Author: News Desk

  • Champions Trophy: ENG vs AUS live stream & match details

    Champions Trophy: ENG vs AUS live stream & match details

    The much-anticipated Australia vs England clash in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to take place at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. 

    Match Details:

    Venue: Gaddafi Stadium Lahore
    Date: 22 February, 2024
    Time: 2:30 PM (IST) 2:00 PM (PST)


    Teams Overview

    Australia

    Australia, six-time ODI World Cup winners, have historically dominated England in the 50-over format. However, their recent form in ODIs has been concerning, having suffered a 2-0 series loss to Sri Lanka in spin-friendly conditions. With Steve Smith leading the side, Australia will aim to kickstart their Champions Trophy campaign with a statement win.

    Key Players to Watch:

    Steve Smith – The experienced captain and batting mainstay.
    Travis Head – A dynamic opener capable of explosive starts.
    Glenn Maxwell – X-factor all-rounder with match-winning abilities.
    Adam Zampa – leading spinner who is crucial in the middle overs.


    England

    England, the reigning 2019 ODI World Cup champions, come into the fixture on the back of a 3-0 whitewash against India. They have, however, fared better against Australia in the Champions Trophy, leading the head-to-head record 3-2. Jos Buttler’s men will look to regain their winning touch and assert their dominance in the crucial group-stage match.

    Key Players to Watch:

    Jos Buttler –  captain and one of the most destructive ODI batters.
    Joe Root – The backbone of England’s batting lineup.
    Jofra Archer – A lethal fast bowler, making his return to major tournaments.
    Adil Rashid – England’s leading leg-spinner, crucial in Lahore’s conditions.

    Head-to-Head in ODIs


    Total Matches Played: 161
    Australia Wins: 91
    England Wins: 65
    Tied Matches: 2
    No Result: 3

    Head-to-Head in Champions Trophy


    Matches Played: 5
    England Wins: 3
    Australia Wins: 2

    This will be the first-ever ODI between Australia and England on Pakistani soil, adding historical significance to the contest. England’s better record in the Champions Trophy could give them a psychological edge.

    Pitch Report – Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore


    The Gaddafi Stadium is known for batting-friendly conditions, with teams often posting high totals. However, the dew factor in night games could make chasing slightly easier.

    Average First-Innings Score: 280+
    Pacers get early swing, but spinners dominate in the middle overs.
    Winning the toss & bowling first could be the preferred strategy.

    Probable Playing XIs


    Australia: Steve Smith (c), Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Alex Carey, Matthew Short, Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson.

    England: Jos Buttler (c), Phil Salt, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Adil Rashid, Gus Atkinson.


    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

  • Stalker who followed Emma Raducanu across four countries arrested in Dubai

    Stalker who followed Emma Raducanu across four countries arrested in Dubai

    A man who allegedly harassed British tennis star Emma Raducanu during a match in Dubai has been taken into custody.

    During the second round of the Dubai Duty-Free Tennis Championship, Raducanu noticed a man sitting uncomfortably close to her in the stands, staring at her. According to reports, there was also an exchange of words between the player and the individual.

    Media reports suggest that the incident left Raducanu in tears, and she immediately reported the matter to the umpire, leading to the suspect’s detention.

    Dubai police confirmed the arrest of a tourist who had approached Raducanu, handed her a note, taken her picture, and displayed behaviour that made the tennis star uncomfortable.

    Raducanu’s coach revealed, “The man who harassed her during the Dubai Duty-Free Tennis Championship had also attended matches in four other countries. Emma had seen this individual multiple times before. At first, we thought he was just a fan, but over time, he started getting physically closer, taking selfies, and eventually hugged her when no security guard was present.”

    The coach further stated, “This man had also followed her in Singapore and Qatar.”

    Now, police have ordered him to stay away from Raducanu. He has been banned from attending WTA tennis events.

  • VIDEO: Amir points out ‘flaw’ in Shaheen’s bowling action

    VIDEO: Amir points out ‘flaw’ in Shaheen’s bowling action

    Fast bowler Mohammad Amir has highlighted an issue in Shaheen Afridi’s bowling action, which he believes has been affecting his performance since returning from injury.

    Speaking on Geo News’ show Harna Mana Hai, Amir stood on stage to demonstrate the mistake Shaheen has been making. He explained, “There is a flaw in his action since his injury, but it can be corrected with the right adjustments.”

    Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif, who was also part of the discussion, added, “Shaheen performs better against left-handed batters due to his natural angle, which gives him an advantage. However, he has been struggling to generate the same swing against right-handed batters as he used to.”

    Latif further stated, “Shaheen’s bowling action requires slight modifications, and it should have been the responsibility of the coaches to address and rectify the matter.”

    Shaheen conceded 68 runs in his 10-over spell without taking any wickets in the opening match of the Champions Trophy against New Zealand.

  • Champions Trophy: South Africa stun Afghanistan with 107- run victory

    Champions Trophy: South Africa stun Afghanistan with 107- run victory

    South Africa secured a convincing 107-run victory over Afghanistan in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Group B match held at the National Bank Cricket Stadium in Karachi.

    Batting first after winning the toss, South Africa posted an impressive total of 315/6 in 50 overs. The team suffered an early blow when Tony de Zorzi was dismissed for just 11 runs at 28/1. However, Ryan Rickelton and Temba Bavuma steadied the innings with a crucial partnership. Rickelton played a magnificent knock, scoring a century with 103 runs, while Bavuma contributed 58 runs. The duo took the team’s total to 157 runs before Bavuma was dismissed.

    Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram continued the momentum, both scoring 52 runs each to ensure a competitive total for South Africa. Afghanistan’s bowling unit struggled to contain the runs, with Mohammad Nabi taking two wickets, while Fazalhaq Farooqi, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Noor Ahmad picked up one wicket each.

    Chasing a target of 316, Afghanistan’s batting lineup failed to build strong partnerships and was bowled out for 208 in 43.3 overs. Rahmat Shah put up a valiant effort, scoring a brilliant 92-run knock, including nine fours and a six. His innings was the only significant resistance against the South African bowlers. Ikram Alikhil added 54 runs, while Ibrahim Zadran (17), Sediqullah Atal (16), and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (10) struggled to make an impact.

    The middle and lower order failed to contribute significantly, with Mohammad Nabi (8), Gulbadin Naib (13), Rashid Khan (18), and Noor Ahmad (9) failing to capitalize. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi was dismissed for a duck.

    South Africa’s disciplined bowling attack ensured Afghanistan never got close to the target, securing a comfortable win in their opening game of the tournament.

  • Asteroid hurling towards earth looks more dangerous by the minute

    Asteroid hurling towards earth looks more dangerous by the minute

    An asteroid hurling towards earth has clocked up a 3.1 percent chance of hitting the planet on December 22, 2032. 

    YR4 2024 now has the highest chance of hitting the earth among all space rocks studied by humans. At 3.1 percent, the chance of a collision appears to be quite tiny, however the probability is growing the more scientists study the asteroid. 

    As yet, scientists are unsure about what the rock is made up of or how big it is. Current estimates place it between 130 and 300 feet long. 

    If seven years from now, YR4 does manage to enter the earth’s atmosphere, it could probably hit an ocean, a prospect that scientists say is better than the asteroid hitting land. However, at its current pace and trajectory, the asteroid could potentially hit a major city, with Mumbai, Lagos and Bogota falling in its current path. 

    If the asteroid hits the ocean, its damage could possibly be limited to a tsunami, and not a very big one at that. However, if it hits land, it could prove catastrophic for the region. 

    Mark Boslough, a physicist at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, has told the media that it would be much worse if YR4 hits solid ground. “The asteroid would create an enormous explosion,” he said, adding that it would likely leave a massive crater. It also could create a “hot jet of asteroid vapor that would descend to the surface and incinerate everything” nearby.

    More about its potential impact will be known when we find out what its made of. 

    However, there’s not much need to panic right now as everything could change in seven years. Astronomers once predicted an asteroid much bigger than YR4 had a 2.7 percent chance of hitting Earth. Then those odds went down to zero.

  • Daaku Maharaj: Here’s how many crores Urvashi Rautela charged for 3-min cameo

    Daaku Maharaj: Here’s how many crores Urvashi Rautela charged for 3-min cameo


    Bollywood actress Urvashi Rautela, currently in the spotlight for her film Dako Maharaj, has made headlines again—this time for allegedly demanding a hefty paycheck for a brief appearance in the movie.

    According to an Indian media report, Urvashi charged Rs 3 crore for her three-minute role in Nandamuri Balakrishna’s action-packed entertainer.

    Urvashi’s total net worth is reportedly around Rs 236 crore, with a significant portion coming from her influence as a social media star. She boasts over 73 million followers on Instagram.

    Meanwhile, Daaku Maharaj has received a strong response at the box office, earning over Rs 104 crore since its release.

  • MrBeast’s monthly YouTube income revealed

    MrBeast’s monthly YouTube income revealed

    Jimmy Donaldson, the world’s No. 1 YouTuber, popularly known as MrBeast, has had his YouTube earnings leaked, and the figures are surprising enough to leave internet users in shock.

    Recently, a social media account named Drama Alert on X (formerly Twitter) shared an alleged screenshot of MrBeast’s earnings for the past 28 days, revealing that he made over $4 million (PKR 1.11 billion).

    Following this revelation, social media users flooded the internet with reactions. Some argued that MrBeast earns much more than this, as his sponsorship deals alone are worth millions of dollars. One user remarked, “MrBeast deserves this income because he puts so much effort into his videos.”

    With over 360 million subscribers on his YouTube channel and billions of views, MrBeast is among the highest-earning content creators in the world.

    His income is not just limited to YouTube. He has built a massive business empire, running multiple YouTube channels and collaborating with various brands. Reports suggest that his annual earnings exceed $100 million.

    Although neither MrBeast nor his team has confirmed these figures, there is no doubt that he is the highest-earning YouTuber. His videos are not only widely popular but also generate significant revenue.

    In 2024, Forbes estimated MrBeast’s annual income to be around $85 million, while Celebrity Net Worth claims he makes around $50 million per month.

    Interestingly, a 2022 Forbes report estimated his net worth at around $500 million, indicating his rapid financial growth in just two years.

  • Champions Trophy: Viral Indian ‘IIT Baba’ predicts Pakistan’s victory against India

    Champions Trophy: Viral Indian ‘IIT Baba’ predicts Pakistan’s victory against India

    Abhay Singh, who gained fame from the Indian religious Maha Kumbh Mela and is popularly known as IIT Baba, has made a bold prediction regarding the highly anticipated match between Pakistan and India.

    In a viral video circulating on Indian media, Baba Abhay Singh makes a striking statement.

    “India will not be able to defeat Pakistan this time. That is what I am saying,” he declared.

    He further added, “Even if Virat Kohli and other players give their absolute best, India still won’t be able to beat Pakistan. I have spoken, and this time, Pakistan will win. Now let India prove me wrong.”

    Pakistan’s next match is against arch-rivals India on Sunday in Dubai, a crucial fixture that could decide their fate in the tournament.

  • Adnan Siddiqui shares disappointing experience at National Stadium

    Adnan Siddiqui shares disappointing experience at National Stadium

    The anticipation for the Champions Trophy 2025 was at its peak, but for certain fans, including actor Adnan Siddiqui, the experience at Karachi’s National Stadium turned frustrating owing to obstructed views from the seating.

    The highly awaited opening game between Pakistan and New Zealand attracted a huge attendance, with cricket enthusiasts eager to witness the action in person.

    Celebrities were also part of the crowd, among whom was Adnan Siddiqui, who came out to support the home team. However, rather than enjoying the match, he found himself questioning the arrangements at the stadium.

    The actor posted a brief video on Instagram from the VIP section, highlighting the unsatisfactory viewing conditions.

    “Assalamualaikum, friends! I’m here at the stadium. Now, explain this to me: if we pay for such an expensive ticket and there’s a pole obstructing the view, plus this huge shade in front, what are we really able to see?” he questioned.

    “Want to hear something even more amusing? The field is positioned so far away that it feels as if I’m watching the match from Dubai!” he added.

    It wasn’t only Adnan who felt let down. Supporters throughout the stadium were already devastated by Pakistan’s 60-run loss to New Zealand, but their frustration grew when they realized that, despite the stadium’s renovation, the arrangements were still lacking.

    For many, it was an evening filled with shattered dreams, both in the game and in the stands.

  • Champions Trophy: Pakistan approves tax exemption for ICC, foreign players

    Champions Trophy: Pakistan approves tax exemption for ICC, foreign players

    The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC), chaired by Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, has approved key economic decisions, including a tax exemption for the International Cricket Council (ICC) in preparation for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

    According to an official statement issued after the meeting, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb presided over the session, which was attended by Petroleum Minister Musadik Malik, Minister for Industries and Production Rana Tanveer Hussain, the Chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), and other senior officials.

    During the meeting, the ECC approved a tax exemption on ICC’s earnings from the Champions Trophy 2025, which is in line with international practices for hosting global sporting events. Under the agreement between ICC and Pakistan, the ICC’s revenue, subsidiaries, and affiliated entities will not be subject to any taxes or deductions.

    However, Pakistani stakeholders, including the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), will be required to pay taxes on any income earned from the tournament. Additionally, no exemption will be granted on sales tax and federal excise duty.

    The committee also postponed a decision to lift the ban on the commercial export of sheep and goats to Kuwait.

    Furthermore, the ECC approved an additional technical grant of PKR 6.859 billion for the Ministry of Energy to cover development expenditures.

    The committee also extended the LNG framework agreement between Pakistan LNG Limited and SOCAR Trading for another three years.