Tag: news

  • ‘Isko katein’: Maryam Nawaz asks anchor not to question her about Nawaz’s Toshakhana purchases

    ‘Isko katein’: Maryam Nawaz asks anchor not to question her about Nawaz’s Toshakhana purchases

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senior Vice President and chief organizer Maryam Nawaz recently gave an interview to anchorperson Mansoor Ali Khan in March. The wide-ranging interview, released in two parts, covered contentious topics, including Sharif family rivalries, economic challenges and arch-rival Imran Khan. However, an unedited leaked clip of the interview has surfaced on the internet on Monday and it shows a question Maryam Nawaz did not want to talk about.

    In the leaked video clip, the PML-N Vice President can be seen interrupting the journalist in response to a question regarding a car purchased by her father Nawaz Sharif from Toshakhana while he was the Prime Minister. Maryam said that she is not aware of the law regarding purchase of vehicles from the official state registry. She further requested the anchor to not add this question to the final version of the interview.

    Twitter users have all kinds of opinions about the video clip, some criticising Maryam Nawaz for interrupting the journalist, some criticising Mansoor Ali Khan for compromising on his journalistic values, while some are having fun by making memes. Have a look at some of the tweets:

    https://twitter.com/LifeWasGoodd/status/1645404164296417280

    The Current reached out to Mansoor Ali Khan, however the anchorperson refused to comment, saying that he will give his stance in his ‘next vlog’.

  • Here are the final squads of both Pak and NZ teams for the upcoming series

    Here are the final squads of both Pak and NZ teams for the upcoming series

    Pakistan will host New Zealand for a long awaited series, with five T20 internationals and five One Day internationals schedule to begin on April 14. The series has crucial significance for both teams as World Cup 2023 looms ahead towards the end of the year.

    Both teams are ready to put in extra effort in the series as the matches will be a tester for both teams’ weaknesses and strengths.

    New Zealand had pulled out of the Pakistan tour just before the start of the first ODI in 2021 citing a security threat. Now they will be playing extra games on this tour. This is the second time they are touring Pakistan in the space of five months.

    Across last December and January, they played two Tests that ended 0-0, followed by a three-match ODI series that New Zealand won 2-1.

    Pakistan has named full-strength squads for both the ODI and T20I series. Regular captain Babar Azam makes a comeback, along with the leader of the bowling attack Shaheen Shah Afridi. Senior players like Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman and Haris Rauf are also back following the rest they were given in the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan.

    New Zealand, meanwhile, have been forced to name a severely depleted squad with most of their first-choice players occupied in the IPL. Tom Latham, who last played T20Is in 2021, will return to lead them in both formats.

    New Zealand will be banking on the experience they gained in their ODI series victory earlier this year in Pakistan, expecting to capitalise on the inputs of Saqlain Mushtaq, head coach of the Pakistan side until two months back. Saqlain has joined the New Zealand camp as an assistant coach.
    Here are the squads for both teams:

    PAK v NZ, 2023 T20I squad: Full team list for Pakistan v New Zealand T20Is
    Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Ihsanullah, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Zaman Khan

    New Zealand: Tom Latham (c), Mark Chapman, Matt Henry, Cole McConchie, Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Ish Sodhi, Will Young, Chad Bowes, Dane Cleaver, Ben Lister, Adam Milne, James Neesham, Henry Shipley, Blair Tickner

    PAK v NZ, 2023 ODI squad: Full team list for Pakistan v New Zealand ODIs
    Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haris Sohail, Ihsanullah, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Usama Mir

    New Zealand: Tom Latham (c), Henry Nicholls, Tom Blundell, Cole McConchie, Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Ish Sodhi, Will Young, Chad Bowes, Ben Lister, Adam Milne, James Neesham, Henry Shipley, Blair Tickner

  • Babar Azam tweets in support of Kane Williamson ahead of NZ series

    Babar Azam tweets in support of Kane Williamson ahead of NZ series

    Skipper Babar Azam, a true gentleman of the game, has once again made a touching gesture, tweeting his support for injured New Zealand captain, Kane Williamson.

    The Kiwi skipper is likely to miss the 50 overs World Cup to be held in India this year, after injuring the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee.

    The top-order batsman suffered the injury while fielding for the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League last Friday and returned to New Zealand soon after.

    Scans conducted on Tuesday confirmed that the injury would require surgery, making it unlikely he will be fit and available for selection for the tournament in October and November.

    In his tweet, Babar Azam wrote, “Bounce back stronger. Get well soon Kane Williamson.”

    The New Zealand Team is scheduled to tour Pakistan for an upcoming series in which they will play five T20 and five ODI matches in Pakistan. The series has a critical role in defining Pakistan team’s weakness and strengths before the upcoming World Cup in India.

    Before this crucial series, Kane Williamson’s injury will be a blow for the Kiwis and a plus point for Pakistan.

    The gesture of goodwill from Babar was widely appreciated by cricket fans around the world. Many people praised him for showing sportsmanship and solidarity with a fellow player who had suffered an injury.

    The Pakistan skipper is known both for his formidable skills on the pitch and his graciousness on and off the field. His tweet offering support to Williamson is just one example of the kind of sportsmanship and camaraderie that he embodies.

    Pakistan vs New Zealand series schedule:
    Apr 14, Fri Pakistan vs. New Zealand, 1st T20I
    Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
    7:30 PM
    Apr 15, Sat Pakistan vs New Zealand, 2nd T20I
    Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
    7:30 PM
    Apr 17, Mon Pakistan vs New Zealand, 3rd T20I
    Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
    7:30 PM
    Apr 20, Thu Pakistan vs New Zealand, 4th T20I
    Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
    7:30 PM
    Apr 24, Mon Pakistan vs New Zealand, 5th T20I
    Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
    7:30 PM
    Apr 27, Thu Pakistan vs New Zealand, 1st ODI
    Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
    2:30 PM
    Apr 29, Sat Pakistan vs New Zealand, 2nd ODI
    Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
    2:30 PM
    May 03, Wed Pakistan vs New Zealand, 3rd ODI
    National Stadium, Karachi
    May 05, Fri Pakistan vs New Zealand, 4th ODI
    National Stadium, Karachi
    2:30 PM
    May 07, Sun Pakistan vs New Zealand, 5th ODI
    National Stadium, Karachi
    2:30 PM

  • I will not keep silent if I am dropped again without any reason: Imad Wasim

    I will not keep silent if I am dropped again without any reason: Imad Wasim

    All-rounder Imad Wasim has thrown the gauntlet to team management, warning that he will not keep quiet if he is dropped again from Pakistan Cricket team without any reason.

    The player expressed anger on being ignored since the last one and a half years, stating that no communication has been held with him by the captain or Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selection committee.

    “They have no answer as to why they dropped me even though I was performing,” the player reportedly said while talking to a local media channel.

    Imad also threatened to take action against every person involved in politics in the Pakistan cricket team.
    “I am at that stage of my career that I have to take steps, if they drop me without any reason again,” he added.

    The all-rounder revealed that he didn’t suffer any financial loss from being away from the national team.

    “I never suffered any financial loss while I was away from the team. In fact, I earned ten times more than what I would have earned while playing for Pakistan,” he said.

    “I am confident in my abilities. If I was the bowler who is said to be dependent on the conditions, then the T20 leagues of Australia and South Africa would have not signed me,” he concluded.

  • ‘Why would we contact Amir?’; Chief Selector Haroon Rasheed clears rumors about bowler’s selection

    ‘Why would we contact Amir?’; Chief Selector Haroon Rasheed clears rumors about bowler’s selection

    Chief Selector Haroon Rasheed has cleared rumors about bowler Muhammad Amir’s selection in the team.

    “We have mentioned that from day one that selection doors are open for every player who performs and is fit. The same goes for Muhammad Amir but we did not contact anyone,” he said.

    The Chief Selector also stated that if a player has been dropped, it does not mean that he will not be considered for future series.

    “Azam Khan did not perform well in the series against Afghanistan, but mistakes happen. However, the door is open for his return if he works on his issues and improves. Many cricketers in the world have been dropped and made a comeback and played cricket for a long time,” Rasheed pointed out.

    Mentioning that the team already has Mohammad Rizwan and Mohammad Haris as wicket-keeper batters, and Azam Khan waiting in the wings, Rasheed said that young cricketers like Amir Jamal can also make it to the national team by performing well.

  • #DestroyNajamSethi trends on social media amid rumors of Shadab Khan removal

    #DestroyNajamSethi trends on social media amid rumors of Shadab Khan removal

    Since the last couple of weeks there is speculation in media reports that the Vice- Captain of Pakistan Cricket Team, Shadab Khan, is going to be removed as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) searches for a competent player to replace him.

    Imad Wasim’s and Shan Masood’s names are under consideration, reportedly.

    While there has been no official confirmation, cricketing fans were quick to respond, slamming team management on social media, demanding that PCB support cricketers after defeat instead of pressurising them

    After the Afghanistan series loss in United Arab Emirates, some fans defended Shadab and criticizing management in the context of why they have rested all key senior players and some reactions were opposing Khan’s poor approach and irresponsible decisions on field.

    After the series failure, in the post-match press conference, Shadab Khan said that now management will realise the importance of master batsmen Babar Azam and Muhammad Rizwan.

    “We have achieved our motive,” the stand-in captain said, further murking up the waters.

    Media reports have stated that after the series failure, the Board is thinking closely about appointing a new vice-captain for the shorter format series against New Zealand in April.

    Usama Mir is likely to replace Shadab in the upcoming home series against the Kiwis.

    Former wicket-keeper batter Rashid Latif added fuel to fire by commenting on his Youtube Channel that PCB may be trying to punish Shadab for speaking truth.

    The analysis by the former cricketer put PCB management and Najam Sethi into hot waters. As soon as Latif comments on the debate showed up on social media, #DestroyNajamSethi started trending.

    Clearly, fans are not happy with speculations that Shadab Khan will be replaced. There seems to be general consensus that Shadab is a crucial player in the team and is an essential part of the team’s leadership.

    The hashtag #DestroyerNajamSethi is a straight-up depiction of the fact that Pakistan cricket fans are frustrated, exasperated and angry with the chairman and management of the cricket board.

    A large pool of fans firmly believes that such decisions are an attempt to break the national team’s bench and won’t be advantageous for the team as well as the fans.

  • Babar Azam shares pictures from Masjid-e-Nabawi ahead of New Zealand series

    Babar Azam shares pictures from Masjid-e-Nabawi ahead of New Zealand series

    Skipper of the Pakistan cricket team, Babar Azam, has shared pictures from Masjid-e-Nabawi on Thursday.

    In the photos, the star batsman is standing in the courtyard of Masjid-e-Nabawi, the second holiest place for Muslims worldwide. In 2022, pictures of Babar Azam performing Umrah also went viral on social media.

    He surprised his fans by sharing recent pictures of his spiritual trip to Masjid-e-Nabawi. Babar, who was earlier scheduled to participate in a Ramadan tournament in Lahore, will perform Umrah in the ongoing holy month.

    Fans congratulated him for performing Umrah again and asked him to pray for winning the World Cup.

    Meanwhile, Babar’s teammate Haris Rauf also performed Umrah on Thursday and shared his picture on Twitter.

    Test Cricketer Muhammad Abbas also performed Umrah this year. Babar, Shaheen, and Muhammad Rizwan were on rest during the Afghanistan series, and now the Men in Green are preparing for the New Zealand series.

    New Zealand is scheduled to play four T20, five ODI’s, and three test matches in Pakistan. The current Pakistan versus New Zealand schedule is as follows:

    April 14 – 1st T20I, Lahore

    April 15 – 2nd T20I, Lahore

    April 17 – 3rd T20I, Lahore

    April 20 – 4th T20I, Rawalpindi

    April 24 – 5th T20I, Rawalpindi

    April 26 – 1st ODI, Rawalpindi

    April 30 – 2nd ODI, Karachi

    May 3 – 3rd ODI, Karachi

    May 5 – 4th ODI, Karachi

    May 7 – 5th ODI, Karachi

  • BCCI sources say entire Asia Cup to be shifted to UAE or Qatar

    BCCI sources say entire Asia Cup to be shifted to UAE or Qatar

    Sources within Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have denied media reports that Pakistan will likely play their World Cup 2023 matches in Bangladesh.

    According to media reports, Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has been continuously pressurised by BCCI to shift Asia Cup to a neutral venue, however Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has stuck to its stance that if they are deprived of hosting Asia Cup, then they will boycott the tournament and will not travel to India for World Cup 2023.

    PCB has dragged BCCI towards a ‘hybrid model” for the tournament.

    Under this proposed model, other teams would play their Asia Cup matches in Pakistan, while the Indian team would play their matches in another country. Now, according to media reports, Pakistan is also considering the possibility of playing their World Cup matches at a neutral location.

    However according to sources in BCCI that talked tto Press trust of India (PTI), these are just pressure tactics from PCB, while there is a probability of shifting entire Asia Cup to Qatar or United Arab Emirates.

    “We understand that this is a kind of pressure tactic applied by PCB because of the Asia Cup issue. But let me tell you, ultimately, Asia Cup will also be played in UAE or Qatar and probably Pakistan will also have to play its matches in one of these countries,” BCCI source said.

    “As far as Pakistan playing its Asia Cup games in Pakistan is concerned, the budget for the tournament is passed by the Asian Cricket Council. If ACC says that it’s not a commercially viable proposition to hold Asia Cup in two countries, how can Pakistan play its games at home? ACC, for all you know, might not pass the budget,” the BCCI source added.

  • Nation will understand the value of Babar-Rizwan after this series says Shadab Khan

    Nation will understand the value of Babar-Rizwan after this series says Shadab Khan

    Afghanistan thrashes Pakistan and leading the three match series by 2-0 by defeating Pakistan in the second T20 at Sharjah cricket ground. Rashid khan led Afghanistan cricket team exposed the young Pakistan cricket team’s weaknesses.

    Shahdab Khan the substitute captain for Afghan series while talking to media in post-match press conference says “Nation will now give more respect and honor yo our legends after this series.

    Whenever Babar Azam and Muhammad Rizwan not performing or even when they are performing the sword of strike rate is hanging on their head now when they are not with us in the team we have all seen the importance of Babar and Rizwan.”

    Shadab khan more said that nation and media was forcing to take youngster in the team who have just perform in one PSL edition and some ex-players forcing management to give rest to the senior players like Babar and Rizwan now they will know the value of our legends.

  • No hurdles; Qalandars vs Sultans match will be played as per schedule

    No hurdles; Qalandars vs Sultans match will be played as per schedule

    Since the last 24 hours, the law and order situation in Lahore’s Zaman Park, the residence of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, has turned critical. Clashes between supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)workers and state turned violent, leaving Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches in limbo.

    Now Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that the Lahore Qalandars vs Multan Sultans PSL match will be played as per schedule in Lahore.

    The PCB statement, which it shared from its official Twitter handle, came after the law and order situation in the Zaman Park area worsened over the expected arrest of former Premier Imran Khan.

    “The PSL8 Qualifier in Lahore today will be played at the Gaddafi Stadium as scheduled,” the PCB tweeted allying concerns over the law and order situation.

    Yesterday both teams had to cancel their practice session at due to the clashes. Both teams are scheduled to play the playoffs match of PSL 8 in Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium today.

    The match between the two favorites of PSL 8 will be played today at 7pm.

    Defending champions Qalandars are confident they will maintain their winning momentum against the Sultans, while the Rizwan-led side will be looking to jump back to its feet and power up to the final as they did last year.

    While the winning side will qualify for the final, the losing side will play the second eliminator against the winning side of the first eliminator.