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Pakistan set to field seven batters in first West Indies Test

ByJustpaste.in

TRINIDAD: Pakistan is set to adopt a batting-heavy approach for the opening Test against the West Indies, with team management reportedly planning to field seven specialist batters as they finalize the playing XI ahead of the series opener.

According to team sources, initial discussions have begun on the lineup, with the management aiming to strengthen the batting order while maintaining a balanced bowling attack for the first Test, which begins on Saturday at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad.

The proposed lineup is expected to include Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Babar Azam, and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan. All-rounder Salman Ali Agha is also likely to feature, with the team expected to use him as the fifth bowling option while adding depth to the batting unit.

Sources further indicated that Aamer Jamal and experienced pacer Mohammad Abbas are expected to retain their places in the side, providing balance with both bat and ball.

There is also a strong possibility that left-arm spinner Ali Usman will make his Test debut. One of Khurram Shahzad or Mohammad Ali is expected to complete the pace attack, depending on the final assessment of conditions.

Team management has reportedly advised the bowlers to focus on improving their batting contributions, reflecting Pakistan’s intention to maximize runs from the lower order. The final playing XI, however, will depend on players’ fitness and last-minute evaluations before the match.

Meanwhile, preparations at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy suggest conditions could favor seam bowlers. According to sources, curators have prepared a pitch with brown grass rather than lush green coverage, a surface expected to provide pace and bounce while remaining suitable for batting as the match progresses.

The first Test marks the beginning of Pakistan’s highly anticipated series against the West Indies, with both teams eager to make a strong start. Pakistan will be hoping that its strengthened batting lineup provides the platform for a winning performance in Caribbean conditions.

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    Actor Haider Sultan, the son of legendary Pakistani film icon Sultan Rahi, has strongly criticised veteran actor Firdous Jamal over his recent comments about his late father. The controversy began after Firdous Jamal appeared on Public Demand and questioned Sultan Rahi’s acting abilities, prompting Haider to respond through a video shared on his TikTok account. Sultan Rahi remains one of Pakistan’s most celebrated film stars, having appeared in more than 800 Punjabi films during his illustrious career. He dominated both Punjabi and Urdu cinema for decades before his tragic death in 1996, when he was killed by unidentified assailants. His son, Haider Sultan, later followed in his footsteps by pursuing a career in television and film. In his TikTok video, Haider expressed anger over Firdous Jamal’s remarks and questioned why the veteran actor had spoken about his father in such a manner. He said, “Unnecessary things were said about my father. Firdous Jamal, you are a senior, a so-called TV artist, but who are you to speak about my father?” Continuing his criticism, Haider alleged that Jamal’s personal habits had affected his judgement. He stated, “Pride has ruined your life and your Hereafter. Your brain cells are dead because of consuming alcohol all the time. Before speaking about legends, you should first look at yourself. You have lost your senses.” Defending his father’s legacy, Haider described Sultan Rahi as both an exceptional artist and a remarkable person. He said, “Sultan Rahi was a great actor and a wonderful human being. The whole world acknowledges his contributions. Your ranting will not make him any less of a legend or an artist.” Haider also credited his father with playing a major role in sustaining Pakistan’s film industry during its most successful years. He remarked, “He kept the film industry alive, worked hard on his own, and elevated Pakistani cinema. You should be ashamed of yourself.” He further added, “Even your family has disowned you.” The actor did not limit his criticism to Firdous Jamal alone. He also criticised Public Demand producer Tahir Sarwat Mir for allowing the comments to be broadcast. Haider said, “I also have complaints against the show’s producer, Tahir Sarwat Mir, for allowing such obnoxious remarks to be aired about the person who treated him as his son.” He concluded his response by saying, “People may laugh at these comments, but everyone is condemning you. Who are you? ARY or Geo News? No, you are just a cheap Media group.” The dispute began after Firdous Jamal stated on Public Demand that Sultan Rahi “didn’t have any craft” and described him as “just a loud actor with a lot of energy.” His remarks quickly sparked debate online, with many fans defending Sultan Rahi’s legacy and criticising the veteran actor’s assessment. Haider Sultan’s emotional response has since gone viral on social media, where supporters have praised him for standing up for his father’s contribution to Pakistani cinema. 

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    Punjab seeks Rs12.5bn for local polls

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    State Department report calls for greater civilian…

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Election officials have indicated that voting could take place on August 20 or 21, depending on the security situation. The current phase has attracted considerable political attention. Several prominent leaders are contesting the four seats. AJK Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore is seeking to retain his constituency. Two former prime ministers, Sardar Tanveer Ilyas and Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan, are also in the electoral race. A total of 460,371 voters are eligible to cast their ballots. They include 238,664 men and 221,707 women. The election is being held at 803 polling stations. These stations have 1,254 polling booths. As many as 82 candidates are competing in the four constituencies. LA-14 Dhirkot has the highest number of candidates. Thirty candidates are contesting the seat. LA-17 Haveli has nine candidates, the lowest number among the four constituencies. In LA-17 Haveli, Prime Minister Rathore is facing PML-N candidate Engineer Mohsin Aziz and independent contender Khawaja Tariq Saeed. Rathore and Saeed were previously political allies. They had reportedly agreed to contest the seat alternately. Their political relationship changed after Rathore became prime minister. Rathore sought Saeed’s withdrawal from the contest. Saeed refused to step aside. The two former allies are now competing against each other. Mohsin Aziz is also running an active campaign. His father, Chaudhry Mohammad Aziz, had won the constituency several times in the past. The PML-N candidate is expected to receive support from sections of the Gujjar community. Saeed is believed to have support among parts of the Kashmiri community and several smaller clans. Rathore has expressed confidence about retaining the seat. He has highlighted the performance of his government during his tenure. The constituency has also witnessed allegations of electoral irregularities. Claims circulated on social media about alleged manipulation by two presiding officers. Election officials rejected the allegations as presented on social media. However, they confirmed receiving complaints against the two officials. Both were subsequently removed from election duties. In LA-15 Wasti Bagh, former prime minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas is facing several strong contenders. The candidates include PML-N nominee and former minister Mushtaq Ahmed Minhas. PPP candidate and sitting minister Sardar Ziaul Qamar is also contesting. Jamaat-i-Islami candidate retired Brigadier Dr Mohammad Khan is another key contender. Ilyas had initially announced a boycott of the third phase. He later reversed the decision and returned to the election campaign. He has described the contest as important for his political future. He has also linked his campaign to the possibility of securing a senior constitutional position after the election. Ilyas and Ziaul Qamar belong to the same Madiyal tribe. 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He has reportedly spent substantial personal resources on welfare and development projects in the constituency. His supporters believe his community work has helped him build a strong voter base. The contest has become more interesting because Attique and Abbasi belong to the same tribe. PML-N candidate Raja Faisal Azad and PPP nominee Raja Mubashar Ejaz are also contesting Dhirkot. However, the main competition is expected to remain between Attique and Abbasi. The results of the third phase could influence the political balance in AJK. The PML-N has already emerged as the strongest party in the earlier phases. The PPP and other political groups will now seek to strengthen their position in the remaining contests.

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    China voices concern over new US trade curbs

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    BEIJING: China has raised strong concerns over the latest US trade restrictions, urging Washington to strengthen dialogue and maintain stable economic relations as both countries continue efforts to manage trade tensions. Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng expressed Beijing’s concerns during a video conference with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, according to Chinese state media. During the talks, both sides held detailed discussions on implementing the agreements reached by the leaders of the two countries. The officials also exchanged views on maintaining stable economic and trade ties, expanding practical cooperation and addressing each other’s concerns through continued engagement. Beijing criticized the latest US trade measures, including the recently announced 12.5% tariff on Chinese imports, describing them as a source of concern for bilateral economic relations. Despite the differences, both sides agreed to continue using the China-US economic and trade consultation mechanism to improve communication, strengthen mutual trust and reduce misunderstandings. They also pledged to expand cooperation and support the stable development of bilateral trade relations. The discussions come ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s expected visit to the United States later this year, a meeting widely seen as an opportunity to ease tensions between the world’s two largest economies. Earlier agreements between Beijing and Washington included China’s commitment to address US concerns over the supply of rare earth minerals and related processing technologies. China also agreed to increase purchases of US agricultural products through 2028 as part of broader efforts to stabilize trade relations. The latest talks indicate that while differences remain over tariffs and trade policies, both governments continue to pursue diplomatic engagement to prevent further escalation in economic disputes.

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    Torrential rains trigger flash floods in Upper Dir…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Torrential rainfall has caused widespread disruption in Upper Dir, where flash floods and overflowing streams have damaged roads, washed away infrastructure, and stranded travelers across several parts of the district. According to rescue officials, the continuing downpours have significantly affected transportation and raised concerns about public safety. Rescue 1122 reported that floodwaters near the Inkar Madrasa area swept across the main highway, forcing authorities to close the road to all types of traffic. The closure resulted in long queues of vehicles, leaving commuters and tourists stranded while waiting for conditions to improve. Emergency responders have been monitoring the situation and coordinating relief efforts in the affected areas. The heavy rains also washed away a connecting bridge and damaged multiple roads, disrupting access between nearby communities. Rising water levels in seasonal streams have further complicated rescue and recovery operations, making travel difficult and increasing the risk for people living near flood-prone areas. According to rescue officials, one vehicle was swept away by floodwaters in a rain-fed stream. However, no fatalities had been reported at the time of the latest updates. Authorities continue to assess the extent of the damage while emergency teams remain on standby to respond to any additional incidents caused by the severe weather. Officials have urged residents, tourists, and motorists to avoid unnecessary travel until weather conditions improve. They have also advised the public to stay away from rivers, streams, and flood channels, where rapidly rising water levels can pose a serious threat to life and property. Heavy monsoon rains frequently trigger flash floods and landslides in northern Pakistan, disrupting transportation and damaging critical infrastructure. Authorities are continuing to monitor weather conditions closely and have appealed to the public to follow official advisories and cooperate with rescue teams. Travelers planning to visit Upper Dir are encouraged to check road conditions before departing and remain alert for further weather updates as rescue and restoration efforts continue.

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