Pakistan News World

All-rounder Iftikhar Ahmed has parted ways with Quetta Gladiators and will wear the colours of Multan Sultans in the ninth season of Pakistan Super League (PSL), while Rilee Rossouw will return to Gladiators. According to media report, the trade deal saw Quetta Gladiators and Multan Sultans swapping Iftikhar Ahmed and Rilee Rossouw, as well as, Sultans getting the first pick in the platinum category round one while Gladiators will get the first pick in the silver round one. The process of local player category renewals for the upcoming ninth edition of the tournament was completed on 10 November with categories upgraded for nine players. The registration window for foreign players was opened on 25 October with several top players across the globe showing interest. The retentions and trades are to be finalized before the PSL 9 Player Draft, after the completion of the National T20. via Original Source

Do you find yourself absentmindedly chewing on or biting your fingernails — and when you try to quit the habit, it just doesn’t take? Rest assured that you’re not alone. Although to many people, nail biting is an occasional thing, for 20% to 30% (or more) of Americans, nail biting is a behavior they can’t stop on their own. In fact, healthcare providers classify chronic nail biting as a type of obsessive-compulsive disorder or a body-focused repetitive behavior (BFRB). There’s even a name for chronic nail biting: Onychophagia. Although providers don’t fully understand the cause of chronic nail biting, there are ways to halt the habit. Why do people bite their nails? Chronic nail biting often has a self-soothing quality — in fact, it provides a sense of calm — so people may use it as a coping mechanism. Sometimes, a hangnail or nail imperfection spurs you to groom a nail excessively, in order to improve the look of your nail. Unfortunately, this often makes the nail look worse. ...

The Pakistan cricket team departed for Australia from Lahore last night. According to details, the national squad will go to Sydney via Dubai. The Pakistani team will play a four-day match against the Prime Minister’s XI from December 6 before the start of the Test series in Australia. The first Test of the national team will start from December 14 in Perth. While, the second test match will be played in Melbourne from December 26, while the third Test will be played in Sydney from January 03. The Pakistani team is led by Shaan Masood, who has played 30 Tests and has been entrusted with the responsibilities of captaincy for the first time. Pakistan squad Shan Masood (c), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saud Shakeel and Shaheen Shah Afridi. via Original Source

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) Player Draft for the ninth season will take place at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore on Wednesday, 13 December 2023. The flagship event is tentatively scheduled from 8 February to 24 March 2024. The pick order for the PSL 9 Player Draft was finalised earlier this month with Quetta Gladiators set to make the first pick of the draft. The selection order for the first round for the Platinum category was determined by the inverse order of the previous season’s standings. Meanwhile, Karachi Kings will have the first Diamond pick, Peshawar Zalmi will have the opening Gold pick, Multan Sultans will have the first pick in the Silver category, Islamabad United will pick the first player in the Emerging category and Lahore Qalandars will have the first Supplementary pick. The process of local player category renewals for the upcoming ninth edition of the tournament was completed on 10 November with categories upgraded for nine players. The registrat...

Amid rumours of several foreign players signing up for the Pakistan Super League's (PSL) ninth edition, it has now been confirmed that Imad Wasim has been traded by the Karachi Kings for Hasan Ali from Islamabad United. Wasim, who guided Karachi to their maiden PSL title in the fifth edition, has been taken by United under the Platinum category. While, Hasan, who represented Islamabad in the last season, will play for the Karachi Kings under the Diamond category. “By virtue of this player trade, Karachi Kings have received Islamabad United’s first round silver pick in exchange for their second round silver pick,” said a PSL statement. It also shared that Lahore Qalandars’ Mirza Tahir Baig, Islamabad United’s Rumman Raees and Karachi Kings’ Mir Hamza have been relegated from the gold category to silver on the requests of the franchisees ahead of the PSL 2024 Player Draft. via Original Source

Men, women, and people of all gender identities may experience depression at some point in their lives. Depression is a serious condition that affects how a person thinks, feels, and acts. According to study, women seem to experience depression at a higher rate than men. However, it’s thought that men may be underrepresented in these numbers. This may be due to mix of social and biological factors that make it more challenging to notice and diagnose depression in men. They may also feel culturally pressured to act “manly” by hiding their emotions. Because of this, it’s more common for men to have depression with symptoms that are different and sometimes harder to identify. If you think that you or someone you love may be struggling with depression, read on to learn about the signs and symptoms that men may experience and what you can do next. Physical symptoms of depression in men Men with depression may first notice its physical effects. While depression is thought of as a men...

A seminar on Pakistan's malnutrition challenges on Tuesday proposed actionable political solutions for integration into the election manifestos and broader developmental plans of political parties, aiming to uplift the country's nutritional status. The seminar, jointly organised by the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Civil Society Alliance (CSA) Pakistan and Nutrition International, called for recognising food and nutrition security as a fundamental constitutional right, addressing underlying causes of malnutrition like poverty, food insecurity, sanitation, and education, as well as allocating more public funds and investments for effective nutrition programs. Other recommendations included enacting or revising nutrition-related laws such as mandatory food fortification and breastfeeding protection and promotion laws, scaling up life-saving nutrition services for vulnerable groups, particularly in hard-to-reach areas affected by floods, and reinforcing governance and accountability ...

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the Team Management for the upcoming tour of Australia. Pakistan’s 18-member squad is scheduled to play a three-match Test series against Australia commencing from 14 December 2023 to 7 January 2024. This will be Shan Masood’s first assignment as Test captain, after being named Pakistan’s captain for the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle following Babar Azam’s resignation last week. Pakistan team will depart from Lahore on 30 November and will kick off the Test series with the first Test in Perth from 14-18 December 2023. The second Test match will be played in Melbourne, from 26 to 30 December, while Sydney will host the last game of the tour from 3 to 7 January 2024. Pakistan Team Management for the Tour of Australia Naveed Akram Cheema (Team manager), Mohammad Hafeez (Director – Pakistan men’s cricket team), Adam Hollioake (batting coach), Simon Grant Helmot (high-performance coach), Umar Gul (fast bowling coach), Saeed Ajma...

Haris Rauf's involvement in the BBL is likely to encounter a hurdle, as the Pakistan Cricket Board is anticipated to postpone the issuance of the No-Objection Certificate (NOC) necessary for his participation in the league. According to media report, Rauf's NOC is highly likely to face a delay until at least December 11, just four days after the commencement of the BBL. There's no confirmation regarding an immediate issuance thereafter. The explanation for the delay cites the National T20 Cup in Pakistan, which is scheduled until December 10, a tournament that the PCB anticipates Haris Rauf to fully engage in. Last week, Wahab Riaz, Pakistan's recently appointed chief selector, revealed that Rauf had declined participation in Pakistan's Test series in Australia slated for December-January. Wahab openly expressed his displeasure at Rauf's decision, yet both sides disagree on the specific events leading up to this point. Reportedly, the 30-year-old never ag...

Pakistani middle-order batter Iftikhar Ahmed has clarified his choice to participate in the National T20 rather than the Abu Dhabi T10 League. Despite being signed by the Bangla Tigers for the tournament starting on December 28, the 33-year-old opted to play domestic cricket for the Peshawar region. Iftikhar explained at the National T20 that he had a contract with the T10 league but cancelled it to play domestic cricket in Pakistan. He emphasized that his domestic cricket achievements led to his selection for Pakistan, and that playing for Pakistan has earned him respect. Therefore, as a player and a professional, he believes he should also respect domestic cricketers and Pakistan. The National T20, featuring 18 teams, is currently underway at four venues. The group stage games, which will finish on November 28, are currently taking place. The Super Eight stage will start on December 1. On the other hand, eight teams will compete in the Abu Dhabi T10 League 2023, with each te...

Reports in Indian media claim that the Champions Trophy 2025 may be moved out of Pakistan if India wouldn't agree to come to the host country. The Champions Trophy, an 8-team tournament that will return to international cricket in 2025, is expected to be relocated from Pakistan, the originally designated host nation. Pakistan won the most last Champions Trophy in 2017 and was eagerly anticipating hosting the prestigious ICC event on home soil once again after a lengthy absence. However, due to the ongoing simmering political tensions between India and Pakistan, India is unlikely to travel to Pakistan if their stance remains unchanged from the Asia Cup hosting issue. Therefore, the tournament could be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) or follow a hybrid model similar to the Asia Cup 2023. Concerns arose regarding Pakistan's hosting of the 2025 Champions Trophy after the BCCI ruled out any possibility of the Indian team playing in Pakistan during the Asia Cup hosting ...

The enigma of why our hair turns grey has fascinated humanity for centuries, leading to various cultural beliefs and myths. As science progresses, our understanding of this natural process expands, bringing us closer to potential solutions. The colour of our hair is intricately tied to the pigment melanin, produced by melanocytes within hair follicles. Eumelanin and Pheomelanin dictate the diverse palette of hair colours. Why does hair grey? Historically, stress has been linked to premature greying, a connection now supported by research revealing the impact of stress on melanocytic stem cells. During stress, the release of norepinephrine and increased oxidative stress can damage these cells, influencing the hair's colour. While ageing remains inevitable, certain factors like vitamin deficiencies and medical conditions can accelerate greying. How to stop greying? Hair dyeing is a common method to conceal greying, albeit temporarily. Nutritional deficiencies, especially in ...

A countrywide anti-polio campaign of varied durations to administer drops to children under five years of age started on Monday (today). According to details, thousands of teams have been formed in the drive against the crippling disease with hopes to eliminate the virus this year. Polio teams will go door-to-door and administer oral polio vaccine drops to children under the age of five. Health ministry officials urged people to cooperate with polio teams to administer drops to their children against this crippling disease. In Punjab, anti-polio teams have been constituted to administer the Polio vaccine to 22 million children. In Sindh, more than eighty thousand polio workers will go door to door to administer vaccines to over ten million children. Likewise, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, more than seven point four million children up to five years of age will be administered Polio vaccine drops. In Balochistan, more than 2.5 million children up to five years of age would be administ...

Middle-order batter Azam Khan was fined 50% of his match fees for breaching clothing and equipment regulations (displaying unapproved logo/political messaging) during the National T20 tournament in Karachi. According to media reports, Azam displayed Palestine's flag on his bat during the National T20 game. The flamboyant batter is playing for Karachi Whites and scored 35 against Lahore Blues on Sunday before being summoned by the match referee Mohammad Javed. According to reports, the young batter was fined 50% of his match fees. The batter was earlier warned by the referee not to display the unapproved logo (Palestine's flag) on his bat as it would be a breach of the ICC code of conduct, of which the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is also a signatory. Azam had, according to sources, informed the referee that all of his bats have the same stickers. The ICC regulation for clothing and equipment states that players shall not be allowed to display messages that carry politica...

Shah Khawar, former attorney general, has been named the Chief Election Commissioner of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), according to a notification issued by the Inter-Provincial Liaison Ministry. Caretaker Prime Minister Anwar Haq Kakar approved the appointment, entrusting Khawar with the responsibility of overseeing the organization of PCB elections within the next three months. Khawar's tenure will culminate on February 4, 2024, which serves as the deadline for the election of the PCB chairman. "Shah Khawar Board of Governors will hold elections on completion. The deadline for the election of the chairman is February 4, 2024," the notification said. It must be noted that the federal government recently approved a three-month extension for Zaka Ashraf as the chairman of the PCB's Management Committee. via Original Source

England batter Joe Root has pulled out of next year’s Indian Premier League (IPL), joining his red-ball skipper Ben Stokes in sitting out the glitzy Twenty20 tournament. Root, who had made his IPL debut for Rajasthan Royals earlier this year, opted out a day before the deadline for franchises to announce their releases and retentions ahead of the auction on December 19. “Joe Root has opted out of IPL 2024. The dressing room will miss you, Rooty,” Royals said late Saturday in a post on X, formerly Twitter. Root became the second player from England to opt out of the IPL after Stokes announced his withdrawal last week in order to manage his workload and fitness. Royals said in a statement on their website that they “respect” Root’s decision. “Even in a short span of time, Joe was able to create such a positive impact on the franchise and the players around him,” said Kumar Sangakkara, Royals’ director of cricket. “His energy around the group and the experience he brought to the R...

Reducing the risk of Alzheimer's disease is a goal that can be approached through dietary choices, according to recent research published in a health Journal. The study identifies specific foods to include and avoid, emphasising recognised eating patterns such as the Mediterranean, DASH, and MIND diets for cognitive health. Best and worst eating patterns for Alzheimer’s risk The Mediterranean diet, characterised by high consumption of olive oil, fish, fruits, vegetables, and legumes, with moderate amounts of dairy, poultry, and alcohol, has gained recognition for supporting cognitive health. Similarly, the DASH diet focuses on grains, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy, with limited red meat and sweets. The MIND diet combines elements of the Mediterranean and DASH diets, emphasising olive oil, fish, whole grains, berries, and green leafy vegetables. Conversely, the Western diet, marked by high fat, processed foods, and meat consumption, is associated with poor cognitive o...

Former federal minister and senior politician Muhammad Ali Durrani has proposed that the heads of major political parties should pave a way for the formation of a national unity government by stepping aside from the prime ministerial race. “Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Asif Ali Zardari and Imran Khan should not aspire to become prime minister and instead play their role for the formation of national unity government in the country,” Durrani said in an interview. He said the leaders of PML-N, PPP, and PTI should put forth their respective candidates for the position of prime minister. Durrani has initiated the process of political reconciliation in the country amidst corrosive impact of divisive politics that has erected formidable barriers to the progress and uplift of the masses. On Nov 15, the former minister presented the plan for the formation of an elected national unity government in the country after the general elections. He quoted examples from Britain, Ireland, and South Afric...

Police in France arrested Nice footballer Youcef Atal for sharing a social media post in the backdrop of the Gaza conflict. According to international media reports, the Nice-Matin daily said that the 27-year-old Algerian defender was arrested for "provoking racial hatred on grounds of religion." The Nice prosecutor opened an investigation on Oct. 16. Atal, who won the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations with Algeria, shared an Instagram video in October in which a Palestinian preacher prayed to the God to send "a black day for the Jews" amid the Israeli war on Gaza. Then Nice right-back Atal apologized but was suspended by the club for the Gaza post. The French league also banned him for seven matches. Having 29 caps for Algeria, Atal joined Nice from Belgium's Kortrijk in 2018 to score 12 goals in 115 appearances. via Original Source

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Zaka Ashraf, in his statement, said that all-rounder Imad Wasim has been a valuable asset to Pakistan cricket. The 34-year-old announced his retirement from international cricket as he believes it is the right to move forward. Meanwhile, Zaka hailed Imad for his services adding Pakistan will miss him. "His performances, especially in white-ball cricket, have been crucial to the team's success. While we respect his decision to retire, we will miss his presence on the field," Zaka said in a statement released by the PCB. "On behalf of the PCB and its management committee, I extend our sincere thanks to Imad for his services to Pakistan cricket and wish him the very best in his future endeavours." "In recent days I have been doing a lot of thinking about my international career and I have come to the conclusion that now is the right time for me to announce my retirement from international cricket," Imad Wasim s...

Peanuts, the small but mighty legumes, have earned their place as a popular snack and a versatile ingredient in various cuisines worldwide. Many people believe the peanut is not as nutritionally valuable as true nuts like almonds, walnuts, or cashews. But actually, peanuts have many of the same health benefits as the more expensive nuts and should not be overlooked as a nutritious food. Heart Health Much attention has been paid to walnuts and almonds as “heart-healthy” foods, given their high content of unsaturated fats. But research suggests that peanuts are every bit as good for heart health as more expensive nuts. Peanuts help prevent heart disease by lowering cholesterol levels. They can also stop small blood clots from forming and reduce your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Weight Loss Foods with a lot of protein can help you feel full with fewer calories. And among nuts, peanuts are second only to almonds when it comes to protein count. Studies have shown that pe...

Chinese health authorities told the World Health Organization on Thursday that a spike in cases of children with pneumonia or respiratory illness in the northern part of the country stems from typical seasonal germs rather than any novel or unknown pathogen, the organization said. After asking for more information from China on Wednesday about the increase in pediatric disease, WHO held a teleconference with leaders from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Beijing Children’s Hospital at which those officials shared the requested details, the organization said in a statement. The Chinese officials said that they have seen an increase in the number of sick kids seeing doctors or being hospitalized for Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia, a common infection that often affects younger children. It can be treated with antibiotics. Since October, doctor visits and hospitalizations are also up for RSV, adenovirus and the flu, the officials said. Some of those increa...

West Indies cricketer Marlon Samuels has been banned by the International Cricket Board (ICC) for six years for breaching the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) Anti-Corruption Code. Samuels, a two-time T20 World Cup winner, was charged by the ICC in September 2021 on four different counts before being found guilty in August this year. The charges were related to the Abu Dhabi T10 in 2019, where he did not play but was part of the team, Karnataka Tuskers. The four charges Samuels was found guilty of were: Article 2.4.2 - Failing to disclose to the Designated Anti-Corruption Official, the receipt of any gift, payment, hospitality or other benefit that was made or given in circumstances that could bring the Participant or the sport of cricket into disrepute. Article 2.4.3 - Failing to disclose to the Designated Anti-Corruption Official receipt of hospitality with a value of US $750 or more. Article 2.4.6 - Failing to cooperate with the Designated Anti-Corruption Official's investiga...

Pakistan cricket team’s tour to the Netherlands for a three-match T20I series has been postponed at the request of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) citing scheduling issues. According to media reports, PCB approached the Royal Dutch Cricket Association (KNCB) and requested to reschedule the series, which was initially scheduled for May 2024. This decision aims to alleviate the strain on a congested cricket calendar. Pakistan and Netherlands’ cricket boards are working on finding alternative options to reschedule the T20I series at a more suitable time. Roland Lefebvre, the High-Performance Manager at KNCB has expressed his frustration over the postponement of the series, however, he also remained positive about finding a suitable time to play the series. “We’re obviously disappointed but of course, we understand the situation, and remain optimistic a new window will be found to play the series either at home or away,” KNCB High-Performance Manager Roland Lefebvre said. Pakistan’...

Water makes up 70 percent of our bodies. However, as winter approaches and the temperature drop, the air becomes dry and our bodies get less moisture as compared to summer. One of the main reasons for less moisture in our body is a lack of water. As winter approaches, our water intake reduces to a great extent which affects our health. Even if you invest in herbal teas to keep yourself warm in winter, nothing can beat the advantages of drinking sufficient water. The only thing that you need to remember is to drink clean and safe water. Choosing one of the best water purifiers will ensure that you not only stay hydrated but also safe from water-borne diseases. In this blog, we discuss why is it important to drink sufficient water in winter and how much water should you drink. Why Don’t We Feel Thirsty During Winter? Though the temperatures are not very high during winter, however, it brings some of its own heat in the form of room heaters and furnaces. Even if we don’t sweat durin...

Football legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are set to face each other one more time in Saudi Arabia in February next year. The duo recently faced each other on the football pitch earlier in January this year when Messi's Paris Saint-Germain locked horns with Riyadh All-Stars XI with the former securing a 5-4 victory in the Kingdom. Many believe that it would mark the final time Messi and Ronaldo shared a pitch as they near the end of their careers on different continents. Both strikers have dominated international football for more than ten years with Ronaldo winning his first of five Ballon d'Or awards in 2008 Over the next 14 years, he and Messi have shared the prestigious trophy 12 times. Ronaldo, who plays for Saudi club Al Nassr will face Messi's Inter Miami in a pre-season friendly match titled "The Last Dance" — a homage to their probable final clash on the football pitch — ahead of the 2024 Major League Soccer season. Messi, aged 36, made h...

A devoted fan gifted a specially crafted crown to former Pakistan captain and star batter Babar Azam, the image capturing the moment took the internet by storm. Babar, who recently relinquished Pakistan’s captaincy from all three formats, continued to get unwavering support from his passionate fans. The right-handed batter is one of the top batters in the world and is often compared with the likes of Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Joe Root and Kane Williamson. For his unreal consistency, he is also called “The King” by a large number of fans. Meanwhile, in the latest turn of events, one of his fans presented him with a crown. “A lucky fan got to meet Babar Azam and gave him a crown,” the user wrote on X, formerly Twitter. For the unversed, Babar Azam’s captaincy and his future in the role came under question following the national team’s below-par performance in the ICC World Cup 2023. A lucky fan got to meet King Babar Azam and gave him a crown. pic.twitter.com/nelGbm4Qhg — Nawa...

In the realm of wholesome and adaptable foods, sweet potatoes emerge as a vibrant and nutrient-rich delight, offering not only a sweet taste but also an array of health benefits including aiding weight loss. Here is how sweet potatoes can help you reduce weight: Low-calorie content Sweet potatoes are relatively low in calories compared to their volume, making them a satisfying and filling food without a significant calorie load. The fibre content adds bulk to the diet, promoting a feeling of fullness. High fibre content Sweet potatoes are rich in dietary fibre, particularly soluble fibre. Fibre slows down digestion, keeping you feeling full for a more extended period. This can reduce overall calorie intake by preventing overeating and snacking between meals. Complex carbohydrates The carbohydrates in sweet potatoes are complex, providing a steady release of energy. This can help maintain stable blood sugar levels and prevent sudden spikes and crashes that can lead to cravings ...

Pakistan lost to Tajikistan 6-1 in their second match of the second round in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers at the Jinnah Stadium, Islamabad, on Tuesday. Tajikistan started the game in a similar manner as Saudia Arabia did four days ago by finding the back of the net in early minutes with Kamolov scoring for the visitors courtesy of a minor deflection from Abdullah Iqbal. Not more than five minutes later, the visitors doubled their lead with yet another strike from outside the box with Soirov making it impossible for Pakistan’s Yousuf Butt to save the shot from touching the net. Pakistan responded to Tajikistan’s lead in the 21st minute, Rahis Nabi scored an absolute stunner with his left foot, giving the home side and their fans much-needed hope to get back in the game. The Green Shirts didn’t have a great day in terms of team structure and off-the-ball movement as their midfield was nonexistent throughout the first half. Taking advantage of the absence of their mid, Tajikis...

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday appointed former pacer Umar Gul and spin wizard Saeed Ajmal as bowling coaches of the Pakistan cricket team. According to the PCB, Umar Gul and Saeed Ajmal’s inaugural assignments in these roles include the Test series against Australia scheduled from 14 December 2023 to 7 January 2024 and the T20I series against New Zealand from 12 to 21 January 2024. The appointment follows as South African former speedster Morne Morkel resigned as Pakistan’s bowling coach after the dismal performance of the Boys in Green in the ICC World Cup 2023. The PCB is making changes in the board and the team after Babar Azam’s resignation as captain of all formats. Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Yousuf, Mohammad Hafeez, Sohail Tanvir have been assigned important designation in the PCB. Umar Gul previously served as the bowling coach for the Pakistan Men’s Team during the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, and the subsequent series against New Zealand at home. ...

With cricket fans eagerly waiting for the ninth edition of the country's flagship cricket tournament, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Monday announced the pick order for the player draft for the upcoming edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Quetta Gladiators will make the first pick in the PSL 2024 player draft followed by Karachi Kings and two-time winners Islamabad United with second and third picks, respectively. Meanwhile, the fourth and fifth picks will be done by Peshawar Zalmi and PSL-8 runners-up Multan Sultans, whereas Lahore Qalandars will have the sixth pick in the first round of the player draft. "The selection order for the first round for the Platinum category is determined by the inverse order of the previous season's standings. In order to make the pick order more equitable, a different franchise shall occupy the first pick in the first round of each category," the board said in a press release. Quetta Gladiators will begin the Platinum p...

Chief selector Wahab Riaz Monday announced an 18-member Pakistan Test squad for the tour to Australia comprising three matches scheduled from December 14, 2023, to January 7, 2024. This will be Wahab's first assignment since he took charge of the national men’s selection committee last week, while the same applies to Shan Masood — who was picked as captain after Babar Azam resigned. Masood has been named Pakistan's captain for the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle after taking over the reins from Babar following a humiliating World Cup campaign. Wahab Riaz, in his maiden press conference as chief selector, said pacer Haris Rauf had assured the cricket board that he would play Test cricket for the national side, but yesterday, he informed the management that he does not want to be part of this series. "It is important to inform you about this because people should have clarity about what's goining on," Riaz told journalists, highlighting that Rauf had...

Australian opener Travis Head saved his best for the last as he smashed 137 runs off 120 balls in the final of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 against India at the Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. The 29-year-old won the player of the match as Australia chased 241 with six wickets remaining to win an unprecedented sixth World Cup title. Head was the top-scorer for Australia in the semifinal as well as he made 62 off just 48 balls against South Africa. The talent of the left-handed opening batsman, who made his debut for Australia in 2016, was also recognised by the legendary Shane Warne. Considered to be one of the greatest bowlers in the history of cricket, Warne died of a heart attack in 2022 at the age of 52. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, he predicted Travis Head as one of the “future stars for Australia”. In a tweet on December 6, 2016, Warne wrote, “I’m a big fan of Travis Head as a cricketer, I believe he will be a future star for Australia in all form...

On Sunday, Australia secured victory in the final of the ICC Men’s World Cup 2023 at the Ahmedabad Cricket Stadium, defeating the host team India. Following the final of the mega event, the ICC revealed the Team of the Tournament, in which a notable absence stands out, as no Pakistani cricketers secured a spot in the esteemed lineup. The selection panel, consisting of Ian Bishop, Kass Naidoo, Shane Watson, Wasim Khan, and Sunil Vaidya, finalized the team based on standout performances during the tournament. The team announced by the International Cricket Council includes six Indian players: Captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Shami. The Team of the Tournament also features two Australian players: Glenn Maxwell, and Adam Zampa, along with a Sri Lankan player, Dilshan Madushanka, New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell and South African player Quinton de Kock. Gerald Coetzee has been included as the twelfth player for the Team of the...

Hey there, parents, teachers, coaches, and all you caring adults! Have you ever stopped to think about the impact of your words on the kids in your life? According to media report, a recent study in the journal Child Abuse & Neglect suggests that shouting at, denigrating, or verbally threatening children can be just as damaging to their development as physical or sexual abuse. The research, conducted by experts from Wingate University in North Carolina and University College London, reviewed a whopping 166 previous studies on child abuse. What they found was eye-opening: childhood verbal abuse, which includes yelling and hurtful words, deserves its own category of maltreatment. The recognition is crucial because verbal abuse can have lifelong negative consequences. Unlike other forms of emotional abuse, like silent treatment or witnessing domestic violence, verbal abuse is considered more "overt." This means it's easier to spot, but it's also essential to a...

Opener Travis Head hit a sparkling 137 to power Australia to a record-extending sixth World Cup title with a convincing six-wicket win over India in Ahmedabad on Sunday. Chasing a tricky 241 for victory in the final, Australia slipped to 47-3 before the left-handed Head hit his second century of the tournament to steer the team home with seven overs to spare. Opener Travis Head hit a sparkling 137 to power Australia to a record-extending sixth World Cup title with a convincing six-wicket win over India in Ahmedabad on Sunday. Chasing a tricky 241 for victory in the final, Australia slipped to 47-3 before the left-handed Head hit his second century of the tournament to steer the team home with seven overs to spare. Head’s knock and his marathon stand of 192 with Marnus Labuschagne, unbeaten on 58, ended India’s dominant run of 10 unbeaten matches at the event. Head fell after his 120-ball knock laced with 15 fours and four sixes before Glenn Maxwell hit the winning runs to trigge...

Ivory Coast enjoyed a goal rout at the start of their World Cup qualifying campaign but fellow African heavyweights Cameroon, Ghana and Tunisia made heavy work of home games against lowly opposition on Friday. The Ivorians, who will host January’s Africa Cup of Nations, won 9-0 at home to the Seychelles in their Group ‘F’ opener to create a record winning margin for a World Cup qualifier in Africa and make a bright start to their bid for a place at the 2026 finals when the World Cup will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the US. Borussia Dortmund forward Sebastien Haller started the goal rush on 20 minutes and Karim Konate from Salzburg completed it five minutes into added time. Konate and Hamed Traore scored two goals each and Haller, Ibrahim Sangare, Simon Adingra, Seko Fofana and Jean-Philippe Krasso one apiece in a game that might have seen a bigger victory had it not been for some fine saves by Carlos Simoen. Seychelles, a tourist destination off the east coast of Africa, a...