bangladesh shock australia
|

Bangladesh shock Australia, trigger Test selection crisis

DARWIN: Bangladesh’s historic nine-wicket victory over Australia on home soil has been labelled one of the biggest upsets in Australian Test cricket, leaving former players and the country’s media questioning the future of the team.

Former Australia batter Mark Waugh described the defeat as a massive upset and warned that selectors may need to make difficult decisions after another disappointing batting performance.

“When the batting keeps failing, selectors have to make big calls,” Waugh said, stressing that Australia had entered the match with a full-strength squad. The defeat, he suggested, was therefore even more concerning.

Former opener David Warner also raised serious questions about Australia’s batting line-up ahead of the team’s upcoming tour of South Africa.

Warner questioned whether Australia could approach such a challenging tour with confidence given the current state of its batting. He pointed out that South Africa possess an experienced bowling attack and said selectors would need to seriously consider changes.

Australian media outlets have also intensified scrutiny following the unexpected defeat. Questions have emerged over Jack Wetherald’s future, while doubts have been raised about whether Travis Head can succeed as an opener.

However, the concerns are not limited to batting. Analysts have also questioned Australia’s bowling combination and suggested that the squad needs fresh faces.

With many members of the current team aged over 30, Australian cricket faces an important transition period.

Bangladesh’s victory has therefore done more than rewrite a piece of cricket history—it has exposed vulnerabilities in a team accustomed to dominating at home. The selectors now face pressure to respond before Australia’s next major Test challenge.

Similar Posts

  • |

    Google’s new AI satellite image tool raises fears over fake visuals

    Google has introduced a new artificial intelligence feature for Google Earth that allows users to create AI generated images using satellite, aerial and three dimensional mapping data. While the company says the tool is designed to support creative and practical uses, researchers and digital investigation experts have expressed concern that it could make it easier to produce convincing fake satellite images. The new feature, called Create Image, was launched on Thursday and uses Google’s Nano Banana 2 image generation technology. It enables users to zoom into locations on Google Earth and generate realistic visualisations within seconds using existing mapping data. Google said the tool is intended to help people visualise historical scenes, develop real estate plans and explore other creative projects. However, experts who specialise in verifying online content warn that the technology could be exploited to spread false information and manipulate public opinion. Open source intelligence researchers say Google Earth has long been considered one of the most trusted resources for checking locations, analysing events and verifying images. They fear that adding AI generated content to the platform could blur the line between authentic satellite imagery and fabricated visuals. Digital investigations expert Henk Van Ess criticised the update, arguing that Google spent years building public trust in its mapping service but has now introduced a feature capable of generating fictional scenes. He warned that even if an AI generated image is not perfect, it could still appear believable because it is linked to a platform widely regarded as reliable. Brady Africk, a research analyst at the American Enterprise Institute who specialises in satellite image analysis, also raised concerns about the technology. He said the update makes it easier to create realistic fake satellite images that could spread rapidly on social media and mislead the public. According to Africk, the growing availability of AI generated imagery could also weaken confidence in genuine satellite photographs. He warned that journalists, researchers and fact checkers may find it increasingly difficult to distinguish authentic images from manipulated ones, making investigations more challenging. In response to the criticism, Google said all images created through the new feature include its SynthID digital watermark technology. The invisible watermark is embedded into AI generated content to help identify that it was produced using Google’s artificial intelligence tools. The company also said users can ask its Gemini chatbot to check whether an image contains a SynthID watermark, providing an additional method for verifying AI generated content. The launch comes as technology companies continue expanding the use of generative artificial intelligence across their products. At the same time, governments, researchers and technology experts are calling for stronger safeguards to prevent AI tools from being used to create misleading content or spread disinformation.

  • | |

    Sindh, Aga Khan University forge 5-year ties to ad…

    The Sindh Cabinet has approved a five-year partnership between the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPD) and the Aga Khan University’s Institute for Educational Development (AKU-IED). The Memorandum of Understanding was signed today at Chief Minister House, Karachi. Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah, who witnessed the signing, called it “not merely an agreement” but “a solemn commitment to every child with disabilities in Sindh that their dreams matter, their potential is recognised, and their future will no longer be limited by barriers.” The partnership will establish an Inclusion and Special Educational Needs (SEN) Unit at AKU-IED, for training, research, and innovation that will house sensory rooms, therapy spaces and dedicated resource centres. The initiative aims to train more than 2,000 educators and, through them, reach an estimated half a million school children over the next five years. According to UNICEF, an estimated 96% of children with disabilities in Pakistan are out of school, with Sindh bearing a large proportion of this burden due to poverty, gender disparities, and limited functional accessibility. Overall, Sindh has 7.4 million out-of-school children, where disability acts as a major compounding barrier to attendance. “For too long, children with disabilities have been invisible in our education system,” said Mr Tuaha Ahmed Faruqui, Secretary of DEPD. “Today, we are making a promise to every family in Sindh that their children matter.” The initiative’s most ambitious commitment is workforce transformation. AKU-IED will deliver modular courses, Training-of-Trainers programmes, and certification pathways to more than 2,000 educators. Its Bachelor of Education degree will offer specialisation in inclusive education with monthly stipends. Beyond training, the collaboration establishes a province-wide research and advocacy agenda: baseline assessments, implementation evaluations, and annual policy commissions to inform government decisions. Biennial SEN conferences and policy seminars will convene experts and advocates, while public education campaigns will produce multimedia resources, toolkits, and community sensitisation initiatives to shift mindsets about disability inclusion. “This is not just an institutional milestone,” said Professor Farid Panjwani, Dean, AKU-IED. “It is a commitment to every child in Sindh who has been waiting for an education system that sees them, hears them, and empowers them.” The Government of Sindh will provide grant funding, while AKU-IED contributes expertise and institutional resources. The SEN Unit will develop a strategic roadmap designed to sustain impact well beyond the five-year term. President of the Aga Khan University, Dr Sulaiman Shahabuddin, saidid, “The true measure of an education system is whether it reaches those who have historically been left furthest behind. By preparing teachers and schools to educate children with special needs, this partnership will help to ensure that all our children have the opportunity to fulfill their potential.”

  • |

    Ben Shelton storms into montreal quarter-finals after Fonseca Test

    Defending champion Ben Shelton continued his impressive run at the ATP Montreal Masters, defeating Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca in straight sets to book his place in the quarter-finals. The 23-year-old American, seeded 10th, produced a composed performance to win 6-3, 7-6 (7-3) on Sunday. Shelton has now reached the last eight without dropping a set and extended his winning streak in Canada to nine matches. The victory, however, was anything but routine. Strong evening winds made conditions difficult, forcing both players to adjust their games. Shelton relied on his powerful left-handed serve and aggressive baseline play while trying to keep his composure during the second-set battle. “It was tough today, not easy conditions,” Shelton said. “It all came down to grit. The tennis was not clean.” Fonseca, regarded as one of the most promising young players in men’s tennis, had opportunities to change the momentum. The Brazilian led 3-1 and 40-30 in the second set when he landed awkwardly after attempting a smash, appearing to hurt his ankle. The 18-year-old continued, but his performance became increasingly erratic. He finished with 32 unforced errors, allowing Shelton to stay in control. The American eventually sealed victory on his second of four match points when Fonseca sent a return into the net. Shelton will next face 13th-seeded Czech Jakub Mensik, who advanced by beating Botic van de Zandschulp 6-4, 7-5. Mensik overturned a second-set deficit by winning 12 of the final 14 points, including a memorable winning lob. Elsewhere, Spain’s Daniel Merida continued his remarkable hard-court breakthrough by defeating Tallon Griekspoor 6-3, 6-1 in just 69 minutes. The 63rd-ranked Spaniard had never won a tour-level hard-court match before arriving in Montreal. He has now won four consecutive matches on the surface and secured a first Masters quarter-final, guaranteeing a rise into the world’s top 50. Merida will face American 12th seed Learner Tien, who defeated Argentina’s Thiago Tirante 6-4, 6-4. “This is a dream come true,” Merida said after the victory, underlining the confidence behind his breakthrough season. With Shelton chasing another Montreal title and Merida enjoying a stunning rise, the tournament is shaping up for an exciting finish.

  • |

    Grieving mother breaks silence on toddler’s tragic death

    An 18-month-old baby girl’s tragic death has sparked nationwide grief and outrage after she was allegedly sexually assaulted by a teenage relative in Karachi’s Qayyumabad area. The heartbreaking case has shaken people across Pakistan, with many demanding swift justice and stronger protection for children. According to police, the suspect is a 17-year-old relative of the victim. Investigators said he allegedly took the toddler outside under the pretext of taking her for a walk before returning her home in critical condition. The child was rushed for medical treatment but later succumbed to her injuries. Authorities stated that the initial medical examination indicated signs of sexual assault, while the suspect was arrested from his residence shortly after the incident. The investigation remains ongoing. A day after the incident, the grieving mother spoke publicly for the first time, sharing the painful sequence of events that led to the loss of her daughter. Fighting back tears, she explained that she had returned home from work in the afternoon before taking her daughter to the market. After the child had eaten, she briefly went to a neighbour’s house for an urgent matter. She said the accused, identified as Manan, was the grandson of her paternal aunt and had been visiting their home for nearly one and a half years. Since he often spent time with the family and appeared caring toward her daughter, she trusted him. According to the mother, he offered to take the little girl for a walk, something he had done on previous occasions. When he brought the child back, the toddler was reportedly unconscious. The mother said her sister informed her that the child had been vomiting. Concerned, she took her to a nearby clinic, where doctors initially suspected that the vomiting might have been caused by spoiled milk. She returned home, gave her daughter oral rehydration solution (ORS), and put her to sleep. However, while changing the child’s diaper, the mother noticed bleeding. She recalled that her daughter had stopped responding, her heartbeat appeared to have slowed, and her lips had turned dark. Realising the seriousness of the situation, she desperately asked for help in taking the child to the hospital. The grieving mother said she had to take her daughter to the hospital herself because no one came forward to assist her. She also revealed that she does not live with her husband and claimed that very few relatives stood by her during the tragedy. According to her, even some close family members did not attend her daughter’s funeral. She further shared that the post-mortem examination revealed severe injuries, saying her daughter had suffered unimaginable cruelty despite being only 18 months old. Her emotional account has left many people devastated, with countless social media users expressing sympathy for the grieving mother and calling for the harshest possible punishment for those responsible. The incident has also sparked wider discussions online about child safety. While many users focused on demanding justice and stronger legal action against child abuse, others stressed the importance of never leaving young children unattended or in the care of anyone, regardless of how well they are known or trusted. The case has once again highlighted the urgent need for greater awareness, vigilance, and stronger safeguards to protect children from abuse.

  • |

    Vin Diesel gives update on ‘Fast Forever’, sparks fan excitement

    Vin Diesel has united Fast & Furious fans with a new post on social media. The actor shared a behind-the-scenes photo from the set of the franchise’s final chapter, captioning it simply with a note about creative happiness. The image quickly became the center of attention. It showed Diesel deep in conversation with Jason Momoa, who plays antagonist Dante Reyes in the tenth installment of the series. The snapshot confirmed something fans had been waiting to hear, Momoa, has officially joined the Fast Forever cast after finishing his other commitments. Momoa was the last major star to sign on for the upcoming film. His scheduling conflicts, including work on DC’s Supergirl and the third Dune movie, had kept him tied up elsewhere. The newly shared photo captured the on-set moment when his character finally crossed paths with Dominic Toretto, played by Diesel. The reaction from fans was immediate and enthusiastic. Many took to the comments section to celebrate the reunion they had been anticipating for months. One admirer described the cast as feeling like family, calling the image a great one. Another simply praised how joyful the picture looked. A third fan could not hide their eagerness to watch Toretto finally face off against Momoa’s villain character on screen. The excitement reflects just how much anticipation has built around this final installment of the long-running franchise. After multiple films spanning over two decades, seeing the full cast finally assembled together feels like a milestone moment for longtime viewers. Fast Forever will bring back several familiar faces alongside Diesel and Momoa, including Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, and Ludacris. Together, they will close out the story that began with street racing and evolved into a global action saga spanning heists, espionage, and family drama. The film is scheduled to open in theaters worldwide on March 17, 2028, giving fans plenty of time to speculate about how the story will wrap up. Given the buzz already surrounding this single photo, anticipation for the movie’s marketing rollout is likely to grow substantially as the release date approaches. For now, though, fans are simply savoring confirmation that the full ensemble is finally together on set.

  • | |

    Sugar mills seek approval to export 585,000 tonnes…

    The Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) has requested the federal government to allow the export of 585,000 tonnes of surplus sugar, saying the country has sufficient stocks to meet domestic demand while supporting sugarcane growers ahead of the next crushing season. In separate letters addressed to Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and the Minister for National Food Security, the association urged the government to grant immediate permission for sugar exports, as it has done in previous years. According to the letters, Pakistan had 3.4 million metric tonnes of sugar in stock as of July 15, 2026, while the country’s average monthly consumption stands at approximately 567,000 metric tonnes. The association said that even before the start of the upcoming crushing season, an estimated 1.158 million metric tonnes of sugar would remain in stock, ensuring ample supplies for domestic needs. PSMA further stated that another bumper sugarcane crop is expected during the next crushing season, which is projected to produce around 8 million metric tonnes of sugar—well above the country’s annual requirement. The association warned that with the sugarcane sowing season approaching, growers are facing uncertainty due to concerns over excess sugar stocks and limited storage capacity. It urged the government to allow the export of surplus sugar, including stocks held as strategic reserves, within one month of the beginning of the new crushing season. According to the association, timely exports would help stabilise the domestic market, create storage space for the new crop, and ensure better returns for sugarcane farmers

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *