Current Final

Author: News Desk

  • PCB denies reports of plans to replace Rizwan, Shan as captains

    PCB denies reports of plans to replace Rizwan, Shan as captains

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has strongly denied reports claiming a leadership change in the national cricket team.

    According to media reports citing sources, the board has strongly denied these rumours, clarifying that no such discussions have taken place during selection committee meetings. PCB officials confirmed that neither leadership changes nor alterations to players’ central contract categories are under consideration.

    Sources within the board described the circulating stories as baseless and misleading.

    Earlier, speculation suggested that PCB might give A-category contracts to Salman Ali Agha and Saud Shakeel and appoint them as long-term captains for ODIs and Tests. Reports claimed the PCB think tank held initial consultations before the team departed for Dubai.

    The rumours gained traction after Shan Masood dropped from category B to category D in the latest central contracts, seen by some as a sign that he could lose his role. It was also reported that the selection committee and head coach favoured Salman Ali Agha for ODI leadership and were impressed by Saud Shakeel’s red-ball captaincy with Pakistan Shaheens. According to those reports, formal announcements were expected after the Asia Cup.

    PCB, however, has categorically rejected these claims, insisting that no captaincy changes are on the agenda and the current leadership remains intact.

  • Street vendors beat brothers to death over Rs30

    Street vendors beat brothers to death over Rs30

    Two brothers were brutally assaulted by street vendors in Raiwind after an argument over just Rs30. One brother died at the scene, while the other succumbed to his injuries two days later in the hospital.

    The victims, Wajid and Rashid, were seen in a viral video being mercilessly beaten with clubs while lying in a pool of blood.

    Despite dozens of onlookers, no one reportedly stepped forward to help. Police said the violence began with a dispute over the price of fruit, which quickly escalated into a deadly attack.

    A case has been registered, and two suspects have been arrested.

    In another incident, a man accused of raping an 11-year-old girl in Chak 24-BC, Bahawapur, was killed during a police encounter on Friday, according to media reports.

     
    The suspect, Ali Hamza, had previously worked at a thread factory in Lahore, where he was reportedly accused of similar assaults on young girls but had evaded arrest. He had returned to Bahawalpur to attend his mother’s funeral when the incident occurred.

     
    On August 17, the victim, daughter of local labourer Muhammad Aslam, failed to return home from her madrassa. Her father later found her in a nearby field in trauma. Police said Hamza had spotted the girl while fetching water from a roadside filter tap and allegedly assaulted her in the fields before fleeing.

     
    Following the incident, a case was registered under FIR No. 1688/25, Section 376 of the Pakistan Penal Code. Hamza was arrested and he confessed to the crime, but escaped police custody during physical remand while being brought back from Lahore after a DNA test.

     
    On Thursday, police received intelligence about Hamza’s presence at a rural hideout. During the raid, unidentified men opened fire on officers. In the exchange, Hamza was critically injured, reportedly by bullets fired by his accomplices. Rescue 1122 responded to the scene, but he succumbed to his injuries.

     
    His body was shifted to a hospital for legal formalities. According to the Police, the attackers fled and a search operation is now underway to apprehend the remaining suspects.

  • Restaurant owner, staff arrested as two children die after eating contaminated food

    Restaurant owner, staff arrested as two children die after eating contaminated food

    Days after two children died and their brother fell ill after consuming food from a restaurant located in Lahore, Police have arrested the owner along with the kitchen staff.

    According to police, on the night of August 16, the family dined at a restaurant; however, shortly after reaching home, the three children of the family became unwell. 

    The family rushed the children to Sheikh Zayed Hospital, where doctors said that the children had severe complications from consuming possibly contaminated food. 

    Despite medical treatment, two daughters, Tahreem and Arha, tragically passed away on the nights of August 18 and 19, respectively.

    On the complaint of the children’s father Muhammad Azeem, a case was registered at Sattokatla police station. The complainant held the restaurant responsible for serving hazardous food items that allegedly caused the fatalities.

    Citing investigators, reports say that food samples from the restaurant had been sent for laboratory tests to determine the cause of the children’s illness.

    According to police, forensic and health authorities were working in coordination to establish whether the food contained toxins, harmful chemicals, or was contaminated due to improper storage.

  • BCCI set to lose major sponsor after gaming bill hits revenue

    BCCI set to lose major sponsor after gaming bill hits revenue

    The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is facing a major setback in its sponsorship efforts after the new Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025 has severely impacted revenue streams for fantasy sports companies.

    According to media reports, fantasy sports giant Dream11 has announced that it has stopped all real-money games following the passage of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025, which bans real-money online gaming. The company has also informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that it will be unable to continue as the lead sponsor of the Indian cricket teams, as its primary revenue stream has taken a significant hit.

    Dream11 currently holds a sponsorship deal worth approximately INR 358 crore (USD 44 million) with the BCCI for the 2023-2026 period. Together with My11Circle, another fantasy sports platform, these companies contribute nearly INR 1,000 crore to Indian cricket through team sponsorships and IPL partnerships.

    The new law clearly states that “no person shall offer aid, abet, induce, indulge, engage in offering online money gaming services nor shall involve in any advertisement which directly or indirectly promotes any person to play any online money game.” While BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia declined to comment, Indian media reports confirmed that Dream11 might not face a major penalty due to a specific clause in the contract that allows a waiver in case of a government regulation.

    Dream11 issued an official statement saying, “This morning, we stopped all paid contests on Dream11 and pivoted entirely to a free-to-play online social game. When we started this journey 18 years ago as a Sports Tech company, we were not even 1% of the size of the USA Fantasy Sports industry. Dream11’s Fantasy Sports product was our way to ‘Make Sports Better’ for all of India. With this passion, belief, and the spirit of Made in India, for India, by Indians, we became the largest fantasy sports platform in the world.”

    The company added, “We have always been and will always be a law abiding company, and have conducted our business in compliance with the laws. While we believe that progressive regulations would have been the right way forward, we will respect the law and will fully comply with ‘The Promotion & Regulation of Online Gaming Law, 2025’.”

    Dream11 also highlighted its future plans beyond fantasy sports. “We are fortunate to have a portfolio of amazing Sports Tech businesses including FanCode, DreamSetGo and Dream Game Studios, along with our Dream Sports Foundation. These will continue to power our vision to ‘Make Sports Better’ and support our Hon’ble Prime Minister’s ambition of making India a global sporting superpower. Thank you for all your love and trust. See you in our second innings,” the statement concluded.

    An industry expert said, “The writing was always on the cards once the real money gaming was banned in the bill. That itself accounts for at least 90% of the revenue of all major players in the fantasy market. The next interesting phase will be what My11Circle, which pays Rs 125 crore annually to BCCI for being the official fantasy partner of IPL, does. They might also have to go the Dream11 way.”

    The ban will also impact individual endorsements of cricketers with fantasy gaming apps, which formed a significant part of their commercial deals.

  • Pakistan names 15-member squad for ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025

    Pakistan names 15-member squad for ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025

    The Pakistan Women’s National Selection Committee has named a 15-member squad for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, scheduled from September 30 to November 2 in Sri Lanka and India. The same squad will also play a three-match ODI series against South Africa at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium from September 16 to 22.

    Fatima Sana will lead Pakistan in the World Cup for the first time. The 23-year-old all-rounder captained the team earlier this year in Lahore during the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier, where Pakistan booked their World Cup spot with an unbeaten run.

    Right-handed wicketkeeper-batter Eiman Fatima, who recently made her T20I debut against Ireland, has earned her first ODI World Cup call-up. Natalia Pervaiz, Rameen Shamim, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sadaf Shamas, and Syeda Aroob Shah will also feature in their maiden ODI World Cup.

    The selectors made two changes from the Qualifier squad, bringing in Eiman Fatima and Sadaf Shamas, while dropping Gull Feroza and Najiha Alvi, who have been named among the non-travelling reserves. Other reserves include Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, and Waheeda Akhtar.

    Pakistan will play all their World Cup matches at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo. If the team qualifies for the semi-final on October 29 or the final on November 2, those matches will also be held in Colombo.

    Pakistan’s World Cup fixtures (Colombo, 3 PM)

    October 2 – vs Bangladesh
    October 5 – vs India
    October 8 – vs Australia
    October 15 – vs England
    October 18 – vs New Zealand
    October 21 – vs South Africa
    October 24 – vs Sri Lanka

    South Africa ODI series (Lahore)

    September 16 – 1st ODI
    September 19 – 2nd ODI
    September 22 – 3rd ODI

    15-member squad

    Fatima Sana (captain), Muneeba Ali Siddiqi (vice-captain), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Eiman Fatima, Nashra Sandhu, Natalia Pervaiz, Omaima Sohail, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wicketkeeper), and Syeda Aroob Shah.

    Non-traveling reserves

    Gull Feroza, Najiha Alvi, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, Waheeda Akhtar.

    Support staff

    Manager: Hina Munawar; Head coach: Mohammad Wasim; Assistant coaches: Junaid Khan, Tahir Khan; Fielding coach: Abdullah Saad; Media manager: Mohammad Rafiuallah; Strength and conditioning coach: Mohammad Asfandyar; Analyst: Waleed Ahmed; Physiotherapist: Tahreem Sunbul; Massage therapist: Kiran Shahzadi; Team doctor: To be announced.

  • South Africa suffers record ODI defeat against Australia

    South Africa suffers record ODI defeat against Australia

    South Africa have created an unwanted record in their ODI history after a crushing defeat to Australia in the third and final match of the series on Sunday.

    Australia thrashed the visitors by 276 runs at Mackay, handing South Africa their biggest loss in ODI history. Despite the humiliating defeat, South Africa claimed the three-match series 2-1 after winning the first two games.

    Batting first, Australia piled up a massive 431 for 2. The top three batters dominated the bowlers, each scoring a century. Openers Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh stitched a brilliant 250-run stand for the first wicket. Head smashed 142 runs off 103 balls, while Marsh scored exactly 100 from 106 deliveries.

    Cameron Green played the most explosive innings of the day, blasting an unbeaten 118 from just 55 balls with six fours and eight sixes. Alex Carey supported him with 50 not out as the pair added 164 runs for the third wicket.

    Chasing 432, South Africa collapsed to 155 all out as they failed to counter Australia’s bowling attack. Cooper Connolly stole the show with the ball, taking 5 wickets for just 22 runs. Sean Abbott and Xavier Bartlett grabbed two wickets each.

    The 276-run defeat is now South Africa’s heaviest loss in ODIs by margin of runs. Their previous worst came in 2023 when India beat them by 243 runs.

    Despite this record-breaking loss, South Africa can take consolation from winning the series 2-1.

  • Rape suspect killed in police encounter near Bahawalpur

    Rape suspect killed in police encounter near Bahawalpur

    A man accused of raping an 11-year-old girl in Chak 24-BC, Bahawapur, was killed during a police encounter on Friday, according to media reports.

    The suspect, Ali Hamza, had previously worked at a thread factory in Lahore, where he was reportedly accused of similar assaults on young girls but had evaded arrest. He had returned to Bahawalpur to attend his mother’s funeral when the incident occurred.

    On August 17, the victim, daughter of local labourer Muhammad Aslam, failed to return home from her madrassa. Her father later found her in a nearby field in trauma. Police said Hamza had spotted the girl while fetching water from a roadside filter tap and allegedly assaulted her in the fields before fleeing.

    Following the incident, a case was registered under FIR No. 1688/25, Section 376 of the Pakistan Penal Code. Hamza was arrested and he confessed to the crime, but escaped police custody during physical remand while being brought back from Lahore after a DNA test.

    On Thursday, police received intelligence about Hamza’s presence at a rural hideout. During the raid, unidentified men opened fire on officers. In the exchange, Hamza was critically injured, reportedly by bullets fired by his accomplices. Rescue 1122 responded to the scene, but he succumbed to his injuries.

    His body was shifted to a hospital for legal formalities. According to the Police, the attackers fled and a search operation is now underway to apprehend the remaining suspects.

  • Gigi Hadid endorses Pakistani animated film ‘The Glassworker’

    Gigi Hadid endorses Pakistani animated film ‘The Glassworker’

    Supermodel Gigi Hadid has shown support for The Glassworker, Pakistan’s first hand-drawn animated feature film, by sharing stills from the movie on her Instagram story.

    Her gesture has given the film global attention and highlighted rising appreciation for Pakistani cinema.

    Directed by Usman Riaz, The Glassworker took more than ten years to complete. The film tells the story of Vincent, a young apprentice glassblower, and Alliz, a gifted violinist, whose lives connect during a time of war.

    The story touches on themes of love, loss, and the struggles of life during war, all brought to life through beautiful, hand-drawn animation.

    The movie has already been praised for its animation and storytelling, winning recognition at several international film festivals. It has also been selected as Pakistan’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the Academy Awards.

    As The Glassworker continues to make waves internationally, it stands as a proud moment for Pakistan and a reminder of the power of storytelling through art.

  • Maria B in trouble over remarks on transgender community

    Maria B in trouble over remarks on transgender community

    An inquiry has been initiated against fashion designer Maria B at the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA).

    According to reports, Naeem Butt alias Seema Butt filed an application with the NCCIA, alleging that Maria B spoke against the transgender community on social media. The applicant claimed Maria B propagated against the transgender community on social media and that transgenders were hurt due to her propaganda.

    The NCCIA has launched an inquiry into the case and summoned Maria B on August 26.

    The controversy began when Maria B shared clips of a gathering online, condemning the event, claiming minors were present, and describing it as an attempt to normalize values inconsistent with cultural and religious traditions. She also linked the gathering to foreign influence, stating she would continue highlighting such events despite anticipated backlash.

    Following the videos, police arrested several transgender individuals for organizing what was described as an “objectionable” private gathering. The arrests prompted widespread attention after clips of the event, reportedly showing 50 to 60 participants, circulated on social media.

    The matter went to a magistrate in Lahore, who dismissed the case, stating the police provided no incriminating evidence. The court observed that no eyewitnesses were present, no statements were recorded, and no proper documentation allowed entry into the private property. The magistrate suggested the defendants were implicated based on “forged and concocted facts” and denied the police’s plea for a 10-day physical remand, releasing all the transgender persons. Their lawyer, Haider Butt, confirmed their release.

    Conversely, transgender rights advocate Nayyab Ali dismissed the accusations, noting that those in the videos were not affiliated with the rights movement and questioned whether Maria B’s sharing of the clips amounted to dissemination of “fahashi.” 

    Human rights activists and legal experts have expressed concerns that morality laws are ambiguously worded, prone to arbitrary application, and often disproportionately affect marginalized communities.

  • Major target-killing, terror network busted as CTD arrests four linked to India’s RAW

    Major target-killing, terror network busted as CTD arrests four linked to India’s RAW

    The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) on Saturday said that it found involvement of the Indian intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) in the target killing of a man in Sindh’s Badin and arrested six suspects in this connection during a joint operation with federal intelligence agencies.

    According to CTD, a major terrorist network and safe houses operating in Karachi were also unearthed. An entire network working for RAW has been exposed, with six suspects in total arrested so far.

    In a press conference held in Karachi, CTD Additional Inspector General (AIG) Azad Khan stated that the suspects were arrested on July 8 in connection with the killing of 45-year-old Abdur Rehman on May 18 in Badin’s Malti. According to Khan, Rehman was a local barber known for his welfare work.

    During interrogation, investigators discovered a wider network allegedly run by RAW handler Sanjay Sanjeev Kumar, based abroad, who remained in contact with the suspects and orchestrated the plot.

    According to AIG Khan, before carrying out the killing, the suspects conducted reconnaissance for five days in Matli. CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts identified three of the apprehended men at the crime scene, adding that Indian media had celebrated the murder, which further underscored the involvement of RAW.

    Additionally, the network included a gang formed by a suspect named Salman, comprising Umair, Sajad, Obaid and Shakeel. Investigators confirmed that the money transferred through bank accounts for the operation provided proof of terror financing. Following these findings, a case of terrorism financing was also registered.

    From their possession, authorities recovered a 9mm pistol, a 30-bore pistol, mobile phones, and a motorcycle, he added.

    AIG Khan stressed that RAW’s involvement has been fully established, as the suspects had admitted to working as agents for the Indian agency, noting their travel history was also in the possession of investigators.

    Khan confirmed that more arrests are expected as the investigation into suspects’ statements, recoveries, bank transactions, and RAW’s role continues.