Current Final

Author: News Desk

  • Sajal might not have been able to do what Sehar did, says Tan Man Neel O Neel director

    Sajal might not have been able to do what Sehar did, says Tan Man Neel O Neel director

    Some casting choices seem set in stone until fate intervenes. As Tan Man Neel o Neel ends its spectacular run, director Saife Hassan has revealed surprising details about how the beloved characters Rabi and Sonu came to life on screen.


    In a recent interview, Saife Hassan revealed that superstar Sajal Aly was his top pick to portray Rabi. Recognized for her impressive performances, Sajal aligned perfectly with the director’s vision. Unfortunately, because of her busy schedule, she couldn’t take on the project. At one stage, she became so engrossed in her other obligations that she was unable to answer some of the team’s calls.


    With Sajal out of the picture, the hunt for Rabi led to Sehar Khan, who eventually took on the role. In contemplating the casting, Hassan stated, “Its possible that Sajal might not have been able to do what Sehar did, or if she had, it would have turned into something completely different,” he remarked in an interview.

    The director of the trailblazing show revealed that Shuja Asad was not the first option for the part of Sonu. Instead, the makers initially had their eyes set on Danyal Zafar, Ali Zafar’s younger brother.


    “We thought he’d be ideal because he can sing and dance,” the director explained. However, when asked, Danyal stated that, while he could sing, dancing was not his strong point. This caused the team to reconsider their decision.


    During a trip to the UK for the HUM Awards, Saife Hassan happened to be watching a promo showcasing Shuja Asad. Impressed by his performance and further encouraged by his manager, he decided to cast the actor and just like that, Shuja Asad transformed into Sonu, a breakout role. 


    Looking back, it’s difficult to picture anyone else portraying Sonu with the sincerity and depth that Shuja Asad did. His depiction captured audiences’ hearts, making them laugh, cry, and eventually feel the weight of the drama’s tremendous message. While Danyal Zafar is undeniably a superb actor, the world did not get to see him in this role but it did get a taste of Shuja Asad’s extraordinary skill.

  • Entire nation stands by me: Pervez Khattak

    Entire nation stands by me: Pervez Khattak

    Former defence minister, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) chief minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) loyalist Pervez Khattak has said that he was respected across the country, and was the kind of person with whom the entire nation stands.

    Khattak’s statement comes days after he announced his decision to join Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F).

    The former PTI leader last week met JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and confirmed his decision to join the party. His brother, Liaqat Khattak, was also present during the meeting.

    The two leaders held extensive discussions before finalising the move.

    It may be noted that Khattak was the provincial president of the PTI in KP. He served as provincial chief executive during the PTI tenure from 2013 to 2018.

    However, in June 2023, Khattak announced his resignation from all positions of the party in the wake of May 9 incidents and the arrest of party chief Imran Khan.

    In a jibe at Khan on Saturday, Khattak labeled him the “biggest liar of Pakistan”.

    “Imran Khan made false promises merely to secure votes,” said the former PTI leader.

    Speaking at a large public gathering in his hometown of Manki Sharif, Khattak claimed that the people of the province were now regretting their choices in the last elections.

    “Politics is not a joke where anyone can claim to serve the people as per their wishes,” Khattak told the crowd.

    “I am glad that those who voted for the wrong and incompetent candidates are now realising their mistake.”

    Reflecting on his tenure, Khattak highlighted his achievements, including the provision of electricity and clean drinking water to villages, the installation of tube wells for agricultural land, road and street construction, as well as the upgrading of hospitals and schools.

    He stressed that he had always prioritised public welfare and worked tirelessly for political progress.

    Turning his criticism towards the ex-premier, Khattak accused Khan of deceiving the public with false promises.

    “Imran Khan is Pakistan’s biggest liar. He misled people to win votes,” he said.

    “The elected members from the last elections will soon be forced to flee due to public pressure,” Khattak added, assuring supporters that he remained committed to serving the people and would continue fighting for their rights.

  • Wasim Akram calls for big changes after Pakistan’s defeat to India

    Wasim Akram calls for big changes after Pakistan’s defeat to India

    Legendary fast bowler Wasim Akram has called for major changes as Pakistan’s white-ball struggles hit a new low with their six-wicket loss to India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Group A match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on February 23.

    Speaking on Sports Central, Akram criticised Pakistan’s outdated strategies and poor performances, urging bold decisions to rebuild the team ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup.

    “Enough is enough. We have been playing old-fashioned cricket for too long. Now it’s time for bold steps. Bring in fearless young players into white-ball cricket. If we need to make five or six changes, do it. Even if we lose for six months, it’s fine, but we must start preparing for the future,” he said.

    Akram also slammed the PCB and selectors for persisting with underperforming players instead of giving new talent a chance. He highlighted that in Pakistan’s last five ODIs, the bowlers have taken just 24 wickets at an average of 60 runs per wicket—one of the worst records among 14 international teams, including Oman and the USA.

    He urged PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi to question head coach Aaqib Javed, captain Mohammad Rizwan, and the selectors over their squad choices for the Champions Trophy.

    The former captain also criticised Rizwan’s leadership, holding him responsible for the team’s struggles. He questioned why players like Khushdil Shah and Salman Ali Agha were included despite not contributing with the ball.

    “I’ve been saying for weeks that this squad isn’t good enough, but the chairman insisted it was the best. Even Rizwan is responsible—he is the captain, and if he doesn’t know what kind of match-winners he needs, the team will keep facing embarrassment,” he said.

    Akram did not hold back in his criticism of Pakistan’s fast bowlers, highlighting their alarming form with hard-hitting stats.

    He pointed out that Shaheen Shah Afridi, Pakistan’s lead pacer, has struggled in recent matches.

    “Shaheen Shah Afridi, our main bowler, has bowled 47 overs in the last five matches, conceding 341 runs and taking just eight wickets at an average of 43. This is not batting; I am talking about bowling.”

    The former captain then turned his attention to Haris Rauf, who has also been underwhelming in recent games.

    “Haris Rauf, in his last three matches, has taken just three wickets at an average of 52.”

    Adding to Pakistan’s woes, Naseem Shah’s numbers were no better, further exposing the team’s weak bowling attack.

    “Naseem Shah has taken five wickets in 46 overs across five ODIs, with an average of 56.”

    Summing up the harsh reality of Pakistan’s bowling performance, Wasim Akram did not mince his words.

    “Your three premier bowlers are averaging over 50 per wicket. You are not going to win any game, unfortunately. That statistic is horrifying. 60 percent of your bowling attack is averaging 50,” he highlighted.

    Pakistan lost their first match of the tournament to New Zealand by 60 runs, whereas India defeated Greenshirts by six wickets in the second match on Sunday.

  • Naumaan Ijaz’s take on cricket team criticism ignites debate

    Naumaan Ijaz’s take on cricket team criticism ignites debate

    In yet another thrilling Pakistan-India match, Pakistan faced defeat, sparking backlash from fans. However, some defended the team, including Pakistani actor Naumaan Ijaz.

    During the eagerly awaited ICC match in Dubai, expectations were high for Pakistan. The crowd buzzed with excitement, and a multitude of celebrities were present to support the team. Yet, as the last ball was bowled and the final score confirmed Pakistan’s loss, the atmosphere shifted dramatically.

    Frustrated fans took to social media, flooding their feeds with memes, critiques, and outright mockery of the team’s performance. Specific players were targeted, and doubts were cast over the team’s tactics, leading to a wave of harsh reactions.

    Amid this surge of anger, seasoned actor Naumaan Ijaz chose to steer the discussion in a different direction.

    Taking to Instagram, he posted a striking message “11 players ko zaleel karne se pehle koi yeh bataye ke baaqi idaron aur 26 crore ki awaam ne Pakistan ki izzat barhane ke liye kya kaam kiya hai?” (Before humiliating the 11 [team] players, can anyone tell what the other institutions and a population of 260 million have done to elevate Pakistan’s honour?)

    His comments struck a chord, sparking an immediate outpouring of mixed reactions on social media. Some wholeheartedly agreed with his viewpoint, arguing that a country’s achievements are not solely tied to its cricket team. One user wrote, “You’re speaking the truth! We can’t place the burden of everything solely on cricketers.”

    Conversely, others were less forgiving. Many emphasised that cricket in Pakistan is more than just a sport; it’s a matter of national pride. Given the resources and privileges afforded to players, they argued that accountability is justified.

    One critic remarked, “We contribute taxes so they can enjoy a lavish lifestyle. Numerous deserving players never make the cut due to the ‘parchee’ system, while those who do often leave us disappointed.”

  • Legendary designer Jimmy Choo honoured in Lahore during historic first visit to Pakistan

    Legendary designer Jimmy Choo honoured in Lahore during historic first visit to Pakistan

    Legendary shoe designer Professor Jimmy Choo was honoured in Lahore during his debut visit to the city, where he attended a grand evening hosted by entrepreneur and academician Professor Sarwar Khawaja and his wife, Faiza Khawaja, of SK Hub.

    This exclusive gathering, held in collaboration with the Jimmy Choo Academy, brought together artists, visionaries, and industry leaders to celebrate creativity and innovation.

    Professor Choo, the globally renowned co-founder of Jimmy Choo Ltd, has revolutionized high fashion with his exquisite handmade designs, worn by celebrities, royalty, and dignitaries worldwide.

    His visit to Pakistan, scheduled from February 19-22, 2025, marks a significant milestone for the country’s fashion industry, offering local designers and entrepreneurs a unique opportunity to engage with the global icon and gain insights into craftsmanship and fashion entrepreneurship.

    Beyond the event, Professor Choo’s itinerary includes visits to historic landmarks, meetings with industry leaders, creative professionals, diplomats, and the media. A private dinner reception hosted by Professor Sarwar Khawaja will also provide a platform for meaningful interactions between Pakistani and international celebrities and dignitaries.

  • Champions Trophy: Netizens mock ‘greatest rivalry’ claims as India thrash Pakistan

    Champions Trophy: Netizens mock ‘greatest rivalry’ claims as India thrash Pakistan

    India secured a commanding six-wicket victory over Pakistan in their high-stakes ICC Champions Trophy clash on Sunday, with Virat Kohli delivering a match-winning century that all but ended Pakistan’s title defence.

    After winning the toss and choosing to bat, Pakistan struggled to capitalise on the decision, getting bowled out for 241 runs in 49.4 overs.

    Chasing 242, India’s batting remained in complete control, led by Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 100 off 111 balls. His composed innings ensured India never came under pressure, and they comfortably reached the target with six wickets in hand.

    Apart from him, Shubman Gill scored 46 off 52 balls, while Shreyas Iyer contributed 56 off 67.

    The match result sparked strong reactions from cricket experts, many of whom highlighted India’s superiority and Pakistan’s struggles.

    Indian journalist Shekhar Gupta wrote, “On some rare day, Pakistan may beat India. But this ‘greatest rivalry in the world’ business is just desperate TV channel hype. No team with Pakistan’s ‘athleticism’ can be world-class.”

    Michael Kugelman (South Asia Analyst, Wilson Center) wrote, “Pakistan is hosting a major international cricket tourney for the first time since 1996, but faced India in Dubai as India declined to travel to Pakistan. For Pakistan, it would’ve been poetic justice to beat India today—but also quite implausible. Team Green left feeling blue yet again.”

    Indian cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle wrote, “India played at a different level today, and, to be honest, it wasn’t ever a contest.”

    Former India cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar wrote, “Every time we play Pakistan these days, we are reminded of the growth of Indian cricket and the decline of Pakistan cricket. Longer the format, wider the gulf.”

    Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari also commented on the national team’s performance, stating, “I told you, neither our bowling nor our batting is up to the mark. Neither has modern techniques. Now, world-class teams will play in the Champions Trophy. Our job is done.”

    Pakistani cricket expert Saj Sadiq wrote, “It’s like Men versus Boys these days when it’s India versus Pakistan. The approach, the tactics, the preparation, and the team before individual performance ethic. It’s on a different level.”

    “Too many current players representing Pakistan who are timid, afraid to show any aggression, mentally weak, literally defeated before they enter the field against stronger opposition, scared of losing their spot in the team, selfish and only concerned about their performance ahead of the team’s needs,” he further added.

    Over the past week, Pakistan lost their first match of the tournament to New Zealand by 60 runs, while India defeated the Greenshirts by six wickets in the second match on Sunday.

  • ‘Wasim Bhai, aap yahaan kahaan’: Inzamam finally addresses infamous runout

    ‘Wasim Bhai, aap yahaan kahaan’: Inzamam finally addresses infamous runout

    Pakistan’s former cricket legend Inzamam Ul Haq has finally spoken up about what he said after the infamous 1999 World Cup comical runout.

    During a Star Sports special show for Champions Trophy featuring Navjot Singh Sidhu, Inzamam Ul Haq, Shahid Afridi, and Yuvraj Singh, the conversation took a hilarious turn when Sidhu brought up Inzamam’s infamous runout.

    The incident, which happened during the 1999 World Cup match against Australia, saw Inzamam getting run out in an unusual manner, with Wasim Akram unintentionally playing a role in his dismissal.

    Sidhu, known for his witty remarks, teased Inzamam by recalling the moment, saying, “Wasim has told this story 15 times. He called you for a run; you said, ‘Yes, let’s go for two,’ but then you slipped and fell. Wasim kept running, and when you looked up, you said, ‘Wasim bhai, aap yahan kahan?’ (Wasim Bhai, why are you here?)”

    The entire panel burst into laughter as Inzamam responded with a humorous explanation. “Tell me one thing—we had already decided that we had to take a run so that I could get back on strike. One batsman has fallen in front of you, and you are still running! Didn’t you see me? Were you blindfolded? What were you thinking?”

    The lighthearted banter continued as Shahid Afridi and Yuvraj Singh joined in, adding their jokes about Inzamam’s history of getting run out in unusual ways.

    Meanwhile, during the Pakistan vs India match on February 23, commentator Wasim Akram was asked about Imam Ul Haq’s runout in the 10th over. The dismissal, caused by Axar Patel’s direct hit, reminded many of Imam’s uncle, Inzamam Ul Haq. Akram and Sunil Gavaskar joked about how getting run out seems to “run in the Haq family.”

    India outclassed Pakistan by six wickets, thanks to a brilliant century by Virat Kohli. Kohli became only the third player to score 14,000 runs in ODIs, achieving the milestone faster than anyone else.

  • Champions Trophy: Qualification still possible for Pakistan if…

    Champions Trophy: Qualification still possible for Pakistan if…

    Defending champions Pakistan have lost two of their three Champions Trophy group stage matches and currently stand at the bottom of the table with 0 points as well as a net run rate (NRR) of -1.087.

    While they are virtually out of the race with only one fixture left against Bangladesh, the following could still help Greenshirts qualify for the semifinals:

    Pakistan must beat Bangladesh by a huge margin to improve NRR, ending with at least two points.

    At the same time, India and Bangladesh must beat New Zealand to keep Black Caps also at two points from their win against Pakistan.

    Since Bangladesh have already lost their fixture against India, the aforementioned scenario would leave all Group A teams except India with 2 points each.

    In this case, the second semifinalist will be decided through NRR, leaving some qualification hope for Pakistan.

    It, however, may be noted that the scenario seems impossible for the time being given current form of said teams and Greenshirts having no control over any of other teams’ matches.

    Over the past one week, Pakistan lost their first match of the tournament to New Zealand by 60 runs whereas India defeated Greenshirts by six wickets in the second match on Sunday.

  • Kohli steers India to comfortable win over Pakistan in Champions Trophy

    Kohli steers India to comfortable win over Pakistan in Champions Trophy

    India on Sunday defeated Pakistan by six wickets in the high-tension ICC Champions Trophy fixture as Virat Kohli steered his team to victory with a decisive century.

    Earlier, Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first but failed to play the full 50 overs, getting bowled out for 241 runs in 49.4 overs.

    Pakistan lost its first wicket at 41 runs when Babar Azam returned to the pavillion after scoring 23 runs. Shortly after, Imam Ul Haq was run out for just 10 runs.

    The third wicket fell at a total of 151 when captain Mohammad Rizwan was dismissed for 46 runs off 77 balls. Saud Shakeel followed soon after, scoring 62 runs.

    Pakistan suffered another blow at 165 runs when Tayyab Tahir departed after scoring only four runs. The team’s struggles continued as vice-captain Salman Ali Agha was dismissed for 19 runs followed by Shaheen Shah Afridi, who returned to the pavilion without scoring any runs.

    The lower order couldn’t contribute much with Naseem Shah scoring 14, Haris Rauf 8 and Khushdil Shah 38 runs.

    For India, Kuldeep Yadav led the bowling attack, taking three wickets. Hardik Pandya picked up two wickets, while Ajay Jadeja, Harshit Rana and Axar Patel claimed one wicket each.

    The Indian team comfortably chased the target, reaching 242 runs for the loss of four wickets. The highlight of the chase was Kohli’s masterclass.

    The star Indian batter scored 100 runs off 111 balls. His knock cemented India’s win, sending hosts and defending champions Pakistan virtually out of the tournament.

  • Champions Trophy: PAK vs IND live stream & match details

    Champions Trophy: PAK vs IND live stream & match details

    Defending champions Pakistan are set to take on India in a high-voltage match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at the Dubai International Stadium today.

    Here’s all you need to know about the match…

    Fixture: Pakistan vs India
    Date: 23 February, 2024
    Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium UAE
    Time: 2:00 pm PST, 2:30 pm IST

    Teams Overview

    Pakistan Overview

    Pakistan, the defending champions, aim to find consistency after an up-and-down run. Despite having world-class players like Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi, their unpredictability often proves costly. Fakhar Zaman’s injury is a setback, but Imam Ul Haq will look to fill the gap.

    India 

    India enters the match as favourites, fueled by their recent T20 triumphs and a dominant ODI series win over England. Rohit Sharma’s squad boasts a strong batting lineup of experienced all-rounders and a lethal spin attack suited for Dubai’s conditions.


    Head-to-Head Record in ODIs

    Total Matches: 134
    Pakistan Wins: 73
    India Wins: 56
    No Result: 5

    Probable Playing XIs

    Pakistan

    Imam ul Haq
    Mohammad Rizwan, captain and wicketkeeper
    Babar Azam
    Saud Shakeel
    Salman Ali Agha
    Khushdil Shah
    Faheem Ashraf
    Shaheen Shah Afridi
    Haris Rauf
    Naseem Shah
    Abrar Ahmed


    India 

    Rohit Sharma captain
    Shubman Gill, vice-captain
    Virat Kohli
    Shreyas Iyer
    KL Rahul wicketkeeper
    Hardik Pandya
    Ravindra Jadeja
    Kuldeep Yadav
    Mohammed Shami
    Harshit Rana
    Axar Patel

    Pitch Report Dubai International Stadium

    The pitch in Dubai offers a balanced surface with assistance for both pacers and spinners. Batters who settle in can score big, but fast bowlers will get movement early on. Spinners will play a key role in the middle overs, while seamers may extract bounce under lights. The average first innings score is between 250 and 270, and teams batting first have won 55 per cent of ODIs at this venue.

    TV Broadcast & Live Streaming

    Pakistan – TV: PTV Sports, Ten Sports | Live Streaming: Myco, Tamasha
    India – TV: Star Sports, Sports18 | Live Streaming: JioHotstar
    Bangladesh – TV: Nagorik TV, T Sports | Live Streaming: Toffee
    UAE – TV: CricLife MAX, CricLife MAX2 | Live Streaming: STARZPLAY
    UK – TV: Sky Sports | Live Streaming: SkyGo Now, Sky Sports App
    USA & Canada – TV: Willow TV
    Australia – TV: Amazon
    New Zealand – TV: Sky Sport NZ
    Sri Lanka – TV: Maharaja TV | Live Streaming: Sirasa
    Caribbean – TV: ESPN Caribbean | Live Streaming: ESPN Play