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Author: News Desk

  • Pakistan, Afghanistan fans to be seated separately for Sharjah tri-series matches

    Pakistan, Afghanistan fans to be seated separately for Sharjah tri-series matches

    Organisers of the upcoming tri-nation cricket series in Sharjah have decided to allocate separate seating enclosures for Pakistani and Afghan fans in a bid to ensure crowd safety.

    The move comes ahead of highly anticipated matches between Pakistan and Afghanistan, whose cricketing rivalry has intensified in recent years.

    According to reports, the decision to separate fan sections follows previous incidents where matches between the two nations saw clashes and disorder among spectators.

    The Sharjah Cricket Stadium, with a capacity of 16,000, is expected to see a large turnout of both Pakistani and Afghan fans. If implemented, the policy will restrict ticket sales to designated seating areas for each group throughout the tournament.

    The tri-series also features the UAE as the third team and will serve as a preparatory event ahead of the 2025 Asia Cup. Officials are expected to make a formal announcement regarding the crowd management plan soon.

    The tri-nation series is set to begin on August 29, with the opening match between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

  • Amir, Imad sign with Northern Superchargers for ‘The Hundred’ 2025

    Amir, Imad sign with Northern Superchargers for ‘The Hundred’ 2025

    Pakistani cricketers Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim have officially signed with the Northern Superchargers for the 2025 season of The Hundred tournament.

    According to reports, the duo has been brought in as replacements for Ben Dwarshuis and Mitchell Santner.

    Earlier, concerns were raised over the participation of Pakistani players in the tournament, as several team owners have links to India. It was reported that Pakistani cricketers might be excluded due to political and commercial pressures.

    These concerns grew after it was announced that the Northern Superchargers will come under the ownership of the Indian media group ‘Sun’ from October 1. Questions were raised regarding the future involvement of Pakistani players under the new ownership.

    At the start of the year, it also came as a surprise that no Pakistani player was picked during the March draft, a stark contrast to previous seasons. This led to speculation that four of the franchises are owned by Indian business groups, while two others are held by Indian-American owners, and that this influence could have played a role in sidelining Pakistani talent.

    However, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had dismissed such claims, assuring that no bias would be shown against Pakistani players.

    Experts believe that Pakistan’s international commitments around the draft period, including the tour of the West Indies and a tri-series in the UAE, along with a dip in recent T20 performances, contributed to the lack of selections. 

    Additionally, last-minute withdrawals by Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah last year were also cited as contributing factors.

    With the inclusion of Amir and Imad, the Northern Superchargers have strengthened their squad. The team also features England all-rounder Ben Stokes, although he has opted out of this season due to shoulder surgery.

  • Islamabad rejects Ukraine’s claim of Pakistani ‘mercenaries’ fighting for Russia

    Islamabad rejects Ukraine’s claim of Pakistani ‘mercenaries’ fighting for Russia

    The Government of Pakistan has categorically rejected the “baseless and unfounded” allegations regarding the involvement of Pakistani nationals in the Ukraine conflict.

    In a statement issued on Monday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said the government would raise the matter with Ukrainian authorities, “and seek clarification in this regard”.

    “Pakistan reaffirms its commitment to the peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict through dialogue and diplomacy, by the principles of the UN Charter,” the statement added.

    In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed that his troops in northeastern Ukraine were fighting ‘mercenaries’ from various countries, including Pakistan.

    “We spoke with commanders about the frontline situation, the defence of Vovchansk, and the dynamics of the battles.”

    “Our warriors in this sector are reporting the participation of mercenaries from China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and African countries in the war. We will respond,” wrote Zelenskyy.

    Earlier in 2023, media reports suggested that Pakistan had provided Ukraine with ammunition, a claim Islamabad had officially denied.

    In February 2023, France 24 reported that “run-down ammunition supplies are one of Kyiv’s most pressing concerns, with Ukraine and its partners resorting to far-flung countries like South Korea and Pakistan as sources of artillery munitions”. Many reports had also alleged that the ammunition was sent to Ukraine through a European country.

    The then MFO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch rebuffed the reports, claiming that Pakistan maintains a policy of non-interference in military conflicts.

    “Pakistan only exports defence stores to other states based on strong end-use and non-retransfer assurances. And this is the case of Pakistan’s position in the Ukraine-Russia conflict,” she maintained.

  • AB de Villiers says he never wanted to face THIS Pakistani bowler

    AB de Villiers says he never wanted to face THIS Pakistani bowler

    AB de Villiers, one of the most dominant and fearless batters in world cricket, has named a surprising pick when asked about the one bowler he never wanted to face during the early days of his international career.

    In a recent appearance on Subhankar Mishra’s YouTube podcast, the host asked, “Was there a bowler who troubled you so much that you hoped, I wish this bowler doesn’t come to bowl to me?”

    To this, AB de Villiers responded candidly, “I think the Pakistani magician Muhammad Asif, when I was younger. I mean, to be fair to myself, I wasn’t really comfortable with my own technique at that time. I had some flaws. I was taking the bat behind my back.”

    “I would have loved to face him now or when I was a bit older, very sound technically, knowing what I’m doing out there. But for him, to face him at that time, it was almost unfair. He just had too much skill. He was playing with me. It felt like a really, really good bowler,” he said.

    AB de Villiers made his debut for South Africa in 2004, a time when the Pakistan pace attack featured names like Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammed Asif. Asif, in particular, was widely known for his control, movement off the seam, and ability to outthink batters without relying on express pace.

    Reflecting on his early struggles, de Villiers said, “Probably I had a much higher bat lift, and that was the reason I was way too troubled by Asif.” He further added, “I would now love to play against the bowler after I have clarity over my batting technique.”

    De Villiers, who played international cricket until 2018, enjoyed a highly successful career that spanned over 14 years. He scored 8,765 Test runs and 9,577 ODI runs, maintaining averages of 50.66 in Tests and 53.50 in ODIs. He remains one of the few cricketers to average over 50 in both formats.

    The South African legend also left his mark in T20 leagues across the globe, most notably with Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL, where his explosive batting performances earned him a huge fan following.

  • Ali Sethi drops ‘Bridegroom’ from new album in style

    Ali Sethi drops ‘Bridegroom’ from new album in style

    Singing sensation Ali Sethi certainly knows how to make a statement, possibly even an entire musical mood board.

    Fresh off the buzz of his first full-length studio album Love Language, Sethi has dropped his latest single Bridegroom, and let’s just say, it’s not just the track that’s turning heads.


    Known for his soulful voice and poetic lyrics, Ali Sethi has long been one of Pakistan’s most celebrated artists. 


    From reinventing classics to creating global hits like Pasoori, which has crossed 877 million views on YouTube and over a billion streams on Spotify, Sethi continues to break musical boundaries. He even represented Pakistan at the prestigious Coachella festival in the U.S., a major milestone in his career.


    In his latest Instagram post, Sethi revealed his new song Bridegroom, wearing a yellow skirt in a visually emotional setting that complements the track’s vibe.


    In the caption, he wrote, “Thank you love you need you read you ❤
    As for this song: it’s a 13th century ditty in which a young bride tells her girlfriends: ‘Don’t ask about my groom, he’s green, evergreen!’ ”


    The track draws on ancient poetry and modern sound, making it both nostalgic and experimental, just the kind of fusion Sethi is known for.


    Fans instantly responded with admiration and excitement.

    One wrote, “I love this song!!!!”


    Another commented, “Lowwwwwwit!!!! I was listening to it on full blast in rural Netherlands yesterday. ”


    A third fan gushed, “SO into it. It’s every mood that every desi has felt, a jar of expat emotionpickle. Sweet, spicy, sexy, moreish ”


    Another wrote, “ Been streaming on Spotify since yesterday! Well done and congratulations on your first full-length album, sweet one. My fav is Kaava. Also I wish each track was a li’l bit longer ”


    And someone called it their top pick: “Favorite song from this riot of an album!! Incredible ❤”


    Bridegroom is one of the 16 tracks from Love Language, Ali’s first full-length studio album, which officially dropped on August 1, 2025. 


    The album, described by the singer as “a ragamala rendezvous,” features a bold red aesthetic, seen in gloves, shirts, headpieces, and even the tracklist artwork, symbolizing intensity, love, and artistic freedom.


    The album includes previously released singles Maya and Tera Sitam, as well as new titles like O Balama (Censored Love Song), Hanera, Rocket Launcher featuring Maanu, Nursery Rhyme (Interlude), Lovely Bukhaar, Jhatka in Jaunpuri (Interlude), Hymn 4 Him (Ghoomray), Villain, Bridegroom, Jadugarni, Kaava, Horizon, Subho Shaam featuring Natania, and Escape From Jhaptaal.

    Ali Sethi has always stood out for blending traditional South Asian music with modern experimental styles. With Love Language, he’s seems ready to bring that mix to an even larger stage.

  • ‘He took off his shoe’; Senior journalist narrates Imran’s reaction on Gandapur conveying offer to him

    ‘He took off his shoe’; Senior journalist narrates Imran’s reaction on Gandapur conveying offer to him

    Senior journalist Sohail Warraich has claimed that incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan had been offered a transfer from Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi to his residence in Banigala.

    “I am 100 per cent sure that he [Imran Khan] was offered to shift to Banigala, accept the system and stay silent, to which he did not agree,” Warraich said on a podcast with journalist Mansoor Ali Khan. He added that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister (CM) Ali Amin Gandapur had relayed this offer to Imran Khan, upon which the latter “took off his shoe”.

    It may be noted that Warraich did not reveal any further details; however, Khan’s alleged reaction is being decoded by pundits who say it was rooted in his decision to not strike a deal and how he felt about CM Gandapur conveying him one.

    Earlier in January, Imran Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, claimed that authorities had offered the former prime minister a deal to move him from Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi to his residence in Banigala.

    She later confirmed that the offer was reportedly conveyed through CM Gandapur. Aleema alleged that her brother was repeatedly asked to remain silent in exchange for the transfer.

    Days after her remarks, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, while speaking at an event in Sialkot, had termed the claims as baseless. “No such proposal has been made, nor is there any pressure for his release,” he had stated.

    Asif clarified that the government had no involvement in decisions regarding Imran Khan’s detention or relocation, stressing that such matters are solely within the judiciary’s jurisdiction.

    “Imran Khan’s future will be decided by the courts, not by the government. I have no connection with the judiciary and am certainly not a fortune-teller to predict court outcomes,” he maintained.

  • Pakistan Idol is back and Fawad Khan’s ad is already a hot hit

    Pakistan Idol is back and Fawad Khan’s ad is already a hot hit

    After over a decade, Pakistan Idol is making its comeback, and it’s rolling in with A-list star power.

    Pakistan Idol first aired on Geo Entertainment from December 2013 to April 2014, ending with Zamad Baig winning the title in a finale that drew over a million votes. The judging panel included veteran actress Bushra Ansari, rock star Ali Azmat, and pop icon Hadiqa Kiani.

    But now, it’s back, with an all-new panel that feels like a musical Avengers lineup: Fawad Khan, Zeb Bangash, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, and Bilal Maqsood.

    The reboot is led by Pakistani media company MHL Global in partnership with Fremantle. And they’re not just thinking small, the new Pakistan Idol will be broadcast on five networks simultaneously. Apparently, that’s a first for any Idol franchise globally. 

    “This platform will not only spotlight talent nationwide but elevate it to the global stage,” said Zoya Merchant, director at MHL, in a conversation with Variety.

    To create a buzz, Fawad Khan, in collaboration with Pakistan Idol, dropped an ad on Instagram.

    The promo features him as a mechanic encouraging another mechanic, who’s mid-ghazal, singing “Dekh to dil ke jaan se uthta hai, yeh dhuaan sa kahaan se uthta hai” (written by Mir Taqi Mir and famously sung by Mehdi Hassan), to stop hiding his talent and audition for Pakistan Idol.

    “Yeh aapki jagah nahi hai,” says Fawad with a serious face.

    The other mechanic jokes, “Phir meri kaunsi jagah hai bey?”

    Fawad hands over an Idol audition card and replies, “Ustad Billu se Ustad Bilal Khan ban jao!”

    The banter ends with Fawad urging the viewer: “Aap bhi Begin app download karein aur foran apna audition bhejein!”

  • Man arrested for impersonating army colonel, pressuring assistant commissioner

    Man arrested for impersonating army colonel, pressuring assistant commissioner

    A man posing as a colonel in the army has been arrested after attempting to pressure Daska Assistant Commissioner (AC) Sadia Jaffer into a favourable ruling on a land dispute.

    According to reports citing official sources, the suspect initially contacted AC Jaffer over the phone, falsely identifying himself as a serving army officer. He tried to influence a property matter and followed up with multiple messages, urging her to decide in his favor.

    However, reports said, AC Jaffer became suspicious due to grammatical mistakes and inconsistencies in his communication, which raised doubts about his identity. When the impersonator told the AC that his “representative” would soon visit her office, she alerted Daska DSP (City) and called for a formal inquiry.

    The police then traced the suspect’s phone number and location, leading to his arrest.

    A case has been registered against him on charges of impersonation, fraud and attempting to interfere in official matters.

  • ‘Team is independently owned, not by PCB’: Pakistan Champions owner says will return to WCL despite ban

    ‘Team is independently owned, not by PCB’: Pakistan Champions owner says will return to WCL despite ban

    Pakistan Champions team owner Kamil Khan has made it clear that he intends to bring his team back for the next season, despite the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision to bar Pakistani players from participating in future editions of the World Championship of Legends (WCL).

    In an interview after the tournament, Kamil expressed pride in the team’s performance, even though they fell short in the final against South Africa Champions.

    “Just like the first season, Pakistan Champions performed very well in the second season too. Unfortunately, we couldn’t win the final, which we really wanted to win, and millions of Pakistanis were also hoping for that. But the team played well. One bad day doesn’t make a team bad,” he said.

    He stressed that this one loss does not mean the end of the road for the franchise.

    “Losing one final doesn’t mean Pakistan Champions is over. It doesn’t mean the team won’t return. We have seen the news and read reports saying Pakistan Champions will not be back, but I don’t know where that news came from. If it came from PCB, then I don’t know why,” he stated.

    Kamil also clarified that the team is independently owned and not controlled by the PCB.

    “This is our own Pakistan Champions team. I own this team. This is a private league, and I am the owner. PCB does not own it. There are many private leagues happening around the world, and no one can stop us from naming our team after our country. Pakistan is our pride,” he said.

    He further explained that their participation was fully authorised.

    “We took NOCs from the PCB for all players. We also went to PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who actually supported and assisted us. I am very thankful to him for backing Pakistan Champions,” he added.

    However, he revealed that there has been no communication from the board since the event.

    “There was no contact from the PCB before or after the tournament. This is our national identity, and we named our team accordingly. We didn’t use the PCB logo or any of their branding just their players, and only after obtaining official clearance.”

    When asked what would happen if the PCB refuses to issue NOCs next year, Kamil remained unfazed: “I have no such information right now, nor have we had any such discussion. So there is no point talking about what will happen or not happen. As of now, there is no barrier.”

    Looking ahead, he made his intentions clear: “As long as I don’t win, I’ll keep coming back. I brought Pakistan Champions last time, we reached the final. I’ll bring the team again, and this time we’ll come to win the final.”

    Kamil Khan’s statements come in response to the PCB’s strong stance, issued after its 79th Board of Governors meeting. The board had cited “hypocrisy, bias, and political interference” in WCL’s handling of matches and communications involving Pakistan, particularly around the cancellation of the high-profile match against India.

    The PCB has declared it will no longer allow its players to be part of events where, in its words, “the spirit of the game is overshadowed by skewed politics that undermines the very essence of sportsmanship.”

    Despite the board’s position, Kamil Khan appears determined to carry the Pakistan Champions legacy forward with or without official backing.

  • Social media reacts to WCL owner Harshit Tomar’s on-air proposal

    Social media reacts to WCL owner Harshit Tomar’s on-air proposal

    World Championship of Legends (WCL) owner Harshit Tomar is facing backlash after proposing to presenter Karishma Kotak during a live broadcast following the tournament’s final match.

    “When this is over, I might just propose to you,” he said in response to the presenter asking him how he planned to celebrate the successful completion of the league. A visibly shocked Karishma could only say, “Oh my God.”

    With the video of the exchange quickly going viral over the internet, some viewers found it sweet while many others called it awkward, attention-seeking and inappropriate for a professional setting.

    One user wrote, “Chichora spotted.” Another commented, “SIMP ULTRA PRO MAX.” A third user remarked, “Money can’t buy you class.” Another called it “cringe af”.

    Several users also called out the tone and setting of the proposal. “Creep,” said one.

    While the internet remained divided, the moment has become one of the most talked-about clips from the WCL.

    It merits mention that South Africa Champions won the tournament, defeating Pakistan Champions in the final held on Saturday.