alzarri joseph responds
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Alzarri Joseph responds to Darren Sammy’s selection remarks

ByJustpaste.in

BRIDGETOWN: West Indies fast bowler Alzarri Joseph has responded to comments made by head coach Darren Sammy regarding his absence from the ongoing Test series against Pakistan, saying his decision was taken out of context and has created a misleading public perception.

The controversy emerged after Cricket West Indies initially cited “personal reasons” for Joseph’s unavailability. However, subsequent remarks by Sammy suggested that the pacer had declined selection for the series, sparking widespread discussion among cricket fans and analysts.

In a statement, Joseph clarified that his decision was based solely on his physical condition following a lengthy recovery from his second stress fracture in the back within the past year.

The fast bowler explained that he had only recently returned to Test cricket and had already played two demanding Tests against Sri Lanka, followed by five consecutive One-Day Internationals against New Zealand. After that workload, he felt his body was not ready for another Test series without adequate rest.

Joseph said the coach’s comments were made without presenting the full background, leading many to misunderstand his position.

“I believe the remarks were incomplete and created the wrong impression among the public,” he said, stressing that his commitment to West Indies cricket remains unchanged.

The 29-year-old also dismissed suggestions that he had turned his back on the national team, saying he has always been proud to represent the West Indies whenever he is physically fit.

Joseph reaffirmed that he remains a professional cricketer dedicated to serving his country and its supporters. He added that his responsibility is to the West Indies team and the people of the Caribbean, not to any individual.

His clarification comes as the West Indies continue their Test campaign against Pakistan, with discussions over player workload and injury management increasingly becoming an important issue in international cricket. The latest exchange has highlighted the challenges teams face in balancing player fitness with the demands of a packed international schedule.

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    Pakistan faces 400+ cyberattacks this year

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    Pakistan has faced more than 400 cyberattacks during the current year, with authorities successfully stopping all reported attacks in time, according to the Director General of the National Cyber Emergency Response Team, Dr Haider Abbas. Dr Abbas said the growing number of cyber threats showed the need for stronger national cybersecurity measures. He called for the establishment of a powerful National Cyber Security Authority to coordinate cybersecurity efforts across the country. Speaking in an interview, he said Pakistan was facing increasingly complex cyber threats. He also warned about the risks posed by cyberattacks allegedly backed by state actors. According to Dr Abbas, Pakistan needs a central institution with sufficient authority to deal with the growing cybersecurity challenges. He proposed placing the National Cyber Security Authority under the prime minister. He said a national authority working under the prime minister could respond more effectively to major cyber threats. It could also improve coordination between government institutions and other organisations responsible for digital security. The official stressed that cybersecurity had become an important national issue. The increasing dependence on digital systems has also increased the potential risks to government institutions, businesses and other critical sectors. More than 400 attacks reported this year highlight the scale of the challenge facing Pakistan. Although the attacks were reportedly prevented, officials believe the country needs stronger systems to detect and respond to future threats. Dr Abbas said the proposed authority should oversee cybersecurity across the country. It should also ensure that different institutions follow effective security measures and remain prepared for emerging digital threats. A central cybersecurity body could help improve coordination during cyber emergencies. It could also allow authorities to respond quickly when sensitive digital systems come under attack. The official’s proposal comes as cyber threats continue to become more sophisticated worldwide. Governments are increasingly focusing on protecting critical infrastructure, public institutions and digital networks from cyberattacks. Pakistan has also expanded its dependence on online systems in government, banking, communications and other sectors. Any major cyberattack on important infrastructure could potentially disrupt essential services. Dr Abbas therefore called for a stronger national framework to protect Pakistan’s digital environment. He said the proposed authority should have a clear mandate and sufficient powers to manage cybersecurity across the country. He also emphasised the importance of a coordinated national response. Different government departments and institutions need to work together to identify threats and prevent attacks before they cause damage. The official said placing the authority under the prime minister would give it greater effectiveness and allow important decisions to be taken quickly. The disclosure of more than 400 cyberattacks this year has renewed attention on Pakistan’s digital security. Authorities are now facing growing pressure to strengthen national cybersecurity systems and improve preparedness against future threats.

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    Pakistan begins Commonwealth Games 2026 campaign with hopes pinned on Arshad Nadeem

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    Pakistan’s trade deficit widens 26% in July as imports surge

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    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s trade deficit increased by 26% during the first month of the fiscal year 2026-27, mainly driven by a sharp rise in imports, according to the latest data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). The widening gap between imports and exports highlights growing pressure on the country’s external trade position at the beginning of the new fiscal year. Imports increased by around 19% in July, with higher purchases recorded across several major categories, including food products, machinery, transport equipment, textiles, agricultural inputs and metals. According to the PBS data, the country’s food import bill reached $805.4 million in July 2026, equivalent to more than Rs224 billion. The increase reflects continued reliance on imported food products and essential raw materials to meet domestic demand. Among food items, imports of milk, cream and food products prepared for infants rose by 25% to $18.7 million. Pakistan also imported significant quantities of spices, soybeans, palm oil and pulses during the month. Sugar imports were also recorded during July, with the country importing around 112 metric tonnes, adding to the overall food import bill. Machinery imports rise sharply Machinery emerged as one of the major contributors to the increase in the import bill. Machinery imports jumped by 41% to $1.31 billion during July compared with the corresponding period. The increase covered a wide range of equipment used in key sectors of the economy. Imports included machinery for power generation, offices, textile manufacturing, agriculture, construction and telecommunications. The rise in machinery imports could indicate increased demand for equipment and investment-related goods across different industries, although it also contributed significantly to the expansion of the overall trade gap. Vehicle imports register strong growth Imports of transport equipment, including vehicles, also witnessed substantial growth during the month. The import bill for the category increased by 40% to $420 million. The increase in vehicle and transport-related imports added further pressure to the country’s import expenditure, particularly as several other major import categories also recorded double-digit growth. Textile-related imports increase Pakistan’s textile sector also recorded higher imports during July. Imports of textile-related products, including raw cotton, increased by 15% to $680 million. The rise in raw cotton and other textile inputs indicates continued demand from the country’s large textile manufacturing and export industry. Since the textile sector remains a major contributor to Pakistan’s exports, higher imports of production inputs can also be linked to industrial activity. Agricultural inputs and chemicals Imports of agricultural machinery, equipment and chemicals increased by 23%, taking the combined import bill for the category to more than $1 billion. The increase comes as demand remains high for inputs and equipment required by the agriculture sector. Higher imports of such goods can support domestic production but simultaneously add to the country’s foreign exchange requirements. Metals import bill also rises The country also witnessed a significant increase in imports of metals, including gold, iron and steel. Imports under the category increased by around 23%, while the import bill for precious metals alone crossed $730 million. The broad-based rise across food, machinery, transport, textiles, agricultural inputs and metals suggests that the increase in imports was not confined to a single sector. The latest figures indicate that controlling the trade gap will remain an important challenge for policymakers during the new fiscal year. While higher imports of machinery, industrial inputs and agricultural equipment may support economic activity, a sustained increase in imports without a corresponding rise in exports could place additional pressure on Pakistan’s external account.

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