KOLKATA: Pakistan team director Mickey Arthur sought “divine help” on Monday as the 1992 champions braced for one last push to squeeze into the World Cup semifinals before piling on the praise for “game-changing” opener Fakhar Zaman.
Pakistan have recorded back-to-back wins over Bangladesh and New Zealand to reignite their campaign with Zaman returning from a knee injury to hit 81 and then a blistering 81-ball 126 not out against the Kiwis.
With eight points from as many games, Pakistan not only need to beat England in their last game in Kolkata on Saturday but also hope New Zealand lose to Sri Lanka in Bengaluru two days earlier or that the match is washed out.
Afghanistan can also edge out Pakistan depending on results in their two last matches.
“Who knows how we are going to go in this competition,” said Arthur, who is in his second stint in charge of Pakistan after a spell between 2016-2019.
“I have a real feeling we’re going to get to the semifinals but let’s see what happens. What we do know is that it will in our hands come Saturday.
“With a little bit of divine help, we can get to the semifinal but we have to play well. We played the perfect game once, I think, and that was against Bangladesh.”
If Pakistan do qualify they will likely set up a mouth-watering clash with arch-rivals India in Kolkata on November 16 for a place in the final.
Arthur hailed the match-winning displays of Zaman.
“Since Fakhar has come in he has just been unbelievable,” said Arthur of the 33-year-old left-hander.
“Sometimes in campaigns like this it takes something to just ignite it and Fakhar certainly ignited that for us.
“We know when he plays well he is exceptional. I have always been a massive backer of Fakhar because I think he can change games.”
Chasing a daunting 402-run target to beat New Zealand — revised to 342 in 41 overs after rain — Zaman lifted his team to 200-1 before the match was halted with Pakistan 21 runs ahead of DLS system.
Zaman hit 11 sixes and eight boundaries in his 11th ODI hundred, his first in two World Cups.
“Obviously, Fakhar coming into the side breathed a new lease of life into us. It was tough not having him at the start. His form coming into the competition was a little bit patchy.”
Zaman scored just 65 runs in four Asia Cup matches and 12 against the Netherlands in the World Cup before he was benched.
He then had a recurrence of a knee injury that forced him to withdraw mid-way through last year’s Twenty20 World Cup in Australia.
“He (Zaman) changes games whenever he bats, the longer he bats the more dominant we become,” said Arthur.
“So, it is really important for us that we keep Fakhar in this type of form and it’s really important that he takes this form and aggression and precision with his batting into the game against England.”
Arthur said his team need to bring their best game against England, despite the defending champions’ having lost six of their seven matches.
“Let’s hope we are saving ourselves for a batting, bowling and fielding performance against England and then what will be, will be.”
Arthur seeks divine intervention to save Pakistan at World Cup
https://arab.news/cn883
Arthur seeks divine intervention to save Pakistan at World Cup
- Pakistan hope New Zealand lose to Sri Lanka or the match is washed away
- The above and a win over England will secure Pakistan a place in the semis
One killed, 15 injured in southwestern Pakistan as IED blast targets Punjab-bound bus
- Pakistan army soldiers among 15 injured in blast, says paramilitary force Levies official
- No group has claimed responsibility for attack but suspicion likely to fall on separatist BLA
QUETTA: One person was killed while 15 others, including army soldiers, were injured in southwestern Pakistan on Sunday when a passenger bus headed toward Pakistan’s Punjab province was targeted by an improvised explosive device (IED), an official of the paramilitary Levies force said.
The blast occurred in Khori, a small town located at a distance of 40 kilometers from Khuzdar city in southwestern Balochistan province, Ali Nawaz, a Levies official in Khori, told Arab News.
He said the bus carrying 30 passengers was headed to the eastern city of Rawalpindi from Khuzdar when it was targeted by an IED blast fitted in a vehicle parked on the M-8 highway at 9:30 am.
“One passenger was killed on the spot while 15 were injured,” Nawaz told Arab News. “Initial investigations by police have revealed that around 25 kilograms of explosive material were used in the attack, which destroyed one side of the passenger bus.”
Nawaz said the injured have been shifted to the District Headquarters (DHQ) hospital and the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Khuzdar.
“Soldiers of Pakistan’s armed forces are among the injured who were traveling in the bus,” he said, without specifying how many of the injured were soldiers.
No group has claimed responsibility for the blast. However, the separatist Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed killing ethnic Punjabi laborers in the past.
BLA militants claimed responsibility for killing at least 23 residents of Punjab in Balochistan’s Musakhel district in August 2024. The victims were forced out of their vehicles by the militants, who shot them after checking their identity.
Simultaneous attacks were also launched on the same day that killed over 50 in one of the deadliest attacks in Balochistan in recent years.
Balochistan, a mineral-rich province that shares borders with Iran and Afghanistan, has faced an insurgency for decades which has intensified in recent years.
Baloch separatist groups and nationalist political leaders accuse the central government in Islamabad of exploiting the province’s natural resources such as gold and copper while neglecting the local population.
Successive Pakistani governments have denied the allegations, saying they have prioritized Balochistan’s development through investments in health, education and infrastructure projects.
Earlier this month the BLA targeted a convoy of paramilitary soldiers in the province’s Turbat city with a vehicle-borne bomb. Five Pakistani paramilitary soldiers were killed in the attack.
Imran Khan calls on overseas Pakistanis to halt remittances amid renewed political tensions
- In social media post, ex-PM Khan calls for nationwide protests on Feb. 8 anniversary of Pakistan election
- Pakistan’s government blames Khan and his party for breakdown of negotiations to ease political tensions
ISLAMABAD: Jailed former prime minister Imran Khan on Sunday reiterated his demand for overseas Pakistanis to boycott sending remittances to the country, amid renewed political tensions between his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and the government.
The development takes place as talks between the government and the PTI that began last month broke down this week. Talks were suspended after Khan’s party told the government it would not partake in the process if judicial commissions to investigate anti-government protests of May 9, 2023 and November 2024 are not formed.
On May 9, 2023, angry Khan supporters are accused of rampaging through military offices and installations while on Nov. 26, 2024, they gathered in Pakistan’s capital to demand Khan’s release. The government says four troops were killed in the November protests while the PTI says its supporters also died in clashes.
Pakistan’s Information Minister Ataullah Tarar this week criticized the PTI for ending talks “unilaterally,” saying the party took the decision in a hurry. The government’s negotiation committee says it will respond to the PTI’s demands formally on Jan. 28.
“Once again, I urge overseas Pakistanis to continue their boycott of foreign currency remittances,” a post on Khan’s X account read. “Sending money to this government strengthens the very hands that are tightening the noose around your necks.”
Foreign workers’ remittances from countries such as Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, US, UK and others are important for cash-strapped Pakistan to shore up its foreign reserves and stabilize its fragile economy.
Khan also repeated his demand for supporters to mark Pakistan’s election anniversary on Feb. 8 as a “Black Day.” The PTI alleges that the results of the contentious election last year, marked by delayed vote results and suspension of Internet and mobile services countrywide, were manipulated by the caretaker government at the time and Pakistan’s election commission to keep it away from power. Both deny Khan’s allegations
“Prepare to observe a nationwide ‘Black Day’ on February 8th,” the post read. “People from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and northern Punjab should gather in Swabi for protests, while others must hold demonstrations in their respective cities.”
Khan was ousted from power in 2022 after what is widely believed to be a falling out with the country’s powerful top generals. The army denies it interferes in politics.
He has been in prison since August 2023 and faces a slew of legal challenges that ruled him out of the Feb. 8 general elections and which he says are politically motivated to keep him and his party away from power.
Khan has either been acquitted or his sentences have been suspended in most cases. However, in the latest blow, Khan was handed a 14-year jail sentence in a land corruption case last week.
All cases against Khan have been tried inside prison, away from the public or media eye, on security grounds.
West Indies scent series-levelling win in second Pakistan Test
- The gutsy West Indies scored 244 in their second innings to set the hosts a daunting 254-run target on a spinning Multan Stadium pitch
- At stumps, Saud Shakeel was unbeaten on 13 and nightwatchman Kashif Ali on one, with West Indies needing only six more wickets for a draw
MULTAN: Kevin Sinclair led a West Indian spin trio to give the tourists a sniff of a series-levelling win in the second Test Sunday with Pakistan on the ropes at 76-4 after day two in Multan.
The gutsy West Indies scored 244 in their second innings to set the hosts a daunting 254-run target on a spinning Multan Stadium pitch.
At stumps, Saud Shakeel was unbeaten on 13 and nightwatchman Kashif Ali on one. The West Indies need only six more wickets to draw the series 1-1.
Pakistan need a demanding 178 runs for victory. They won the first Test by 127 runs, also in Multan.
Sinclair (2-41) opened the floodgates by trapping Pakistan skipper Shan Masood leg before for two and then had the prized wicket of Babar Azam caught for a dour 31.
Azam had added 43 with Kamran Ghulam, who was dropped twice, on two and six, but the lapses did not prove costly to the West Indies.
Gudakesh Motie had Muhammad Hurraira for two and Jomel Warrican dismissed Ghulam for 19.
The day saw 14 wickets fall, after 20 on day one.
In the morning West Indian skipper and opener Kraigg Brathwaite led the fight for the visitors with a gritty 52.
The last four wickets added an invaluable 99 runs before the tourists were dismissed for 244 in their second innings at tea.
Left-arm spinner Noman Ali finished with 4-80 — 10 wickets in the match — while partner Sajid Khan took 4-76, six in the match.
The West Indies were 129-5 at lunch when Noman dismissed Alick Athanaze for six, before the tourists put up a fight that could prove decisive.
Tevin Imlach scored 35 and Sinclair 28 to boost their team’s lead during a stubborn stand of 51 for the seventh wicket, before Sajid accounted for Sinclair and Motie for 18.
Pacer Kashif had Imlach but the last pair of Warrican and Kemar Roach took the total past 240, before Sajid had Warrican caught for 18.
Earlier, Brathwaite led the way with two sixes and four boundaries in his 31st Test half-century.
Noman broke a solid 50-run opening stand by dismissing Mikyle Louis for seven after the tourists started their second innings in the morning.
Brathwaite overturned two leg-before decisions against him before he was stumped by Mohammad Rizwan off Noman.
Debutant Amir Jangoo also batted well for his 30 with three boundaries, before Sajid had him caught in the slips by Salman Agha.
Kavem Hodge was stumped by Rizwan off Noman for 15 as the West Indies slumped from 92-1 to 129-5.
Pakistan Association Dubai hosts climate action event to promote sustainable solutions
- Pakistan is counted among world's most severely threatened countries due to climate change effects
- Event brings together climate activists, advocates and youth leaders to discuss climate challenges
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD) this week organized a climate action event in the city to promote sustainable solutions and highlight the dangers of deteriorating weather patterns, the Pakistani embassy in the UAE said.
The event on Friday was a collaboration between community climate action platform Extreme Hangout Dubai, social enterprise Earth Warriors and the Pakistan Youth Forum.
It featured climate advocates and members of the Pakistani community in the UAE, and Pakistan’s Consul General in Dubai Hussain Muhammad.
“Pakistan remains committed to be part of the solution,” Muhammad was quoted as saying by the Pakistani embassy in UAE. “However, global solidarity, climate finance, and technology transfer are essential to tackling this crisis.”
The event featured entrepreneurial stalls showcasing innovative eco-friendly solutions, keynote speeches and panel discussions by experts, activists and youth leaders who engaged in insightful discussions on climate action strategies and the importance of collective efforts.
The event also included performances and artistic presentations highlighting the beauty of nature and the necessity of preserving it for future generations.
“The Consul General encouraged the Pakistani community in the UAE to act as global ambassadors for Pakistan’s climate challenges through storytelling, social media and community engagement to raise awareness and bring change,” the embassy’s statement said.
The South Asian country is counted among the most severely threatened countries in terms of climate–induced challenges, especially in the context of its dependency on climate-sensitive sectors such as agriculture, water, natural resources and the environment, and socio-economic issues such as poverty.
Unusually heavy monsoon rains and melting of glaciers in June 2022 triggered flash floods across the country which killed over 1,700 people and dealt damages to critical infrastructure across the country.
Pakistan estimates damages from the floods to be around $33 billion.
Over 3,000 athletes participate in Islamabad Marathon to celebrate fitness, community spirit
- The marathon brought together runners of all ages, genders and nationalities, making it a vibrant occasion
- The event featured a Full Marathon (42.2km), Half Marathon (21km), 10km run, 5km race, and a Kids Fun Race
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s federal capital of Islamabad witnessed an incredible display of athleticism and community spirit as over 3,000 national and international athletes participated in the 5th Islamabad Marathon on Sunday.
The event, organized by the Islamabad Run with Us (IRU) group, brought together runners of all ages, genders and nationalities, making it a vibrant and energetic occasion for the participants.
Among the participants were United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ambassador Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al-Zaabi, who completed a 10-kilometer run, and Danish Ambassador Jakob Linulf, who completed the grueling 42.2-kilometer Full Marathon.
“We started promoting the running culture in Islamabad in 2016 and this marathon began in 2020,” said IRU founder Qasim Naz, sharing his excitement about the growing popularity of the marathon.
“It’s heartening to see the event evolve into a family festival, with increasing participation from women, kids and the diplomatic community.”
The marathon featured five categories: Full Marathon (42.2km), Half Marathon (21km), 10km run, 5km race, and Kids Fun Race.
The UAE ambassador said he was “really happy” and “proud” to be part of the Islamabad Marathon.
“As you see, more than 3,000 participants from the different communities here in Islamabad, coming together with their family in this energetic environment,” he told Arab News.
“Really happy, as the UAE embassy here in Islamabad, to be part of this function, and we really support this kind of activities.”
The ambassador said the UAE embassy also organizes its own marathon each year, adding that “we’re really happy to see the people come together.”
The event aimed to foster a culture of healthy living across all age groups, according to Salman Lodhi, an IRU member.
“Our vision is to encourage youngsters, especially in today’s gadget-driven world, to engage in physical activities,” he said.
Runners from various parts of the world expressed their enthusiasm for the event.
Dr. Peter Deli from Hungary, a veteran runner with over 30 years of experience, praised the event for its impact on physical and mental health.
“This is my third Islamabad Marathon, and it’s wonderful to see more people adopting an active lifestyle here,” he said.
First-time participants Bisma and his wife Anita from Indonesia echoed similar sentiments.
“This is a great opportunity to exercise, have fun, and connect with the community,” Anita said. “I’m looking forward to participating again next year.”
The IRU organizes multiple weekly and annual events, including trail running and duathlons, all aimed at promoting a healthier lifestyle. This year’s marathon not only brought communities together but also showcased Islamabad as a hub of fitness and unity.
Durez Majeed, a student who lives in Islamabad, said she was thrilled to be a part of the marathon.
“The engaging activities and vibrant atmosphere make this event truly enjoyable,” she added.
