ISLAMABAD: Pakistan left-arm fast bowler Wahab Riaz said Monday he has agreed to return to test cricket if required for a series in England.
The 34-year-old Riaz has taken 83 wickets in just 27 test matches since making his debut in 2010. He was among 29 players named for the three tests and three Twenty20s in August and September after the Pakistan Cricket Board decided to send an extended squad in case a player is ruled out due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“The Pakistan Cricket Board communicated with me to play test cricket (in England), if required, and to play for Pakistan is always a priority so I said yes without even thinking,” Riaz told reporters during a video teleconference organized by the PCB.
Riaz took an indefinite break from test cricket last year just before Pakistan toured Australia. Mohammad Amir, another left-arm quick bowler, also quit before that tour and the pair's absence didn't go over well with head coach Misbah-ul-Haq or fast-bowling coach Waqar Younis.
But Riaz defended his decision because he had played just four test matches in three years despite being a regular member of Pakistan ODI and Twenty20 teams.
“The priority was not different last year,” Riaz explained. “I haven’t been playing test cricket regularly in the last three, four years before this management arrived so the priority was to focus on white ball cricket."
Riaz also lost his place in the centrally contracted players this year, but for him playing for Pakistan was more important than looking at the contract.
“Of course central contact gives security to a player,” he said. “But playing for Pakistan is more important to me and I have got this opportunity once again by being selected in the team.”
When asked whether it would be only a one-off test series, Riaz said he had to see how things go in England.
“I know playing in England is not easy,” he said. “Getting an opportunity to play for Pakistan in red ball cricket is also a challenge for me which I have to accept and I accepted it.
“As a senior player, I wanted to create an example ... because it all has to be for Pakistan, not for yourself and the color of the ball does not matter.”
The rise in COVID-19 cases in Pakistan has forced the PCB to cancel a training camp of the team and the team is expected to leave for England in early July to get enough time to get used to the conditions.
Pakistan's Riaz ready for test return, if needed in England
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Pakistan's Riaz ready for test return, if needed in England
- 34-year-old Riaz has taken 83 wickets in just 27 test matches since making his debut in 2010
- Riaz took an indefinite break from test cricket last year just before Pakistan toured Australia
Pakistani PM orders cooperation with Interpol against suspects running human trafficking schemes abroad
- Illegal immigration in spotlight in Pakistan since last month after five Pakistani nationals killed in boat capsize off Greek coast
- In 2023, hundreds, including 262 Pakistani nationals, drowned when an overcrowded vessel sank off Greek coast
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday called on the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to work with international police organization Interpol for the extradition of suspects running the “heinous business of human trafficking abroad.”
The issue of illegal immigration has been in the spotlight in the South Asian nation since last month following the death of five Pakistanis when a migrant boat capsized off the southern Greek island of Gavdos.
The tragedy, which occurred on Dec. 14, underscored the perilous journeys many migrants undertake due to military or political conflicts in their home countries or in search of better financial prospects.
On Wednesday, Sharif presided over a review meeting to discuss progress on actions taken against human trafficking.
“Prime Minister instructed the FIA to seek cooperation from Interpol for the extradition of the most wanted smugglers running the heinous business of human trafficking abroad,” the PM’s office said in a statement.
“Ministry of Information and Broadcasting should run an effective awareness campaign about illegal foreign travel and human trafficking.”
Authorities told Sharif dozens of traffickers had been arrested in 2024 and several government officials who were found to be facilitating them had been dismissed and several more were facing disciplinary action.
“Punitive measures are being taken against government officials involved in human trafficking,” the statement added. “Assets worth over Rs 500 million of human traffickers have been seized and the process of confiscating more is underway rapidly … Special prosecutors have been appointed to prosecute human traffickers.”
In 2023, hundreds of migrants, including 262 Pakistanis, drowned when an overcrowded vessel traveling from Libya capsized and sank in international waters off the southwestern Greek coastal town of Pylos.
Another round of talks between Imran Khan’s party, government expected tomorrow
- Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party held first round of talks with government on Dec. 23, second on Jan. 2
- Party is demanding the release of political prisoners, judicial commission to probe allegations it led violent protests
ISLAMABAD: The political party of Pakistan’s imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan will hold another round of talks tomorrow, Thursday, with the government over the release of its leader and other political activists and the formation of a judicial commission to probe accusations the party led violent protests.
Khan’s ouster in a parliamentary vote of no-confidence in 2022 has plunged the country into long-term political crisis, particularly since the founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was jailed in August last year on corruption and other charges, on which he remains behind bars. His party and supporters regularly hold protests calling for his release, with many of the demonstrations turning violent, including one in November last year in which the government says four troops were killed and the PTI says 12 of its supporters died.
Khan had previously rejected talks with the government, saying his party would only speak to the ‘real powerbrokers’ in Pakistan, the all-powerful army, but last month he set up a negotiating committee of top party leaders to open dialogue with the government on two main demands: the release of political prisoners and the establishment of judicial commissions to investigate PTI-led protests on May 9, 2023, and Nov. 26, 2024, in which the government says his supporters engaged in violence and arson.
The first round of talks took place on Dec. 23 and the second on Jan. 2.
“We [government committee] told them [PTI] at the last meeting that if you want a judicial commission then what terms of reference do you want, do you have any conditions on who should head it, and similarly, can you give us a list of who you consider political prisoners and then we can answer whether these are political prisoners or not,” Rana Sanaullah, a senior leader of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s PML-N party, told Pakistan’s Geo News on Wednesday.
“Hopefully, at tomorrow’s [Thursday] meeting, they will give us this list and also their conditions on the judicial commission.”
Speaking outside a sessions court in the federal capital, PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan, who is also Khan’s lawyer, confirmed that another round of talks would be held with the government committee on Thursday.
“The third session of our negotiations with the government will take place tomorrow and we will submit our written demands,” he told reporters.
“If the government engages with sincerity and seriousness, solutions to these issues can be found. Democracy and political stability require the release and relief of political prisoners ... We hope this process will conclude soon and bring good news.”
The talks opened last month as Khan had threatened a civil dissidence movement and amid growing concerns he could face trial by a military court for allegedly inciting attacks on sensitive security installations during the May 9 protests.
The negotiations also began two days after 25 civilians were sentenced by a military court to periods of two to 10 years of “rigorous imprisonment” in connection with attacks on military facilities on May 9, 2023. Just days later on Dec. 26, another 60 civilians were sentenced by a military court to jail time ranging from 2 to 10 years in connection with the May 9 attacks.
Khan’s arrest in May 2023 in a land graft case sparked countrywide protests that saw his supporters attack and ransack military installations in an unprecedented backlash against Pakistan’s powerful army generals. Although Khan was released days later, he was rearrested in August that year after being convicted in a corruption case. He remains in prison and says all cases against him are politically motivated.
Pakistan smoking-related deaths surpass South Asia, global averages — survey
- Pakistan’s annual rate is 91.1 per 100,000 people, with 80% smokers expressing desire to quit
- Average death rate for South Asia is 78.1, while the global average is 72.6 per 100,000 people
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s annual smoking-related death rate of 91.1 per 100,000 people significantly exceeds both the South Asian and global averages, according to an analysis by Gallup Pakistan on Tuesday, based on the Global Burden of Disease 2024 report.
Smoking is often initiated at a young age in Pakistan, with many individuals beginning the habit during adolescence. Although laws exist to prevent the sale of cigarettes to anyone under 18 and prohibit sales near schools, enforcement remains weak.
The affordability of cigarettes further contributes to the easy accessibility of tobacco products for youth. Early initiation is additionally driven by peer pressure and the perceived glamor associated with smoking, despite restrictions on promotional activities.
“According to the Global Burden of Disease 2024, Pakistan reports an annual death rate from smoking of 91.1 per 100,000 people, notably higher than the averages for South Asia (78.1) and the rest of the world (72.6),” Gallup said.
“Between 1990 and 2021, Pakistan experienced a 35 percent relative decrease in smoking-related death rates, which is lower than the reductions achieved by India (37 percent), South Asia (38 percent), and the global average (42 percent),” it added.
Gallup also mentioned data from the World Health Organization, saying it showed that purchasing 100 packs of the most-sold cigarette brand requires 3.7 percent of the GDP per capita, significantly lower than India’s 9.8 percent and Bangladesh’s 4.2 percent.
However, cigarette affordability is still decreasing in the country, with the share of GDP per capita needed to buy 100 packs rising by 38 percent between 2012 and 2022 due to price increases.
Gallup also quoted its own 2022 opinion poll, saying 80 percent of smokers in the country expressed a desire to quit smoking.
Pakistan plot spin blitz as West Indies return after 19 years
- Pakistan capitalized on home advantage when England came in October
- West Indies last toured Pakistan in 2006, before a militant attack on visiting Sri Lanka team
MULTAN, Pakistan: Pakistan will look to formidable spin duo Noman Ali and Sajid Khan to torment the visitors when the West Indies play their first Test series in the country in 19 years from Friday.
Pakistan capitalized on home advantage when England came in October, tailoring pitches for slow bowling to snap a painful winless streak with a 2-1 victory.
Noman and Sajid played starring roles and are joined in the squad by Abrar Ahmed, hinting at a three-pronged spin assault in the two-match series in Multan.
The West Indies last toured Pakistan in 2006, before a militant attack on the visiting Sri Lanka team three years later scared off international sides.
Andre Coley is in charge of a West Indies team which has won only two of its last 13 Tests before he hands over the reins to white-ball coach Daren Sammy in April.
“It’s a new series, a new opportunity,” Coley told reporters as the team arrived last week.
“When you talk about Test cricket, it’s not only the opposition’s skill that provides tests, but the different conditions, different environments and different game situations.”
Pakistan selectors delivered victory against England by taking the bold decision to drop ace batsman Babar Azam and pace pair Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah.
Left-arm spinner Noman and off-spinner Sajid shared 39 of 40 England wickets on pitches baked with patio heaters and dried with fans, clinching the series after losing the first match.
“We bounced back well against England,” said skipper Shan Masood of a series that salvaged his reputation after Pakistan lost their first six matches under his captaincy.
“With backs against the wall we did well. We need to learn how to land the first punch,” he said after his team suffered a 2-0 defeat in South Africa last week.
Azam has regained his place but Shaheen and Naseem remain out in a bid to manage their workloads.
Opener Saim Ayub is suffering from a calf injury sustained in South Africa and his partner Abdullah Shafique is dropped because of poor form, leaving the door open for the return of experienced Imam-ul-Haq.
To match Pakistan’s spin attack, the West Indies will deploy left-armers Gudakesh Motie and Jomel Warrican, as well as Kevin Sinclair.
Kemar Roach will head the pace attack in the absence of Shamar Joseph — out with a shin injury — and Alzarri Joseph who has opted to play T20 cricket in the UAE.
The second Test starts January 25, with the series deciding which team will finish bottom of the World Test Championship table.
Pakistan currently rank eighth and the West Indies ninth and last.
South Africa and Australia have already qualified for June’s WTC final at Lord’s despite Australia’s shock loss to the West Indies in Brisbane last year.
Squads:
Pakistan: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Kashif Ali, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan, Noman Ali, Rohail Nazir, Sajid Khan, Salman Agha
West Indies: Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Joshua Da Silva, Alick Athanaze, Keacy Carty, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Tevin Imlach, Amir Jangoo, Mikyle Louis, Gudakesh Motie, Anderson Phillip, Kemar Roach, Kevin Sinclair, Jayden Seales, Jomel Warrican
Pakistani security forces kill four militants in North Waziristan operation
- The intelligence-based operation was carried out against TTP militants in the Spinwam area
- Pakistan’s army chief said this week security forces will continue targeted operations against TTP
KARACHI: Pakistani security forces killed four militants in an intelligence-based operation in North Waziristan’s Spinwam area, the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said on Wednesday.
The operation comes amid a surge in militant violence in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, which Pakistani authorities attribute to cross-border attacks by the proscribed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) from neighboring Afghanistan.
Officials have also accused the Afghan Taliban administration of facilitating these attacks, a claim Kabul has denied.
Pakistan’s army chief, General Asim Munir, told political stakeholders in KP this week that security forces were not planning a full-scale operation against the TTP but would continue targeted intelligence-based actions to counter the banned militant faction.
“On night 14/15 January 2025, Security Forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in general area Spinwam, North Waziristan District on reported presence of khwarij [TTP militants],” the ISPR said in a statement.
“During conduct of the operation, own troops effectively engaged khwarij’s location, and after intense exchange of fire, four khwarij were sent to hell,” it added.
Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the militants, who the ISPR said had been actively involved in numerous violent attacks on security forces and targeted killings of civilians.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended the security forces for their efforts.
“The nation is proud of the fearless youth in our security forces,” Sharif said in a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office. “We remain determined to thwart the evil designs of the enemies of humanity and will continue to work toward eradicating terrorism from the country.”
The ISPR emphasized the operation underscored Pakistan’s commitment to eliminating militancy, adding security forces were determined to “wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country.”
