The Pakistan cricket team is set to play arch-rivals India in a crucial match of the ICC T20 World Cup. The match will be played in Nassau County Stadium in New York at 7:30 pm (Pakistan Standard Time).
This match will decide the journey of the national team to remain in the World Cup. Both teams are placed in Group A, and the USA is the strong contender to qualify for the Super 8 stage, winning both matches of the first round.
Pakistan has to win this match otherwise their chances to qualify for the next round of World Cup will difficult.
Here is the probable playing XI of Pakistan:
Muhammad Rizwan, Babar Azam (Captain), Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Imad Wasim, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Muhammad Amir, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah
The year is 2094, the Cricket World Cup is happening in Brazil for the first time, marking the expansion of the game into South America. The BCCI holds the rights to the multi gazillion dollar global streaming of the event. Pakistan is set to play against the host nation Brazil, with Cricinfo analysis predicting an unpredictable performance from Pakistan.
President Zardari’s grandson is now Prime Minister, leading a coalition of 109 parties. Cricket fans in Pakistan are trying to figure out how to watch the match, as PTV was unable to acquire streaming rights due to an employee strike for higher wages. Load shedding is rampant, solar panels and wind turbines have been banned, and electricity costs 30,390 PKR per unit. Only those who prepay their bills three months in advance have access to power. The government has temporarily reduced fuel prices from 89,299 PKR per liter to 89,294 PKR as relief to the nation.
The stock market has seen sharp gains with the news of release of Qaidi number 8004. The US Dollar is at an all-time high of 104,809.45 PKR. However, there are signs of improvement, with the PKR gaining 3.89 against the greenback in the open market. The Finance Minister has announced institutional level talks with IMF, and the circular debt is expected to be under control soon after the approval of the 103rd IMF program. The Minister also emphasized that salaried class would have to pay an additional tax for breathing air which will increase official tax collection for the fiscal year 2095. The government has launched a subsidy on plots with easy installments for the 690th phase of Bahria Town. The privatization of PIA and the Steel Mill is in its final stages pending approval from the parliament. Extra tax has been imposed on Elon Musk’s Neuro link brain chips and illegally imported robots. CEO’s of robot operating companies have raised concern with authorities over the tax raise. Pakistan has launched a satellite beyond Mars with the help of scientists from the far east.
NADRA has announced that digital passport chips will soon be available after IMF approval for fans planning to travel to the World Cup to see Pakistan take on Brazil in their first group game. The new PCB Chairman, who will now be appointed every quarter by the Patron after a constitutional change, is seeking just one extension to accompany the team and boost their morale for the marquee clash between arch rivals Pakistan and India, set to be played at the newly built Amazon Forest Stadium.
Pakistan is all set to take on Brazil in its first group game. Pundits are predicting a win for Brazil as Pakistan, with multiple captaincy changes in the last year, an unsettled opening pair, and a pace battery plagued by injuries, has had to induct some retired cricketers last minute to beef up the attack. Captain Mughal E Azam has also issued a statement that there is no grouping in the team and they will give their best to make the match interesting for both countries.
As for the Pakistan fans, they know what’s coming since it’s the first game of the tournament. They are mentally prepared and have already crunched all the scenarios that could see them advance to the second round even if Pakistan loses to Brazil.
Editor’s Note: This article is a satirical journey into the future and intends no offense to anyone.
Beirut, Lebanon: Israeli strikes Saturday on southern Lebanon sparked massive wildfires, state media and a first responder said, the latest fallout from escalating cross-border violence involving Hezbollah.
Hezbollah has traded near-daily fire with Israeli forces in the nine months since the Gaza genocide began.
Lebanon’s official National News Agency (NNA) said on Saturday that “Israeli artillery bombarded today the outskirts of the town of Alma al-Shaab with incendiary phosphorus shells, causing fires in the forests that spread to the vicinity of some homes”.
Fire sweeps over fields targeted by Israeli artillery on the outskirts of the southern Lebanese village of Rmeish on June 4, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. Photo by Kawnat HAJU / AFP.
It added that the fire had reached “large areas of olive trees”.
Lebanese authorities and several international rights groups have accused Israel of using white phosphorus rounds in its strikes on its northern neighbour.
White phosphorus, a substance that ignites in contact with oxygen, can be used as an incendiary weapon.
Its use as a chemical weapon is prohibited under international law, but it is allowed for illuminating battlefields and can be used as a smokescreen.
Rescuer Ali Abbas of the Risala Scout association, affiliated with Hezbollah ally the Amal movement, told AFP that “Israel deliberately bombs forested areas with phosphorus with the aim of starting fires.”
According to him, rescuers on the grounds have been struggling to extinguish the flames, while the Lebanese military avoids sending helicopters to assist for fear of more Israeli attacks.
Further east, the NNA reported that “a large fire broke out at positions belonging to the Lebanese army and UNIFIL”, the UN peacekeeping mission, in the area of the border village of Mais al-Jabal.
It is located near the UN-demarcated Blue Line between Lebanon and Israel.
A security source told AFP on condition of anonymity that fires broke out near military positions but have not reached them or caused any casualties.
The UN peacekeepers in a statement reported a “bushfire near one of their positions in Hula”, which was put out with help from Lebanese troops and civil defence forces.
“The fire didn’t cause any damage to UNIFIL assets or personnel,” it said.
The NNA said, “Several landmines exploded, and firefighting operations are still continuing” in the area.
The border violence, which began on October 8, has killed 456 people in Lebanon, primarily fighters but including about 90 civilians, according to an AFP tally.
On the Israeli side of the border, at least 15 soldiers and 11 civilians have been killed, according to the army.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur vowed on Saturday to “hang” those who violated the country’s constitution, Geo News reported.
“[I] swear to God, you will not be able to live in Pakistan, let alone Islamabad,” he said while addressing a public rally in Swat. “The constitution of Pakistan was violated. Those who break the constitution will be hanged,” Gandapur said. He asked those people to identify themselves, who filed fake cases against Imran Khan, alleging that Maryam Nawaz, Shehbaz Sharif, and President Asif Ali Zardari were responsible for cases against Khan.
“We will have to hold them accountable for each day. We are silent just because of Imran Khan,” he added.
The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has announced a reduction in the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), providing relief to consumers who depend on LPG.
According to a recent notification, LPG prices have been cut by Rs3.87, bringing the cost down to Rs234 per kilogramme. This new rate is effective immediately.
This development follows a significant cost reduction in production by the Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDCL), attributed to the arrival of three ships carrying imported LPG.
The increased supply has enabled OGDCL to lower production costs, subsequently leading to the reduced consumer prices.
In a related development, the prices of petrol and diesel in Pakistan are also anticipated to drop from June 1. According to sources, petrol prices are expected to decrease by Rs5 per litre, while diesel prices may see a reduction of Rs4 per litre.
The Ministry of Finance will announce the new rates after consulting with the Prime Minister.
The OGRA summary proposing the price reductions will be submitted to the Petroleum Division by May 31st, sources added.
This move is part of a broader strategy to alleviate the financial burden on the public by ensuring affordable fuel prices amidst fluctuating global oil markets.
Saurabh Naresh Netravalkar, who gave America a historic victory, is an Indian-American cricketer. He is a full-time software engineer and works in a corporation company.
Netravalkar made his debut in first-class cricket for Team Mumbai in the 2013 Ranji Trophy and in 2014 he also started playing List A matches.
He also represented India in the 2010 Under-19 World Cup, but he did not get much chance to play in India and came to America in search of better opportunities.
In January 2018, Netravalkar was selected in the American cricket team and in October of the same year he became the captain of his team. Under the leadership of Netrawalkar, the US team played a series of international T20 matches against the UAE in February 2019 and in April 2019.
Netravalkar played a crucial role in helping USA win the Super Over stage against Pakistan in the Group One match of the T20 World Cup.
Actress Sajal Aly has expressed her wish to work with Indian actor Ranbir Kapoor. She is currently working on a TV drama serial with Hamza Sohail called ‘ Zard Patton ka Bunn’. In a recent interview with Fuchsia magazine, Sajal Aly and Hamza Sohail shared their thoughts on working in Bollywood. Sajal Aly said that she would be interested in working with Ranbir Kapoor.
“I would love to work with Bollywood director Imtiaz Ali and if given the opportunity, I would like to work with Ranbir Kapoor again,” she said.
“There are many talented and experienced actresses in Pakistan, and I would prefer to work with them first,” saif her co-star Hamza Sohail, adding, “I think it’s important to explore the talent we have in our own country before looking elsewhere.”
Sajal Aly has already worked in a Bollywood film, ‘Mom’, with the legendary actress the late Sri Devi.
Karachi court rejected the request to extend the physical remand of activist Sarim Burney in the case of human trafficking. He has been sent to jail on judicial remand.
Burney was detained by the FIA on charges of human trafficking and fraud. He was produced in the court of Judicial Magistrate Sharqi after a two-day physical remand.
Court proceedings
The investigating officer of FIA requested an extension in the physical remand of the accused, claiming that the mother of an allegedly smuggled child, Afshin, had sold the baby girl to a woman named Madiha. Madiha had then reportedly sold the baby girl to another woman, Bushra. On the other hand, Sarim Burney Trust declared the girl an orphan in front of the family court.
The investigating officer also complained in court that Sarim Burney is not cooperating in the investigation as he is not answering questions correctly. He pleaded that more than 20 victims have to be identified, but the accused is not helping the FIA in the investigation.
The court raised the question of money exchanged with the person who adopted a baby girl Haya. A lawyer said that the person who adopted the girl paid three thousand dollars. The court asked if there is any evidence related to the money. The lawyer replied that FIA is trying to get digital and financial records from US authorities.
FIA wants the case of minor girls to be tried without camera recordings, as it claimed that an organised group is involved. They also wanted Burney to get one more week on a physical remand.
The court inquired if the biological parents of the girls were alive. The lawyer affirmed that the parents of the girls are alive and will get their statements recorded in court.
Burney’s lawyer, Amir Nawaz Waraich, appeared in court and said that the family had been contacted, and they gave the girls willingly. He alleged that baby girl Haya’s mother was being blackmailed by the FIA for two and a half months.
Burney’s lawyer defended his client by saying that the accused would answer the appropriate questions. Burney said that he had evidence in his mobile phone. However, the court asked Burney why he lied when he knew that the real parents of the girl were alive, to which Sarim said he did not know.
The court expressed surprise at this answer and remarked that Burney is the head of the institution; how could he not know?
Burney filed a bail application, but the court ordered the FIA investigating officer to record his statement and sent him to jail on judicial remand until the next hearing, which is scheduled for June 10.
A physical remand is a type of police remand in which the accused person is taken into custody so that the investigation can be carried out. However, in the Judicial remand
Previously, the FIA claimed that Sarim Barney admitted to making a mistake in his initial statement. However, in a judicial remand, the accused is sent to jail. Only after the judicial remand in Pakistan, the accused can file a bail petition before a judge.
Gold prices in Pakistan witnessed a significant decrease on Saturday, with the rate of 24-karat gold falling by Rs3,600 per tola. According to the Karachi Sarafa Association, 24-karat gold was priced at Rs239,400 per tola.
In tandem, the price of 24-karat gold per 10 grammes saw a reduction, now standing at Rs205,247, down by Rs3,086. The decline extended to 22-karat gold, which is now quoted at Rs188,143 per 10 grammes.
Silver prices also experienced a drop in the domestic market. The rate for 24-karat silver decreased by Rs50, bringing the price to Rs2,750 per tola. Similarly, the price for 24-karat silver per 10 grammes fell by Rs43, settling at Rs2,358.
On the global stage, spot gold concluded the week at $2,293 per ounce, marking a 1.4 per cent decline over the week. The drop in international gold prices has contributed to the downward trend observed in the local market.
This decrease in gold and silver prices is reflective of broader economic factors influencing precious metals globally, impacting local market conditions.
The Punjab government has enforced Section 144 in Lahore to forbid the sale of sacrificial animals on highways, streets, and alleys.
The imposition of section 144 will maintain law and order in the city and ensure smooth traffic flow during the lead-up to Eid-ul-Azha, according to the government.
Under this restriction, the sale and purchase of sacrificial animals are restricted to eight designated Qurbani markets within the city. This ban is effective immediately and will remain in place until June 20.
The decision was made following a recommendation from the Deputy Commissioner of Lahore, who emphasised the need for such measures in the public interest, as per the Home Department in Lahore.
Authorities have warned that any violation of Section 144 will be met with strict action to ensure compliance.
