Latest

PSL 11: Multan Sultans secure 11-run win over Karachi Kings

Karachi: Multan Sultans beat Karachi Kings by 11 runs by an exceptional batting display and disciplined bowling in the 28th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 at Karachi’s National Bank Stadium on Sunday.

Chasing 208, Kings were bowled out for 196 in 19.4 overs as Sultans produced an exceptional bowling display to defend the target.

The team got off to a solid start with openers Saad Baig and Jason Roy setting the tone, as runs flowed freely in the early stages of the game.

However, Arafat Minhas provided the breakthrough for Multan as he claimed his first wicket and ended the 29-run opening stand, with Roy dismissed after scoring 16 off nine deliveries, including two fours and a six.

Arafat struck again in the fifth over as Salman Ali Agha’s poor run with the bat continued after being dismissed for two off five deliveries, leaving the team at 41-2 in 4.1 overs.

Karachi Kings were three wickets down inside the powerplay as Peter Siddle picked up his first wicket by dismissing opener Saad Baig after contributing 21 off 15 deliveries, including four boundaries.

Reeza Hendricks and skipper Moeen Ali joined hands and stabilised the innings, putting together a 50-run stand which also helped the team’s total cross the 100-run mark.

Hendricks was nearing yet another PSL half-century but fell short as he was dismissed by Mohammad Imran, which also ended the 67-run stand after contributing 49 runs off 32 deliveries, including five fours and two sixes.

On the first delivery of the 15th over, Karachi lost their fifth wicket as Ashton Turner struck and removed Moeen Ali, who scored 27 off 23 deliveries after hitting two sixes, leaving the team at 129-5.

Abbas Afridi fought hard for his side, scoring runs through boundaries to ease the pressure, which also helped the team’s total sail past the 150-run mark.

Another Sultans spinner joined the attack as Momin Qamar picked up his first wicket of the match and dismissed Khushdil Shah cheaply for four off six deliveries.

Arafat was in top form with the ball as he picked up his third wicket of the match and got rid of Shahid Aziz for a first-ball duck, leaving the team at 160-7 in 16.4 overs.

Hasan Ali and Abbas were not backing down without a fight as they aimed to turn the result around, with runs coming in quick flow, inching closer towards the target with 23 runs required in two overs.

However, Peter Siddle gave Sultans a much-needed breakthrough as Abbas Afridi gave away his wicket after playing a fiery 16-ball 34, hitting three fours and two sixes.

Kings dealt with another setback in the final stages of the game as Adam Zampa was the ninth batter to be dismissed courtesy of a run-out, while Kings’ innings were wrapped up with Hasan Ali being run out after scoring 23 off 10 deliveries.

Minhas was named Player of the Match after taking three wickets for 32 runs in his three overs.

Batting first, Sultans posted 207-7 in their allotted 20 overs.

The team got off to a poor start as Khushdil Shah struck early for Karachi Kings, taking a big wicket on the third delivery of the second over by dismissing Steve Smith for a duck.

Awais Zafar and Josh Philippe then joined hands and started building the innings, finding runs steadily and taking the team past the 50-run mark. The pair added a strong 50-run stand for the second wicket, maintaining momentum and targeting a solid total.

However, Khushdil struck again, claiming his second wicket to break the 66-run partnership by removing Philippe, who played a brilliant knock of 44 off 23 deliveries, hitting five fours and two sixes. The side was left at 77-2 in 7.2 overs.

Shan Masood then came to the crease and supported Awais Zafar as the duo continued adding valuable runs, guiding the team past the 100-run mark.

Khushdil Shah remained in superb form, striking for the third time in his spell by dismissing Awais Zafar, who made 36 off 27 balls with five fours and a six.

In the very next over, Karachi Kings gained further control as Moeen Ali joined the attack and removed Shan Masood, who scored a vital 46 off 25 deliveries, including three fours and three sixes, leaving the side at 135-4 in 13.2 overs.

Arafat Minhas and skipper Ashton Turner kept the scoreboard ticking which helped the total sail past the 150-run mark but Moeen had the upper hand again as he picked up his second wicket by dismissing Turner for a run-a-ball 11.

Pacer Hasan Ali picked up his first wicket as Sultans slipped to six down, with Arafat Minhas dismissed after scoring 17 off 12 deliveries, including two fours.

In the 19th over, Adam Zampa struck, removing Mohammad Nawaz for a run-a-ball 12 after he hit one six, leaving the team at 174-7 in 18.2 overs.

Mohammad Imran then came in and piled up runs in the final over, smashing boundaries and two sixes to take the team past the 200-run mark.

He finished unbeaten on 26 off eight deliveries, featuring two fours and two sixes, while Mohammad Wasim also remained not out on seven.

Khushdil was the standout bowler for the Kings, returning figures of 3/35 in his four overs. Moeen Ali claimed two wickets, while Adam Zampa and Hasan Ali contributed with one wicket each.

Latest

Pakistani Students’ UK Visa Delays Raised by Azam Nazeer Tarar with British High Commissioner

Azam Nazeer Tarar with UK High Commissioner

ISLAMABAD: British High Commissioner Jane Marriott called on Federal Minister for Law & Justice Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar. The meeting discussed Pakistan-UK bilateral relations, matters of mutual interest and ways to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries.

During the meeting, the Federal Minister raised the issue of delays in UK visas for Pakistani students and conveyed the Government of Pakistan’s concern to the British High Commissioner.

Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar said that hundreds of Pakistani students were facing difficulties due to delays in visa processing, with a risk that the delays could result in the loss of their academic year. He stressed the need to remove obstacles faced by Pakistani students seeking education abroad and facilitate them in this regard.

The Federal Minister briefed the British High Commissioner that, on the directives of the Prime Minister, a committee under his chairmanship was working to improve the legal and institutional framework concerning Pakistani students studying abroad.

He further informed the High Commissioner that, on the Prime Minister’s directives, the committee had finalized its recommendations on the matter, and work was underway to further improve the legal and institutional framework for Pakistani students pursuing education abroad.

The Federal Minister said that the legal and institutional framework for Pakistani students seeking education abroad was being improved to develop an effective mechanism for addressing the issues faced by students.

British High Commissioner Jane Marriott assured the Federal Minister that the issue of delays in visas for Pakistani students would be addressed.

The meeting also discussed further strengthening educational linkages between Pakistan and the United Kingdom, as well as enhancing institutional cooperation and engagement between the two countries.

Minister of State for Law, Justice and Human Rights Barrister Aqeel Malik was also present during the meeting.

Latest

Naqvi Sets September 30 Deadline for Completion of Islamabad Safe City Expansion

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, accompanied by Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, visited the Islamabad Safe City Headquarters on Friday and chaired a special meeting to review progress on the Safe City Expansion Project, directing officials to complete the ambitious initiative by September 30.

During the briefing, officials informed the minister that overall work on the expansion project has reached 85 percent completion. Installation of the new surveillance network is also 85 percent complete, while 415 kilometres of optical fibre have been laid to support the upgraded system. Work on the data centre, cyber architecture, and cybersecurity infrastructure has also reached approximately 80 percent completion.

Expressing satisfaction over the pace of work, Naqvi stressed that the remaining tasks must be completed within the stipulated timeframe.

He said the government’s vision is to transform the Islamabad Safe City into a modern, smart, and world-class institution comparable to those in developed countries.

The interior minister said the technologically advanced Safe City system would significantly strengthen public safety through enhanced surveillance, effective monitoring, and rapid emergency response capabilities.

He noted that the project would play a vital role in improving law enforcement efficiency and ensuring better security for residents of the federal capital.

Naqvi also assigned officials the task of completing the state-of-the-art Fusion Centre within the next three months, describing it as a critical component of the upgraded Safe City network.

He further directed the relevant authorities to finalise the Safe City Bill at the earliest and present it before the National Assembly without delay to provide the legal framework necessary for the project’s long-term operation and expansion.

The meeting was attended by the Federal Secretary for Interior, the Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), senior Safe City officials, and other relevant officers, who briefed the minister on the progress and future roadmap of the expansion project.

Latest

PM Shehbaz, high-level delegation perform Umrah; pray for country’s progress

MAKKAH AL-MUKARRAMAH: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, along with his high-level delegation, performed Umrah here on Friday.

He was accompanied by his delegation including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, federal ministers Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant to PM Tariq Fatemi.

The door of Khana Kaaba was opened specially for the prime minister and his delegation.

Following the completion of the Umrah rituals, the prime minister, field marshal, and other members of the Pakistani delegation offered special prayers for the progress and prosperity of the country, the safety and unity of the Muslim Ummah, and for regional and global peace.

The prime minister arrived in Jeddah on Thursday evening for a three-day visit to Saudi Arabia at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

Besides meeting with his Saudi counterpart, he will also pay a visit to the Roze-e-Rasool (PBUH) in Madinah.