pakistan benefits.”

    Pakistan is scheduled to face Bangladesh today in a must-win clash. If Pakistan wins this match, they will advance to the Asia Cup final, where they will meet India for the third time in the tournament. The Asia Cup final is set for September 28.

  • Iranian President hails Pak-Saudi defence pact as step towards regional security

    Iranian President hails Pak-Saudi defence pact as step towards regional security

    Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday praised the landmark mutual defence deal signed between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) describing it as a step towards regional security.

    Islamabad and Riyadh entered into the mutual defence agreement last week, under which “any aggression against one state will be considered an attack on both”. The pact was signed by Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman at the Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh.

    The pact was signed days after the Israeli attack on Qatar’s capital Doha and months after Pakistan shot down six Indian fighter jets, including three French-made Rafales, in the May 6-7 conflict that erupted after the April 22 Pahalgam incident in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). 

     “Iran welcomes the defensive pact between the two brotherly Muslim countries, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, as a beginning for a comprehensive regional security system with the cooperation of the Muslim states of West Asia in the political security and defence domains,” said Pezeshkian, addressing the General Debate of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).


    ‘We do not seek nuclear weapons’

    Pezeshkian clarified that Iran has no intention of building nuclear weapons, just days before international sanctions could be reimposed on his country over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. “I hereby declare once more before this assembly that Iran has never sought and will never seek to build a nuclear bomb. We do not seek nuclear weapons,” Pezeshkian added.

    On August 28, Britain, along with France and Germany, launched a 30-day process to reimpose UN sanctions, accusing Tehran of failing to abide by a 2015 deal with world powers aimed at preventing it from developing a nuclear weapon.

    Pezeshkian criticised the move by European powers as “illegal”, saying it was made at “the behest of the United States of America”.

    While the US, its European allies and Israel accuse Iran of using its nuclear programme as a veil for efforts to try to develop the capability to produce weapons, Tehran says its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes only.

  • Cheating allegations erupt against Suryakumar Yadav and umpire after controversial Asia Cup dismissal

    Cheating allegations erupt against Suryakumar Yadav and umpire after controversial Asia Cup dismissal

    Controversy struck the Asia Cup 2025 yet again during a Super Four match between India and Bangladesh as social media questioned the integrity of India captain Suryakumar Yadav and the decision of umpire Ahmed Shah Pakteen (from Afghanistan) following a clear edge that was initially given not out.

    The Indian captain, who has been struggling for form, scored just five runs before a contentious dismissal that has since fueled outrage on social media. The incident involved the ball taking a visible deflection off Yadav’s bat before being caught by the wicketkeeper. However, umpire Pakteen gave the decision in favor of the batsman, despite the ball’s angle clearly changing after contact.

    Compounding the controversy, Suryakumar Yadav chose not to walk off the field, remaining at the crease until the Bangladesh team chose to use the Decision Review System (DRS). The ensuing TV review quickly confirmed the edge, forcing Yadav to leave.

    The refusal to acknowledge a clear dismissal, especially from a team captain, angered many fans. Social media exploded with criticism, not only targeting the umpire for the poor decision but also Yadav for his lack of sportsmanship. 

    One furious user simply commented, “Shamelessly, umpire and Suryakumar Yadav thought they’d escape this.”

    Another fan questioned the player’s integrity, writing, “Forget the umpire, why didn’t SKY walk? Surely, in this day and age, he didn’t think he’ll get away with it. And he’s the captain of his side.”

    The umpire faced heavy criticism from others, with one person writing, “I mean – how? How did he not give it out?” and another calling out the judgment: “Very pathetic, funny & ridiculous. Umpiring has been brought to this level that even the ball deflected after touching the bat was not given out.”

    Accusations of deception also surfaced, as a user noted, “Special cheaters and how he made himself unaware…Great actors.” While one commenter focused on the inconsistency of the umpire, saying, “If according to him it wasn’t out then why he didn’t give wide ball? Chutiya umpire.”

    The incident has intensified calls on social media for the BCCI to reconsider the team’s composition and potentially bring back players like Shreyas Iyer.

    Yadav’s minimal contribution of five runs comes amid an ongoing dip in his form since taking on the captaincy, which remains a key concern for the Indian team. Despite India winning most of their fixtures, Yadav’s consistency has been minimal.