Current Final

Author: News Desk

  • Sahibzada Farhan confident Pakistan will face India again in Asia Cup final

    Sahibzada Farhan confident Pakistan will face India again in Asia Cup final

    Despite Pakistan’s six-wicket loss to India in the Asia Cup Super Four clash on Sunday, Pakistani opener Sahibzada Farhan said the team is confident of meeting India again in the final next Sunday.

    During Monday’s pre-match press conference, Farhan said, “We are fully confident that we will beat Sri Lanka and face India again in the final.”

    Speaking about his unique celebration after reaching his half-century, Farhan explained, “I usually don’t celebrate after scoring 50. This was done all of a sudden. I don’t care what people think about it.”

    He credited his batting partner Fakhar Zaman for boosting his confidence. “Having Fakhar Zaman at the other end gave me the belief to play my shots freely.” 

    The rivalry between Pakistan and India has become more intense after recent military clashes in May. In the first encounter, Indian players avoided the traditional handshake, turning sportsmanship on its head. 

    During the second match, players from both sides engaged in heated arguments. Indian fans were particularly offended by Haris Rauf’s gesture referencing Indian Rafales shot down by the Pakistan Air Force, which he made in response to Indian fans chanting “Kohli, Kohli” from the boundary line.

    India on Sunday, comfortably chased down Pakistan’s target of 172 runs, winning the high-voltage contest with ease. Pakistan had started strongly, reaching 93 for 1 in 9.3 overs. Farhan played a brilliant knock of 58 runs off 45 balls to help his team post 171.

    India are strong contenders for the final. Pakistan, meanwhile, can qualify by beating Sri Lanka and India in their remaining Super Four matches.

    The Asia Cup final will take place on September 28 in Dubai, featuring the top two teams from the Super Four stage.

  • Pakistan win Commonwealth Beach Handball Championship

    Pakistan win Commonwealth Beach Handball Championship

    Pakistan won the Commonwealth Beach Handball Championship after defeating Sri Lanka 2-0 in the final played in the Maldives on Monday. 

    The team sealed the victory with commanding wins of 26-18 and 28-12 in the decisive match, remaining unbeaten throughout the tournament.

    OnSunday, Pakistan booked their spot in the final by beating Bangladesh in the semifinal.

    The team also made a strong start to the tournament by outclassing India 2-0 in their opening match.

  • Yasir Hussain takes a dig at Haris Rauf over viral hand gesture during India clash

    Yasir Hussain takes a dig at Haris Rauf over viral hand gesture during India clash

    The high-voltage cricket match between arch-rivals Pakistan and India has now spiraled into a storm of controversy, not over cricketing performance, but a fiery gesture that has the subcontinent buzzing.

    Pakistani fast bowler Haris Rauf found himself in the eye of a media hurricane after responding to jeering Indian fans during the Asia Cup 2025 Super Fours clash with a set of hand gestures that quickly went viral.

    In a moment that has split the internet and ignited debate on both sides of the border, Rauf first flashed “6-0” with his fingers — a reference to the number of Indian planes downed by the Pakistan Air Force in May’s military clashes. He then followed it up with a theatrical gesture mimicking a fighter jet soaring and crashing.

    The act drew roaring cheers from many Pakistani fans on social media, with even Defence Minister Khawaja Asif chiming in on X to applaud the cricketer.

    But not everyone was impressed, least of all actor-director Yasir Hussain, who took to Instagram with a fiery rebuke.

    Taking to Instagram stories, he wrote, “Brother, that’s the Pakistan Air Force’s credit, let them have it.” “Your job is to play cricket — which, frankly, you’re not doing well.”

    In a previous post, he urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to suspend matches for a year and instead focus entirely on retraining and rebuilding the national squad, a statement that stirred the pot even further.

    Meanwhile, Indian media has erupted in fury, slamming Rauf’s behavior as “unsportsmanlike” and “provocative”. Some even called for a total boycott of cricketing ties with Pakistan.

    On Sunday, Pakistan scored 171 runs while batting first. India began their chase with an aggressive start but stumbled midway, losing four wickets in quick succession. However, steady middle-order batting guided India to a six-wicket win, securing the victory with seven balls to spare.

  • Dua Lipa fires manager over his support for Israel

    Dua Lipa fires manager over his support for Israel

    Dua Lipa has reportedly fired her longtime manager David Levy after learning of his alleged involvement in efforts to have Irish rap group Kneecap removed from the Glastonbury Festival lineup.

    Reports claim Levy’s name appeared at the bottom of a confidential letter sent to festival founder Michael Eavis, urging that Kneecap be dropped due to their supposed political affiliations. The letter, described as “private and confidential”, was later leaked, prompting Lipa to sever ties with Levy once she became aware of his role.

    Lipa, who has been vocal in her support for Palestine, has previously condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide and used her Instagram where she has over 80 million followers, to amplify her views. She has also taken part in protests criticising the UK’s involvement in the apartheid.

    Despite the controversy, Kneecap performed at Glastonbury. Police inquiries into the matter were closed due to a lack of evidence. The group characterised the situation as an example of “political policing intimidation”. Group member Mo Chara still faces a separate case related to allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag at a different event.

    Lipa remains signed with William Morris Endeavor (WME) but has appointed a new agent who reportedly aligns more closely with her political stance.

    Meanwhile, her Radical Optimism world tour continues, following a recent performance at Madison Square Garden and with upcoming shows planned across North and South America through late 2025.

  • Quinton de Kock reverses retirement, returns for Pakistan tour

    Quinton de Kock reverses retirement, returns for Pakistan tour

    South African wicket-keeper batter Quinton de Kock has come out of retirement from ODI cricket to take part in both ODI and T20I squads for the Pakistan tour.

    De Kock had retired from 50-over cricket after the 2023 ODI World Cup, and his last white-ball game for South Africa was the 2024 T20 World Cup final in Barbados. While he never officially retired from T20Is, he was not included in any of South Africa’s squads and former coach Rob Walter was unsure of his long-term plans. In the meantime, he has been active in T20 leagues around the world, including the recently-concluded CPL.

    Current head coach Shukri Conrad has discussed the matter with de Kock and said he has committed to the national team again.

    “Quinton’s return to the white-ball space is a major boost for us,” Conrad said. “When we spoke last month about his future, it was clear that he still has a strong ambition to represent his country. Everyone knows the quality he brings to the side, and having him back can only benefit the team.”

    At the time of his ODI retirement, de Kock had hinted that he might be convinced to come back, with South Africa’s home World Cup in 2027 on the horizon. “At this point, I don’t foresee it happening. But you never know. Strange things happen in life. It could be a possibility but I don’t think so,” he had said.

    De Kock has played 155 ODIs, in which he has 6770 runs at an average of 45.74 and a strike rate of 96.64. In 92 T20Is, he has 2584 runs at a strike rate of 138.32. He has played three ODI World Cups – 2015, 2019 and 2023 – and the only ICC tournament he missed after his retirement was the Champions Trophy earlier this year where South Africa were knocked out in the semi-final.

    It is worth mentioning that Quinton de Kock once cleverly played a role in the dismissal of Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman, who was batting on 193 in an ODI match. Zaman’s brilliant innings came to an end on the first ball of the final over, when a direct hit from Aiden Markram at long-off caught him short of his ground at the striker’s end.

    However, the legality of the dismissal raised questions. De Kock was seen gesturing with his arms, possibly suggesting that the throw was headed to the non-striker’s end, which may have contributed to Zaman hesitating and ultimately being run out.

  • Security forces kill seven terrorists in Dera Ismail Khan: ISPR

    Security forces kill seven terrorists in Dera Ismail Khan: ISPR

    Security forces have killed seven terrorists, including three Afghan nationals during an Intelligence-Based Operation (IBO) conducted on September 20, in the general area of Kulachi, Dera Ismail Khan district, said Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement issued on Sunday.

    “On 20 September 2025, Security Forces conducted an intelligence based operation in [the] general area Kulachi, Dera Ismail Khan District, on [the] reported presence of Khwarij belonging to Indian Proxy, Fitna al Khwarij,” said the military media wing.

    The ISPR further stated that during the conduct of operation, “own troops effectively engaged the khwarij location and resultantly, seven Indian sponsored khwarij, including three Afghan National khwarij and two suicide bombers were sent to hell”.

    Pakistan expects the Interim Afghan Government to uphold its responsibilities and deny its soil for terrorist activities against Pakistan, according to the ISPR.

    “Sanitisation operation is being conducted to eliminate any other Indian sponsored khwarji found in the area, as the security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of Indian Sponsored Terrorism from the country,” the statement concluded.

    Pakistan has in recent months been experiencing a surge in terror incidents, particularly in KP and Balochistan. After withdrawing from a ceasefire agreement with the government in November 2022, the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) intensified assaults on security forces, police and other law enforcement personnel.


    Fitna al Khwarij is being used to refer to terrorists belonging to the outlawed TTP, while Balochistan-based groups are referred to as Fitna-al-Hindustan to highlight India’s alleged role in terrorism and destabilisation across the country.

  • ‘What are they recognizing, a pile of rubble?’: Internet slams UK, Canada, Australia for ‘performative’ recognition of Palestine

    ‘What are they recognizing, a pile of rubble?’: Internet slams UK, Canada, Australia for ‘performative’ recognition of Palestine

    Strong reactions poured across the global internet after Canada, Australia, and Portugal joined the United Kingdom (UK) in formally recognising Palestinian statehood amid the genocide in Gaza, in which more than 64,000 people have been killed since October 05, 2023.

    Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Mark Carney, in a statement on Sunday, announced the recognition of a Palestinian state, offering “our partnership in building the promise of a peaceful future for both the State of Palestine and the State of Israel”.

    “Recognising the State of Palestine, led by the Palestinian Authority, empowers those who seek peaceful coexistence and the end of Hamas. This in no way legitimises terrorism, nor is it any reward for it,” Carney said.

    Later in the same day, Portugal’s Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel confirmed that his country had also recognised Palestinian statehood. In a statement issued by PM Anthony Albanese, Australia said its recognition alongside Canada’s and the UK’s was part of an international bid for a two-state solution.

    Canada’s and Australia’s recognition of Palestinian statehood appeared to have been coordinated with the UK, where PM Keir Starmer announced that his country was formally recognising a Palestinian state shortly after the announcements from Ottawa and Canberra.

    In the wake of prominent Western nations recognising the Palestinian state, PM Benjamin Netanyahu in a message, said that it was a “prize” for Hamas.

    Many analysts and journalists along with social media users lambasted the countries that have joined the group in merely recognising the Palestinian state, arguing that such gestures will not yield any effective result.

    Sharing a photo of three individuals, victims of Israeli aggression, sitting by the roadside, Palestinian journalist Motasem A Dalloul wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “Nonsense recognition of the state of Palestine does not benefit us.. The only purpose of this useless recognition is diverting attention from continuous Israeli genocide war crimes in Gaza.”

    “The white man will try to satisfy us with symbolic victories rather than economic equity and real justice,” wrote one tweep on X (formerly Twitter). 

    Another person didn’t mince his words: “Meaningless crap at this stage from those that have armed and supported the genocidal Israeli state. What are they recognising, a pile of rubble?”

    A lawyer in Gaza questioned the value of recognising a Palestinian state if its people are being “exterminated”. He noted, “A state without a people is not a state, but a collective death certificate wrapped in political words. More important than recognition is stopping the genocide now, because the survival of human lives is the first condition for the existence of any state.”


    An author opined that recognising a Palestinian state in itself is not enough, but needs actions. He asked, “Are Britain and France and the others going to impose arms embargos? Get food to Gaza? Start treating Netanyahu like they treat Putin?”

    Another exasperated netizen asked, “Enough of this charade. What does it even mean, recognizing the State of Palestine? What are you doing to stop Israel from totally annihilating Palestinian people? Will you stop aiding Israel’s military? Will you sanction Israel? Will it be declared a global pariah?”

    Pakistani analyst Ejaz Haider advised against “celebrating this bullshit recognition of a phantasmic Palestinian state by the very Western states that continue to abet the Zionist entity’s genocidal war. don’t be hoodwinked.”

  • Pakistanis react to Shubman Gill’s ‘Game speaks, not words’ post

    Pakistanis react to Shubman Gill’s ‘Game speaks, not words’ post

    Pakistan might have lost to India in the Super Fours clash of the Asia Cup, but no one can outwit them, especially when it comes to social media banter.

    After a six-wicket victory over Pakistan in the Asia Cup, Indian batter Shubman Gill posted pictures of the match with the caption, “Game speaks, not words”.

    As expected, it wasn’t much later that Pakistani social media users reminded him of the defeat India faced in May’s military clash against the country.

    “6-0 is permanent,” wrote one user.

    “Match tha is liye haar gaye. Jung hoti to!!!!!!!! Urha k rkhty,” another commented.

    A third said, “You won the game, we won the war.”

    Meanwhile, some pointed out Fakhar Zaman’s controversial dismissal by the umpires. “Game speaks, but with the support of umpiring decisions,” wrote one.

    Another user reminded Gill of his wicket falling to Faheem Ashraf, saying, “So How was That Game Delivery of the Match? Takleef Toh Hoi Hogi Jab Aesa Bowled Howay Hogay [sic].”

    One user went on to share an edited image of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah signaling six-zero to Gandhi.

    Earlier, Pakistani batter Sahibzada Farhan also allegedly paid homage to the Pakistani military after scoring his half-century against India, firing shots in the air pretending his bat was a gun.

    Pakistani pacer Haris Rauf, on the other hand, responded to Indian spectators’ jeers by making hand gestures in reference to the downing of Indian jets by Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in May.

    The match was filled with drama, as Rauf, Gill and Abhishek Sharma also engaged in heated exchanges on the field. Pakistani bowlers were particularly animated during the celebrations of Gill and Sharma’s wickets.

    Batting first, Pakistan had scored 171 runs. India began their chase with an aggressive start but stumbled midway, losing four wickets in quick succession. However, steady middle-order batting guided India to a six-wicket win, securing the victory with seven balls to spare.

  • ‘Pain and grief’; Mira Sethi opens up about divorce two years ago

    ‘Pain and grief’; Mira Sethi opens up about divorce two years ago

    Pakistani actor and writer Mira Sethi has candidly opened up about her divorce, shedding light on the emotional and societal impact it had on her and particularly as a woman in the public eye.

    During a recent podcast appearance, Sethi revealed that she quietly went through a divorce in March 2023, during the filming of her critically acclaimed drama Kuch Ankahi.

    “Just a few months after we started working on Kuch Ankahi, I got divorced,” she shared. “It was March 2023, about two and a half years ago and I was in the midst of it while shooting. It was a very tender, delicate, and powerful time in my life. In that sense, I was lucky to have something I could channel my energy into.”

    When asked if portraying her character helped her process the experience, she responded: “It gave me something to do. I would wake up, go to set, and of course Sajal [Aly], [Muhammad] Ahmad sahab, and director Nadeem Baig knew what I was going through. They were all so gentle and supportive.”

    Sethi also reflected on how divorce is perceived in our society, particularly for women. She recalled a line from an older drama she acted in, which struck a chord with her: “There was a line… I can’t even remember the name of the drama but it went, ‘Ek talaaq yafta aurat maashray ke liye kanta ban ke reh jati hai’ (A divorced woman becomes a thorn for the society). I remember sitting on a bed, delivering that dialogue, and it has stayed with me.”

    While she acknowledged that societal attitudes are gradually shifting, the stigma still lingers.

    “Things are definitely changing… slowly, yes, but they are. Anecdotally, many actresses I work with have also gone through this. I could say their names but we know who they are. And conversations like these are important. But yes, along with the pain and grief, there’s also something deeper.”

    “Divorce is not just painful; it’s a collapse of narrative,” she continued. “You ask yourself, who am I now? How do I relate to the world or even to myself? Being married is not just cozy and comforting, it gives you a framework, a story to belong to. And when that ends, the story ends too.”

    Mira Sethi married her longtime love interest Bilal Siddiqui in an intimate ceremony in California in November 2019. Despite her parents Najam Sethi and Jugnu Mohsin both being well-known journalists and her brother Ali Sethi being a celebrated singer, Mira has carved out her own distinct identity in Pakistan’s entertainment industry.

    She is best known for her performances in Paristaan, Kuch Ankahi, and the film Cake, earning praise for both her acting talent and her thoughtful, socially relevant storytelling.

  • ‘Same energy, different battlefield’: Netizens react to Harif Rauf silencing Indian fans, Farhan’s celebration

    ‘Same energy, different battlefield’: Netizens react to Harif Rauf silencing Indian fans, Farhan’s celebration

    Social media users are in fits over Pakistani pacer Haris Rauf’s response to jeers from Indian spectators and Sahibzada Farhan’s fifty celebration against India during the Super Fours clash at the Asia Cup.

    Despite Pakistan’s six-wicket defeat, its second loss in the tournament, it was the players’ behaviour that stole the spotlight.

    While the Pakistani team seemed to have entered the field with renewed energy, possibly owing to the handshake controversy during the September 14 matchup against India, it was Farhan’s half-century celebration that first caught netizens’ attention.

    After completing his fifty in 34 balls, the batsman celebrated it by mimicking a gunshot with his bat.

    “This Sahibzada Farhan’s celebration after cooking India just added 4 years to my life, WOWZERSSS!” wrote a user.

    “What a celebration by Sahibzada Farhan… Sahibzada Farhan displays years of hard grinding in first-class cricket. Majestic stroke making. Go well boy,” said the second user.

    “SAHIBZADA FARHAN TEARING APART INDIAN BOWLERS. WHAT A KILLER CELEBRATION,” wrote another netizen.

    But that wasn’t all…

    Rauf, standing at the boundary in the second innings, made a dramatic hand move, purportedly gesturing a jet that crashes – in alleged connection to India’s loss of jets during aerial skirmishes with Pakistan in May this year.

    He also signaled a “6-0” to Indian fans, which was in line with Pakistani claims of destroying six Indian Air Force (IAF) planes while losing none.

    Reacting to the fast bowler’s gestures, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif wrote that India would never forget the Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) 6-0 victory during Marka-e-Haq.


    “Haris Rauf pointing to Rafale downing by PAF during the India-Pakistan war. He was responding to the India crowd teasing him with Kohli chants,” journalist Waseem Abbasi wrote.


    “Haris Rauf never disappoints, specially, with 6-0,” wrote another journalist Ihtisham Ul Haq


    “We lost the match but this aggressive attitude of King HARIS RAUF will remain forever in our hearts ‘HR’” said one of the users.


    Another said, “LOL! Haris Rauf reminded Indian fans last night how PAF turned IAF jets into fireworks. Same energy, different battlefield! PAKISTAN ZINDABAD.”

    One of the users maintained, “Pakistani cricketer Haris Rauf reminded malicious Indian fans of how the Pakistan Air Force shot down an Indian Rafale. After that, the bells stopped ringing.”