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Author: News Desk

  • ‘Fame and experience won’t guarantee a spot’: Mike Hesson on Babar, Rizwan’s future in team

    ‘Fame and experience won’t guarantee a spot’: Mike Hesson on Babar, Rizwan’s future in team

    Pakistan’s new white-ball head coach, Mike Hesson, has asserted that senior players like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan will not be guaranteed spots in the T20 team based on reputation alone.

    In an interview with a local sports platform, Hesson emphasised that selection would be based on specific roles and team strategy rather than past achievements. “Players won’t be picked based on experience or fame. Selection will depend on clearly defined roles, and everyone will have to perform according to the team’s plan,” he said.

    Hesson explained that the goal is to build a modern, winning team that plays exciting cricket. “This is a golden opportunity. I’m excited about this role and confident that I can guide the team towards improvement. We want to play successful cricket that also wins the hearts of fans, but I know it’s a big challenge,” he added.

    The recent squad announcement for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh already hints at a shift in leadership style. Big names like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi have been left out of the squad, possibly reflecting Hesson’s vision of redefining team roles.

    Fast bowler Hasan Ali returns to the side for this series, having last played a T20I against Ireland in 2024. Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub also make a comeback after fitness issues kept them out of the 2025 Champions Trophy and the series against New Zealand.

    Originally planned as a five-match series with games in Faisalabad, the T20I series has been reduced to three matches amid security and logistical concerns. All matches will now be held at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium from May 28 to June 1.

    The matches will begin at 8 PM local time. The first T20I is scheduled for May 28, the second on Friday, May 30, and the third and final game on Sunday, June 1. The Bangladesh team is set to arrive in Lahore on 25 May and will train on May 26 and 27 ahead of the series.

  • WATCH: ASF officer clashes with passenger at Islamabad airport

    WATCH: ASF officer clashes with passenger at Islamabad airport

    A video that has been going viral on social media since Tuesday reportedly shows an officer of the Airport Security Force (ASF) slapping a passenger at Islamabad airport. 

    According to details, the incident took place on Tuesday morning when a passenger named Javed Ahmed was travelling to Saudi Arabia with his family.

    In the video, it can be seen that an ASF officer named Zia allegedly slapped Javed Ahmed in front of his children, which led to a commotion.

    “He [ASF officer] has slapped me,” Ahmed can be heard saying. In response, the ASF officer said that Ahmed has interfered with government [protocols]. 

    In another video, some witnesses present at the airport can be heard attempting to calm down the passenger wearing a blue T-shirt.

    Ahmed’s purported daughter is crying in fear while standing in a corner at the airport.

    A leading English newspaper has reported that the incident began when the passenger attempted to use the staff gate. Both the passenger and the ASF staff exchanged inappropriate language.

    The media report quoted an ASF official as saying that the passenger attempted to enter the lounge through the staff gate as the place was quite crowded, however, the staff gate is designated exclusively for airport staff and other authorised personnel.

    Meanwhile, the Director General of ASF reportedly took notice of the incident and ordered an investigation.

  • Three dead as car falls into Lahore canal

    Three dead as car falls into Lahore canal

    Three people have lost their lives after a speeding car crashed into the canal near Johar Town on Lahore’s Canal Road early Wednesday morning.

    According to Rescue 1122, the overspeeding vehicle veered off the road and plunged into the canal.

    Rescue teams arrived quickly at the scene and managed to pull the car out after a difficult operation.

    However, all three occupants, believed to be between 18 and 25 years old, had died on the spot.

    The bodies were shifted to Jinnah Hospital. The identities of the deceased have not yet been confirmed.

    Following the accident, traffic on Canal Road was severely disrupted, causing major inconvenience to commuters.

    Police and rescue officials are investigating the incident to determine the exact cause of the crash.

    It is not yet clear whether the car fell into the canal as a result of a technical fault or driver negligence.

  • Did Nadia Hussain’s husband get bail? Here’s what happened in court

    Did Nadia Hussain’s husband get bail? Here’s what happened in court

    The Additional District and Sessions Judge (South) has reserved the verdict on the bail plea of Atif Khan, husband of actress Nadia Hussain, in a high-profile Rs530 million bank fraud case.

    The verdict is expected to be announced on May 22.

    Police allege that Atif Khan misused Rs530 million belonging to the Chief Executive Officer of a private company for personal business purposes.

    Earlier, 

    Renowned actress and model Nadia Hussain told the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) that she had no knowledge of any fraud involving her husband, Atif Khan, who is currently in FIA custody.

    According to ARY News, Nadia gave her statement during a two-hour session with the FIA. She said her husband gave her money to start and expand her salon and spa business, but she never questioned where the money came from.

    “I was never part of any fraud,” Nadia said.

    She explained that her business is registered with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), and the money received from her husband was shown as a loan in her tax returns.

    The FIA questioned Nadia about money transfers between her husband’s accounts and those of her salon. Investigators believe she received Rs26.4 million from her husband’s accounts, which was used to run her two salons. These transfers reportedly occurred 19 times since 2019.

    The FIA claims Atif Khan misused Rs540 million from the company he worked for, causing a total loss of Rs1.2 billion. He allegedly passed off business losses to the bank and used over Rs110 million for personal expenses.

    Nadia’s statement has been added to the case file, and she has been named a major beneficiary in the investigation.

  • Champions Trophy 2025 becomes most-watched edition in history

    Champions Trophy 2025 becomes most-watched edition in history

    The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced that the 2025 Men’s Champions Trophy, hosted by Pakistan, has broken all previous viewership records to become the most-watched edition of the tournament.

    According to official figures, this year’s tournament garnered a massive 368 billion global viewing minutes – a 19 per cent increase compared to the last Champions Trophy held in England and Wales in 2017. The event also set a new record for fan engagement, reaching 308 million viewing minutes per over, the highest ever for any ICC tournament.

    While political tensions between India and Pakistan stirred pre-tournament controversy, the event proceeded smoothly. Owing to these tensions, India played all of its matches in Dubai instead of the host country, Pakistan, under a hybrid model that allowed the tournament to continue without disruption. While this arrangement was criticised, it did not affect the tournament’s popularity.

    India won their third Champions Trophy title, adding to their previous victories in 2002 (shared with Sri Lanka) and 2013.

    In the hybrid format, all the matches were hosted in Pakistan, except for the Indian team’s fixtures, which were held in the UAE due to political and security concerns.

    Under this agreement, all upcoming global events scheduled to be hosted in Pakistan and India between 2024 and 2027, including the Women’s ODI World Cup in India (2025), and the Men’s T20 World Cup co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka (2026), are expected to follow a similar hybrid model.

  • PSL teams dropped 124 catches in 30 matches, stats show

    PSL teams dropped 124 catches in 30 matches, stats show

    Pakistan Super League (PSL) teams have dropped a staggering 124 catches ahead of the 10th edition playoffs, raising serious concerns over fielding standards in the tournament.

    According to available statistics, Multan Sultans dropped the most catches, with 25 during the league stage. The team, nonetheless, managed to win only one of their 10 matches.

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    Quetta Gladiators followed with 22 dropped catches, while Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings each dropped 20.

    Defending champions Islamabad United weren’t immune to fielding errors either, giving 19 advantages to batters by dropping catches.

    Peshawar Zalmi, led by Babar Azam, had the fewest dropped catches with 18, despite being eliminated in the second round.

    This consistent fielding failure is not just a PSL issue, but could have serious implications for the Pakistan national team.

    With many PSL players expected to feature in the Asia Cup and the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, such poor fielding performances could harm Pakistan’s chances in major international tournaments if not addressed in time.

  • Yasir Hussain hits back at Nadia Khan, says she’s ‘10 points ahead of Arnab Goswami’

    Yasir Hussain hits back at Nadia Khan, says she’s ‘10 points ahead of Arnab Goswami’

    Actor Yasir Hussain has fired back at Nadia Khan after she criticized his new drama Paradise, saying the actress is currently “10 points ahead of Arnab Goswami.”

    The clash began when Nadia Khan reviewed Paradise on her show Kya Drama Hai, giving it just 4 out of 10. She criticized the plot, characters, and scenes, calling it a weak production.

    The show regularly features senior actresses, including Nadia Khan, who critique ongoing Pakistani dramas.

    In response, Yasir Hussain shared his thoughts on Instagram Stories, writing, “Numbers mean nothing. Don’t listen to the critics watch the drama yourself.”

    He continued, “I give Nadia Khan 1.5 marks for her entire drama career and 2.5 marks for hosting.”

    Then came a sharp jab, “These days, Nadia Khan is 10 points ahead of Arnab Goswami.”


    The reference to Arnab Goswami, a controversial Indian TV anchor known for his loud, biased, and often Islamophobic commentary, quickly sparked reactions online. Goswami is infamous for promoting anti-Muslim and anti-Pakistan narratives, particularly during moments of heightened tensions between the two countries.

    A screenshot of Yasir’s story went viral, with many social media users supporting his comeback and criticizing Nadia Khan’s review.


    In recent weeks, Nadia Khan has come under fire for using harsh language and adopting an overly aggressive tone while commenting on Pakistani celebrities and their admiration for Bollywood. Yasir Hussain’s sarcastic comparison to Goswami appears to be a direct jab at her recent behavior.

  • Guess how many crores Ahsan Khan took for acting in Dayan?

    Guess how many crores Ahsan Khan took for acting in Dayan?

    Actor Ahsan Khan has revealed that he was paid Rs 10 million for his performance in Geo TV’s hit drama serial Dayan.

    The drama is produced by Seventh Sky Entertainment, under the banner of Abdullah Kadwani and Asad Qureshi. The on-screen pairing of Ahsan Khan and Mehwish Hayat has especially caught viewers’ attention, with fans praising their chemistry.

    “The audience loves seeing us together on screen,” Ahsan said during a recent media interaction. “I’ve worked with Mehwish in several dramas before, and for Dayan, I charged a fee of Rs 10 million.”

    Ahsan also expressed his excitement over the overwhelming response to the drama, calling it one of the most talked-about projects in recent times.

    Unlike traditional tragic love stories, Dayan offers a thrilling mix of suspense, mystery, and supernatural elements. It airs every Monday and Tuesday at 8 PM on Geo TV.

    Written by Fatima Faizan and Anbar Azhar and directed by the acclaimed Siraj-ul-Haq, the show has quickly become a standout in the current drama lineup.

  • Mahira Khan’s ‘Shabana’ moment with Onijah Robinson in New York

    Mahira Khan’s ‘Shabana’ moment with Onijah Robinson in New York

    Superstars Mahira Khan and Humayun Saeed are currently on an international promotional tour for their upcoming film Love Guru, where Mahira surprised fans in New York with an unexpected appearance by viral sensation Onijah Robinson.

    In a video posted to her Instagram story, Mahira can be seen smiling next to Onijah and saying, “Yeah, here in New York and who I have with me.” The camera then pans to Onijah, who playfully responds, “Hello, Shabana.” Mahira bursts into laughter, repeating, “Shabana? Oh my God!”

    Fans flooded social media with heart emojis and love for the duo.

    Onijah Robinson, who first gained fame after travelling to Pakistan to marry a man she met online, continues to surprise fans with her appearances. Known for her outspoken personality and viral media moments, her stay in Pakistan, where she was cared for by the state and the people, was widely appreciated across the globe.

    As part of the Love Guru promotional tour, Mahira and Humayun have been making stops in cities in the US, including Houston, Dallas, and New York, engaging with overseas fans and generating buzz through dance performances and media interactions.

    Love Guru is set to release this Eid ul Azha and marks the duo’s return to the big screen after nearly three years. While the trailer does not reveal much, the film promises a comedy-laced love story. Humayun Saeed plays a flirtatious bachelor who is forced to rethink love and responsibility after being entrusted with a serious task by Mahira’s character’s father, portrayed by Javed Sheikh.

    The movie is written by Vasay Chaudhry and directed by Nadeem Baig.

  • China pledges continued backing for Pakistan’s sovereignty

    China pledges continued backing for Pakistan’s sovereignty

    China has reaffirmed its support for Pakistan’s sovereignty following the recent escalation with India, which concluded with a US-brokered ceasefire on May 10 after four days of military exchanges.

    During talks in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi referred to Pakistan as an “ironclad friend” and reiterated China’s commitment to their bilateral relationship. Wang met with Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who chose Beijing as his first destination following the ceasefire. According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, the meeting reflected the traditional warmth and cordiality between the two nations.

    The discussions addressed the current situation in South Asia, bilateral cooperation, and multilateral initiatives. Dar expressed gratitude to China for its support in safeguarding Pakistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and right to self-defence.

    He also highlighted Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership and emphasised the importance of resolving the Kashmir dispute in accordance with United Nations (UN) Security Council resolutions to ensure lasting peace in the region.

    Wang Yi expressed China’s interest in enhancing collaboration with Pakistan across sectors including trade, investment, information technology, agriculture, and industrial development. Both sides reviewed progress on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), particularly Phase-II, and discussed the potential for third-party participation in CPEC projects.

    The two leaders agreed to maintain close communication and coordination across various levels, including on international platforms, to advance their shared goals of regional peace, security, and sustainable development.

    The meeting took place amid increased tensions following the April 22 Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which led to military confrontations between India and Pakistan. While India blamed Pakistan for the attack, it has yet to provide any concrete evidence to support its claim.

    Dar’s visit also included talks with Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China. Both sides agreed to strengthen ties between their political parties as part of ongoing strategic collaboration.

    The Pakistani Foreign Minister arrived in Beijing for a three-day official visit amid continued regional tensions. His meetings focused on political, regional, and global issues, as well as the recent India-Pakistan conflict.

    Afghanistan’s interim Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, is also expected to join the discussions in Beijing, contributing to efforts for regional peace and stability.