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Babar Azam returns to T20 team as Pakistan names squads for South Africa series

Pakistan have announced their squads for the upcoming white-ball series against South Africa.

The 15-member T20I and 16-member ODI squads will also remain the same for the tri-nation series featuring Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, as well as the ODI series against Sri Lanka.

Former captain Babar Azam and pacer Naseem Shah have returned to the T20I squad. Babar last played a T20I on December 13, 2024, against South Africa. Salman Ali Agha will lead the T20I side, while Shaheen Shah Afridi will captain the ODI team.

Pakistan and South Africa will play the T20I series from October 28 to November 1, followed by the ODI series in Faisalabad from November 4 to 8. The tri-nation T20I series featuring Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe will take place in Rawalpindi and Lahore from November 17 to 29. Pakistan will also face Sri Lanka in an ODI series from November 11 to 15 in Rawalpindi.

Usman Tariq has received his first call-up to the T20I squad, while Abdul Samad, Babar Azam, and Naseem Shah have made their comebacks. In the ODI squad, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, and Haseebullah return to the team.

Pakistan T20I squad:

Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan (wk), Usman Tariq.

Reserves: Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Sufyan Muqeem.

Pakistan ODI squad:

Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha.

October 23, 2025

How global receiving accounts help Pakistani SMEs expand globally

Pakistan’s SME sector is growing rapidly, with many businesses planning to expand beyond the domestic market. According to Payoneer’s 2024 SMB Barometer, 62% of small businesses believe building a diverse global vendor network is key to long-term sustainability. Yet, many face a major obstacle: inefficient and costly international payments for Pakistani SMEs.

Traditional banking systems often lack the speed, flexibility, and transparency needed for cross-border transactions, placing unnecessary strain on cash flow and global competitiveness. Global receiving accounts in Pakistan have emerged as a smarter, lower-cost alternative.

The hidden costs hindering global growth

Traditional banking, with its steep foreign exchange mark-ups and intermediary charges, presents a real financial barrier for Pakistani SMEs. 39% of business owners surveyed for Payoneer’s report cite the cost of international online business payments in Pakistan as limiting their ability to compete globally.

Slow processing times and limited support for multiple currencies affect cash flow, while lack of integration with modern business tools hampers efficiency. Compounding the issue, SMEs in Pakistan face barriers to accessing capital, citing limited personal and professional networks, high debt-to-income ratios, and inconsistent financial performance.

Protecting global transactions in a high-risk cyber environment

Cybersecurity is a rising concern for businesses operating across borders, especially in emerging markets like Pakistan. SMEs, in particular, often lack the IT infrastructure and compliance controls needed to ensure secure digital transactions, making them especially vulnerable to fraud or data breaches.

SMEs in Pakistan need a solution that mitigates these risks through enterprise-grade security measures. Payoneer is an alternative that has these features baked in as standard, while also enabling regulated local withdrawals. For SMEs that can’t afford the consequences of a data breach, platforms like Payoneer offer a secure solution.

Best alternatives to high-fee banking transfers

Local banks are outdated, expensive, and slow – unsuited to fast-moving SMEs eager to take their businesses global. Popular online alternatives like PayPal and Wise are also not up to the challenge; PayPal is not a localised service, limiting its viability for withdrawals, while Wise is great on a small scale but lacks robust business features, particularly when it comes to receiving funds globally.

When it comes to international payments for Pakistani SMEs, many are turning to Payoneer. Offering global receiving accounts that allow businesses to hold and manage funds in various currencies, Payoneer is purpose-built for the SME market. By cutting out expensive middlemen, it’s able to reduce fees considerably and offer a level of transparency missing from other accounts. Payoneer also helps improve transfer efficiency. It’s also a practical solution for efficient international transfers to overseas vendors, freelancers, or partners.

Comparing global payment features

Feature	Local banks	PayPal	Wise	Payoneer
Global receiving accounts	No	No	Yes	Yes – hold USD, GBP, EUR, AUD, and more
Availability in Pakistan	Yes	No – not supported for withdrawals	Yes	Yes
Global receiving capabilities	No	No	Limited	Yes – receive payments in US, UK, EU, etc.
Fee transparency	Often hidden charges and FX mark-ups	High fees, limited clarity	Transparent FX rates	Low, clear fees – FX and transaction fees disclosed
Transfer speed	2-7 business days	2-5 business days	1-3 days	Efficient processing times
Currency conversion fees	High	High	Medium	Low
Platform integrations	Limited or none	Some	Moderate	Excellent – Amazon, Fiverr, Upwork, eBay, etc.
Security standards	High, but outdated tech	High	High	Strong security measures
Business tools and dashboard	Manual processes	Limited business functionality	User-friendly interface	Full dashboard with analytics and payment tools
Local customer support	Yes – in branch	No local support	Online only	Dedicated support with local knowledge
Sign-up speed and ease	Lengthy, often weeks	Quick sign-up, limited availability	Fully online	Fully online, efficient verification process

International payments for Pakistani SMEs

In the past, it was near impossible for businesses to render services internationally, particularly when it came to receiving international payments.

When founder and CEO of Connected Pakistan, Syed Arsalan Ali Shah started expanding the business into international markets, Payoneer was the only solution that allowed efficient transfers. “90-95% of our payments are now processed through Payoneer,” he says. Connected Pakistan now uses Payoneer’s billing service to invoice clients and integrates directly with online storefronts.

As a company that works with multiple ecommerce sites, Softogix International has seen a 300% business growth since switching to Payoneer. CEO Muhammad Sabbayal says, “With Payoneer, I can receive payments from all the platforms we are selling on into one account.” For Softogix, Payoneer’s efficiency-boosting payment features have played a key role in expanding their international customer base.

Simple steps to open a global receiving account

The speed and simplicity with which you can open a Payoneer account offers convenience and efficiency. Just follow these easy steps:

Visit the Payoneer website and click ‘Register’
Select the appropriate account type (individual or company)
Provide required information, including CNIC and local bank account details
Submit the application and await verification

Once you’re approved, your business can start receiving international payments and managing funds straight away.

Ready to simplify your international transactions? Sign up for a Payoneer global receiving account today.

Unlock global opportunities

With global receiving account capabilities, you can minimise conversion losses and improve your cash flow. Competitive and transparent fees protect your profit margins and support growth, while integration with leading platforms means your business can streamline payments and move forward more efficiently.

With dedicated local support and enterprise-grade security, Payoneer offers a complete solution that’s built for scale. It’s one of the best bank alternatives for entrepreneurs seeking a global edge.

Don’t let hidden fees and outdated systems hold your business back. Sign up for a Payoneer global receiving account and start growing globally.

Read More: Ruben Amorim: Career, Philosophy & Achievements

October 23, 2025

Another Punjabi singer shot dead by Indian-origin gang in Canada

A Canada-based Indian-origin gang has claimed responsibility for the killing of popular Punjabi singer Teji Kahlon.

Members of the Rohit Godara gang released a video on social media, openly admitting that they carried out the attack.

According to media reports, three members of the gang, Vicky Pehlwan, Mahinder Saran and Rahul Rinao, confessed to the murder in an online message. They also issued a chilling warning, saying, “If he understands, fine. If not, we will finish him next time,” suggesting that more people could be on their target list.

The gang also challenged businessmen, builders and others accused of supporting rival gangsters, threatening that neither they nor their families would be spared.

Reports said that Teji Kahlon was accused of helping rival groups by providing them with money, weapons and inside information. The shocking incident has once again highlighted the growing connection between the Indian Punjabi music industry and international criminal networks.

Canadian police have launched an investigation into the shooting, which reportedly took place in Canada on October 22, 2025. Multiple reports said Kahlon was shot in the stomach in what appears to be a targeted gang-related attack. His attackers later claimed online that he supplied weapons and intelligence to rival gangs.

October 22, 2025
After KP CM’s complaints, Mohsin Naqvi redirects bulletproof vehicles to Balochistan

Two days after Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister (CM) Sohail Afridi’s complaints regarding bulletproof vehicles, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has redirected the same to Balochistan on the request of CM Sarfraz Bugti.

“It is an appeal to the interior minister that if the KP government is refusing to take the bulletproof vehicles, they should be transferred to the Balochistan government so that terrorism can be countered effectively,” Bugti said in a post on X after his KP counterpart Afridi blamed the “flawed policy” of the federal government for the resurgence of terrorism in the province.

خیبرپختونخواہ کی طرح بلوچستان بھی دہشت گردی سے متاثر ہے۔ وزیر داخلہ @MohsinNaqvi42 سے درخواست ہے کہ اگر خیبرپختونخواہ حکومت بلٹ پروف گاڑیاں لینے سے انکار کر رہی ہے تو انہیں حکومت بلوچستان کو منتقل کر دیا جائے تاکہ دہشت گردی کا مؤثر مقابلہ کیا جاسکے ۔
— Sarfraz Bugti (@PakSarfrazbugti) October 21, 2025

He had alleged that the federal government was not providing KP the funds allocated for war against terrorism and that the bulletproof cars provided by Naqvi were “defective and old”.

With CM Afridi going on to say that the vehicles in question “should be recalled”, and CM Bugti requesting the same instead, maintaining that his province was also affected by terrorism, Naqvi on Wednesday responded to the Balochistan chief executive’s post.

CM Sahib done. These bullet-proof vehicles will be sent to Balochistan immediately to enhance counter-terrorism efforts. Thank you for raising this https://t.co/M8Hzc4UoAB
— Mohsin Naqvi (@MohsinnaqviC42) October 22, 2025

“CM sahib, done. These bulletproof vehicles will be sent to Balochistan immediately to enhance counter-terrorism efforts. Thank you for raising this,” he said on X.

A day earlier, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry had also reacted to the KP CM’s claims, alleging that the provincial government had returned the vehicles to avoid “fighting terrorism”.

At a press conference in Islamabad, he had asserted that the vehicles provided to KP were fully equipped with bulletproof and bombproof features, maintaining that the vehicles were previously used by the interior minister himself.

Meanwhile, KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi had said that the province should have accepted the vehicles. Speaking to reporters in Peshawar, Governor Kundi said that the KP government should make efforts to acquire “more things from the Centre”.

“I don’t know why KP CM returned those vehicles,” he had said.

October 22, 2025
Deadly traffic accident in Uganda claims 63 lives

A traffic accident in Uganda has resulted in the deaths of 63 people, with many others injured, after several vehicles collided due to reckless overtaking.

According to international news agencies, the crash occurred in the village of Katalibe along the Kampala-Gulu Highway, where four high-speed vehicles collided, leading to a large number of casualties.

Initial reports from traffic police indicate that the accident occurred when buses travelling in opposite directions attempted to overtake other vehicles, resulting in a head-on collision. A total of 63 people lost their lives, while numerous others sustained injuries.

Police have described the incident as one of the worst road tragedies in recent years and have urged drivers to avoid dangerous overtaking manoeuvres.

Eyewitnesses reported scenes of chaos and devastation, with emergency responders struggling to assist the injured amid the wreckage. Local residents rushed to the scene to help before ambulances arrived.

Authorities stated that the bodies of the deceased have been moved to local hospitals, and an investigation into the incident is currently underway.

October 22, 2025
CBD Punjab addresses claims of ‘Imperial College campus’ at Nawaz Sharif IT City

A day after critics started training guns at the Punjab government for “lying to the masses” about the opening of an Imperial College London campus at the Nawaz Sharif IT City in Lahore, the Capital Business District (CBD) Punjab has cleared the air on the matter.

Imperial College London on Tuesday denied claims that it was opening a campus at the IT city being developed as part of CBD – a project aimed at making Lahore a distinguished business hub. The university clarified that all of its campuses were based in the United Kingdom (UK) and that there currently were no plans to expand overseas.

The statement came after the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, in a post on X on October 18, said that a meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz had decided to establish a campus of Imperial College London at the Nawaz Sharif IT City. The post had also mentioned that a foundation stone would be laid in November and that a 300-bed modern hospital would be built within the campus.

Nawaz Sharif IT City will have an Imperial College London campus.

The foundation stone for the local campus of Imperial College London will be laid in November.

A modern 300-bed hospital will also be built within the Imperial College campus. pic.twitter.com/41JXSAOGbk
— PMLN (@pmln_org) October 18, 2025

As trolls took to social media to call out the government for what they said was “misleading the masses”, CBD on Wednesday clarified that the project was actually being built, however, it was a collaborative initiative between Novacare and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust (UK), which is an independent NHS institution.

“The upcoming Healthcare University and Affiliated Medical College at CBD NSIT is a collaborative initiative between Novacare and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust (UK) — an independent NHS institution,” it said in a statement on X.

CBD further said that the project remained firmly on track under the Novacare–Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust partnership, advancing their mission to establish a world-class hub for healthcare education, research and innovation at CBD NSIT Lahore.

Separately, Novacare also issued a statement on the matter.

“We wish to clarify and nuance recent media reports and social media posts mischaracterising the entities and relationships involved in Novacare’s upcoming project at CBD NSIT Lahore,” the statement read, adding that Novacare has been affiliated with Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust since March 2024, under the Trust’s International Affiliate network.

“The affiliation supports Novacare’s first state-of-the-art 250-bed tertiary hospital in Islamabad, now over 50% complete and scheduled to open in Q4 2026. Under the Trust’s International Affiliate network, expert multidisciplinary teams from the Trust work with aspirational healthcare organisations like Novacare to help them establish and develop high-quality clinical standards and practices.”

It further said that Novacare was the second entity globally to join this network and seeks to build a nationwide healthcare network across Pakistan.

“As part of its national expansion, Novacare has been allotted land in CBD NSIT Lahore for its second project — an Academic Medical Centre integrating healthcare provision, education, research, and innovation within a world-class setting, benefiting from the cutting-edge technological and academic ecosystem under development by the Government of Punjab.”

This Lahore project, it added, will be similar in scale, quality and structure to Novacare’s Islamabad project, and Novacare intends to build upon its wider collaboration framework with the Trust, under which it is the exclusive affiliate of the Trust across Pakistan.

“It is important to distinguish between Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and Imperial College London. The Trust is a UK National Health Service (NHS) organisation, operating five major hospitals in London and leading one of the UK’s largest teaching hospital groups. Imperial College London is a separate academic institution; while the two work together and collaborate closely in several areas, the university is not involved in the Trust’s International Affiliate network, and hence issued a statement refuting its presence in Pakistan,” the statement concluded.

While the provincial government is yet to address the blunder itself, it merits a mention that Punjab Central Business District Development Authority (PCBDDA), also known as CBD Punjab is a massive project aimed at transforming Lahore’s urban canvas.

Situated near the city’s economic hub, this initiative covers extensive land, aiming to establish Lahore as a business hub with a preliminary financial estimate ranging from Rs2,700 billion to Rs3,000 billion.

The project promises to redefine urban development paradigms in the heart of Pakistan.

October 22, 2025
Noman Ali closes in on Bumrah for No. 1 Test bowler spot

Pakistani spinner Noman Ali has reached a new career-high in the ICC Men’s Test Bowler Rankings, moving within touching distance of India’s Jasprit Bumrah, who currently holds the top spot.

Noman’s 10-wicket haul in Pakistan’s 93-run win over South Africa in Lahore earned him a jump of four places to second on the list. The left-arm spinner now has 853 rating points, just 29 behind Bumrah.

Shaheen Shah Afridi also climbed the rankings after taking four wickets in the second innings of the same match, rising three spots to 19th among Test bowlers.

Pakistan’s strong performance against South Africa also helped several batters improve their rankings. Mohammad Rizwan moved up four places to 16th, Babar Azam climbed two spots to 22nd and Salman Ali Agha jumped eight places to 30th.

England’s Joe Root continues to lead the Test batter rankings.

For South Africa, Ryan Rickelton’s first-innings 71 prompted him to the top 50 for the first time, while Tony de Zorzi’s century moved him up to 54th.

Noman’s rapid rise has put him on the verge of becoming the world’s No.1 Test bowler, a position no Pakistani spinner has held in recent years.

October 22, 2025
BJP influence in BCCI? Fans lash out after Sarfaraz Khan, Shami ignored from India A squad

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has found itself in the firing line after leaving out Sarfaraz Khan and Mohammed Shami from the India A squad for the upcoming red-ball series against South Africa A.

The announcement naming Rishabh Pant as captain and Sai Sudharsan as vice-captain was released on Tuesday. While fans were happy to see Pant return from injury, many were left fuming after noticing two major absentees, Sarfaraz Khan and Mohammed Shami.

Sarfaraz’s exclusion, in particular, has turned into a hot topic. The middle-order batter, known for his consistency in domestic cricket, recently scored 74 runs in the Ranji Trophy and impressed during the England tour with a 92-run knock for India A. Despite his fitness improvements and strong numbers, the selectors still turned a blind eye.

One user wrote, “Sarfaraz Khan has scored tons of runs in domestic cricket, but BCCI always sidelines him. He’s a victim of ugly politics.”

Another user commented, “He is fit, scoring runs, and performing consistently. What else does he need to do, walk on water?”

A third fan couldn’t hold back and said, “Shame on BCCI and coach GG . The man averages 65.98 in first-class cricket, yet he can’t make it to India A.”

Even political voices joined the debate. Indian National Congress leader Dr. Shama Mohamed asked bluntly on X, “Is Sarfaraz Khan not selected because of his surname? #JustAsking.”

Senior sports journalist Vikrant Gupta also expressed surprise, saying, “I am a little surprised with the continued absence of Sarfaraz Khan — even from the India A system now.”

Meanwhile, fans also questioned Mohammed Shami’s omission. The veteran pacer, who is fighting for a comeback, recently said his participation in Bengal’s Ranji Trophy proves his fitness. “If there was a fitness issue, I wouldn’t be here playing for Bengal,” he said before the selection.

The irony wasn’t lost on fans. One wrote, “So Shami is fit enough for Ranji but not fit enough for India? Classic BCCI logic.”

While BCCI announced that KL Rahul, Mohammed Siraj, and Dhruv Jurel will join the India A squad after the ODI series against Australia, fans were in no mood to calm down. Many accused the selection committee of favoritism and inconsistency.

As one frustrated fan summed it up, “If performance doesn’t matter and surnames do, maybe the selection committee should just rename the team ‘India B’ instead of India A.”

Whether the selectors respond or not, the internet has made its judgment clear, cricket fans aren’t buying the “merit” argument anymore.

October 22, 2025
Pakistan Navy confiscates drugs worth nearly $1 billion from vessels in Arabian Sea

PNS Yarmook of the Pakistan Navy has seized narcotics worth over $972 million from two vessels in the Arabian Sea during the previous week, the naval network managing the operation has announced.

This operation was carried out in collaboration with the Combined Maritime Force (CMF), a multinational naval alliance that includes the United States. While assisting the Saudi-led Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 under the focused operation Al Masmak, the Pakistani ship intercepted two dhows in a span of 48 hours last week, starting from October 16.

According to the CMF statement, “The crew boarded the first dhow and confiscated more than two tons of crystal methamphetamine, valued at approximately $822,400,000, on October 18. Within less than 48 hours, the crew boarded a second dhow and captured 350 kilograms of crystal meth valued at $140,000,000, along with 50 kg of cocaine worth $10,000,000.”

The statement continued that the drugs were returned to the ship “for testing to confirm their contents and later disposed of.” The intercepted vessels were described as “having no nationality,” although their origin was not disclosed.

Commodore Fahad Aljoiad of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, who commands the CMF taskforce involved in the operation, remarked, “The achievement of this focused operation underscores the significance of multinational cooperation.” He referred to the seizures as “one of the most successful narcotics interceptions for CMF.”

The US Central Command shared a message on X congratulating the CMF. The force comprises navies from 47 nations and monitors over three million square miles, spanning some of the world’s busiest shipping routes, with the goal of disrupting the smuggling of drugs and weapons.

PNS Yarmook was commissioned in Romania in February 2020 and became part of the Pakistan Navy fleet in December 2020.

The ship is outfitted for electronic warfare, anti-ship and anti-air operations, and includes systems for self-protection and terminal defense. It is capable of conducting various maritime operations in conjunction with unmanned aerial vehicle missions.

In March 2024, PNS Yarmook participated in a rescue mission following a distress signal from a boat carrying eight Iranian fishermen that was on fire. The ship was also deployed in July 2024 in the Indian Ocean with an onboard helicopter to ensure the safety and security of merchant vessels traveling to and from Pakistan’s ports.

October 22, 2025
‘No war with Pakistan, issues can be resolved through trade,’ Trump tells Modi

United States President Donald Trump has said that he urged Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to avoid a war with Pakistan. The President was addressing a group of Indian nationals during a Diwali event in the Oval Office in Washington DC.

While speaking to reporters, Trump said he had a detailed telephone conversation with Modi earlier in the day, during which they discussed several important issues, including trade.

“We talked about a lot of things, but mostly the world of trade,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. “I told him that war with Pakistan should not happen,” he added, emphasizing that he believed “issues can be resolved through trade.”

“I just spoke to your Prime Minister today,” Trump told attendees at the Oval Office. “We had a great conversation. We talked about trade … Although we did talk a little while ago about let’s have no wars with Pakistan. And I think the fact that trade was involved, I was able to talk about that. And we have no war with Pakistan and India. That was a very, very good thing.”

Nuclear-armed India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to halt all military actions on land, in the air and at sea, in a ceasefire announced by Trump, under which both sides agreed not to escalate hostilities that had spiraled alarmingly in a brief but intense conflict threatening regional peace.

The two neighbors had exchanged fire using fighter jets, drones, missiles, and artillery in their worst fighting in decades, leaving around 70 people dead on both sides of the border.

Trump has since taken credit for ending the conflict, though New Delhi has disputed the involvement of any third party, maintaining that India continues to deal with Pakistan bilaterally.

The US president also claimed he had prevented eight wars so far through what he described as “deals and trade,” includingthe one between Pakistan and India.

Last week, Trump said at a White House dinner that Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had recently met him and “emotionally” credited him in front of a group of people for stopping multiple wars, saying millions of lives could have been lost in the conflicts.

October 22, 2025