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Author: News Desk

  • ACC postpones Women’s Emerging Asia Cup

    ACC postpones Women’s Emerging Asia Cup

    The Women’s Emerging Asia Cup, scheduled to begin on 3 June in Sri Lanka, has been quietly postponed, amid ongoing tensions between Pakistan and India.

    While no formal statement had been made earlier by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), it was widely believed that the lack of Indian interest played a key role in the postponement. However, on June 2, 2025, the ACC officially confirmed that the tournament had been rescheduled.

    According to an ACC press release, the decision was made following a letter from Shammi Silva, President of Sri Lanka Cricket, to ACC President Mohsin Raza Naqvi. The letter cited adverse weather conditions in Sri Lanka and health concerns due to the spread of the chikungunya virus as reasons for seeking a postponement.

    “The ACC is committed to providing opportunities for young women cricketers to develop their skills and compete at the highest level,” said Mohsin Raza Naqvi. He added that the ACC understands the strategic significance of the tournament and will work to reschedule it at the earliest possible date.

    Recently, PCB official Salman Naseer met with ACC officials in Dubai to discuss tournament arrangements. Meanwhile, sources say the ACC’s next major challenge is organising the Men’s Asia Cup in September, which is scheduled to be hosted by India.

    So far, the ACC has not announced new dates for the Women’s Emerging Asia Cup but has assured that all stakeholders, including teams and commercial partners, will be updated soon.

  • Squid Game’s final season trailer is out and it looks more intense than ever

    Squid Game’s final season trailer is out and it looks more intense than ever

    The trailer for Squid Game Season 3 is out, and it looks intense. The final season is coming to Netflix on June 27, and it picks up right where Season 2 ended. Gi-hun (played by Lee Jung-jae) is still trying to fight back against the people behind the deadly game, but things haven’t gone well as he’s lost almost everything.

    Team X or Team O? Red light or green light? The choices are harder and deadlier than ever.

    According to the show’s creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk, Season 3 will explore what Gi-hun does after all his efforts have failed. The trailer shows a more broken, more emotional Gi-hun full of guilt, regret, and pain. But can he still rise again and fight back with humanity, kindness, and courage? That’s the big question.

    Squid Game, however, would be incomplete without the terrifying new challenges. The creepy doll Young-hee is back, and there are new life-threatening games that look even scarier. The pink guards are still as ruthless as ever, and Gi-hun’s enemies are closing in.

    The Front Man is back, too. In fact, things might finally get personal between him and Gi-hun. In one scene from the trailer, we see the Front Man take off his mask and say, “Player 456, do you still have faith in people?” Could this mean a face-to-face showdown is coming?

    Actor Lee Byung-hun, who plays the Front Man, says fans “won’t be disappointed.” With the drama building up over two seasons, it looks like Season 3 will be explosive.

  • Glenn Maxwell bids farewell to ODI cricket

    Glenn Maxwell bids farewell to ODI cricket

    Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has announced his immediate retirement from One Day Internationals (ODIs), confirming he will now focus solely on the T20 format for Australia.

    The 36-year-old revealed his decision during an in-depth interview on the Final Word Podcast, citing the physical demands of 50-over cricket and a serious leg injury sustained in 2022 as key reasons for stepping away from the format.

    “I just felt like my physical condition was starting to let the team down,” Maxwell explained. “I told the selectors that I’m not looking at the 2027 World Cup. It’s better to give younger players a chance to prepare for that position.”

    He added that he didn’t want to occupy a spot in the squad without merit. “I never wanted to sit in my place if I wasn’t capable of performing. I didn’t want to be selfish and hang around for just a few more series.”

    Maxwell’s ODI career concludes with 149 matches, 3,990 runs at an average of 33.81, and 77 wickets. His strike rate of 126.70 is the second-highest in history among batters who have scored over 2,000 ODI runs.

    One of the iconic moments of his career was during the 2023 World Cup against Afghanistan, when he single-handedly rescued Australia from 91 for 7 with an unbeaten 201, despite battling severe cramps and effectively batting on one leg. It was not only Australia’s first-ever double century in ODIs but also the first double hundred ever scored in a run chase.

    Maxwell is expected to continue playing T20 Internationals at least until the 2026 T20 World Cup.

  • ‘I don’t need anyone’s permission to live my life’; Alizeh Shah will not bow down to trolls

    ‘I don’t need anyone’s permission to live my life’; Alizeh Shah will not bow down to trolls

    Actress Alizeh Shah has boldly responded to trolls who were criticising her dresses, saying that she has never needed public approval for her style and doesn’t seek anyone’s permission.

    In a statement shared on Instagram, she said, “I have been wearing sleeveless dresses, shorts, and skirts since childhood. My mother never forced me to follow a certain way of dressing or stick to outdated traditions. She gave me love, not limits. This is part of my personality not a new behaviour.”

    Alizeh Shah went on to say that the backlash isn’t really about clothes but about a mindset that seeks to control women.

    “This is not just about how I dress this is about a mentality that wants to keep women confined,” she said. “I am not here to meet anyone’s standards. Whatever I’ve achieved is through my own hard work, and I do not need anyone’s permission to live my life.”

    She also addressed those who issue religious judgments against others, “Those who issue fatwas on others should first reflect on their own actions.”

    In a heartfelt appeal to her critics, Alizeh quoted verse 256 from Surah Al-Baqarah: “There is no compulsion in religion.”

    She concluded by saying, “If you think it’s wrong for women to act or appear online, then watching those dramas and videos is also wrong. Islam teaches us self-accountability before judging others. Every individual is accountable to Allah not to public opinion.”

  • PTI leadership fooled Imran Khan into opting out of release talks?

    PTI leadership fooled Imran Khan into opting out of release talks?

    Pakistani-American tycoon Tanweer Ahmed claims he held several meetings with incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan at Adiala Jail last November in an effort to broker a breakthrough with the government. However, Khan ultimately chose to pursue his demands through a march on Islamabad, Geo News reported on Sunday.

    Following Imran Khan’s ‘final call’ on November 24, Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, along with Bushra Bibi, led the march towards Islamabad, demanding the release of political prisoners, the repeal of the 26th Constitutional Amendment, and other measures.

    The march ended when security forces launched a crackdown against demonstrators on the night of 26 November in Islamabad, using tear gas canisters to disperse the crowds.

    “We held extensive talks over several sessions in November last year. Khan was in good health. I asked him whether he was aware of the kind of atmosphere cyber warriors had created outside in his name, that he was being tortured. I told him about the polarisation and division that existed outside. I said that he had played a role in creating this division, and that he should now play a role in ending it,” Ahmed told Geo News in London.

    According to the tycoon, Khan was visibly concerned about the situation outside prison, and it seemed he was not receiving accurate information.

    “Imran Khan was worried. It was clear he was not fully aware of what was happening beyond the prison walls and had no truthful picture of events. We discussed many matters over several days. These were productive meetings. We agreed on the need to end polarisation and division in society. We discussed how hatred and negativity were harming Pakistan, and how, as patriotic Pakistanis, we must unite the youth and work for the country’s progress,” Ahmed said.

    He did not disclose who facilitated the meetings with Khan, but maintained that the due legal process was followed.

    According to Geo News, Ahmed was part of the American-Pakistani delegation that met Imran Khan in Adiala Jail earlier this year for sensitive discussions. He was also part of a delegation that travelled from the US to Pakistan in March to help resolve the political deadlock between Khan and the country’s powerful establishment.

    Ahmed explained that the aim of the meetings was to break the deadlock and move towards reconciliation. “I am apolitical. I am not affiliated with any political party or person […] When I spoke to Khan, it was all about Pakistan, putting Pakistan first.”

    He claimed the discussions had been progressing well until Khan decided to get his demands met through street protests instead.

    “I told Imran Khan that this would not help him or his mission. I reminded him that, under his own government, such actions would have been labelled anarchy.”

    Geo News quoted trusted sources as saying that Khan decided to end talks with the American-Pakistani delegation after becoming convinced that November’s march would succeed. He hoped that street agitation and public reaction would determine his fate, sending a stern message to government officials.

    Tanweer Ahmed has been a friend and donor of Imran Khan for nearly two decades, and he expressed regret that the former prime minister had been poorly advised by his inner circle. “They made him take decisions that have only jeopardised his chances,” he said.

  • Indian media lashes out after Kerala community in Dubai hosts Shahid Afridi

    Indian media lashes out after Kerala community in Dubai hosts Shahid Afridi

    Former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi has been targeted by Indian media after attending a community event in Dubai hosted by the Indian diaspora from Kerala.

    A video from the event held on May 25 by the Cochin University B.Tech Alumni Association (CUBAA) went viral on social media, showing Afridi being warmly welcomed with chants of “Boom Boom” as he arrived, with attendees excited to see the cricket star in person.

    Indian media reacted strongly to the video, questioning why Afridi was invited, with their criticism primarily stemming from his past statements on Indian military actions in Kashmir.

    The Pakistani former cricket star has openly called out India for blaming Pakistan for incidents without a proper investigation.

    “Even if a firecracker goes off, you blame Pakistan. You have 800,000 troops in occupied Kashmir, and still, such incidents happen? That means you are incompetent and cannot protect your people,” he said in May during the Pak-India escalation.

    Afridi had also participated in a peace rally in Karachi following a military exchange between Pakistan and India. 

    After the Dubai event video surfaced, Indian media questioned the intentions of the Indian students and community members who organised and attended the gathering. Some criticised their own people for celebrating someone seen as a critic of the Indian state.

    Despite the backlash by the media, Afridi received a positive response from the Indian community in Dubai, many of whom appeared to focus on his cricketing legacy rather than his political opinions.

  • Lahore Qalandars owner hits back at ‘money’ jibe on Sikandar Raza

    Lahore Qalandars owner hits back at ‘money’ jibe on Sikandar Raza

    Lahore Qalandars’ owner Sameen Rana has slammed critics who questioned Sikandar Raza’s loyalty after Pakistani all-rounder Imad Wasim suggested that “money can do anything” in reference to the Zimbabwean star’s PSL heroics.

    Speaking on a podcast, Sameen Rana passionately defended Raza, calling him one of the most selfless and committed players the franchise has ever had. “The most important thing is, it really hurts me when people talk like this,” Rana said. “Sikandar is the only person who has never discussed categories with me till today. Never talked about money or categories, from the first year till now.”

    Rana revealed that Raza has always prioritised paying overpayment, even when approached directly. “Whenever I call him and say, ‘Sikandar, I don’t have a category,’ he says, ‘Sameen bhai, I don’t talk about this topic.’ And now people are saying about him that money can do anything? Come on, yaar.”

    The strong reaction came after Imad Wasim’s appearance on a talk show, where he praised Raza’s stunning last-over performance in the PSL final but also made a pointed comment. “Yes, money can do things for you. If you get paid, you will come,” Imad said while acknowledging Raza as a match-winner and a committed team man.

    Raza’s PSL final performance has been widely celebrated by fans. Arriving at the stadium just 10 minutes before the toss, after a whirlwind 24-hour journey from England, he played a match-winning cameo for Lahore Qalandars. Needing eight runs off the final three balls, Raza sealed the title with a six and a four, remaining unbeaten on 22 off seven balls.

    He had just played a Test match for Zimbabwe against England and travelled across multiple cities, from Birmingham to Dubai, then to Abu Dhabi, and finally to Lahore, showcasing his dedication to the game and the team.

    Raza himself reflected on the chaotic travel itinerary and the honour of playing professional cricket, saying, “I had dinner in Birmingham, breakfast in Dubai, and drove to Abu Dhabi for lunch. I took a flight and had dinner in Pakistan. This is the life of a professional cricketer. I’m truly humbled and blessed to have this life.”

    This was Lahore’s third trophy in PSL history, all three coming under Shaheen Afridi’s captaincy, making him one of the most successful captains in the league.

  • Pakistan whitewash Bangladesh in T20I series

    Pakistan whitewash Bangladesh in T20I series

    Securing a dominant victory in the third and final T20 International at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, Pakistan on Sunday completed a 3-0 clean sweep against Bangladesh.

    After winning the toss, skipper Salman Ali Agha, elected to bowl first. 

    Bangladesh openers Tanzid Hasan and Parvez Hossain made a solid start, taking the score to 56 without loss in the powerplay. Hossain top-scored with 66 runs off 34 balls while Tanzid Hasan contributed 42 off 32 balls. Bangladesh ended their innings at 196 for 6 in the allotted 20 overs.

    Pakistan’s Hasan Ali and Abbas Afridi claimed two wickets each, whereas Faheem Ashraf and Shadab Khan picked up a wicket apiece.

    Chasing a target of 197, Pakistan had a shaky start as opener Sahibzada Farhan was dismissed early with just eight runs on the board. However, Mohammad Haris and Saim Ayub steadied the innings with a strong partnership. The duo took the score to 100 before Ayub was dismissed after scoring a quick 45 off 29 balls, hitting four sixes and two fours.

    Haris continued with his aggressive approach, launching a brutal assault on the Bangladeshi bowlers. He smashed seven sixes and eight fours for a 107-run knock that came off of just 46 deliveries. Hasan Nawaz chipped in with 26 off 13 balls while Salman Ali Agha remained not out on 15.

    Pakistan chased down the target comfortably in just 17.2 overs, losing only three wickets in the process.

    Already having won the first two matches, Pakistan had secured the series before Sunday’s final game.

  • Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan cannot be called a ‘hero’: Rana Sana

    Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan cannot be called a ‘hero’: Rana Sana

    Advisor to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs, Rana Sanaullah, stated that Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan can not be considered “a hero” but deserves respect as a scientist.

    In an exclusive interview with ARY News on Saturday, when asked whether Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan could be called a hero, Sanaullah responded, “He cannot be called a hero. Dr Qadeer receives the recognition he deserves.”

    Referring to Pakistan becoming a nuclear power, he asserted that only Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif can rightfully be considered the “true hero.”

    “It’s important to understand that several countries and scientists have developed nuclear bombs. The real achievement lies in making the decision to conduct nuclear tests and publicly declare your country an atomic power,” he explained.

    The PML-N leader also credited former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto for initiating Pakistan’s nuclear program. He recalled that the defining moment came on May 28, 1998, when Pakistan conducted underground nuclear tests in the Chagai district of Balochistan, marking the country’s first public demonstration of nuclear capability.

    He dismissed critics who claim Nawaz Sharif was reluctant to approve the tests, saying, “Those who claim Nawaz Sharif didn’t want to conduct the tests are blinded by jealousy and hatred.”

    Dr Abdul Qadir Khan earned his science degree from Karachi University in 1960 and pursued metallurgical engineering in Berlin, followed by advanced studies in the Netherlands and Belgium.

    He then joined Pakistan’s covert nuclear development and founded Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) in 1976, serving as its chief scientist and director for many years.

    He was awarded the Nishan-i-Imtiaz for his services to the country.

    Dr Khan passed away in Islamabad in October 2021 at the age of 85. He was given a state funeral at Faisal Mosque before being laid to rest in the H-8 graveyard.

  • ‘People only gave negative comments’: Reham Rafiq opens up about post-marriage reactions

    ‘People only gave negative comments’: Reham Rafiq opens up about post-marriage reactions

    Rising star Reham Rafiq, who plays Amal in the hit drama Parwarish, recently opened up about the negative reactions she received following her marriage.

    In her latest interview with Fuschia magazine, Reham, who tied the knot with her distant cousin Shakeeb Khan last month, shared her shock at the strange remarks people made instead of congratulating her.

    “All the people I met, whether at shoots or relatives, hardly anyone congratulated me or offered good wishes after my marriage,” she said.

    “Everyone only had negative things to say or questions about my in-laws.”

    She urged people to be kinder. “If you don’t have anything nice to say, just wish others well,” Reham advised.

    Reflecting on society’s view of marriage, she added, “I understand that our society doesn’t have a very positive perception of marriage, and many young people are scared to get married, but I believe this is largely because of remarks and feedback from people around them.”

    Reham is currently being acknowledged and praised for her role as Amal in Parwarish, alongside Aina Asif and Samar Jafri. The drama also features renowned actors including Naumaan Ijaz, Savera Nadeem, Shamim Hilaly, and others. It is directed by Meesam Naqvi and written by Kiran Siddiqui.