For Ali, who hails from Mendhar sub-division near the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district, the uniform is more than a job -- it's a calling. He has dedicated nearly half his life in the police force, serving its various wings with distinction and earning multiple commendations for his courage and unwavering commitment to duty.
Thousands of fans from both countries have crisscrossed the globe to watch their team in action and trust rival captains Rohit Sharma and Babar Azam to tell you this is another 'match' for them, but all the 22 players and reserves know that this is 'The Match'.
Mendis contributed 35 in Sri Lanka's 378 all out at the Galle International Stadium.
Angelo Mathews, playing his 100th Test, batted aggressively and got a reprieve when Babar floored a sitter at cover when the batsman was on 36.
Virat Kohli now has highest fifty-plus scores in T20I history
England take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for the Asia Cup match against Nepal?
Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya hit fifties to rally India in the rain-hit Asia Cup match in Pallekele on Saturday.
'He is a lot calmer now and more confident about what he wants to do, whether it's with the bat or with the ball'
Australia, on their first tour of Pakistan in 24 years, finished day three 205 behind but scored freely after resuming on five for no loss.
A confident and well-adjusted India would look to capitalise on an unpredictable Pakistan during Sunday's T20 World Cup match.
A magnificent partnership between Chris Woakes and Jos Buttler helped propel England to an unlikely three-wicket victory over Pakistan in a topsy-turvy first Test at Old Trafford on Saturday. Images from Day 4 of the first Test between England and Pakistan in Manchester on Saturday.
Overwhelmed with hospitality since arriving in India, Babar Azam is completely feeling "at home" in Hyderabad but didn't forget to add that Pakistan cricket fans have been missed amid their build-up for the World Cup.
Pakistan would be desperate to plug the gaping holes and hope their star players regain form when they open their World Cup campaign against a free spirited Netherlands in Hyderabad on Friday.
Australia head coach Andrew McDonald said the hosts would field their strongest side against Pakistan, which means a welcome return for spinner Nathan Lyon, who will chase his 500th Test wicket after injury ruled him out of the last three matches of the Ashes.
Pakistan captain Azhar Ali "missed a trick" several times in the opening Test against England and their three-wicket loss will hurt the team and their fans, according to bowling great Wasim Akram. Ali and his men held the upper hand for most part of the series opener and had England, chasing 277 for victory, reeling at 117-5 at Old Trafford before England fought back.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for the Asia Cup Super 4s match against Pakistan?
The opening Test, also played in Karachi, ended in a draw as well.
Pakistan left-arm quick Shaheen Afridi claimed 4-53 as the hosts bowled out Bangladesh for 233 in their first innings on Day 1 of the opening Test in Rawalpindi on Friday.
Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique made a solid start to set up a thrilling final day in the deciding third Test
England were forced to make a change to their original playing XI after several of their players were laid low by a virus that also threatened to delay the start of the match.
'Our middle order stepped up in the last two matches'
De Leede ripped through the Pakistan line-up taking 4-62 and Colin Ackerman claimed 2-39 after the Netherlands won the toss and decided to bowl, but Rizwan (68) and Shakeel (68) ensured the Asian side made 286 in 49 overs.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing for their T20 World Cup opening match against Pakistan on Sunday?
The source also said that the board felt Babar would be better off just captaining the white-ball squads and that the Test captaincy should be given to someone else, preferably Shan Masood or Mohammad Rizwan.
India would want the likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer to get into ODI mode as soon as possible.
Images from the Asia Cup T20 match between Pakistan and Hong Kong in Sharjah on Friday
In the four Tests played during the year, Babar scored 338 runs at an average of 67.6.
Kuldeep Yadav is the best spinner going into the World Cup and will give India a distinct advantage in the middle overs through the course of the 50-over showpiece, reckons former Pakistan captain Intikhab Alam.
PCB newly selected Chief Selector Inzamam Ul Haq announced squads for the upcoming ACC Men's Asia Cup and the three-match One-Day International series against Afghanistan.
Five Pakistan cricketers treated an Indian cab driver at a restaurant in Brisbane after the latter refused to accept any fare from them
Maxwell closer to return, trains with Victoria
Wet outfield caused dashed prospects of victory by either side in Australia's first Test in Pakistan in 24 years.
IMAGES from the Asia Cup opener between Pakistan and Nepal played in Multan on Wednesday
From England's fiery all-rounder Ben Stokes to India's rising star Shubman Gill, and the ever-reliable Babar Azam from Pakistan, these cricketing maestros are ready to redefine the game.
Kane Williamson showed his class in his first competitive outing in six months while Rachin Ravindra sizzled at the top of the order as New Zealand gunned down a 346-run target in their opening World Cup warm-up game against Pakistan
Pakistan cricketers floored by 'unexpected' welcome, hit nets 12 hours after arrival
Australia's cricketing DNA is constructed by meticulousness and Pakistan's by explosiveness.
Virat Kohli was the only centurion in the tournament.
The selectors have also put Bilal Asif, Imran Butt, Musa Khan and Mohammad Nawaz on standby to cover for any player who fails pre-tour COVID-19 Testing scheduled later this month.
