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  • 2021 Rewind: Everything that Pakistani social media went crazy about

    2021 Rewind: Everything that Pakistani social media went crazy about

    2021 might feel like it was the shortest year but it has also given us a lot of things to look back at. From Prime Minister Imran’s comments about rape to Pawri girl’s viral video, here are all things that the Pakistani internet went crazy about in 2021:

    January: Cannoli Café Soul faces backlash for elitist comments

    In the start of 2021 a video of the owners of Cannoli Café Soul in Islamabad, Uzma and Diya, went viral in which they both could be seen mocking and ridiculing their restaurant manager for his English speaking skills.

    February: Allama Muhammad Iqbal’s Statue, Groove mera and Pawri ho rahi hai:

    The internet was not pleased about a statue of poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal that was installed at the Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park in Lahore. The statue started a meme fest on social media, and it eventually resulted in the removal of the statue.

    Groove Mera:

    Iqbal was not the only topic to be discussed by social media users in February. Naseebo Lal also made social media Groove with her PSL special song.

    Pawri Girl and her party

    How can we forget Pawri girl? She took the internet by storm not only in Pakistan but in India too. Pawri Ho Rai Hai became a trend on social media with many people including celebrities sharing their own take on it. The Pawri girl Dananeerr Mobeen can be seen in an ISPR sponsored drama these days.

    Many people recreated the video.

    March: Strings Split broke hearts

    Many hearts were broken in March because on March 25 Faisal Kapadia and Bilal Maqsood announced that they have parted ways and are ‘concluding’ Strings after producing music for 33 years. Social media talked about it for days.

    April: PM Khan’s problematic statement about Rape

    Prime Minister Imran Khan in April, during an interactive session with the public, blamed the rising cases on vulgarity on what women wear. His comment sparked an outrage on social media, prompting Pakistanis to not only bust myths related to rape but also call him out for his insensitive remarks. Some even shared their own personal experiences to make it more clear that why rape happens and why it is never okay to blame the victim.

    May:  Kissing couple on local flight

    May was all about the man who could not handle a public display of affection on a local flight. Internet users debated every kind of opinion on it.

    On May 25, the news of a couple kissing in a flight that was going from Karachi to Islamabad blew up on social media and people expressed their anger over the public display of affection. The hashtag #airbluekissing trended for days.

    June: Firdous Ashiq Awan vs Qadir Mandokhel

    A video of Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan slapping Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) MNA Qadir Khan Mandokhel went viral on social media in June. Twitter was flooded with memes.

    July: “Our Culture is our husband.”

    “Our culture is our husband”, was the most talked statement of 2021 in July. Sadaf Kanwal’s problematic statement on a woman’s role in a marriage went viral on social media. Her comments caused quite a bit of anger among Pakistanis online.

    August: Junid Safdar’s singing

    In the last week of August, Mariyam Nawaz’s son tied the knot with Ayesha Saif. The marriage was the talk of the town, but more than the marriage, Junaid’s singing skills were the center of attention.  Junaid was seen crooning to the chartbuster song, Kya Hua Tera Waada from the hit Bollywood film Hum Kisi Se Kam Nahi starring Rishi Kapoor. Junaid’s hidden talent won the hearts of Pakistanis.

    September: Nida Yasir’s Formula 1 car

    In September, an old video of Nida Yasir surfaced from Good Morning Pakistan. The Nadaniyaan star was finding it tough to understand the meaning of a ‘Formula 1’ racing and Internet did not forgive her.

    Even her husband could not stay away from the trend and re-created the video.

    October: Pakistan beats India

    Pakistan defeated India in T20 World Cup for the first time and obviously the internet went crazy about it. From Shaheen Shah Afridi’s explosive spell to Rizwan and Babar’s record breaking innings, Pakistani social media just could not stop praising the Pakistani team. It was overall a good year for Pakistani cricket.

    November: Malala tied the knot

    In November, Malala surprised everyone by tying the knot with Asser Malik. She tied the knot in a small intimate nikkah ceremony.

    People talked about the couple for days. Some even dug out all the details about Asser.

    December: Junaid Safdar, Ayesha and Katrina, Vicky’s wedding

    December is known as the month of weddings and Junaid Safdar and Ayesha’s, and Katrina and Vicky’s wedding was all over internet.

    After the nikkah of PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz’s son, Junaid Safdar took place in London, the wedding festivities took place in mid of December in Pakistan.

    Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal’s wedding :

    Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal officially tied the knot on December 9. The star couple got married in a traditional Indian wedding ceremony and their fairy tale wedding was one of the most talked about on the Internet in Pakistan and India.

  • 2021: The year of records in Pakistani cricket

    2021: The year of records in Pakistani cricket

    The Pakistan cricket team is considered to be the most unpredictable team of all. The Men in Green have seen many ups and downs this year but the green shirts flourished with bright colours, making record breaking partnerships, personal and team records and many more. We have collected some major events that happened in cricket in Pakistan and how the year 2021 was for the Shaheens.

    Our champions reshaped the face of T20I Cricket in 2021. Have a look at their phenomenal performance.

    PSL 6 Winners

    Mohammad Rizwan, leading the Multan Sultans, won the sixth edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) in 2021. Sultans beat Peshawar Zalmi by 47 runs in the final to win their maiden trophy of the tournament in June, 2021. Rizwan replaced Shan Masood as the captain of the team after he was traded from the PSL franchise Karachi Kings.

    Sultans started at the second leg of the PSL fifth on the points table, having lost four of their first five matches but led by their captain Rizwan, went on to win four of the next five to finish the league stage second. They then swatted the Islamabad United challenge in the first qualifier and lead themselves to the win in the final, a crowning glory in their magnificent UAE leg of the season.

    Pakistan beats India in T20WC

    Pakistan made history by beating arch-rival India for the first time in a T20 World Cup match in October. The green shirts’ 10-wicket win ended a decades-long defeat streak that began in 1992. Pakistan had lost all 12 of their previous World Cup matches against India.

    The two former champions clashed after more than two years in the 2021 T20 World Cup opening fixture at the Dubai International Stadium.

    Pakistani openers Azam (68) and Mohammad Rizwan (79) produced a batting masterclass to chase down the 152-run target without losing a wicket, and finishing the game in the 18th over.

    Rizwan and Babar partnership

    Babar and Rizwan made a formidable partnership for Pakistan at the top of the order. They scored a total of 6 century stands, which is the most by a batting pair in the history of T20Is. Out of these, 4 were in excess of 150 runs which is also the most for a batting pair in T20Is and came against the likes of England, India, South Africa, and West Indies.

    The duo was magnificent for Pakistan throughout the 2021 T20 World Cup. They were influential as Pakistan defeated arch-rivals India for the first time in World Cup history. The batting pair scored an unbeaten knock of 152 runs and registered the highest opening stand in T20 World Cup history.

    Babar and Rizwan’s opening partnerships were all the more impressive because of pressure situations. Out of their six century partnerships, three came while chasing a target. This also included 197 run stand against South Africa at Centurion.

    The duo also became the first batting pair in history to score more than 1,000 runs in a year. They scored 1,380 runs at an average of 57.50 in 25 innings while batting together.

    Rizwan T20 Runs

    Mohammad Rizwan rounded off a magnificent year in T20 cricket by becoming the first batter in the history of the format to cross 2,000 runs in a calendar year. The wicket-keeper batter scored 2,036 runs at an average of 56.55 and a strike rate of 132.03 in 45 innings he played in the year. Rizwan also became the highest run-scorer in T20Is in a calendar year as he became the first batter in history to cross 1,000 runs in T20Is. He scored 1,326 runs at an average of 73.66 and a strike rate of 134.89 in 26 innings.

    The star wicket-keeper batter was Pakistan’s most influential player in all formats this year. Rizwan won a total of 6 player-of-the-series awards in 2021, equaling the record of most player-of-the-series awards held by Sachin Tendulkar since 1998. Rizwan bagged 4 player-of-the-series awards in T20Is and 2 in red-ball cricket.

    Record 20 T20I wins in a year

    During the year, Pakistan played 29 matches in the shortest format and won 20 – the most by any team. They lost six while three ended with no result.

    The Men in Green played seven bilateral T20 series, and won six – against South Africa, Zimbabwe, West Indies and Bangladesh. They only lost to England.

    Pakistan also won all group matches in the T20 World Cup – against India, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Namibia and Scotland. They lost the semi-final against Australia in a thriller.

    Babar number 1 T20 and ODI player

    Babar Azam’s incredible 2021 has been capped off with a number1 T20I batting ranking.

    Combining in an opening partnership of 158 with Mohammad Rizwan against the West Indies in Karachi to set up a 3-0 series win, Babar’s 79 from just 53 balls propelled him back to the top, overtaking Aiden Markram and Dawid Malan. He now sits number1 in both the men’s T20I and ODI rankings going into the final days of the year.

    This was only the second time in history that a batter was ranked number one in both formats at the end of a year. Australian legend, Ricky Ponting, achieved the feat in 2005.

    Babar Nominated for ODI Player of the Year Award

    The Skipper of Pakistan is also nominated for the ODI Player of the Year award. He scored 405 runs in six matches in the outgoing year at an average of 67.50 with two centuries in the 50-over format.

    Alongside Azam, Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan, Ireland’s Paul Stirling and South Africa’s Janneman Malan have been named as contenders for the award.

    Rizwan Nominated for T20Player of the Year Award

    The star batter is also nominated for the T20I Player of the Year award for his exceptional performances with the bat.

    Alongside Rizwan, Jos Buttler, Wanindu Hasaranga and Mitchell Marsh are the four nominees for the Men’s T20 Cricketer of the Year Award.

    Two Consecutive Whitewash

    The Pakistan cricket team had a great two series against Bangladesh and West Indies. First the green shirts beat Bangladesh with a 2-0 clean sweep in Test matches and 3-0 whitewash in T20Is and the national team later triumphed a T20I series at home against West Indies.

    Meanwhile, led by the dynamic opening duo of Rizwan and Babar, Pakistan pulled off a record chase in the third and final T20 international to register a 3-0 series whitewash over the covid-hit West Indies team.

    Pakistan beats India in U19 Asia Cup

    Pakistan beat arch-rivals India by two wickets in a nail-biting match of the group stage of the Asian Cricket Council’s (ACC) Under-19s Asia Cup, with young stars Muhammad Shehzad and Zeeshan Zameer’s heroics leaving the Men In Blue surprised.

    Skipper Qasim Akram put India to bat after winning the toss and restricted the Men In Blue to 237 in the 50-over match at the ICC Academy Ground.

  • VIDEO: ‘Real Qalander’ Fakhar Zaman eating with ground staff wins hearts

    VIDEO: ‘Real Qalander’ Fakhar Zaman eating with ground staff wins hearts

    Video of Pakistani cricketer Fakhar Zaman, who represents the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa team, eating with the ground staff after the final match of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy is doing the rounds on internet and it has won the hearts of Pakistani social media.

    https://twitter.com/PCBofficials/status/1476480509412790275?s=20

    Zaman had lunch with the ground staff at the National Stadium in Karachi during the innings break on the last day of the final of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Cricket Tournament.

    Several fans took to Twitter and appreciated the cricketer for the humility and nice gesture, while some called Zaman a real Qalandar.

    https://twitter.com/ShaziyaaMehmood/status/1476211317371543553?s=20

    Zaman hit a quick-fire fifty, smashing 9 fours and a monstrous six in the 5-day match.

    After the match, Zaman also took selfies with his fans.

    KP has won the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy cricket tournament title for the fifth time while successfully defending its title. The team has won five consecutive domestic tournaments in two years.

    Northern who were set a 384-run target on the final day, went down fighting as they were bowled out for 214 in their second innings with 18.4 overs left in the final session of the match.

  • Hindu religious leader arrested for congratulating Gandhi’s murderer, says Gandhi destroyed India

    Hindu religious leader arrested for congratulating Gandhi’s murderer, says Gandhi destroyed India

    Indian police on Thursday arrested a Hindu religious leader for allegedly making a derogatory speech against India’s independence leader Mahatma Gandhi and praising his assassin.

    Kalicharan Maharaj was arrested in central Madhya Pradesh state on Thursday for allegedly promoting hatred between religious groups in a speech earlier this week, the Press Trust of India news agency cited police officer Prashant Agrawal as saying.

    According to media reports, Maharaj said “Gandhi destroyed the country … salutations to Nathuram Godse, who killed him.”

    He will be formally charged in court after the police complete an investigation. If convicted, he can be jailed for up to five years.

  • IN PICTURES: Areeba Habib’s wedding festivities kick started with Mayon shenanigans

    IN PICTURES: Areeba Habib’s wedding festivities kick started with Mayon shenanigans

    Actor Areeba Habib’s wedding festivities have started with a Mayoun ceremony. The Koi Chand Rakh  star’s mayoun was attended by her fellow celebrities including Sana Fakhar and Zhalay Sarhadi. She will tie the knot on January 2.

    Have a look at the pictures:

    Earlier, this year in August Areeba Habib took to her Instagram account to share pictures from her Baat Paaki ceremony with Saadain Imran Sheikh. The model turned actor looked radiant in an off white and gold dress.

  • Video: After Alizeh, Juggun Kazim falls while dancing in front of Shazia Manzoor on live morning show

    Morning show host and actor Juggun Kazim fell on her morning show sets while dancing alongside veteran singer Shazia Manzoor.

    In October, Juggun landed herself in a major controversy after a video has gone viral from the latest episode of her morning show.

    Earlier the Paani Jaisa Pyar diva opened up on battling depression due to body-shaming: “When I was in postpartum depression and was constantly reminded of how fat l am, I just wanted the Earth to explode and for me to just fall into it and the entire chapter closes.”

    She also revealed how her trolls impacted her everyday life. “Even now, when I’m walking, I walk in dropping posture so that no one notices my chest. I don’t want to feel like this and I don’t want any other woman to feel it either.”

    8 Pakistani celebrities who lost weight – ARY Digital UK

    A few netizens are assuming that this can be a parody of Ehd-e-Wafa star Alizeh Shah.

    Earlier this month Alizeh fell on the ramp while modelling alongside Shazia who was singing on the stage.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hOV5h2bO1Y

    While Alizeh aced the ramp walk with some killer dance moves to Shazia Mansoor’s performance, the actress fell badly on the ramp  on her way back, hand-in-hand with the singer.  

    READ MORE: Juggun Kazim lands in hot water for severe backlash on viral video, netizens troll

  • Ghana Ali, Umair Gulzar host a lavish aqeeqa ceremony for daughter Faija, Sarah Khan adores

    Ghana Ali, Umair Gulzar host a lavish aqeeqa ceremony for daughter Faija, Sarah Khan adores

    Actor Ghana Ali with her husband Umair Gulzar celebrated the Aqeeqa ceremony of their daughter, Faija in a butterfly-themed event.

    Renowned Pakistani actor, Ghana Ali along with her husband Umair Gulzar, celebrated the Aqeeqa ceremony of their only daughter, Faija in a close-knit family event on Sunday.

    The Sun Yaara diva shared the first picture with her first child on social media, her husband can be seen kissing her forehead.

    Ghana Ali welcomes baby girl with husband Umair Gulzar

    The couple welcomed a baby girl, on Tuesday, November 23. They have named their bundle of joy, Faija Umair.

  • Sarwat Gillani hangs out with Bollywood veteran Neetu Kapoor in Dubai

    Sarwat Gillani hangs out with Bollywood veteran Neetu Kapoor in Dubai

    Actor Sarwat Gillani along with her stylist friend, Rao Ali, met Bollywood veteran Neetu Kapoor in Dubai.

    The Ahista Ahista diva captured her fan girl moment with the Kabhi Kabhi star.

    Earlier she met Bollywood director Karan Johar at an international airport.

    Sarwat Gillani, Fahad Mirza Run Into Karan Johar in Rome - Masala

    Earlier this year on Ahsan Khan’s show, the Dil-e-Muztar heroine opened up about her tweet which she did in anger and grief, when Sarwat and Fahad were criticized by the public on their photo with Karan Johar in Rome.

    “The post was done in extreme grief when people severely criticised us on taking picture with Karan Johar, which we took as a fan with him when we saw him on airport in Rome”

    “When we said to him that give some message for the fans in Pakistan, he felt hesitant for a split second, because he himself was facing bashing in India because of Fawad Khan, but still he has given a message with smile”, said Fahad Mirza.

  • Federal government to present mini-budget of Rs350 billion today

    The federal government will present the mini-budget worth Rs350 billion today.

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan summoned a meeting of the federal cabinet that will approve the mini-budget at noon today. The federal cabinet, with PM Khan in the chair, will give a go-ahead to the Finance (Supplementary) Bill 2021.

    The Finance Amendment Bill 2021 will directly be presented in the National Assembly (NA) as part of the government’s effort to get the IMF package worth $6 billion.

    Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin will introduce the bill in the house to amend certain laws relating to taxes and duties.

    The Opposition has already vowed to block the passage of the bill during the NA session. The opposition has claimed that the bill will further increase inflation and add to people’s misery.

  • Apple puts Indian plant unit ‘on probation’ after food poisoning case

    Apple puts Indian plant unit ‘on probation’ after food poisoning case

    The iPhone manufacturing company, Apple, has put the Indian plant of one of its main suppliers ‘on probation’ after mass food poisoning cases surged among their female factory workers.

    Earlier this month, around 250 female workers working in the iPhone manufacturing plant of Foxconn company located in Chennai city had been treated for food poisoning as out-patients while more than 150 were hospitalised.

    This was followed by a massive protest demonstration against living conditions at hostels for factory workers. It led to the closure of its supplier factory at Sriperumbudur near Chennai, which is closed since December 18.

    Apple stated that it has placed the plant “on probation” after the company found that factory dormitories and dining rooms used for employees did not meet the standardised requirements for food. The company further added that they are currently working with the supplier to enforce “a comprehensive set of corrective actions”.

    Currently, the Indian plant unit employs about 17,000 people. It manufactures iPhones for the Indian market and for exports, and other gadgets as well.

    Foxconn said it was “very sorry for the issue our employees experienced and are taking immediate steps to enhance the facilities and services we provide at the remote dormitory accommodations.”

    “We are also restructuring our local management team and our management systems to ensure we can achieve and maintain the high standards that are needed,” the company further added.

    Foxconn assured that salary would continue to be provided among employees while necessary improvements would be made before the operation restarts.