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Ex-Pakistan coach Gillespie tells Javed 'look in the mirror' over sackings

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Former Pakistan coach Jason Gillespie said on Friday chairman of selectors Aaqib Javed needs to "look at himself in the mirror" with the national team "playing with fear". In a shock move, Pakistan this week replaced head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and pace-bowling chief Umar Gul, and sent seven players home from England, in a dramatic response to successive Test thrashings. Australia's Gillespie, who led the side for eight months in 2024, including a 2-1 Test series win against England, said it was sad to see. "I feel for the players, this is these guys' livelihoods," he told The Australian newspaper. "From the outside, it looks like they are playing with fear." "Salman Ali Agha goes from captaining the team in the first Test against England to out of the team for the second Test and on the plane home before the third Test. "How does that work?" He laid the blame firmly at the door of Javed. "It's pretty clear th...

PM Shehbaz orders improved healthcare facilities at PIMS

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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the authorities concerned to expedite the process of health sector reforms. He was presiding over a meeting in Islamabad today [Wednesday] regarding the Ministry of National Health Services and the PIMS fire incident, shortly after returning from Kyrgyzstan. On this occasion, the Prime Minister was briefed on the health sector, with a particular focus on the ongoing investigation into the fire incident at PIMS. The meeting was informed that the Prime Minister's decisions are being implemented in light of the findings of the interim investigation report. Shehbaz Sharif said that officials found guilty of criminal negligence will be shown no leniency. He instructed the authorities concerned to ensure improved healthcare facilities and the implementation of all necessary safety measures at PIMS. The Prime Minister directed both the Health Minister and the Health Secretary to ensure their presence at PIMS Hospital on alternate days and o...

Argentina's Lionel Messi announces retirement from international football

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Argentine football star Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football at the age of thirty-nine. He made the announcement on social media, saying the decision was painful but the time had come to step aside and give young players an opportunity. Messi played 207 matches for Argentina and scored 125 goals since making his international debut in 2005. He led Argentina to the FIFA World Cup title in 2022 and won the Copa America in 2021 and 2024. via Original Source

Misbah-ul-Haq 'decides' to quit PCB selection committee

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Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has decided to resign from the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) selection committee, sources close to the former cricketer said on Tuesday. Sources said that Misbah has informed the PCB about his decision and will serve a notice period before formally stepping down from his role. The development comes a day after the cricket board announced that seven players alongside two coaches, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul, have been released from the Pakistan Test squad ahead of the Third Test against England in Birmingham. Those released included Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad, according to a press release issued by the cricket board. The PCB has named seven replacements, comprising five players yet to make their Test debuts and two capped players, ahead of the third Test against England in Birmingham. According to the cricket board, Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke will repla...

Second Test: England beat Pakistan at Lord's to claim three-match series

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England beat Pakistan by 194 runs in the second Test of the three-match series at Lord’s on Sunday, taking an unassailable lead of 2-0. Chasing a mammoth target of 389, Pakistan were bowled out for 194 despite an exceptional 97 from Saud Shakeel, which ultimately went in vain, while opener Imam-ul-Haq did not come out to bat in the second innings due to injury. Pakistan endured a disastrous start to their chase. Opening batter Azan Awais became the first wicket to fall on the third delivery of the fifth over, with Robinson trapping him leg before wicket for six off 14 deliveries, including one boundary. Robinson struck again on the final delivery of the same over, removing Abdullah Shafique for a duck. Pakistan were subsequently reduced to 14/3 after 7.1 overs when Jofra Archer dismissed captain Babar Azam for six off eight deliveries, with the right-hander hitting one boundary. Pakistan then showed resilience in the second session as Shakeel produced an impressive batting display,...

Pakistan beat South Africa to finish 11th at FIH Hockey World Cup

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Pakistan finished 11th at the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 on Friday after beating South Africa 4-3 on penalties in the classification match at Wagener Stadium. The 11th-place finish marked the Green Shirts' best in 20 years as they secured 12th spot in the 2010 and 2018 editions of the mega event, while failing to qualify for the World Cup in 2014 and 2023. Their previous best finish came at the 2006 edition, when they secured sixth place. The enthralling fixture got off to a contrasting start as South Africa took an early lead in the eighth minute through Trevor de Lora, while Dayaan Cassiem doubled their advantage three minutes into the second quarter. Pakistan, however, staged a remarkable comeback in the second quarter, scoring through Afraz and Mohammad Ammad to neutralise South Africa's lead heading into halftime. Rana Waheed Ashraf pulled Pakistan ahead in the second minute of the penultimate quarter, which, however, concluded with the scoreboard reading 3-3 as Mustaph...

Second Test: Pakistan bowlers shine as Day 1 ends early due to bad light

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Pakistan’s bowlers struck at regular intervals to put England under pressure on a rain-hit opening day of the second Test at Lord’s, with Mohammad Abbas leading the attack with four wickets. Only 56 overs could be bowled during the opening day, which got off to a delayed start due to the rain, and ultimately came to a close around an hour before the scheduled time due to the bad light. At the stumps, the home side were reeling at 248/9 with lower-order batters Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue, unbeaten on 34 and one, respectively. The final session, comprising just 12 overs, saw Pakistan force their comeback through their pace trio of Mohammad Ali, Khurram Shahzad and Abbas, respectively, as England could muster 68 runs for the loss of four wickets, including that of both set batters, Jordan Cox and Jamie Smith. Cox and Smith resumed England's first innings in the final session from 180/5 and could add seven more to their sixth-wicket partnership before the former was dismissed by ...