We are back to the 1971 moment with both China and the US supporting Pakistan, asserts Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).
Pakistan captain Babar Azam confirmed that Shan Masood fractured his finger during the first ICC World Test Championship match against the West Indies, contributing to Pakistan's 90-run defeat. The injury forced Masood to bat at No. 8, and Babar highlighted the team's top-order batting failures and lack of partnerships. West Indies' Justin Greaves was named Player of the Match for his five-wicket haul.
Pakistan secured their first away Test win in three years, defeating West Indies by eight wickets in Port of Spain to level the series 1-1 and end an eight-match losing streak away from home.
Pakistan faces a daunting chase in the opening Test against West Indies in Tarouba, grappling with a recurring batting collapse issue that has plagued them over the last 10 months. After being bowled out for 282, losing seven wickets for 38 runs, they now hope their pace attack can limit West Indies' lead.
West Indies captain Roston Chase admitted that his side likely made an error in team selection for the second Test against Pakistan, underestimating the pitch's early assistance for spin and regretting the decision to field only one frontline spinner.
West Indies head coach Darren Sammy has revealed that pacer Alzarri Joseph declined selection for the upcoming two-Test home series against Pakistan, despite being chosen.
West Indies have announced their 15-member squad for the upcoming two-Test home series against Pakistan, featuring a maiden call-up for left-arm spinner Joshua Bishop and the return of Kirk McKenzie. The squad sees some changes due to injuries and personal reasons, with the series set to begin on Saturday.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam is expected to return for the second Test against England at Lord's after recovering from a finger injury. His potential comeback offers a significant boost to the team, which suffered a heavy defeat in the first Test, as England leads the three-match series 1-0.
Any military response to a cross-border terror attack from Pakistan will have to take into account the new alignments beginning to take shape in the region, points out former foreign secretary Shyam Saran.
Pakistan, Turkiye, and Saudi Arabia have signed a trilateral defence pact, agreeing to treat an attack on one as an attack on all. Analysts suggest this alliance could significantly diminish the United States' strategic influence in West Asia and elevate Pakistan's geopolitical standing, potentially acting as a deterrent in regional conflicts.
Pakistan's cricket selectors have opted for a significantly revamped pace attack for the upcoming two-Test series against the West Indies. Key players like Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali, Naseem Shah, and veteran spinner Nauman Ali have been dropped, making way for a mix of experienced and uncapped bowlers. This decision aims to build a squad better suited for Test cricket and future tours.
Babar Azam's fever adds to Pakistan's mounting troubles before the Edgbaston Test, with the PCB overhauling the squad and coaching staff after England secured an unassailable 2-0 lead.
Pakistan pacer Mohammad Abbas expressed deep concern over the team's persistent issues, including poor fielding and an inexperienced pace attack, following their heavy 194-run defeat to England at Lord's, marking their 10th loss in 11 away Tests.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam has declared himself 90 percent fit and available for the second Test against England at Lord's, aiming to lead a rejuvenated side after their innings defeat in the first match. He emphasised the need for senior players, including himself, to take responsibility and hinted at potential changes if performance doesn't improve.
Pakistan successfully chased down a target of 75 runs on Day 4 to level their two-Test series against West Indies 1-1, with captain Babar Azam sealing the victory with two sixes despite an injury scare.
Abdullah Shafique scored an unbeaten hundred and captain Babar Azam neared a century, forging a crucial 168-run partnership to put Pakistan in a commanding position against West Indies on Day 2 of the second Test.
Abdullah Shafique's unbeaten century and Sajid Khan's four-wicket haul have put Pakistan in a commanding position against West Indies on Day 3 of the second and final Test.
Pakistan's top-order batter Shan Masood has been ruled out of the second and final Test against West Indies after fracturing his index finger during the first match, an injury sustained despite scoring a first-innings century.
West Indies Test captain Roston Chase dedicated his team's 90-run victory over Pakistan in the first Test to the late legendary all-rounder Sir Garfield Sobers, noting the coincidence between his age and the margin of victory.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam will miss this week's first test in against England after injuring his right hand during a warm-up match and Salman Ali Agha will deputise, head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed said on Tuesday.
A dominant display against a hugely disappointing Pakistan side saw the game wrapped up before tea on the third day despite the loss of more than half a day's play to rain.
Afghanistan has secured automatic qualification for the 2027 Cricket World Cup after defeating Ireland, while the West Indies, ranked 10th, will once again have to navigate qualifiers for the third consecutive edition of the tournament.
Former Pakistan Test spinner and chief selector Iqbal Qasim has criticised the current generation of Pakistani cricketers for prioritising financial gain, particularly through leagues like the PSL, over dedicated skill development and game awareness, attributing this to a lack of vision among selectors and a general disinterest among young players.
West Bengal police have unearthed a sophisticated Pakistan-linked honeytrap network targeting state ministers, their families, and other high-profile individuals, leading to the arrest of a third suspect, Aditya Singh, an alleged associate of Jaish-e-Mohammed operative Hamim Mondal.
Babar Azam has returned to lead Pakistan's Test cricket team after Shan Masood was axed from the role.
South African batter Quinton de Kock has reached a significant milestone in T20 cricket, scoring his 10th century and joining an elite group of players including Virat Kohli and David Warner. This achievement places him among the top century-getters in the format, further solidifying his status as a prolific T20 batter.
Pakistan's army chief held a series of engagements with Iranian leaders in Tehran as regional diplomacy remained in focus.
Joe Root equalled Sachin Tendulkar's record of 68 Test fifties against Pakistan, adding another milestone to his remarkable career while returning as England captain.
Pakistan and Qatar have successfully mediated separate meetings between US and Iranian negotiators in Doha, reporting positive progress on a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at West Asian peace. Further discussions are planned after the funeral of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Bangladesh secured a historic nine-wicket victory over Australia in Darwin, marking their first-ever Test win on Australian soil, powered by Tanzid Hasan's century and Mehidy Hasan Miraz's five-wicket haul.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the SCO summit in Bishkek, called for a united front against terrorism and its financing, rejecting double standards. He emphasised resolving conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy, not battlefields. Modi also highlighted that connectivity projects must respect national sovereignty and territorial integrity, a veiled reference to China's Belt and Road Initiative. India's vision for SCO rests on security, connectivity, and opportunity.
England Test captain Joe Root has surpassed Steve Smith to become the leading fielder in Test cricket with 219 catches, and also equalled Sachin Tendulkar's record for the most fifties in the longest format with his 68th half-century.
Two-time finalists India are placed fifth and face a challenging path to secure a top-two finish.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday said that hearings of applications for citizenship under the CAA will soon be over, and so far the state has issued certificates to 23,000 people out of 2.30 lakh applicants.
West Bengal's Special Task Force has arrested three individuals in Cooch Behar for alleged involvement in espionage activities linked to Pakistan's ISI. The trio is suspected of smuggling Indian SIM cards to Pakistan via Bangladesh and producing counterfeit currency. These arrests follow a series of apprehensions in Bengal related to suspected terror links, including a Pakistani national believed to be a spy.
Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam sustained a hand injury during a warm-up match, raising concerns about his availability for the upcoming three-match Test series against England, which is part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27.
Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Branch has uncovered a Rs 1.5 crore WhatsApp fraud, leading to the arrest of two key SIM and OTP suppliers in West Bengal. The investigation revealed a sophisticated international cybercrime network spanning China, Pakistan, India, and Hong Kong, operating a "boss scam" and utilizing a "Cybercrime as a Service" model. Police recovered a significant portion of the defrauded amount and secured thousands of devices.
India's men's hockey team has experienced a varied journey in the World Cup, from winning bronze in 1971 and gold in 1975 to a prolonged period without a podium finish.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has engaged in extensive diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict in West Asia, offering to host talks between the US and Iran and engaging with leaders from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Malaysia, the UK, China, and the European Union.
A suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed operative, Hamim Mondal, was arrested for allegedly reconnoitering West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari's residence in Kolkata. The plot, directed by Pakistan-based handlers, involved tracking the CM's movements and identifying security vulnerabilities, with investigators probing potential links to ISI and a larger conspiracy for sabotage.
