Author: News Desk

  • India’s Bumrah named Test cricketer of the year after sensational 2024

    India’s Bumrah named Test cricketer of the year after sensational 2024

    India paceman Jasprit Bumrah was Monday named men’s Test cricketer of the year for 2024 by the International Cricket Council.

    The right-arm quick returned to the five-day format in late 2023 following a lengthy absence due to a back injury.

    Bumrah, 31, was the leading wicket-taker in Test cricket in 2024, topping the charts with 71, well clear of second-placed Gus Atkinson of England (52 in 11 matches).

    His average across the year was a breathtaking 14.92 and he ended 2024 with a strike rate for the year of just 30.1.

    “Test cricket has always been a format I hold close to my heart, and to be recognised on this platform is truly special,” said Bumrah.

    “This award is not just a reflection of my individual efforts but also of the unwavering support of my teammates, coaches, and fans who continue to believe and inspire me every day.

    “Representing India is a privilege I deeply cherish, and knowing my efforts bring smiles to people around the world makes this journey even more special.”

    Bumrah beat England batsmen Harry Brook and Joe Root as well as Sri Lanka’s Kamindu Mendis to the award, given by the game’s governing body.

    Smriti Mandhana made it a double success for India as she was voted women’s one-day international cricketer of the year for the second time.

    Afghanistan all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai clinched the men’s ODI award.

  • Shadab Khan comments on actors and TikTokers’ claims about cricketers

    Shadab Khan comments on actors and TikTokers’ claims about cricketers

    Pakistani cricketer Shadab Khan recently addressed claims by actors and TikTokers about cricketers messaging them during his appearance on the show Hansna Mana Hai.

    Host Tabish Hashmi asked the all-rounder, “Do cricketers really send messages to actors and TikTokers on social media, or are these just baseless claims?”

    Shadab replied, “If a cricketer messages an actress or TikToker, there’s nothing wrong with it.” He added, “If actresses receive messages and don’t like them, they should simply not respond.”

    He elaborated, “If actresses don’t reply, they won’t get more messages. But if they respond and then expect replies while complaining about getting messages, that’s not how it works.”

    He further remarked, “I’ve seen videos of some actresses making big claims, but that’s not always the reality. Sometimes, things are exaggerated.”

    According to Shadab, some claims are made just to gain fame, especially during major cricket tournaments. “It’s a way to get attention,” he said.

    With a smile, Shadab shared, “There’s no fight within the team over who messaged an actress. But yes, everyone does ask each other who sent the message.”

    Shadab refrained from naming anyone specific while addressing these claims.

    Previously, TikToker Shah Taj Khan claimed to have been friends with Shadab Khan, stating that they used to message each other on social media. Before her, actresses like Nawal Saeed and Momina Iqbal also claimed that cricketers often messaged them.

  • Manager calls out organisers after crowd throws bottle at Talha Anjum, again

    Manager calls out organisers after crowd throws bottle at Talha Anjum, again

    Rapper Talha Anjum, part of the popular music duo Young Stunners, was recently hit by a bottle during his performance at the Beaconhouse Notion of Academia 2025 event held at Beaconhouse Margalla Campus in Islamabad. The duo’s manager, Aleena Naghman, addressed the incident in an Instagram story, which Anjum later reshared for his followers.

    In her story, she wrote, “To all fans, followers, school managements and event organizers, I would like to address an important issue that has left me deeply disturbed. As the Manager for Young Stunners, I am compelled to speak out about a recent incident that occurred during our performance at the Beaconhouse Notion of Academia 2025 event held at Beaconhouse Margalla Campus in Islamabad.”

    She continued, “During the event, the audience’s behavior was completely unacceptable. Students were throwing bottles at the artists, and the last bottle hit Talha Anjum in the eye. Despite this, he chose not to react and left the stage.”

    Alina highlighted the lack of accountability from the event organisers, saying, “What’s even more disturbing is the lack of accountability and respect shown by the event organizers. They never hesitate to ask our artists for shoutouts to promote their events, but when it comes to apologizing for the safety and well-being of our artists, they remain silent.”

    She added, “It’s ironic that the school organization didn’t spare a single moment to take pictures with our artists before the show, but when it comes to taking responsibility for the actions of their students, they’re nowhere to be found.”

    The manager also emphasised the need for respect and accountability, stating, “This lack of respect and accountability is unacceptable. We urge event organizers to take responsibility for ensuring a safe and respectful environment for all performers. A simple apology or acknowledgment of the incident would have gone a long way in showing that they value the well-being of our artists.”

  • Sham Idrees calls out Ducky Bhai’s ‘toxic behaviour’, alleges bullying

    Sham Idrees calls out Ducky Bhai’s ‘toxic behaviour’, alleges bullying

    Sham Idrees has broken his silence on his long-standing feud with Ducky Bhai, making serious allegations and sharing evidence against the fellow YouTuber.

    The rivalry, which began seven years ago after Ducky criticised Sham’s daily vlogs and personal life, has now taken a dramatic turn.

    Sham opened up about the harassment he endured during their clash.

    In a recent video, Sham Idrees said, “At the height of our dispute, my wife (Froggy) became a target of online abuse.”

    He also shared how false accusations against his father deeply affected his family.

    “It caused immense distress, but I chose to forgive Ducky and move forward,” Sham stated.

    Despite their reconciliation, he now claims that Ducky Bhai has resumed harmful behaviour, this time targeting lesser-known YouTubers and less influential creators.

    In his video, Sham included testimonials from individuals alleging that Ducky has threatened them. These accusations range from harming families to sabotaging work and even raiding personal property.

    One of the most outspoken critics is fellow creator Badlabrother, who accused Ducky of using his platform to manipulate and intimidate others.

    Sham urged Ducky Bhai to rethink his actions and take responsibility.

    “It’s time for him to stop. He needs to consider the impact of his actions on smaller creators and the harm caused to their personal lives,” Sham stated.

    The YouTuber emphasised that he holds no ill will but believes Ducky’s toxic behaviour must be addressed and corrected publicly.

  • ‘Give and take’ culture exploits girls in showbiz; Nadia Hussain exposes immoral offers

    ‘Give and take’ culture exploits girls in showbiz; Nadia Hussain exposes immoral offers

    Renowned actress Nadia Hussain has opened up about the immoral offers made to girls in the Pakistani showbiz industry.

    During a recent podcast interview, Nadia, who has also been a part of the fashion industry for over two decades, spoke about the darker side of the industry.

    In response to a question, she stated, “The term “give and take” is very common in the industry at the moment. Girls are exploited in exchange for work. They are openly offered projects with good remuneration, but immoral demands are also made.”

    She further revealed, “Until two years ago, I had been receiving such offers. While discussing a project, I was told about the best remuneration. Everything seemed fine, but in the end, they said I would also have to have a ‘special dinner.’”

    Nadia shared her perspective, saying, “Immoral demands in exchange for work have always existed in the showbiz industry, but now it has become more common.”

    She also disclosed that she knows models who have accepted such offers. “It is their choice. I don’t say anything bad about anyone, but I have my limits,” she added.

  • ‘Bushra Bibi got Gandapur removed as PTI’s KP president’

    ‘Bushra Bibi got Gandapur removed as PTI’s KP president’

    Days after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General Salman Akram Raja claimed that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister (CM) Ali Amin Gandapur voluntarily stepped down as the party’s KP president, prominent journalist Fakhar Durrani has claimed it was former first lady Bushra Bibi who got him sacked.

    Last week, the PTI on founder Imran Khan’s advice replaced Gandapur with Member National Assembly (MNA) Junaid Akbar Khan as the party president for KP. Amid speculations surrounding the sudden change on what is deemed to be a key position within the PTI, Durrani, in a video on his YouTube channel, claimed it was the result of a spat between the KP CM and Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi.

    He claimed that the spat between the two PTI leaders took place in Mansehra after the party’s failed march on Islamabad on November 26.

    “Both stayed at Babar Saleem Sawati’s house in Mansehra where Bushra Bibi allegedly threatened to remove Gandapur from his positions within the party,” the journalist said while referring to when Bushra and Gandapur ditched party workers in the midst of a crackdown in the federal capital.

    The two had then travelled to Mansehra in KP, where the PTI is in power. Reports had claimed that CM Gandapur wanted to relocate the party’s demonstration in line with an unofficial agreement with the government whereas Bushra wanted supporters to continue marching on the capital to press for her husband’s release from jail.

    The rift had also made headlines last week when it was claimed that Gandapur played a pivotal role in securing the prison sentence for Bushra in the Al-Qadir Trust case. Senior journalist and analyst Dr Moeed Pirzada had alleged ‘foul play’ at the hands of the KP CM, saying that Bushra’s conviction caught Khan off guard as he had been assured relief for his wife.

    “[…] Gandapur wanted her to get locked up… away from limelight, because she was causing him headaches,” he had said, claiming that the KP CM used his influence to make it happen.

    While there has been no official confirmation on the reported rift between Bushra and Gandapur, PTI Secretary General Raja maintained that the KP CM’s departure from the role of provincial party president was voluntary, allowing him to focus on his responsibilities as CM amid pressing challenges such as law and order. 

    “This decision aligns with Gandapur’s request, as he wanted to dedicate himself entirely to the governance of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” Raja said, noting that Gandapur had a lot of responsibilities as the chief executive of the province.

    It merits a mention CM Gandapur was succeeded by Junaid Akbar who was also recently elected chairman of the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) unopposed, filling a position left vacant since the general elections in February 2024.

    After being appointed as PTI’s KP president, Akbar issued a statement on X, expressing gratitude. “I am a middle-class person and I got this position because of hard work. Which is not found in other parties [sic],” he wrote.

  • WI loss: Shan Masood loses cool at reporter over captaincy question

    WI loss: Shan Masood loses cool at reporter over captaincy question

    Pakistan’s Test cricket captain, Shan Masood, snapped at a reporter when asked about his captaincy during a press conference following a 120-run defeat to the West Indies in the second Test.

    A journalist asked, “Will you make your own decision, or will the Pakistan Cricket Board decide?”

    Shan initially refused to reply, saying, “Next question,” but later responded, “I won’t answer about what happened in the past. I am addressing what’s happening now. If you want to discuss facts, feel free to do so, but your information is completely incorrect.”

    The 35-year-old captain urged the media to respect players, saying, “You should also give respect to your players. It’s the PCB’s job to make decisions. Whatever decisions are made, we, as players, including myself, accept them. We belong to this country, this institution, and we are also your people.”

    Expressing his frustration with the journalist’s tone, Shan said, “No one will tolerate being insulted like this. Your question was full of disrespect. In trying to ask one question, you attempted to undermine another person. We play for Pakistan, and we give our best efforts to deliver results.”

    Shan also defended the team’s performance, saying, “In these conditions, we’ve won three out of four matches and lost only one. In this match, we made mistakes on the first day. Please do your research before asking questions and then share your opinions.”

    West Indies won the second and final Test of the two-match series, defeating Pakistan on their home ground after 35 years by 120 runs on the third day, levelling the series 1-1.

  • Aamir Khan’s ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’ delayed, again

    Aamir Khan’s ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’ delayed, again

    The wait continues as actor and ‘Taare Zameen Par’ director Aamir Khan’s ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’ has once again be delayed.

    During a recent event in Vadodara city of Indian Gujarat, Khan shared an update on the film that was initially scheduled for a Christmas 2024 release.

    The PK actor revealed that the team was working towards a December release, but the project faced yet another delay due to unfinished post-production, pushing the release timeline back to mid-2025.

    “I am excited to return to the big screen with Sitaare Zameen Par… it’s an entertaining film and I really like the story. The climax of Taare Zameen Par was filmed in Vadodara, and now we’re bringing this new story that captures similar magic,” he said.

    While the new film connects to the themes of Taare Zameen Par, Khan has clarified that it won’t feature the same characters. Instead, Sitaare Zameen Par is loosely inspired by the Spanish movie ‘Champions’, and sheds light on Down Syndrome, highlighting the lives of people with special needs.

    Earlier, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Aamir discussed his upcoming film ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’ and its emotional depth. “It’s a beautiful story, actually, the easiest way I can describe it is that Sitaare Zameen Par is a very emotional film. It makes you cry… it makes you laugh. It’s a humorous film.”

    He said that the theme of the upcoming film is similar to Taare Zameen Par — of people with different abilities, intelligence, all with different challenges. “So the theme is similar, but the feel of the film, the emotional feel of the film, is humor as opposed to emotions.”                                                                                                                                                     

    The 3 Idiots actor also revealed what sets Sitaare Zameen Par apart from Taare Zameen Par.

    “In many ways, I feel its way ahead of Taare Zameen Par… because in Taare Zameen Par, the person who was challenged, was Ishaan. He was helped by a character, which was my character. In Sitaare Zameen Par, it is 10 people with challenges who help me… the supposedly normal person. So, it’s a real flip. It goes much further, I feel, than Taare Zameen Par,” he added.

    Aamir Khan directed Taare Zameen Par in 2007, which starred Darsheel Safary as Ishaan, a young boy struggling with dyslexia. The film received praise for its emotional depth and for raising awareness about learning disabilities.

  • ‘After announcing the marriage, I’m seeing things that I hadn’t noticed before,’ says Kubra Khan

    ‘After announcing the marriage, I’m seeing things that I hadn’t noticed before,’ says Kubra Khan

    Old interview clips of Gohar Rasheed are doing the rounds on Instagram—clips that even his wife-to-be Kubra Khan had not seen- ever since the stars confirmed that they are getting married in a video posted on social media.

    Some time ago, in an interview with Geo Digital, Gohar Rasheed discussed the qualities of his wife-to-be. In a clip shared by the journalist on Instagram, Gohar said, “I think the best thing about Kubra is that she keeps her acting close to reality instead of being made up. We, as actors, come up with tricks in acting while she remains natural.”

    Both starred in the lead roles in the drama serial Jannat Se Aagy on Geo Entertainment.

    Referring to the drama, Gohar also mentioned in the shared clip, “As long as Kubra Khan is with you off-camera, you think there’s a fight, but as soon as the camera is on and the scene starts, she blows everything up. After working with her, I realised she knows the art of giving impressions in moments. It doesn’t take her even a minute to get into character.”

    Sharing the viral interview clip, Kubra Khan responded, “As soon as the marriage was announced, things started happening that I hadn’t seen before.” She added, “One good thing that has happened since announcing the marriage is that I’m also getting to see things I hadn’t seen before—Is it really like that?”

    Kubra’s statement shows she was surprised to hear Gohar Rasheed’s remarks about her acting, but she also got to hear something from her life partner that she had never heard on camera before.

  • Punjab Govt cracks down on theatres, lifetime ban on cards for ‘vulgarity’

    Punjab Govt cracks down on theatres, lifetime ban on cards for ‘vulgarity’

    The Punjab government has decided to impose a lifetime ban on actors, especially female dancers, involved in promoting “vulgarity, immorality, and indecency” during performances. It will also cancel the licenses of theatres where such performances are staged. 

    The government has been considering strict action for a long time, especially against women dancers, on complaints of vulgar performances in theatres in the main cities of the province.


    “We have decided to impose a lifetime ban on the actors in promoting vulgarity and indecency in theatres in the province. All theatres have also been instructed to comply with the rules. Violations will lead to show-cause notices followed by fines and eventually license cancellations,” Punjab’s Information and Culture Minister Azma Bokhari said in a meeting with theatre owners on Saturday.


    She expressed her displeasure at the owners’ complicity in allowing vulgarity in their theatres.


    The government plans to introduce new laws to support theatres producing family-oriented plays. Bokhari also directed the Punjab Arts Council to obtain undertakings from all theatre owners that they would not allow “obscene or immoral” performances at their theatres anymore.


    “Under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, no permission will be given for vulgarity and indecency in theatres. Theatres in Punjab should produce dramas that are family-friendly and attract families,” Bokhari added.


    She suggested that theatre plays should focus on social themes to guide and inspire the public.


    “Punjab’s theatres were once renowned globally for their unique identity and quality. The government is planning new legislation for theatres soon. It will fully support the theatre owners if they produce family-oriented plays,” she said.


    A couple of months ago, the Punjab government, under Maryam Nawaz, launched an anti-obscenity drive forming a seven-member advisory committee to make commercial theatre plays “civilized and family-friendly.”