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Author: News Desk

  • Another left-arm bowler bids farewell to international cricket

    Another left-arm bowler bids farewell to international cricket

    After all-rounder Asif Ali and pacer Usman Shinwari, another Pakistani cricketer has decided to retire from international cricket. 

    Left-arm fast bowler Waqas Maqsood, 37, announced his retirement on Thursday.

    Maqsood made his only international appearance in November 2018, when he played a T20I against New Zealand. He bowled 1.5 overs in that match and took two wickets. Despite a promising debut, he was never called up to the national team again. 

    He became the 80th player to represent Pakistan in T20Is. Outside international cricket, Maqsood had a long domestic career. Between 2011 and 2023, he featured in 81 first-class, 56 List A, and 68 T20 matches.

    During the Pakistan Super League, he represented Karachi Kings and Islamabad United.

  • Israeli team claims Italian players ‘cursed’ them throughout match

    Israeli team claims Italian players ‘cursed’ them throughout match

    A heated argument broke out on the pitch after Italy edged past Israel 5-4 in a 2026 World Cup qualifying match in Debrecen, Hungary.

    Israeli players alleged that the Italian team mocked and insulted them throughout the match, sparking tensions after the final whistle.

    “An argument broke out, they were very, very emotional,” Israel captain Eli Dasa told a foreign media outlet. “They felt they were not in the game, and we deserved to win, and they tried to provoke a bit. It is part of football, so we moved on.”

    Other Israeli players claimed the incident started with Gianluigi Donnarumma, Tay Brivo, and Shagiv Yehezkel, after the Italian goalkeeper allegedly teased them. “They cursed at us the whole game,” several players said. Reports suggested that some members of the Italian delegation later apologized to the Israelis for their behavior.

    However, while Israeli media reported that officials from the Italian Football Association had apologized, Italy denied those claims, describing the clash as an “on-field matter.”

    Off the pitch, Italian fans became immediate social media darlings by turning their backs during Israel’s national anthem and displaying banners that read “Stop”, referring to the genocide in Gaza. 

    The two teams are scheduled to face each other again on October 14 in Udine.

  • ‘Do not twist my words’: Ushna Shah clarifies stance after backlash on Charlie Kirk condolence

    ‘Do not twist my words’: Ushna Shah clarifies stance after backlash on Charlie Kirk condolence

    Pakistani actress Ushna Shah has issued a clarification following backlash over her recent remarks on the death of right-wing hatemonger Charlie Kirk, requesting media outlets to share her statement in full and not out of context

    She also emphasised the gravity of her message and its alignment with her long-standing support for the Palestinian cause.

    “I have been one of the loudest Pro-Palestinian voices in our industry since day one,” Shah wrote in an Instagram post, adding that she did so even at the cost of her reach, work, family’s work and safety.

    “For the sake of clicks, please do not twist my words or silence one of the few voices that has openly called out the perpetrator of this genocide. Keep the context intact: not just for me, but for the cause we all stand by.”

    In her post, Shah explained the strategic importance of engaging with public figures and platforms, even those who may be ideologically opposed.

    “Public voices matter, even when they oppose us. Debate changes minds. When podcasters and commentators give us their platforms and we challenge them with truth, we do more than just shut them down. We reach their followers, and that is how minds are changed. That is why these voices — including Charlie Kirk and Piers Morgan — matter.”

    In the second slide of her post, she directly addressed Kirk’s death, saying, “I disagreed with Charlie Kirk, especially on Palestine. But a young father shot in cold blood is a tragedy. In the days before his death, he had begun mildly criticising Israel. Sources close to him reportedly said he feared Israel would kill him. We had started to see a slight shift in him, and Megyn Kelly as well, as they began questioning Israel more openly. Now he is gone.”

    In her final slide, Shah expressed concern for Candace Owens’ safety due to her outspoken criticism of Israel. “I fear for Candace Owens’s safety, because she has openly criticised Israel not only for the genocide but also for the occupation since day one. Tucker Carlson has also been an imperative right-wing voice for our cause. Celebrating murder for words makes us no different than those we condemn.”

    “My fight is with IOF soldiers and complicit governments, not with public speakers. Charlie did not deserve to die this way,” Shah concluded her message with a firm reiteration of her stance.

    The actress had previously faced criticism for expressing grief over Kirk’s death.

  • FIFA clears Haaland’s Norwegian teammate to represent Pakistan

    FIFA clears Haaland’s Norwegian teammate to represent Pakistan

    Pakistan football has received a major boost as FIFA approves the change of sporting nationality for midfielder Etzaz Hussain. 

    The 32-year-old, who once played alongside Erling Haaland at Molde FK, completed the switch after receiving confirmation from FIFA earlier this week.

    Hussain secured a Pakistani passport earlier this year and had already expressed his dream of representing the Green Shirts. One of the most decorated players in Norwegian football, he has won four Eliteserien league titles and three Norwegian Cups with Molde, making him one of the club’s most successful players with seven trophies.

    Over his career, Hussain has made nearly 300 professional appearances. His journey includes spells in Turkey with Sivasspor, Croatia with NK Rudeš, Cyprus with Apollon Limassol and most recently with Norwegian side Odd.

    Born in Oslo to parents from Kharian, Gujrat, Hussain began his football career at Langhus before joining Manchester United’s youth academy in 2009. Although he never broke into the first team, he called his time at Old Trafford “an experience for life”.

    He made his professional debut with Fredrikstad in 2011 and went on to play a crucial role at Molde under Ole Gunnar Solskjær, scoring in both domestic and European competitions. He also represented Norway at youth levels up to U23 but remained eligible for Pakistan as he never played senior competitive football for Norway.

    With his eligibility now confirmed, Hussain is expected to bring much-needed experience and stability to Pakistan’s midfield ahead of international fixtures.

    “This is a very important development for Pakistan football,” reports quoted an official as saying. “Having a player of Etzaz Hussain’s caliber and experience will inspire the team and fans alike.”

    Hussain has often spoken with pride about his Pakistani heritage and was honoured by the Pakistan Embassy in Oslo during Independence Day celebrations in 2021.

  • Govt lifts ban on new domestic gas connections after four years

    Govt lifts ban on new domestic gas connections after four years

    The government has lifted the four-year ban on new domestic gas connections, announcing that consumers will now be provided with Re-Gasified Liquefied Natural Gas (RLNG) connections in place of local gas across the country.

    Briefing the media on cabinet decisions, Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik, flanked by Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, on Wednesday said that the decision had been taken by the federal cabinet under the instructions of Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif to ease public hardships.

    Malik noted that the ban, imposed in 2021, had forced residents of new housing societies and apartments to rely on Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders and other fuels. 

    “There’s the pain of getting your cylinders filled from the market, and then there’s the issue of sub-standard cylinders that often lead to untoward incidents,” he said.

    Malik further said that the two Sui companies had already completed the prerequisites and would start entertaining pending applications once the official notification was issued.

    “RLNG is definitely expensive compared to local gas; however, it is 30–35 per cent cheaper than LPG,” Malik asserted, adding that applicants already on the waiting list would be asked to convert to RLNG by paying the required fee and installing a new connection.

    Commenting on the monthly billing cycle for RLNG, the minister explained that it would continue in line with the monthly system already in place. 

    Additionally, Malik said efforts were being made to attract international companies, including those from Turkiye, China and the United States (US), for both onshore and offshore exploration.

    “By gradually boosting local production, we aim to reduce reliance on RLNG and provide cheaper, indigenous fuel to the people,” he said.

    Meanwhile, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Chaudhry said the decision would resolve the longstanding difficulties faced by people due to the unavailability of gas connections.

  • ICC creates history with all-female match officials at Women’s World Cup 2025

    ICC creates history with all-female match officials at Women’s World Cup 2025

    The International Cricket Council (ICC) has taken another big step to promote women in cricket by naming an all-female panel of match officials for the upcoming ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup. 

    This will be the first time in the history of the tournament that only women will officiate in a tournament. 

    The Women’s World Cup will be played in India and Sri Lanka from September 30, with the panel comprising of 14 umpires and four match referees.

    Claire Polosak, Jacquline Williams, and Sue Redfern will return for their third Women’s World Cup, while Lauren Agenbag and Kim Cotton will appear in their second after officiating in Australia’s title win in 2022.

    The referee panel features Trudy Anderson, Shandré Fritz, GS Lakshmi, and Michelle Pereira, who bring a mix of experience to the 13th edition of the tournament.

    Full list of match officials:

    Match Referees: Trudy Anderson, Shandré Fritz, GS Lakshmi, Michelle Pereira


    Umpires: Lauren Agenbag, Candace la Borde, Kim Cotton, Sarah Dambanevana, Shathira Jakir Jesy, Kerrin Klaaste, Janani N, Nimali Perera, Claire Polosak, Vrinda Rathi, Sue Redfern, Eloise Sheridan, Gayathri Venugopalan, Jacquline Williams

    The ICC said this historic move reflects its commitment to supporting, elevating, and empowering women in cricket.

  • ‘I was under a lot of stress and pressure’: Fawad Khan on working in Abir Gulaal

    ‘I was under a lot of stress and pressure’: Fawad Khan on working in Abir Gulaal

    Fawad Khan, one of Pakistan’s most beloved stars, is stepping back into the world of romance with Abir Gulaal, his latest romantic comedy co-starring Bollywood’s Vaani Kapoor.

    In an interview with Gulf News, Fawad said cinema was begging for such a film because everything is now very intense, dark or dramatic – a thriller or too much of blood and gore. “This is more like a palate cleanser. The best foods are the ones with the simplest ingredients where you can taste everything individually. And that only happens when there’s no complication in it. So, this is that kind of a meal.”

    Fawad candidly admitted he was concerned about whether the film would even reach audiences, “I was very worried. There was a lot of pressure around the film’s release,” he shared. “But my belief in the story and its message helped me push forward.”

    He also opened up about relationships and the idea of “the one”. “Having a relationship is a journey in life,” he said.

    “Over the course of time, you come to that equilibrium point. It may feel like love at first sight and it can work out, but you have to accept people with their flaws. That’s what we’re becoming more intolerant of… we just feel everything has to serve one’s own purpose. If something bothers you about your partner, you have to take it in your stride and make it work. That is a very big part of commitment. If you keep waiting forever, you might just wait forever.”

    To a question about the viral teaser that showed Fawad serenading Vaani with Kumar Sanu’s Kuch Na Kaho from the Bollywood film ‘1942: A Love Story’, which drew widespread reactions and a flood of memes online, Vaani said, “The world is healing is what I’ve heard.”

    But even that heart-melting moment wasn’t without nerves. “I was definitely under a lot of stress and pressure,” Fawad revealed. “I don’t sing very often. I think of myself as a bathroom singer. But it’s such an iconic song, so I was nervous.”

    Vaani also said she got lucky to be selected as co-star opposite Fawad.

    Abir Gulaal is set to be released in Pakistan and other global territories on September 12. The film will not be released in India.

  • Indian mom puts 15-day-old baby in fridge for crying constantly

    Indian mom puts 15-day-old baby in fridge for crying constantly

    A shocking incident unfolded in the Indian city of Moradabad where a 23-year-old mother put her 15-day-old son inside a refrigerator because she felt frustrated with his constant crying.

    Indian media reported that the woman lives with her husband and in-laws in Jabbar Colony in the Uttar Pradesh city. On September 5, she took the crying baby to the kitchen, placed him inside the fridge, and then returned to her room to sleep.

    Moments later, the baby’s cries woke up his grandmother. She rushed to the kitchen, pulled the infant out of the fridge, and took him to a hospital where doctors declared him out of danger.

    When the family questioned the mother about what she had done, she calmly replied, “He was not sleeping, so I kept him in the fridge.” The in-laws were left stunned.

    Initially, the family believed she was under the influence of some evil spirit and arranged treatment for that. But her behavior did not improve. Doctors later conducted a psychological evaluation and diagnosed her with postpartum depression.

    Experts explain that postpartum depression affects some new mothers after childbirth. It goes beyond temporary sadness, causing persistent emotional, physical, and behavioral changes. The condition can affect daily life and make it difficult for mothers to care for themselves and their newborns.

  • ‘It is just a match’: Indian Supreme Court dismisses plea to ban Pak-India Asia Cup match

    ‘It is just a match’: Indian Supreme Court dismisses plea to ban Pak-India Asia Cup match

    The Indian Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a plea to ban the Asia Cup 2025 match between Pakistan and India, observing it was “just a match”.

    A bench comprising Justice JK Maheshwari and Justice Vijay Bishnoi gave the remarks after activist Ketan Tirodkar approached the court, demanding that the September 14 clash in Dubai be declared unconstitutional. 

    Tirodkar argued that given the recent hostilities between the two countries, cricket ties should not continue. He also claimed the match violated Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees the right to life and personal liberty.

    The judges dismissed the plea and made it clear they would not hear the matter.

    Meanwhile, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) reiterated its stance that it follows the central government’s policy. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said India’s current policy did not restrict the team from participating in international or multi-nation tournaments.

    Pakistan and India are both in Group A of the Asia Cup. The two sides are set to meet on September 14 in Dubai.

  • Security forces killed 19 terrorists in three operations across KP

    Security forces killed 19 terrorists in three operations across KP

    Security forces have killed 19 terrorists belonging to Indian proxy Fitna al Khwarij in three separate operations carried out between September 9-10 across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) has said in a statement on Thursday.

    According to the military’s media wing, an Intelligence-Based Operation (IBO) was conducted by the security forces in the general area of Guluno, Mohmand District, on the reported presence of terrorists. 

    “During the conduct of operation, own troops effectively engaged the khwarij location, and after an intense fire exchange, fourteen Indian sponsored khwarij were sent to hell,” said the ISPR.

    Military’s media wing further stated that another IBO was conducted in the general area Datta Khel, North Waziristan District and in the ensuing fire exchange, “four more Khwarij were neutralized” by the security forces.

    “In another encounter that took place in Bannu District, one more Khwarij was neutralized by the security forces. Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from Indian sponsored killed Khwarij, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in these areas,” it added.

    Sanitisation operations are being conducted to eliminate any other kharji found in the area, as the security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of Indian Sponsored Terrorism from the country.

    Pakistan has been experiencing a surge in terrorist incidents, particularly in KP and Balochistan. After withdrawing from a ceasefire agreement with the government in November 2022, the 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 as Fitna-al-Hindustan to highlight India’s alleged role in terrorism and destabilisation across Pakistan.

    Last week, six soldiers embraced martyrdom while security forces killed five militants in repelling an attack on the Federal Constabulary (FC) Headquarters in Bannu district. In August, security forces eliminated 50 militants during a four-day counterterrorism operation in Balochistan.