Australia’s cricket captain, Pat Cummins, may miss the upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy following an ankle injury.
He has not started bowling yet, and in his absence, Steve Smith is leading the team in the ongoing Test series against Sri Lanka.
Australian head coach Andrew McDonald has expressed serious concerns about Cummins’ availability. He confirmed that discussions about the captaincy have taken place with Steve Smith and Travis Head.
“Pat Cummins has not started bowling yet, and due to his injury, there is a strong possibility that he will miss the Champions Trophy,” McDonald said.
He added, “If Pat Cummins is unavailable, we will need a new captain. We are discussing the leadership options with Steve Smith and Travis Head.”
The head coach mentioned that the situation will become clearer in the coming days once medical reports arrive.
Meanwhile, Australia’s ODI squad is set to leave for Sri Lanka on Thursday, but Cummins will not be travelling with them.
All-rounder Mitchell Marsh has already been ruled out of the Champions Trophy due to fitness issues.
Famous reality show Indian’s Got Talent has landed in legal trouble after comedian Jessy Nabam made a controversial remark.
During a special episode, host Samay Raina asked Jessy if she had ever eaten dog meat.
Jessy replied, “People in Arunachal Pradesh consume it, though I have never tried it myself.I know this because my friend eats it. Sometimes, they even eat their own pets.”
Her statement sparked outrage, especially from comedian Balraj Singh Ghai, who questioned its authenticity.
Arunachal Pradesh resident Armaan Ram Velo Bokha filed an FIR against Jessy Nabam for making derogatory remarks about the local community.
Itanagar Police Station registered the FIR on January 31,2025.
The complaint demanded immediate action to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s lawyer Faisal Chaudhry has trolled journalist and analyst Hassan Ayub for claiming that the incarcerated former prime minister (PM) watches his show in jail.
Chaudhry, while appearing on a private media outlet’s talk show, was reacting to guest analyst Ayub’s claim that Khan was enjoying a number of facilities in his Adiala Jail cell, one of which was access to 14 TV channels.
“No one has had the kind of facilities Imran Khan is enjoying. He is getting the best food… dry fruit… he’s watching 14 channels. He also watches my channel… my programme,” Ayub was saying in response to a question by the host when Chaudhry cut him off to rubbish his claim.
Slamming the journalist, Khan’s lawyer said it was a baseless claim as the jailed former premier did not watch his show. “He watches your show? No, he doesn’t. No one watches your show except for you,” Chaudhry said mockingly, drawing a rather annoyed reaction from Ayub.
“Okay… I don’t even care if he doesn’t watch it,” the journalist replied, adding that he was only quoting what sources had told him.
When asked by the host if Khan had given him any feedback about the show, Chaudhry said the jailed party founder didn’t even know who Ayub was. “He doesn’t even know his name.”
The two then continued what seemed like an indirect argument, directing their statements towards the host. While Chaudhry kept on attempting to ridicule the journalist, Ayub said he didn’t care if Khan knew him or not.
It merits a mention that this is not the first time that Khan’s alleged interest or lack thereof in Ayub’s reporting has made headlines.
Last month, a court reporter claimed to have overheard former first lady Bushra Bibi telling Khan about two journalists who talked against him on the air, one of whom was Ayub.
The reporter had claimed seeing Bushra pointing at Ayub and Rizwan Razi, both of whom were present at a makeshift courtroom at Adiala Jail for the verdict in the Al-Qadir Trust case against Khan.
The claims followed Judge Nasir Javed Rana’s sentencing of Khan and Bushra to 14 years and seven years in prison, respectively, besides imposing fines worth Rs1 million on the incarcerated PTI founder and Rs500,000 on the former first lady.
Bushra was taken into custody from the courtroom at Adiala where Khan is already locked up in multiple cases against him.
US President Donald J. Trump has set off an international diplomatic crisis by stating on Tuesday night that America will “take over” Gaza, suggesting that American troops might be deployed in the occupied Palestinian territory while Gazans are forced to leave.
“The US will take over the Gaza Strip and we will do a job with it too,” Trump said during a joint press conference alongside International Criminal Court’s wanted war criminal, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He said he envisioned Gaza as a new Riviera.
When asked by a reporter whether America could send in its army, Trump did not rule it out.
“We’ll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site, level the site and get rid of the destroyed buildings,” he said, setting off alarm bells ringing across the globe and his own country.
“I do see a long-term ownership position, and I see it bringing great stability to that part of the Middle East, and maybe the entire Middle East,” Trump told reporters in the East Room of the White House. He said later: “This was not a decision made lightly. Everybody I’ve spoken to loves the idea of the United States owning that piece of land, developing and creating thousands of jobs with something that will be magnificent.”
His statement was in sharp contrast to the stance taken by Arab nations, most of whom have repeatedly rejected any plans involving the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from their land. Egypt and Jordan, both strong allies of the US and Israel, publicly distanced themselves from Trump’s earlier statements that they will take in two million Gazans.
Saudi Arabia reacted with a fast rejection. Despite it being 4:00 am in Riyadh, the the Saudi Foreign Ministry released a statement stressing its long-held position that it will not commit to normalization of relations with Israel without guarantees of a Palestinian state.
“Saudi Arabia will continue its relentless efforts to establish an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, and will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel without that,” the statement said.
As the country unites to express solidarity with the people of India-held Kashmir, the military’s media wing has released a new anthem titled ‘Kashmir Banay Ga Pakistan’ to express support for Kashmiris’ resistance against Indian occupying forces.
Kashmir Solidarity Day, observed on Feb 5 every year, is a national holiday to express Pakistan’s support for the people of held Kashmir, Kashmiri separatists’ freedom movement, and to pay homage to innocent Kashmiris who have died in the conflict over the past seven decades.
This year, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has released a new anthem to mark the day, conveying a strong message of unity and commitment to the freedom fighters of the troubled valley.
The anthem, featuring Ahmed Jahanzeb’s vocals, has been composed by Irfan Saleem and Kamran Khan with lyrics by Imran Raza.
It has been produced to mark the significant day and reinforce the sentiment of solidarity with the brave and resilient people of Kashmir, who continue to struggle for their right to self-determination as enshrined in the documents of the United Nations (UN).
The song opens with the late Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Geelani’s historic speech wherein he said, “Pakistan is ours, and we are Pakistan”.
Check it out here:
Meanwhile, political leaders, armed forces and civil society are marking the day by paying homage to the decades-long struggle of Kashmiris, condemning human rights violations in the region.
President Asif Ali Zardari, in his message, reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Kashmiri people. “We reaffirm our steadfast commitment to the just struggle of the Kashmiri people,” he said.
He condemned India’s continued repression in Kashmir, asserting that Indian actions could not suppress the spirit of self-determination among Kashmiris, and urged the UN to honour its 77-year-old commitments regarding the troubled valley.
Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, in his statement, also declared self-determination a fundamental principle of international law.
“Every year, the government and people of Pakistan commemorate Kashmir Solidarity Day,” PM Shehbaz said. He also denounced Indian atrocities, and condemned the unlawful detention of political activists and human rights defenders in Kashmir.
“India’s attempts aim to alter the demographic structure of occupied Kashmir,” the premier said.
While the ISPR released a statement reaffirming the commitment of the armed forces to the just cause of Kashmiris, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (JCSC), service chiefs, and the armed forces also paid tribute to the resilience of Kashmiris, whom they said, had endured decades of oppression.
As Pakistan gears up to host the 2025 edition of the coveted ICC Champions Trophy, posters and banners featuring Indian cricketing stars, including for captain Virat Kohli and pacer Jasprit Bumrah, have been spotted in Lahore.
Preparations are in full swing across the country as fans around the globe look forward to the mega tournament due to start on February 19.
While India’s matches, including the highly-anticipated clash against the Greenshirts, will be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to New Delhi’s concerns amid political tensions between the two countries, posters and banners featuring Indian players have started emerging across major cities in Pakistan.
As the promotional material adds to the excitement of cricketing fans, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has also officially launched Pakistan’s jersey for the event.
Staying true to Pakistan’s classic green, the jersey reflects the nation’s passion for cricket as it prepares to host its first ICC event in almost 30 years. Through the #WearYourPassion campaign, PCB has also invited fans to show support for Men in Green.
It may be noted that the national squad for the tournament has also been announced by the PCB. It, however, has received mixed reactions from fans and former cricketers alike.
Amid concerns over the selection committee’s decision, the board maintains that the squad, including Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Muhammad Rizwan, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Sheheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Muhammad Hasnain, was picked through an impartial system based on merit.
Reports have also quoted board officials as saying that the final playing XI will be picked on the basis of players’ performance during the tri-nation ODI series to be played between Pakistan, New Zealand and South Africa in the days leading to the Champions Trophy.
The series will be played from Feb 8 to Feb 14 in Lahore and Karachi.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially launched Pakistan’s jersey for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, and it is available for pre-order.
Staying true to Pakistan’s classic green, the jersey reflects the nation’s passion for cricket as it prepares to host its first ICC event in almost 30 years. Through the #WearYourPassion campaign, PCB invites fans to show support for the Men in Green.
This launch is part of PCB’s efforts to build excitement for the tournament, including squad announcements and teasers. The goal is to make the Champions Trophy a memorable event for cricket fans globally.
Fans can pre-order the jersey now at shop.pcb.com.pk. With Pakistan playing at home, the demand is expected to be high. So, don’t miss the chance to wear it with pride and cheer for Team Pakistan.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has granted a special exemption to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to complete renovation and upgrade work at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and the National Stadium in Karachi.
According to reports, the ICC typically takes control of venues before the commencement of any of its tournaments. However, for Champions Trophy 2025, the cricket governing body has given the PCB additional time to finalize preparations.
The ICC’s support period for the tournament is set to begin on February 12. However, before officially taking over the venues, ICC has allowed PCB to host a tri-nation series featuring Pakistan, New Zealand, and South Africa. The series, originally scheduled to be held in Multan, will now take place at Gaddafi Stadium and National Stadium Karachi from February 8.
Since Pakistan wants to test both venues thoroughly before the Champions Trophy, the ICC granted a special exemption, allowing the Board to conduct the matches during its designated support period.
Meanwhile, PCB recently released a video showcasing the upgrades ay Gaddafi Stadium, which took Indian media and its cricket board by surprise.
Previously, Indian media had been spreading negative reports regarding the stadium’s renovation, claiming that if the work was not completed on time, ICC might shift the tournament to another country. However, PCB’s efforts and ICC’s backing have now put such speculations to rest.
Prominent journalist Hamid Mir claimed on Monday that he was unsure whether the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, would be able to serve his time in jail.
Appearing on TV analyst Irshad Bhatti’s YouTube channel, Mir, while responding to the question of whether he had expected former premier Imran Khan to withstand imprisonment, said, “I was not sure whether Imran Khan would serve his time in jail bravely.”
“Contrary to my expectation, Imran Khan was offered compromises multiple times, but he did not compromise,” he added, noting that one should acknowledge that Khan has bravely endured imprisonment.
He also claimed that when Khan was sent to jail, he believed he would soon patch up with the establishment, given his good ties with intelligence agencies during his premiership.
To a question about many politicians losing their patience while remaining confined in jail, the journalist opined that President Asif Ali Zardari courageously served his time in jail, adding that Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif and senior politician Javed Hashmi had also spent their time in jail with patience.
Earlier, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) top brass Rana Sanaullah, while speaking to a private news outlet, had claimed, “One thing I must admit is that Khan is surviving in jail, which I did not expect from him.”
On August 5, 2023, Imran Khan was arrested from his residence in Zaman Park shortly after his conviction in the Tosha Khana case and has been in jail since then on multiple charges.
Currently, he is held in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail under high security and with B-class facilities due to his status as a former premier. Earlier, he had been held in Attock Jail.
The incarcerated Khan was recently convicted in the 190 million-pound case, commonly known as the Al Qadir Trust case.
Accountability court judge Nasir Javed Rana announced the verdict, sentencing 14 and seven years of imprisonment to Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, respectively.
The court also imposed fines on Imran and Bushra, amounting to Rs1 million and Rs500,000, respectively. Failure to pay the fines would result in an additional six months in jail for Imran and three months for Bushra, the verdict said.
The case alleges that Imran and Bushra obtained billions of rupees and land worth hundreds of kanals from Bahria Town Ltd for legalizing Rs50 billion that was identified and returned to the country by the United Kingdom (UK) during the previous PTI government.
Seven persons have been held by Karachi police on suspicion of being involved in the rape and murder of seven -year-old Sarim, found dead on January 18 in the city, media reports have stated.
Among the arrested individuals are a cleric who taught at the madrassah Sarim attended, two residents of the boys’ apartment building, a plumber and two watchmen.
Police have confirmed that DNA reports of all the suspects are awaited to confirm whether any of them matches with the samples found on the child’s body.
Police have said that though an initial report suggested that Sarim was sexually assaulted before being killed, final forensic reports are yet to come in.
Sarim went missing on January 7 when he went to a madrassah he attended in the same building that houses his apartment. The boy’s body was found from an underground water tank in his apartment complex, 11 days after he went missing.
Initial investigations suggested that the body displayed injury marks, dismissing possibility of the child falling into the water tank by accident.
An autopsy report obtained by Dawn stated that there were 12 wounds on the body, only one of which was sustained after death. The report also said that though the child disappeared eleven days prior to being found, the body appeared to be only four to five days old, suggesting that the boy was alive for a few days after going missing.
