Critics are slamming Norway over new legislation that they say singles out Jews. The proposed law could send individuals to prison for up to three years for knowingly conducting certain forms of business with Israeli communities in the West Bank.
The proposal, introduced by Norway's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, would prohibit the importation of goods originating in Israeli communities in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem and the exportation of goods to those communities. It would also restrict certain real estate transactions, construction and engineering services and investments in businesses headquartered and operating there.
Intentional violations could result in fines, imprisonment for up to three years or both, while negligent violations could carry fines, imprisonment for up to six months or both, according to Section 7 of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs' official consultation document.
Israel's E1 Plan Explained: The Jerusalem-area Corridor Sparking International Backlash
(L-R) Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, and Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide addressed the media following the 9th Global Alliance for the Two-State Solution Meeting and the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC) Meeting, focusing on international aid for Palestinians and the revitalization of the peace process.

#west

VIENNA (AP) — Iran on Monday condemned the exclusion of the head of its Atomic Energy Organization from the annual gathering of the United Nations nuclear agency in Vienna saying that it constitutes "a serious breach" of Tehran's rights as a member nation.
"By obstructing our full and effective participation, the denial of access contravenes both the letter and the spirit of the legal framework" governing attendance at meetings of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran's ambassador to the agency, Reza Najafi, told delegates at its general conference.
Najafi criticized Austria, the host country of the IAEA and other U.N. organizations, saying that Vienna's decision not to grant a visa to Mohammad Eslami "violates the host country's obligation."
The Russian ambassador to the U.N. in Vienna, Mikhail Ulyanov, echoed Iran's remarks, saying that Austria had "grossly violated" its obligations as host nation of the IAEA.
Western nations had "unleashed a genuine campaign of visa-related abuses so as to settle scores with countries they deem to be undesirable," he said.

#atomic

India will look to seal the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan when the two teams meet in the second match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Tuesday.

India lead the series 1-0 after a convincing seven-wicket win in the first T20I. Afghanistan will need a much better performance to keep the series alive.
Afghanistan were in trouble early in the first T20I after losing five wickets for 43 runs inside the Power-play. Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi then put the innings back on track with an 83-run partnership.

Omarzai remained unbeaten on 64 off 44 **** as Afghanistan finished with 156/8. However, the total was not enough against India's strong batting line-up.

Arshdeep Singh was India's best bowler, taking 3/9. Jasprit **** rah also made an impact on his return to international cricket by picking up an early wicket. Axar Patel and Varun Chakaravarthy also took wickets as Afghanistan struggled to build momentum.
India made the chase look easy thanks to an explosive innings from Abhishek Sharma.

The left-handed opener smashed 82 off just 32 **** , hitting seven fours and seven sixes. Ishan Kishan also made a useful contribution with 42.

India reached 157/3 in only 13.4 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
Afghanistan's biggest concern will be their top order.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz was dismissed for a duck in the first over of the opening T20I. Afghanistan will need their top-order batters to give the team a stronger start and provide a platform for players such as Omarzai, Nabi and Rashid Khan.

The visitors have several match-winners in their squad, including Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Naveen-ul-Haq.

Captain Ibrahim Zadran, who is leading Afghanistan in his first series as full-time T20I captain, will hope his team can turn its individual talent into a more disciplined performance.
India also have some selection decisions to make despite their comfortable win in the first T20I.

Abhishek's 82 has strengthened his position at the top of the order, while Sanju Samson scored only 10 runs.

Ishan Kishan also scored 42, giving India another option in the batting line-up. Teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi could also be in contention after missing the first T20I.

India will also be without Harshit Rana, who has been ruled out after suffering a rectus femoris strain. Yash Thakur has joined the squad as his replacement.

A win on Tuesday will give India an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Afghanistan, meanwhile, need a victory to take the series into a decider.

#first #lead #seven #need

NEW DELHI: England completed a 3-0 Test series clean sweep over Pakistan at Edgbaston, but the series produced an unusual statistic.

It was only the eighth three-match Test series in history to finish without a single individual century. It was also only the second such series in England, after the 1888 Ashes.

England's batting was led by Joe Root, who remained unbeaten on 62 in the third Test, while Jordan **** scored an unbeaten 59 as England chased down 130 with eight wickets in hand.

The result gave England their second 3-0 Test series clean sweep over Pakistan, after their success in the 2022/23 series. It was also England's 15th three-match Test series sweep overall.

For Pakistan, it was their 11th Test series defeat by a 3-0 margin.
England's chase got off to a shocking start when Ben Duckett was dismissed for a duck with the first ball. Emilio Gay then fell later in the same over bowled by Mohammad Abbas.

At 2 for 2, Pakistan had a chance to put England under serious pressure.

But Root settled things down. He survived a major scare when Mohammad Ali bowled him for 23, only for the delivery to be called a no-ball.

It was Ali's 17th no-ball of the series.

Root had another lucky escape when, on 38, he edged Abbas between first and second slip. Neither fielder went for the catch.

The England batter made Pakistan pay for the missed opportunities. He went on to complete his 110th score of 50 or more in Test cricket, including 41 centuries.
Jordan **** provided excellent support for Root as the pair took control of the chase.

Cox remained unbeaten on 59 and helped England reach the target in just 25 overs.

Pakistan had shown plenty of fight in the third Test after conceding a massive 320-run first-innings lead. But England's dominance in the first two Tests meant the series was already heavily tilted in their favour.

Had Pakistan shown the same fight earlier in the series, the contest could have been much closer.
England's fast bowlers were the biggest difference between the two sides.

Ollie Robinson led the attack and finished the series with 21 wickets. Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue and Gus Atkinson also played important roles as England's pace attack made the most of helpful conditions.

The batting, however, was less convincing.

No England batter scored a century across the three Tests, making the series only the eighth three-match Test series without an individual hundred and just the second in England after the 1888 Ashes.
Pakistan's biggest positive came from debutant Razaullah, who produced an exciting counter-attack at Edgbaston.

His thrilling 81 off 63 **** gave Pakistan hope and briefly brought the third Test to life.

But it was too late to change the outcome of the series.

Pakistan have now lost 16 of their 21 Tests. Their difficult tour was followed by major changes, with seven players replaced in the squad after the second Test and coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and his **** istant

Joe Root led England to a 3-0 Test series whitewash over Pakistan after scoring an unbeaten 62 in the third Test at Edgbaston. England were chasing 130 for victory but got off to a poor start. Ben Duckett was dismissed by Mohammad Abbas with the first ball of the innings, while opener Emilio Gay also fell later in the same over.

At 2 for 2, Pakistan had a chance to put England under pressure. But Root and Jordan **** remained calm and slowly took control of the chase.

It was the first time England had whitewashed Pakistan in a home Test series.

Root survived a big scare when Mohammad Ali bowled him for 23, only for the delivery to be called a no-ball. It was Ali's 17th no-ball of the series.

Pakistan then missed another opportunity when Root, on 38, edged Abbas between first and second slip. Neither fielder went for the catch.

Root made Pakistan pay for the missed chances. His unbeaten 62 was his 110th Test innings of 50 or more, a tally that includes 41 centuries.

Cox remained unbeaten on 59 as England reached the target in the 25th over with eight wickets in hand.
Pakistan had shown more fight in the third Test after conceding a huge 320-run first-innings deficit.

Root said the difficult chase was useful for England after Pakistan had put them under pressure.

"Fair play to Pakistan, ?they threw some punches last night. They made it very difficult for us and in some ways it's a good thing to go through that," said Root.

"Test cricket is not always going to go your own way but to see us actually be quite clinical with the bat off the back of that was good too. So ?in many ways we're better for it.

"Of course there's things we will want to improve on but we ?came into this ?series with a lot of question marks and a lot of noise around the team and we've walked away 3-0 winners so ?in that respect I'm quite ?pleased."
The series came after a difficult period for England, who had been looking to recover from their defeat to New Zealand following the Ashes loss.

Root's return to the captaincy after Ben Stokes' retirement from international cricket ended with a series whitewash.

Pakistan had one major positive in the third Test. Debutant Razaullah scored an impressive 81 off 63 **** , giving his team hope and bringing energy to the contest at Edgbaston.
England's fast bowlers were once again too strong for Pakistan on helpful surfaces.

Ollie Robinson led the attack and finished the series with 21 wickets to be named England's player of the series.

"I'm a realist, I know it's not always going to be like this," said Robinson, England's player of the series.

"We know there's ?going to be tougher times ahead. We have some tough opposition coming up and we're looking forward to the challenge."

Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue and Gus Atkinson also played important roles in England's dominant series win.

England's batting was less convincing, with no batter managing to score a century in the three Tests.

Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq may have left England, but the troubles from Pakistan's disastrous tour don't seem ready to leave them just yet.

According to Geo News, the Pakistan duo have now been summoned by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) over information reportedly obtained from their mobile phones. And as if that wasn't enough, both players are also set to miss the opening round of the President's Trophy Grade-I after failing to undergo mandatory fitness tests.

It has been quite the homecoming.

Rizwan and Imam were among seven players sent back to Pakistan by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) following the team's heavy defeat to England at Lord's. The decision came after Pakistan's struggles in the Test series, but the drama clearly didn't end when the players boarded their flights home.
According to Geo News, the NCCIA has issued notices to Rizwan and Imam as part of an investigation involving information retrieved from their mobile phones.

The PCB had reportedly taken custody of the players' phones before handing them over to the relevant authorities. Geo News reported that Rizwan and Imam were questioned by the NCCIA for around two hours, with the inquiry reportedly linked to alleged dressing-room leaks during the England series.

The exact circumstances surrounding the investigation remain unclear, and being questioned does not establish any wrongdoing by either player. But for two cricketers who probably wanted nothing more than to forget the England tour, it is certainly an unusual sequel.
As if a cybercrime investigation wasn't enough post-tour paperwork, Geo News sources have now reported that Rizwan and Imam will miss the opening round of the President's Trophy Grade-I. The reason is far less dramatic but equally awkward: mandatory fitness-test reports.

According to the report, Rizwan's SNGPL and Imam's OGDCL did not have the required fitness reports for the two players. Under PCB rules, departmental teams must conduct the fitness tests and submit the reports before players can feature in first-class cricket.

As a result, both will miss the tournament's opening round, scheduled from September 12 to 15. Imam had been named OGDCL captain, while Rizwan was appointed vice-captain of SNGPL.

#england

Karnataka batter Karun Nair has taken a subtle but pointed swipe at South Zone after being overlooked for the playing XI in the ongoing Duleep Trophy final against East Zone at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.

Nair, who was part of the South Zone squad, was left out of the XI for both the semi-final and the final. After a post on X (formerly Twitter) described his omission as 'inexplicable', Nair reposted it with his own response.

'Inexplicable would be an understatement,' he wrote, accompanied by a laughing emoji.
The decision has gained further attention after South Zone endured a difficult first two days of the final, with East Zone piling up 708 runs before being bowled out.

Nair did not remain with the South Zone squad after learning that he would not feature in the final. Instead, he returned home to join the Karnataka State Cricket ******* ociation's pre-season red-ball camp.

The batter then made an immediate impact, scoring a century for KSCA Secretary XI against Chhattisgarh.

South Zone have not provided an explanation for Nair's omission from the playing XI for the final. His absence had already raised eyebrows before the previous match against North Zone, when captain Tilak Varma explained that Nair's exclusion was a tactical call.

At the time, Varma said Nair was 'just unlucky' after opting for Hyderabad's left-handed batter Kodimela Himateja in the middle order.

"Karun is just unlucky. He has scored a lot of runs in domestic seasons," Tilak had said while addressing the media at the CoE.

"I have chosen Himateja in place of Karun as they have good left-arm spinners. So we wanted a leftie in the middle order. He has also scored a decent amount of runs in domestic cricket. I was just backing him. As a youngster, he also has a good career. At the same time, it is very unfortunate for Karun."

However, Himateja's opportunity did not work out. He was dismissed for a two-ball duck and subsequently dropped for the final.

South Zone replaced him with another left-hander, Devdutt Padikkal, rather than bringing Nair back into the XI.
The omission of Nair has become an even bigger talking point after South Zone's bowling attack struggled to contain East Zone in the final.

East Zone resumed the second innings on 385/4 and continued to dominate from the outset. South Zone took the new ball after one over, hoping Mohammad Siraj and MD Nidheesh could make early inroads, but neither managed to break the partnership between Ishan Kishan and ******* ar Kushagra.

Kishan immediately attacked Siraj and Nidheesh, while Kushagra provided strong support from the other end. South Zone subsequently turned to Tripurana Vijay and Shreyas Gopal, but the change in bowling did little to halt the scoring.

Kushagra eventually completed his sixth first-class century, making 101 from 132 ******* with eight fours and five sixes before falling to Vijay shortly before lunch.

Kishan then took complete control of the innings.

The Ea

Bengaluru: The BCCI's decision to send a full-strength squad to the Asian Games later this month has brought one name into focus - Jasprit ***** rah. The premier India pacer has not played for India since the second ODI against England in Cardiff in July, when he limped off after suffering an impact injury to his left knee. He has since been undergoing rehabilitation and is part of India's squad for the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, although his participation is subject to fitness clearance.

With the Asian Games in ***** an beginning later this month, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar believes the tournament could provide ***** rah with valuable game time ahead of India's next major ***** ignment, the New Zealand tour.

The Asian Games, then, is the perfect opportunity for ***** rah to ease back into competitive cricket before that series. "There's a fair gap between the Asian Games and the New Zealand series, so playing ***** rah in the Asian Games is actually a good idea because he has to get some bowling under his belt. In Sri Lanka, we heard Mohammad Siraj was not quite in rhythm because he hadn't played enough in competitive matches. The bowlers need to get some overs and ***** rah getting them is very essential," Gavaskar said.

Although Shreyas Iyer has lost six of the seven T20Is he has led India in this year, Sunil Gavaskar backed him. "He's very experienced as a captain, having led Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings. I don't think there should be any pressure on him at the Asian Games. "

'Asian Games ***** le defence won't be easy'

Gavaskar was quick to add that the ***** le defence won't be an easy ride for India. "It's going to be tough because it's a T20 tournament. Bangladesh are in form, Pakistan are always dangerous and Sri Lanka are a terrific team, not to forget Afghanistan, so it's not going to be easy at all," he said. Gavaskar pointed out that the Asian Games will be a huge learning experience for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. "To be able to meet sportspersons from other sports from across Asia can be an absolute treat. For Sooryavanshi, I hope it turns out to be even more inspirational because he will get to rub shoulders with athletes who he's looked up to."

(This interaction was facilitated by Sony Sports Network)

#asian #easy #sunil #zealand

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi may have been among the early contributors for East Zone in the Duleep Trophy final, but it was captain Ishan Kishan who eventually stole the show with a breathtaking double century against South Zone at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.

Sooryavanshi opened the innings for East Zone and made a brisk 44 off 37 deliveries. During the match, former India cricketer and commentator Vivek Razdan used Kishan's remarkable innings to offer some advice to the teenage batter.

"Sooryavanshi sahab, now you have to learn from players like Ishan Kishan. Once you are set, you have to learn how to play a long innings," Razdan said on commentary.

The message came as Kishan continued to pile on the runs and turn the final into a one-sided contest.
Resuming on 385/4, East Zone's batters showed little sign of slowing down. South Zone turned to the new ball in search of wickets, but Mohammad Siraj and MD Nidheesh struggled to make an impact.

Kishan immediately put pressure on the bowlers, collecting consecutive boundaries against Siraj before taking on Nidheesh. ***** ar Kushagra also joined the ***** ault as South Zone rotated between pace and spin.

Kushagra eventually completed his sixth first-class century, scoring 101 from 132 ***** with eight fours and five sixes. His dismissal shortly before lunch finally gave South Zone a breakthrough.

Kishan, meanwhile, remained in complete control.

The East Zone captain repeatedly found gaps in the field and punished anything loose. Even when South Zone introduced part-timers Devdutt Padikkal and Shaikh Rasheed, the flow of runs did not stop.

Kishan brought up his double century from 270 ***** and continued attacking thereafter. He raced beyond 250 before fatigue briefly forced him to retire from the field.

East Zone continued marching towards a massive total, eventually crossing 600 and then 700. When Mohammed Shami was dismissed for a quick 28, Kishan returned to the crease with the possibility of reaching an extraordinary triple century.
Kishan's pursuit of 300 ultimately came to an end when he was caught near the long-on boundary. The left-hander departed for a monumental 270 from 334 ***** , having smashed 30 fours and seven sixes.

His innings was the eighth-highest individual score in Duleep Trophy history and formed the backbone of East Zone's mammoth 708 all out.

Razdan had earlier highlighted not just the quality of Kishan's batting but also the physical demands of staying at the crease for such an extended period.

"Every person who is present here at this time stood up and applauded this innings. Because this is not just technique, this is not just temperament, this is also match fitness. To stay out there for so long in such heat and play an innings like this. What an innings by Ishan Kishan."

Kishan's marathon effort, alongside Kushagra's century, ensured East Zone posted more than 700 for only the third time in first-class cricket history at Chepauk.

DUBAI, Sept 6 (Reuters) - Iran said it will step up efforts to tackle problems created by the U.S. sanctions that are crippling its economy, while a senior Iranian official warned of a "painful response" if it comes under further attack.
Six months after U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iran, the war appears to be at a stalemate. A preliminary ceasefire accord ‌reached in June has unravelled and little progress has been made in diplomatic efforts to get the peace process back on track.
After a pause in military action for much of ‌August, ******* -for-tat strikes have resumed with U.S. Central Command saying it hit three Iranian tankers on Saturday after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched ballistic missiles at two U.S. Navy ships.
Following the attacks, Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said on Sunday that the U.S. should understand that the rules of the game in the war against Iran have changed "before it is too late".
"From now on, any attack against Iran's interests and security will receive a faster, heavier and more painful response," he said in a speech published on his Telegram channel.

#Iran #painful

Michael Atherton has questioned the authority of Babar Azam and the role Pakistan's captains are allowed to play after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) made sweeping changes to the Test squad midway through the England series.

Pakistan suffered defeats in the opening two Tests and responded by sending seven players home. Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha and Imam-ul-Haq were among those removed from the squad, while coaches Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul were also asked to leave.

Mike Hesson will now take charge of the team for the third and final Test at Edgbaston, beginning on September 9.

The scale of the changes has placed Babar under increasing scrutiny. Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif had already argued that Babar should have resigned after the seven players were sent home, while also branding him a "dummy captain".

Atherton has now questioned whether Babar, or indeed any Pakistan captain, has enough influence within the setup to lead effectively following such a major intervention from the board.

The former England captain believes the changes could have lasting consequences for Pakistan, regardless of what happens in the final Test.

"Not in this instance, no, because of the damage it will do in the long term. This is no way to manage players and no way to build a long-term vision at all," Atherton said on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast.

"I feel it's a horrible position for a captain, Babar Azam, to be in - and what kind of authority does he or indeed any captain of Pakistan have in this outfit?" he added.
Atherton suggested that the events of the England tour could make it extremely difficult for Babar to establish authority over the Pakistan dressing room.

He acknowledged that modern-day captains do not have the same control they once enjoyed, but insisted that a captain still needs to have a meaningful say in the team's affairs.

"One understands that the captain is not all-powerful these days, you're not going back 30 years ago when they perhaps ran the show, but they have to have some authority within a team," said Atherton.

The former England captain then raised a question over how Babar can move forward after the PCB's intervention.

"Given what's happened, how do you lead that team now?" he added.
Babar reclaimed Pakistan's Test captaincy from Shan Masood earlier this year after Bangladesh defeated Pakistan in their two-match series.

His side subsequently drew the series against the West Indies before travelling to England.

The 31-year-old missed the first Test against England because of an injury, but returned for the second match at Lord's.

His comeback, however, did little to ease Pakistan's batting problems. Babar scored only 8 and 6 as Pakistan suffered another heavy defeat.

England won the Lord's Test by 194 runs to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

With seven players removed and the coaching staff reshuffled, Babar now faces the challenge of leading a

A senior member of Pakistan's selection committee has questioned the seriousness of Imam-ul-Haq's calf injury and called for an inquiry after the opener did not bat in either innings during Pakistan's 194-run defeat to England in the second Test at Lord's.

Aaqib Javed, who is part of Pakistan's four-member selection panel, said the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will investigate how Imam was managed after suffering the injury during the match.

"An inquiry will be conducted into this matter," Aaqib Javed told Pakistan's private news channel Geo TV during an interview aired on Tuesday night, as quoted by news agency AP.

Javed questioned how a player could miss both innings because of a muscle injury.

"How is it possible that you failed to come out to bat in both innings after pulling up a muscle?" Javed said.
He added that players have batted through injuries in the past and described Imam's case as a matter of concern.

"Injuries do occur and we have seen instances in the past where players -- even with casts -- have gone out and made an effort. This situation is different. It is a matter of great concern, and action will be taken regarding it."

Imam injured his calf while fielding on the opening day of the Lord's Test and took no further part in the match.

After former chief selector Mohammad Wasim questioned Imam's absence, the opener appeared on the outfield before play on the fourth day. He was seen shadow batting with his left calf heavily strapped but was visibly limping.

Imam was one of seven players recalled from England after Pakistan lost the first two Tests at Headingley and Lord's. Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul were also sent back by the PCB.

Pakistan have appointed white-ball head coach Mike Hesson and bowling coach Ashley Noffke to take charge of the team for the third Test, which starts in Birmingham on September 9.

The selectors have picked five uncapped players for the final Test, along with openers Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal, who have played a combined 10 Tests.

Javed also addressed reports of differences between the selectors and the team management over the playing XI for the Lord's Test.

According to Javed, he wanted the team to include fast-bowling all-rounder Ubaid Shah, wicketkeeper-batter Ghazi Ghori and another pace option instead of Mohammad Rizwan. Instead, only Salman Ali Agha was dropped after leading Pakistan in the first Test in Babar Azam's absence.

"We can't just keep waiting," Javed said. "I had actually spoken to both the captain and the coach after the first Test, suggesting they include Ubaid, who bowls at 140 kph. Agha was rightly rested, Ghazi Ghori was available on the tour and should have played instead of Rizwan."

#Pakistan #coach

NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has offered his resignation from the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) national selection committee, adding another dramatic twist to the turmoil surrounding the Test side after a sweeping overhaul of the squad and coaching staff.

According to Geo News, sources close to Misbah said the former cricketer had informed the PCB of his decision and would serve a notice period before formally stepping down. Cricinfo also reported that Misbah had offered his resignation, although the PCB is yet to accept it.

The development comes just a day after the PCB announced wholesale changes to the Pakistan Test squad and coaching staff following the team's heavy 194-run defeat to England at Lord's.
The timing of Misbah's decision has raised questions over the selection committee's role in the PCB's latest overhaul. According to the reports, Misbah was apparently not consulted despite being part of the national selection committee when the board decided to make major changes to the squad and coaching staff.

The PCB released seven players from the Test squad ahead of the third Test against England at Edgbaston, starting September 9. Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamer Jamal, Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad were among those released.

Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul were also removed as head coach and bowling coach respectively.

The PCB subsequently brought in white-ball head coach Mike Hesson and bowling coach Ashley Noffke to work with the Test side for the remainder of the England tour.

Cricinfo further reported that Misbah has decided to step down from his role as a batting consultant at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore, where his contract required him to work for 180 days a year.
The extent of Pakistan's overhaul was further highlighted by the inclusion of five uncapped players in the squad for the third Test.

Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran Randhawa and Razaullah have been added, while Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal have also been brought into the group. The latter two have a combined experience of only 10 Test matches.

The sweeping changes followed Pakistan's innings-and-103-run defeat in the first Test before England won the second by 194 runs. The back-to-back defeats left Pakistan 0-2 down in the three-match series and staring at a potential 3-0 clean sweep.
Misbah was appointed to the four-member national selection committee in March alongside Aaqib Javed, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Asad Shafiq.

The former captain has previously held several senior positions within the PCB. He was appointed head coach and chief selector in 2019, before stepping down as chief selector in October 2020 and eventually leaving the head coach's position in 2021.

He returned to the PCB setup as an adviser in 2023 under the then ad hoc management committee headed by Zaka Ashraf. He was later appointed one of five mentors for the men's Champions Cup and al

Former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal has criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board's decision to release seven players from the squad midway through the England Test series, arguing that the move could have a damaging impact on the remaining members of the team.

The PCB confirmed on Monday evening that Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha and Imam-ul-Haq were among the seven players sent back to Pakistan after the team's disappointing results in the first two Tests against England.

The board also announced seven replacements ahead of the third and final Test in Birmingham. In another major shake-up, Test head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul were released from their roles, with white-ball coaches Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke taking over.

Akmal questioned the need to send senior players home when they could simply have been left out of the playing XI.

"There was one more Test left. You could have had both Agha and Rizwan in the squad. You could have dropped them from the playing XI. You should have kept them in the squad. They are your senior players. They have been captains. Sending them back is not a good message for the remaining players," Akmal said on the 'Game Plan' show.

The former wicketkeeper-batter believes the decision could increase the pressure on those still in the squad, particularly with Pakistan already struggling during the series.

"This will result in more pressure for the remainder of the team. It is not a good decision; if you are sending them back, then the chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, needs to rejig the entire system. Make a new team. This decision to send back players is not good for our country, and it doesn't send a good message to the rest of the world," he added.

Agha's situation has also raised questions over the timing of the decision. He captained Pakistan in the opening Test at Headingley in Babar Azam's absence but was subsequently dropped when the regular captain returned for the Lord's Test.

Rizwan, meanwhile, endured a difficult series with the bat. He managed only 61 runs across his four innings against England and was also criticised for his shot selection and lack of game awareness.

Imam's situation was different. After struggling in the opening Test, the opener picked up a calf injury while fielding on the first day of the second Test. He did not come out to bat afterwards, leading to questions over the seriousness of the injury. The controversy intensified when a former Pakistan selector later alleged that Imam had previously faked injuries.

#Pakistan #players

Stuart Broad has questioned Imam-ul-Haq's decision to practise on the sidelines while carrying a calf injury during Pakistan's second Test against England at Lord's, accusing the batter of "putting on an act".

Imam was ruled out of the remainder of the Test after suffering a low-grade strain to his left calf while fielding on the opening day. The injury came after he had dropped two catches, and Pakistan were subsequently left a batter short for the rest of the match.

The Pakistan opener did not bat in the second innings either, as his side collapsed to another heavy defeat and went 2-0 down in the three-Test series.
Ahead of play on Day 4, Imam was seen on the Lord's sidelines knocking a ball around while wearing tape around his injured calf. He appeared to be hobbling as he went through some batting practice.

There were suggestions from the Pakistan camp that Imam could potentially bat if his team needed him during the second innings. However, Broad was unimpressed by what he saw.

Speaking on Sky Sports, the former England fast bowler suggested Imam's public warm-up was designed to make a point rather than prepare him to bat.

"That's all for show. He has got a bit of stick from media and maybe his teammates. Whatever. You can do that inside the indoor school without anyone seeing, don't have to come wearing shorts and tape and hobble around like that. I am not impressed with that. Sorry," Broad said.

Broad's remarks added to questions surrounding Imam's injury, particularly after former Pakistan batter and chief selector Mohammad Wasim had previously raised concerns over the opener's injury history.
Wasim previously alleged that Imam had faked injuries to avoid playing.

Recalling an incident from 2022, Wasim said Pakistan's physiotherapist had warned him that an injury involving Imam could become an issue even before an official decision had been made.

According to Wasim, the player had previously been involved in similar situations, with coaches also raising concerns.

The comments have now resurfaced after Imam was ruled out at Lord's, although Pakistan's management maintained that he was dealing with a calf strain.
Whatever the circumstances surrounding Imam's injury, his absence was felt as Pakistan's batting once again failed to put up a fight.

Chasing an imposing 389 for victory, Pakistan slipped to 14/3 and were soon staring at another defeat. Saud Shakeel provided some resistance, putting together a 97-run fourth-wicket partnership with Shan Masood before taking on the England attack alongside the tail.

Shakeel looked on course for a determined century but was dismissed for 97, falling to the short ball he had repeatedly attacked during his innings.

His score accounted for more than half of Pakistan's total as wickets continued to tumble at the other end.

Ollie Robinson produced a decisive four-wicket burst, Josh Tongue cleaned up the tail with three wickets and Jofra Archer claimed two as Englan

Ex-Pakistan star takes brutal swipe at Babar Azam, calls him a 'great player only for social media,' not a match-winner originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Basit Ali criticised Babar Azam after Pakistan's Test series loss against England.
The former Pakistan player questioned Babar's ability to deliver in crucial moments.
Basit said Babar's "great player" status is driven largely by fans and social media.
He also criticised Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan for their shot selection at Lord's.

#basit

Pakistan swing the axe after brutal England Test series defeat, reportedly send Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Rizwan home originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
PCB reportedly to send Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq back to Pakistan, with Imam's calf injury set to be investigated.
Stuart Broad questioned Imam's injury, calling his public practice an "all for show" display.
Mike Hesson will reportedly replace Sarfaraz Ahmed, with Saim Ayub and Arafat Minhas called up for the third Test.
England have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.

#mohammad #series

Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Michigan, apologized to the state's Jewish Democratic Caucus on Saturday for comments he made after an attack on a synagogue in March, which he tied to Israel's actions in the Middle East.
"My comments may have been misconstrued to justify something I did not mean to justify," El-Sayed told reporters after he addressed the caucus at a party convention in Lansing. "To anyone who feels like my comments might have been hurtful, I'm really sorry. That was not my intention."
El-Sayed's apology was his latest attempt to unify Democrats after a bitter primary where he defeated U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens. He's eager to push past a series of controversies involving allegations of antisemitism, including his ****** ociation with controversial commentator Hasan Piker. He faces Republican nominee Mike Rogers in a race that will help determine control of the Senate.
In March, a man attacked Temple Israel synagogue in a Detroit suburb, ramming his car into the building and opening fire on a security guard before dying by suicide. The man, Ayman Mohammad Ghazali, had lost four relatives in an Israeli airstrike on Lebanon the week prior.
In a video response at the time, El-Sayed condemned the attack and added that "hurt people hurt people," a reference to what happened to Ghazali's family. Critics accused El-Sayed of justifying Ghazali's actions.

#sayed #synagogue

Joe Root has added another major record to his remarkable Test career, surpassing Ricky Ponting to become the highest run-scorer in Test history on home soil.

The England captain reached the milestone during the second Test against Pakistan at Lord's in London. Root came to the crease on Day 2 and made 24 before Pakistan pacer Mohammad Ali dismissed him lbw.

Although Root was unable to turn the start into a substantial innings, those 24 runs were enough to take him past Ponting's long-standing mark.

Root now has 7,594 Test runs in England, moving ahead of Ponting's 7,578 runs accumulated in Australia. India's Sachin Tendulkar occupies third place on the list, having scored 7,216 Test runs in India.
Root's latest achievement adds another landmark to a career that has already seen him climb to the top of several major Test batting charts.

The England star has reached his 7,594 home runs in 89 Tests and 156 innings, averaging 53.85. His record includes 24 centuries and 35 fifties, with a highest score of 254.

Ponting finished his home career with 7,578 runs from 92 Tests and 154 innings at an average of 56.97. The former Australia captain registered 23 hundreds and 38 fifties, with a best of 257.

Tendulkar is next on the list with 7,216 runs from 94 Tests and 153 innings in India, while Mahela Jayawardene and Jacques Kallis complete the top five.
Player
Country
Time span

#root #Career

Pakistan's struggles in England have deepened after their batting collapsed for 110 in the first innings of the Lord's Test, prompting a brutal ****** sment from former England captain Michael Vaughan.

Pakistan arrived at Lord's hoping for a response after being beaten by an innings and 53 runs in the opening Test. The return of regular captain Babar Azam had also provided some optimism, but his comeback did little to change the visitors' fortunes.

Babar managed only eight runs, while Abdullah Shafique (5), Shan Masood (1) and Mohammad Rizwan (7) all fell cheaply. Opener Azan Awais offered some resistance with 46, but Pakistan were bowled out for just 110.

Vaughan was scathing in his ****** sment of the Pakistan batting line-up, arguing that England's bowlers were operating without any real fear of being punished.

"I'll be brutally honest. The England bowlers aren't being challenged at all. And this Pakistan batting lineup is possibly the easiest batting lineup I've seen in a long time to bowl to. And not only that, I think as a bowler, I think they're all queuing up to bowl because they know there are wickets out there," Vaughan said on the BBC Test Match Special.

"You're not going to get hurt. There's no batter that's going to hurt them. No one's going to damage their figures, and it's really, 'roll up, roll up, who wants to get the wickets?'," he added.

The former England skipper continued his criticism by questioning whether Pakistan's current batting unit was even of Test-match standard.

With England's bowlers repeatedly finding breakthroughs, Vaughan suggested the visitors had made life remarkably easy for the hosts.

"I think they all know that Pakistan aren't going to get big scores. So you're only going to be out there for 40 to 50 overs, so you give everything in every spell, you keep going to Joe Root saying, Err, I'll bowl another one.' There are so many wickets out there," said Vaughan.

He then made a particularly harsh comparison, suggesting Pakistan's batting resembled a second-division county side rather than an international Test team.

"It's so easy. They're still doing a good job, and they're still looking very threatening. And I think this bowling attack, the way they're bowling, will challenge better batting lineups if they continue in this fashion. But this is Pakistan batting. Is it second division county cricket? There's no way that they are batting in any standard to say that, that is a Test match batting lineup," he added.

Pakistan's batting woes have been compounded by the absence of opener Imam-ul-Haq, who did not bat in the first innings after suffering a calf strain while fielding at Lord's.

England capitalised on Pakistan's collapse to take a commanding position in the Test. The hosts finished the second day on 81/3 in their second innings, extending their overall lead to 261 runs.

After Pakistan's innings ended inside 38 overs, England remain firmly in control of the secon

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced its squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against India, with Ibrahim Zadran taking over as the team's full-time T20I captain and pacer Naveen-ul-Haq returning to the side after recovering from injury.

The series will mark Zadran's first ***** ignment as Afghanistan's permanent T20I skipper after he took over the leadership duties from Rashid Khan.

Naveen's return is a major boost for Afghanistan's pace attack. The right-arm pacer had been sidelined after suffering a stress fracture in his right shoulder, which ruled him out of Afghanistan's bilateral series against the West Indies as well as the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, where the team made an early exit.

The Afghanistan squad features several of the country's biggest T20 stars, including Rashid Khan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi and Azmatullah Omarzai.
Ibrahim Zadran (captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wicketkeeper), Noor Rahman (wicketkeeper), Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Abdullah Ahmadzai and Naveen-ul-Haq.

Reserves: Ijaz Ahmadzai, Shahidullah Kamal and Fareed Ahmad Malik.
The three-match T20I series between India and Afghanistan is scheduled to take place from 13 September to 17 September 2026. In a historic first for international cricket, Afghanistan will serve as the official host team despite the entire series being played on Indian soil

The Afghan team is set to arrive in India early for a preparatory camp ahead of the three-match series. The series will also be a historic one as it will be the first-ever men's bilateral T20I series between Afghanistan and India. The two sides previously faced each other in a one-off Test and a three-match ODI series in June this year.

#three

Aug 22 (Reuters) - Iran has granted permission for a number of Iraqi oil tankers to ‌pass through the Strait of Hormuz following repeated ‌requests from Baghdad through various channels, Iran's state news agency IRNA reported on Saturday.
IRNA said obtaining special permission for Iraqi tankers was one of Baghdad's main requests during Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf's visit to Iraq.
Iraqi ‌President Nizar Amedi said ⁠on Saturday that Iran had facilitated the passage of vessels carrying Iraqi oil through ⁠the Strait in recent days and Baghdad had discussed the export of Iraqi oil through Hormuz with Iranian officials.
The issue remained complicated, he added, speaking at the ‌Baghdad Dialogue policy conference.
Iraq has been among the countries most affected by Iran's effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Traffic in the strait remains significantly below pre-war levels and ships continue to face attacks ‌in the area.

#saturday

Manchester Super Giants clinched their maiden men's ******* le while Trent Rockets Women lifted their first-ever trophy as The Hundred's sixth season reached a dramatic conclusion at Lord's. The Hundred's sixth season signed off in style at Lord's, with Manchester Super Giants and Trent Rockets sharing the spotlight on a Finals Day that produced two contrasting ******* le deciders.

Manchester Super Giants, formerly known as Manchester Originals, survived a late collapse to defeat Trent Rockets by five wickets in the men's final, while Trent Rockets Women produced a ruthless display to crush Sunrisers Leeds by eight wickets and claim their maiden ******* le.

The Trent Rockets also walked away with an additional prize, winning the inaugural Helix trophy for the best combined franchise performance across the men's and women's competitions.
The men's final looked to be slipping away from Manchester Super Giants before Tim Seifert intervened with a breathtaking ******* ault. Trent Rockets posted 158 for 8 from their 100 ******* , with Aneurin Donald leading the recovery with a rapid 38 off 19 ******* , while captain Lewis Gregory contributed 32 from 19.

The Rockets had made a steady start through Ben Duckett, but their momentum was checked by a double blow. Spinner Noor Ahmad was involved in the dismissal of captain Sam Billings before removing Tim David for a duck, leaving Manchester with an opening to seize control.

Donald and Gregory then rebuilt the innings with aggressive strokeplay, pushing Trent towards a competitive total of 158. Manchester's response began with a clear intent to attack.

Seifert turned the chase into a spectacle, smashing 72 off just 38 ******* , including seven sixes. His calculated aggression kept Manchester ahead of the required rate and put the Rockets under immense pressure. Paul Walter provided valuable support, adding 22 off 14 ******* , with the pair putting together a blistering 66-run stand from only 31 ******* .

But just when Manchester appeared certain to cruise home, the final overs produced a dramatic twist. Mohammad Amir dragged the Super Giants back into the contest with a superb spell, conceding just 29 runs and helping create six consecutive dot ******* . Heinrich Klaasen and Michael Bracewell also departed as the pressure suddenly mounted.

With Manchester needing a boundary to settle the nerves, Liam Dawson delivered. He launched a towering six over deep midwicket with just two ******* remaining, taking Manchester Super Giants to 162 for 5 after 98 ******* and sealing their first men's ******* le.

Noor Ahmad finished with three wickets for Manchester, while Amir claimed three for Trent Rockets, but it was Seifert's extraordinary innings that ultimately defined the final.
If the men's final went down to the wire, the women's contest was almost the complete opposite. Trent Rockets Women dismantled Sunrisers Leeds, formerly Northern Superchargers, to secure a commanding eight-wicket

'Sarfaraz Khan is sitting': Mohammed Kaif explains why Dhruv Jurel's fiery 50 vs Sri Lanka was crucial on Day 2 in Galle originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Mohammad Kaif praised Dhruv Jurel's fifty against Sri Lanka on Day 2 in Galle.
Ex-India star noted Jurel batted under pressure with Sarfaraz Khan waiting in the wings.
Jurel's 55-run stand with Manav Suthar came during an India collapse.
Dhruv Jurel's half-century in Galle arrived at precisely the moment India needed it, and former batter Mohammad Kaif believes its value will only become clearer as the Test unfolds. The wicketkeeper-batter's counter-attacking knock steadied an innings that had begun to wobble badly.

#India #khan

Pakistan have been handed a fitness concern ahead of their three-Test series against England after captain Babar Azam was forced to retire from a warm-up game following a blow to his hand.

Babar was batting on five for Pakistan against a Professional County Club Select XI when a rising delivery from England Under-19 pacer Manny Lumsden struck his bottom hand. The Pakistan batter was visibly in pain after the blow and did not bat again in the practice match.

The extent of the injury is not yet known, but the Pakistan Cricket Board said Babar's withdrawal was a precautionary measure following an ****** sment by the team doctor.

"Following an ****** sment by the team doctor and taking precautionary measures, Babar has been advised to take rest from the remainder of the practice match," the PCB said in a media release.
Pakistan have, however, indicated that Babar is expected to return to practice before the first Test. The board said the Test captain will join the team's training session at Headingley Cricket Ground on Monday, August 17.

The development comes just two days before Pakistan's three-match Test series against England begins on August 19. Babar's fitness will therefore be closely monitored in the coming days, with the 31-year-old a key figure in both Pakistan's batting line-up and their leadership group.

Babar was recently re-appointed as Pakistan's Test captain and will be looking to build on a positive result from his first ****** ignment since returning to the role. Pakistan drew their two-Test series in the West Indies 1-1, ending a run of eight consecutive overseas Test defeats with an eight-wicket victory in the second Test.

The England series is part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27. England are currently seventh in the standings with a points percentage of 24.36, while Pakistan are eighth on 22.22.
Pakistan will hope the latest concern surrounding Babar proves to be minor, particularly with the series against England carrying importance for their World Test Championship campaign. The visitors have already received a boost with Shan Masood returning from injury and being available for the series.

Babar's availability will nevertheless remain a key talking point as Pakistan enter the final phase of their preparations. His scheduled return to training on Monday should provide a clearer indication of whether the hand blow has any impact on his readiness for the opening Test at Headingley.

For now, Pakistan's team management will be keen to avoid taking any unnecessary risks with their captain, while hoping the precautionary rest is enough for Babar to recover fully before the series gets underway.
Pakistan Test squad: Babar Azam (c), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan, Muhammad Awais Zafar, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood, Ubaid Shah
England vs Pakistan Tes

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — As Afghanistan's Taliban rulers mark five years since sweeping back to power, some Kabul residents say they feel safer after decades of conflict and upheaval but stress the leaders should now focus on creating jobs and expanding access to schools in the country where girls above the age of 12 are banned from education.
The Taliban regained control of Afghanistan on Aug. 15, 2021, after it launched an offensive as the U.S. and other NATO troops withdrew from the country after two decades of war. The withdrawal led to chaotic scenes at and around Kabul's airport with thousands wanting to leave.
"Thank God, the past five years have passed in safety," said Mohammad Qasim, 30, reflecting on the anniversary that comes against a backdrop of economic hardship in a conflict-stricken country. "Our wish and hope from the government is to create job opportunities for the youth."
"We, along with the entire nation, call upon the government to create employment opportunities for the youth and to encourage them to pursue education," he added.
Before the takeover, the Taliban stated that, upon **** uming power, it would allow women access to education, employment and public participation, albeit in accordance with its interpretation of Islamic principles.

#conflict

India's growing injury crisis has raised fresh questions over the functioning of the BCCI's Centre of Excellence (CoE), with former cricketer Mohammad Kaif expressing surprise that the world's richest cricket board has struggled to recruit some of the world's leading medical and rehabilitation professionals.

The latest setback came with Sai Sudharsan being ruled out of India's upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka due to a toe injury. He joins Jasprit ****** rah, Harshit Rana, Nitish ****** ar Reddy and Washington Sundar on the list of players unavailable for the Sri Lanka series because of injuries.

The repeated injury setbacks have frustrated the BCCI, particularly as several players have had to make trips to the CoE in Bengaluru for rehabilitation. The issue also came into focus when BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia travelled to Bengaluru to discuss the situation with CoE head VVS Laxman.
Laxman, during a press conference, revealed that the BCCI has been facing difficulties in finding the right personnel for the CoE. According to him, the board had approached several candidates, but some potential appointments fell through at the final stage.

The revelation has now drawn a strong reaction from Kaif, who questioned how the BCCI, despite its enormous financial resources, has been unable to bring some of the best medical professionals and physiotherapists into its setup.

"There was a statement from VVS Laxman that they had approached several people. Those things were being worked out, but at the last minute, they turned it down. So, what I am trying to say is that whatever is happening needs to be fixed. I am not an expert on this. The experts appointed by the BCCI need to do their job. But I am telling you that it is having a significant impact," Kaif said on his YouTube channel.
Kaif admitted that he was particularly surprised by the situation given the financial strength of the BCCI and the attractiveness of working with Indian cricket.

"Now, I am surprised because so many people are eager to work with the BCCI. We have so much money that if we call someone, they will come running. They do, don't they? Just look at the players. Players leave their countries' matches to come and play in the IPL. They come, don't they?" Kaif said.

He further questioned why the BCCI had not been able to finalise contracts with leading physiotherapists and medical experts.

"So, I was a little surprised that we haven't been able to work things out with some of the world's best physiotherapists and medical professionals and get them to work with the BCCI. I am surprised because we pay so much. We offer such good contracts. If someone comes and works here, they are bound to make a lot of money. They get paid very well," he added.

The timing of the concerns is significant, with India heading into a two-Test series against Sri Lanka without several key players. The series begins in Galle on August 15.

#BCCI #several #injury

NEW DELHI: Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has welcomed Sarfaraz Khan's return to India's Test squad and backed him to make the playing XI against Sri Lanka, arguing that his ability against spin could make him a better option than Dhruv Jurel in the conditions expected in Galle.

Sarfaraz was added to India's squad as a replacement for injured Sai Sudharsan and joined the team in Sri Lanka on Monday. His return has also reignited the debate over his prolonged absence from the Test setup, having last played for India against New Zealand in November 2024.

Kaif, while discussing Sarfaraz's comeback on his YouTube channel, questioned why the batter was left out after his initial run in the side. He stressed that poor performance was not the reason for Sarfaraz's exclusion.

"There was a reason he was not allowed to play. Performance was not the reason. There was no reason. That his runs were not getting made, that the bat was not working. He made runs against New Zealand. He came across the field. He was playing well. He was in form. When he scored against England, he had a good start," Kaif said.

Kaif also praised the decision-makers for bringing Sarfaraz back, believing his skill against spin could prove valuable in Sri Lanka.

"Whatever happened in between, he was removed. But now, whoever said that he should come back, I feel that he is thinking for India. India is thinking for cricket. We have to win. We will need good players. We will need good players. We will need good players who play well," Kaif further said.

He added: "So, first of all, whoever has named him on the table, I congratulate him a lot. And I hope that Sarfaraz Khan will go there and play well."
The bigger question now is whether Sarfaraz can go straight into India's XI. Kaif believes he should, although he acknowledged that the team management could favour Jurel because of his existing involvement with the squad.

"If they follow the trend of backing the players who have already been playing for the team, then they might say, 'Jurel has been with us already. He hasn't scored consistently, but we will back him because he has already been part of the team.' If that is the approach, then Sarfaraz will have to wait," Kaif said.

"But if you ask me what the best XI is, Sarfaraz's name comes into my best XI because of his ability to play spin at No. 5 or No. 6. His record against spin is excellent," he added.

Sarfaraz's range of strokes is another reason Kaif sees him as a strong option, particularly if the pitch becomes increasingly difficult to bat on as the Test progresses.

"He also has a wide range of shots. When you get to the fourth or fifth day, batting becomes more difficult, and that is where a player like Sarfaraz Khan can be very useful," he said. "He knows how to use sweeps and reverse sweeps effectively. He can hit over extra cover, he is good off the back foot and he attacks spin."
Kaif also pointed to Jurel's recent form as another re

Former India opener Aakash Chopra believes Bhuvneshwar ******* ar's lack of regular 50-over and first-class cricket could prove to be a major hurdle if he is to force his way into India's plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

While praising the veteran seamer's performances in the IPL, Chopra said preparing for a 50-over World Cup requires sustained workload management, something that cannot be achieved by playing only T20 cricket.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra was asked about the World Cup prospects of both Bhuvneshwar ******* ar and Mohammad Shami.

"One thing goes against Bhuvi. I love him to bits, and I want him to play for India again, but when you don't play Ranji, your workload becomes limited. There are a handful of matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. In ODI cricket, you have to bowl 10 overs and field for 50 overs in a match. It's a lot of workload."

Bhuvneshwar has not featured in a first-class match since January 2024 and last played a List A game in December 2023. Despite that, he has enjoyed an impressive run with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, playing a key role in their back-to-back IPL ******* le-winning campaigns.

Chopra stressed that excelling in the IPL alone should not be the basis for selection in a 50-over World Cup.

"It's not easy in a tournament like the World Cup where you have to keep playing continuously. Not only the World Cup, but you will have to be a part of every ODI game from a year earlier. You will have to start playing him from now on."

According to Chopra, if the selectors are serious about including Bhuvneshwar in their long-term plans, they need to bring him back into the ODI setup immediately.

"He is not a bad option, but it will be a mistake unless we give him at least one year to get ready. If you pick someone for the 50-over World Cup based on him bowling four overs in the two months of the IPL and a month of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, no matter how good that person is, it will be wrong."

He also suggested that Bhuvneshwar should feature in the upcoming ODI series and even the T20I ******* ignments if he remains under consideration for the 2027 World Cup.
Comparing Bhuvneshwar with Mohammad Shami, Chopra felt the latter currently has a stronger case because he has continued playing red-ball cricket, including the Ranji Trophy, where he claimed 37 wickets. Shami is also set to feature in the upcoming Duleep Trophy.

However, Chopra maintained that Bhuvneshwar had the better IPL season.

"It's the same thing for Shami, although he has played the Ranji Trophy and picked up 37 wickets. He is going to play the Duleep Trophy now as well. So Shami has a slightly better case to make, but the truth is that if we do man-to-man marking in the IPL, Bhuvneshwar ******* ar is ahead of him in that respect."

Chopra believes the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand could provide a clear indication of India's plans.

"My understanding is that the selectors, captain, and coach

Kaito Ono arrived in ONE Championship as one of ******* an's most highly respected strikers. But after his first two appearances on the global stage, the decorated fighter found himself trapped in a period of unfamiliar darkness.
Mohammad Siasarani spoiled his promotional debut by unanimous decision in May 2025, before Marat Grigorian stopped him at ONE SAMURAI 1 this past April, leaving the 28-year-old with hazy memories of the bout.
Kaito now rematches Siasarani in the ONE SAMURAI Featherweight Kickboxing Tournament quarterfinal, which serves as the co-main event at ONE SAMURAI 2 this Saturday, August 8. The explosive card broadcasts live in Asia primetime on live.onefc.com from Tokyo's EBARA WAVE Arena Ota.
A victory would perfectly avenge his first ONE loss, earn a coveted semifinal place in the eight-man bracket, and move him one step closer to reigning ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Superbon.
He recalled:

#samurai #first