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  • PCB to change Gaddafi Stadium name before Champions Trophy 2025

    PCB to change Gaddafi Stadium name before Champions Trophy 2025

    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials have planned to modernize the Gaddafi Stadium and change its name before the Champions Trophy 2025.

    In October 2022, Karachi’s National Stadium was named the National Bank Stadium under a five-year agreement.

    According to Express News, a few sponsors have shown interest after the PCB issued a formal tender for renaming the Stadium. Initial paperwork has been completed, but final approval is yet to be given.

    The stadium was named Gaddafi Stadium after the then Libyan President Muammar Gaddafi on March 19 1972, by Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

    After that, a campaign was launched to change the name of Gaddafi Stadium, which was met with much opposition. These days, construction work is going on day and night to give the Gaddafi Stadium a new look. The PCB chief has set a deadline for December 31.

    The Gaddafi Cricket Stadium, along with the National Bank Stadium Karachi and Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, will host the Champions Trophy. The mega event is scheduled for February and March 2025.

  • Jal band is coming to Dhaka after 14 years

    Jal band is coming to Dhaka after 14 years


    The iconic Jal the Band is making a comeback in Bangladesh after a 14 year absence. The band’s lead singer and composer Goher Mumtaz shared a screenshot of the band’s upcoming concerts in Bangladesh on his Instagram account.


    Jal is scheduled to perform on September 27 in Dhaka at the ‘Legends of the Decade’ concert.

    Fans in Bangladesh have eagerly awaited Jal’s return, and their patience is finally being rewarded. Tickets for the event, priced at Tk3050, or Pakistani rupees Rs7123. The band is expected to perform all its hits including ‘Lamhe,’ ‘Aadat,’ ‘Panchi,’ and ‘Bikhra Hoon Main’. Goher Mumtaz and Atif Aslam formed the band in 2002.

    It was previously speculated that the founding members of the band, which included Farhan Saeed, a former singer and actor, would also perform at Bangladesh. The Jhok Sarkar actor posted a story on his Instagram account saying,

    “To all Bangladesh fans, I keep getting requests asked if I am coming to Bangladesh in September for concert. The answer is no I am not, my picture is used blatantly though. I am not! When I will be touring Bangladesh I’ll announce it on my social media platforms. All fans are requested to spread the same.”

  • Shaheen Afridi Biography: Family, Wife, Records

    Shaheen Afridi Biography: Family, Wife, Records

    In the world of international cricket, Shaheen Afridi is synonymous with a fast bowler. Fast bowling is one of the reasons that made him prominent everywhere. Shaheen Afridi height and how he swings his bowl in a tricky way are enough to make the batsman confused. 

    Great family support is the main reason behind Shaheen’s remarkable success. Shaheen’s family has been instrumental in nurturing his talent and encouraging his aspirations. This support brought him to the highest level of sport. Shaheen Afridi wife is the daughter of a legendary Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi. She is also the reason for his deep roots in Pakistan’s esteemed cricketing family. 

    This article will explain  Shaheen Shah Afridi’s biography, his personal life, family background, cricketing records, and achievements.

    Early Life and Cricketing Journey

    Afridi belongs to a Pushtun family in the Khyber Agency. This area is popular for producing fast bowlers. Shaheen is a live example of this statement.  He was fond of cricket since his childhood. Shaheen Afridi father didn’t stop him from exploring his passion for becoming a cricketer. This support helps him to make a name in the cricket world quickly. 

    He was identified by selectors after a brilliant time as a part of the Pakistani team in the U-19 World Cup. He started his career as a raw fast bowler with the ability to take wickets. Shaheen Afridi age was 18 when he made his debut for Pakistan’s national team in April 2018, this T20I match was against West Indies. 

    He had an influence very soon and soon he was part of the ODI and Test team. As for years passed, Shaheen has developed as Pakistan’s best fast bowler who bowls devastating Yorkers and one who can make the ball rise off the pitch.

    Wife And Personal Life

    Along with his professional career, his personal life also gained media attention. Shaheen Shah Afridi wedding was announced in 2021 with the daughter of former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi. 

    The marriage between the two families was widely expected in the cricketing profession because it was a union between two personalities of Pakistani cricket. It is crucial to note that the couple tied the knot in February 2023 and their marriage has been widely supported by fans.

    Despite his fame, Shaheen always tried his best to keep his personal life away from the media. 

    His main focus is on his career.

    Family Background

    He belongs to a large and supportive family. He is the youngest child of his family. Afridi’s elder brothers have also been involved in cricket at various levels. Shaheen Afridi family is a blessing for him because they always support him in achieving success in his career. He always expresses gratitude for their support throughout his cricket journey. 

    Shaheen Afridi wasn’t the only child who had an inborn love for cricket but his elder brother Riaz Afridi was also a cricketer. He played for Pakistan in the early 2000s. He was the first trainer of Afridi. 

    Otherwise known as the Afridi’s, the family has been related of course to cricket, and Shaheen’s fast track to the international stage has been the pride of the family.

    Cricketing Records And Achievements

    Shaheen Afridi records are numerous in his cricket career. Here are some of his most notable achievements:

    1. Youngest Fast Bowler to Take 100 Test Wickets: Shaheen Afridi wickets record is the most famous in the world. In 2022 he took 100 test wickets and became the youngest Pakistani bowler at 21. 
    2. ICC Awards: Shaheen was bestowed the ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year at the beginning of 2021. He proves the consistency of his excellence in all formats of the game.
    3. World Cup Success: Shaheen was a prominent player in the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup for Pakistan. In this match, he had created history by emerging as the youngest bowler to claim five wickets in a World Cup match. Shaheen Afridi Instagram is full of his wicket achievements. His fans followed him to stay updated about Afridi.
    4. Consistent Performer in All Formats: Whether in Test matches, ODIs, or T20Is, Shaheen Afridi always gave match-winning performances in his matches. It is hard to count Shaheen Afridi total wickets because he can adjust with all types of balls. This ability has made him a valuable asset to the Pakistan cricket team.

    Shaheen, a talented young cricketer from the Khyber Agency, has overcome numerous challenges to secure his place in the Pakistan national cricket team. He grew up in a region where resources were limited and there was also a lack of opportunities. 

    Shaheen’s journey to international cricket was marked by determination, hard work, and an unwavering passion. He sharpened his skills through relentless practice and impressive performances at the domestic level, which eventually caught the attention of national selectors and paved the way for his entry into the international arena.

    Premier Fast Bowlers

    Shaheen is famous for his fast bowling. Shaheen Afridi bowling speed is 132-133 kmph which is the main reason for his success in the cricket world. He has become a gem in the cricket world because he is one of the top professional bowlers. He earned admiration from cricket enthusiasts globally because of his fast bowling speed. 

    He has different notable achievements that speak louder about his success. ICC tournaments in domestic leagues like the Pakistan Super League is the platform that gave a boost to his career. Shaheen Afridi is no exception to this by trying to attain more glorious milestones in his career demonstration while revealing his giant pool of talent and hardworking spirit.

    It means that fans of cricket from around the world are waiting for subsequent changes in the game and the development of Shaheen Afridi as a cricketer. His brilliant rise to fame and his week-in-week-out performances are examples of his hard work. 

    One gets the feeling that the best years of his career including more records, personal achievements, and grand contributions towards the cricket achievements of Pakistan are yet to come. Spectators across the cricketing world eagerly follow Shaheen as he seeks to change the course of cricket and make life easier for would-be cricketers.

    Conclusion

    This young cricketer from Khyber Agency had to struggle a lot before getting into the Pakistan Cricket team. Now he is counted among the best bowlers in the world. Shaheen Afridi net worth is approximately $7 million but this is only a rough estimate. 

    A good family backing and the list of achievements running longer by each passing day, Shaheen’s career in cricket seems to be on the upswing. He is married to Ansha Afridi who has established his roots in the Pakistani cricketing family; fans are keenly waiting for what is in store for this young cricketer.

    People May Ask:

    What Is The Connection Between Shaheen Shah Afridi And Shahid Afridi?

    Shaheen Shah Afridi is married to Ansha Afridi. So he is the son-in-law of Shahid Afridi, a legendary cricketer and former captain of the Pakistan national cricket team.

    What Are Some Key Records Held By Shaheen Shah Afridi?

    The list of his records is unlimited but you can check some of the Shaheen Afridi records which may include:

    • Fastest to 50 T20I wickets for Pakistan: Shaheen achieved this record in just 32 matches.
    • Youngest to take a five-wicket haul in a World Cup: Shaheen Afridi age was only 19 when he took 5 wickets against Bangladesh in the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup. This achievement gave a boost to his cricket career.
    • Leading wicket-taker in a single edition of the PSL: Shaheen is also famous as the king of Pakistan Super League 2022. The reason is that he took 20 wickets in this match.

    What Has Been Shaheen Shah Afridi’s Impact On Pakistan Cricket?

    One of the most prominent bowlers of the Pakistan cricket team, Shaheen Shah Afridi has been no less than a blessing for the team. He has slipped and swung the ball at high speed and has turned out to be a key player in Pakistan’s team, especially in the ODIs. 

    He earns international acclaim as one of the leading fast bowlers in the cricket-playing nations of the world.

    What Are Some Of Shaheen Shah Afridi’s Career Achievements?

    Some of Shaheen Shah Afridi’s notable career achievements include:

    • ICC Men’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year 2021.
    • His name is prominent in the ICC Men’s Test Team of the Year 2021.
    • First Pakistani bowler to take four wickets in four consecutive overs in a T20 match.
    • Leading wicket-taker for Pakistan in multiple series and tournaments.

    What Are Shaheen Afridi’s Future Aspirations In Cricket?

    Shaheen Shad Afridi wants to keep contributing to Pakistan’s cricket at the international level; will be a great opportunity to become a captain and take his team to win World Cup and other ICC tournaments. 

    He also wants to capture achievements in Test cricket and strengthen his position as one of the most promising fast bowlers in the World.

  • Passing marks changed for intermediate students all across Pakistan

    Passing marks changed for intermediate students all across Pakistan

    The Inter Boards Coordination Commission (IBCC) announced that from the next academic year passing marks will be increased from 33 to 40.

    Addressing a press conference at his office, IBCC Executive Director Dr Ghulam Ali Mallah also announced the decision to grant grace marks to students in exams as part of an educational reform initiative.

    While talking to ARY News, Mallah said that seven grace marks would be awarded to students, and the board has also decided to go forward with the idea of the same paper from all across the board. “The passing marks will be increased from 33 to 40 for the next academic year. The commission has also decided to shift from an open-choice exam format to a close-choice format, offering 100 per cent options to students.”

    Upon inquiry regarding the execution of this plan, Dr Mallah said that this will be done by the end of this year in December.

    He also said that a policy is being developed to bring “uniformity” to the paper-making system across the 29 boards in the country.

    He said that a sub-committee meeting at the Karachi Secondary Education Board deliberated on different proposals and concluded that all educational boards in the country would now be required to provide seven passing marks.

  • Should Baloch Civil leaders condemn the Baloch Liberation Army? Attacks leave social media divided

    Should Baloch Civil leaders condemn the Baloch Liberation Army? Attacks leave social media divided

    Update

    Days after the deadly Sunday militant attacks in Balochistan, social media called on Baloch human rights activists to condemn the senseless and horrific violence committed against innocent people on August 26.

    Mahrang Baloch, the chief organiser of the human rights movement Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), took to social media to announce that she “opposes any form of violence, regardless of ethnicity, race, political, or religious affiliation.”

    Social media is divided on Mahrang’s post, with some pointing out that she did not name the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), the terrorist group responsible for killing innocent people.

    However, many social media users also applauded her position calling it “brave and extremely responsible.”

    Interestingly, former President Arif Alvi took to X, formerly Twitter, to write a comprehensive note welcoming Mahrang’s position: “I am certain that this group of activists with a huge following that is being led by this brave Baloch Pakistani woman are not terrorists. Stop labelling them as such.”

    It should be highlighted when Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf was in power, then-Prime Minister Imran Khan drew widespread criticism in 2021 when he stated that he wouldn’t be “blackmailed into coming to Quetta” after the Hazara community refused to bury their loved ones killed in a terrorist attack.

    Previous

    As Balochistan reels from a series of coordinated attacks across the province, which left more than 45 civilians and security personnel dead, a debate erupted among netizens on the matter of condemnation.

    Social media wants condemnation of the terrorist organisation Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) from Baloch human rights activists and organisations for the senseless and brutal killing of citizens.

    Many have called out the double standards of followers of Baloch human rights movements as terrorist groups like BLA continue to execute innocent citizens based on their ethnicity.

    At least 23 people, mainly from Punjab, were killed in the Musakhel district of Balochistan early on Monday morning after armed men checked the identities of victims on buses and trucks, shooting them to death.

    Imaan Zainab Mazari, a human rights lawyer, took to X (formerly Twitter) to chastise those demanding condemnation from Baloch rights activists. “Why would their peaceful efforts for human rights be undermined by actions of a group that has nth to do w/ them? This is exactly what the State wants – it wants to continue targeting peaceful dissidents because it clearly cannot (or does not want to) fight grps like BLA.”

    Social media users pointed out that those who lost their lives to terrorism belonged to low-income groups and had left their homes in search of livelihood.

    Senior journalist Abbas Nasir defended Mahrang Baloch – a prominent Baloch human rights activist, writing, “Those demanding Mahrang Baloch condemn yesterday’s bloodletting should first return her father to her and then make the demand by all means. Why should the onus of condemnation be on one woman struggling peacefully for her and her people’s rights.”

    One X user posted an alleged picture of one of the victims, saying, “This is one of the victims. He was there to sell fruits as a lot of people from South Punjab go to these areas to sell fruits, but of course, the privileged aunties who are living outside Pakistan or living in their 2-3 kanal houses in their AC room in DHA would not know about them.”

    Another social media user by the handle @bluemagicboxes said that labourers from Punjab travelling to remote Balochistan is ‘weird’ because it made no sense to leave their own communities with a constant threat to their lives.

    The majority of people criticised this point of view, with one user writing, “Pakistani ‘Punjabi’ labour can’t leave their province for work-often compelled by political and economic realities- but Afghans should be allowed everywhere in the country, and their deportation is cruel. Make it make sense people. We can all see through your bias.”

    Another user pointed out that the majority of labourers killed in Balochsitan were Saraikis, from South Punjab, an area with more poverty than the rest of the province.

    Similarly, one social media user criticised this perspective by writing, “My father, a Kashmiri born in Nowshera and raised in different parts of Punjab, worked in Balochistan for three years. Do you think that his presence from one part of Pakistan to another part of Pakistan was “a little weird”? You aren’t fooling anyone.”

    Muhammad Ismail, the father of prominent human rights activist Gulalai Ismail, took a relatively insensitive perspective on the incident, posting, “Why do these Punjabi barbers go to Balochistan in such large numbers?”

    This tweet was about yet another dreadful incident in May of this year when seven barbers who belonged to Punjab were killed by unknown gunmen in a targeted attack.

    The terrible incidents in Balochistan have struck the social fabric of Pakistani society, fueling divisions based on ethnicity and provincialism.

    The human rights problems, including the missing persons issue, in Balochistan are genuinely concerning and must be addressed by authorities.

    However, militant organisations targeting ordinary citizens after checking their identities deserve collective condemnation.

  • Oxford University faces backlash after Imran Khan confirms candidacy for Chancellor election

    Oxford University faces backlash after Imran Khan confirms candidacy for Chancellor election

    The University of Oxford has faced backlash, and protests have erupted after former Prime Minister Imran Khan confirmed his candidacy for the Chancellor election, Mail Online reported.

    The University received numerous emails concerning Khan’s past support for the Taliban and Al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden (OBL), given his current incarceration.

    Imran Khan, founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), says he wants to ‘give back’ to his alma mater, where he studied fifty years ago.

    The university’s incumbent chancellor will retire this year, and Imran Khan is motivated to replace him while currently in prison and facing multiple cases.

    According to Oxford University’s criteria, any graduate of the university can contest in the Chancellor election, and the voting process will occur online.

  • Indonesia arrests man for selling Rhino Horn via social media

    Indonesia arrests man for selling Rhino Horn via social media

    Indonesian authorities arrested a man trying to sell elephant tusks and the horns of critically endangered rhinos via social media.

    The illegal wildlife trade remains rampant in Indonesia, where law enforcement is lax, but the arrested man could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted, the environmental ministry said in a statement late Wednesday.

    South Sumatra police began an investigation after seeing posts on Facebook earlier this year offering parts of protected wildlife for sale.

    A 60-year-old man, identified only by the initials “ZA”, was arrested last week during a transaction while trying to sell a rhino horn and a pipe made of an elephant tusk in Palembang, South Sumatra.

    Police found seven more rhino horns and at least four elephant tusks at his house.

    “It seems like he’s very experienced in wildlife trading,” the environmental ministry said.

    In June police arrested a gang of poachers suspected of killing 26 critically endangered Javan rhinos in Ujung Kulon National Park since 2018.

    They once numbered in the thousands across Southeast Asia, but have been hard hit by rampant poaching and human encroachment on their habitat, and the environment ministry says there are only around 80 of the beasts left in the wild.

    Sumatran rhinos have also been declared critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature or IUCN with fewer than 50 remaining.

  • PCB’s five newly hired mentors will get 50 lakh per year

    PCB’s five newly hired mentors will get 50 lakh per year

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has hired five mentors who have decided to pay 50 lakh rupees per year. Waqar Younis, Misbah-ul-Haq, Shoaib Malik, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Saqlain Mushtaq will be available for the entire year under a three-year deal and will also act as advisors.

    They will be accompanied by a 10-member support staff including head coach, batting coach, bowling coach and fielding coach who will be posted in Lahore, Pindi, Sialkot, Multan and Karachi. Mentors will also provide support to the coaching staff of the Pakistan team.

    They will not only work for the teams, but will also be in touch with the board regarding the form and fitness of the players. The mentors have been hired primarily for the Champions Cup which is said to be a ‘game changer tournament’. No further details about the tournament are currently available.

  • Are senior makeup artists leaving TV serials? Waqar Hussain certainly thinks so

    Are senior makeup artists leaving TV serials? Waqar Hussain certainly thinks so

    Makeup artist and actor Waqar Hussain shared his concerns about the industry in a recent interview. Waqar, who has worked for years with the leading celebrities of TV and film, appeared as a guest on Fahad Den’s YouTube channel.

    The host asked, “You’ve practically worked with everyone in the industry. How difficult is it for celebrities to understand that there are limits? That they need to work a certain way and that creative freedom isn’t always given by the agency. Do they understand this, or do they tend to set their own boundaries?”

    Waqar Hussain replied, “Let me tell you, back in the day, the celebrities we had like Meera, Reema, and Resham, and our drama stars like Saniya aapa so many of them we worked with. Never did any artist tell us, This is all you can do today, or you can’t do more than this.”

      
    Waqar Hussain also talked about the current situation in the entertainment industry.
     

    “Unfortunately, now, with the current celebrities, many have their favorite teams they prefer to work with, and that is fine. But I think that unless you do work with different people, you don’t grow. I can just say that I’m not the makeup artist for any star. I’m a makeup artist, and I want to do makeup for everyone. For me, every face is equally precious, whether it’s a junior artist, a senior artist, or a star. I do the work of every face which I can do. I have a lot of passion for my work, and it should be that whenever I apply makeup on someone’s face, the result should be so beautiful.”  

    He went on to say, “Unfortunately, I do have some concerns. Quite often we compromise, and what happens is that everybody has their own favorites. The senior makeup artists tend to get overlooked, and unfortunately, this is the truth here. Some of the senior makeup artists who were quite famous are not working at all in the industry; they’ve started their own salons.” 

     
    Waqar Hussain also worked in the drama Quddusi Sahab Ki Bewah, in which he played the character of Wadood Ahmed. Currently he is running his own salon in Karachi.

  • Olympic gold medalist Arshad Nadeem will be conferred Hilal-e-Imtiaz today

    Olympic gold medalist Arshad Nadeem will be conferred Hilal-e-Imtiaz today

    President Asif Ali Zardari will present Hilal-e-Imtiaz to Olympic gold medalist Arshad Nadeem today in a special ceremony at the President’s House. The ceremony of awarding the Halal-e-Imtiaz will be telecast live.

    Arshad set a world record by throwing the javelin to 92.97 meters in the javelin throw game of the Paris Olympics 2024 and won the gold medal for Pakistan for the first time in athletics.