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Newsdesk

India beat England by 7 runs to reach T20 World Cup final

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India beat England

Mumbai: India national cricket team defeated England national cricket team by 7 runs in a thrilling second semifinal of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup to secure a place in the final.

Chasing a massive 254-run target, England fought hard but managed 246 runs, falling just short of victory.

Earlier, England captain Harry Brook won the toss and elected to field first. Batting first, India posted a formidable 253 for 7 in 20 overs.

Sanju Samson led the charge with a brilliant 89 runs, while Shivam Dube contributed 43, Ishan Kishan scored 39, Hardik Pandya added 27, and Tilak Varma made 21 runs. Suryakumar Yadav scored 11.

For England, Will Jacks and Adil Rashid picked up two wickets each.

In the first semifinal, New Zealand national cricket team defeated South Africa national cricket team to book their place in the final.

The T20 World Cup 2026 final will be played on Sunday in Ahmedabad, where India will face New Zealand for the title. 🏏

Arbeloa vows Madrid will continue title push amid injury crisis

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Arbeloa vows

Madrid: Real Madrid will continue to pursue the La Liga title as long as it remains mathematically possible, said under-pressure coach Alvaro Arbeloa, after the team slipped four points behind Barcelona.

Los Blancos face Celta Vigo on Friday, aiming to narrow the gap to one point before Barcelona’s match at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.

Madrid lost top spot after a defeat at Osasuna two weeks ago, followed by a humbling home loss to Getafe, increasing scrutiny on Arbeloa, who replaced Xabi Alonso in January.

“We’re four points behind, not 18. This is Real Madrid. As long as we can mathematically fight, we will, and if there ever comes a time when we can no longer fight, we will still keep fighting,” Arbeloa said.

The coach emphasized that the squad is focused on the immediate challenge:

“We’ve had two consecutive league defeats. At a club like Real Madrid, defeat is always difficult because of the expectations and the pressure, but right now the only thing we’re thinking about is tomorrow’s match.”

Madrid’s recent campaign has been severely affected by injuries. Brazilian winger Rodrygo Goes joins Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, and Eder Militao on the sidelines after a serious knee injury against Getafe, likely ruling him out of this summer’s World Cup. Centre-back Dean Huijsen is also suspended for the Celta game.

Arbeloa refused to use injuries as an excuse, saying:

“We need to show our true potential now. It’s in moments like these that you see if we’re worthy of wearing this shirt and this badge.”

Real Madrid will host Manchester City in the Champions League last-16 first leg next Wednesday. Mbappe and Bellingham are currently receiving treatment in Paris and London, respectively, with hopes of returning in time for the match. Arbeloa added that any decisions on player fitness would be handled by the club’s medical team.

Despite setbacks, Arbeloa stressed that Madrid will continue to fight for La Liga glory while preparing for their European challenge.

Nora Fatehi hits back at critics over peace message

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Nora Fatehi hits

MUMBAI: Bollywood actress and dancer Nora Fatehi has strongly responded to critics who targeted her after she shared a message calling for global peace and unity.

The 34-year-old Canadian-born star recently took to Instagram to condemn reported joint US and Israeli strikes on Iran, while urging peace and solidarity across the world. However, some social media users criticized her, accusing her of selectively supporting Muslims.

In a new video posted on Instagram, Nora addressed the backlash directly. She said many people have “lost the ability to listen and understand,” adding that critical thinking is something everyone is taught in school.

Clarifying her stance, she emphasized that her message of peace and unity is for every human being, regardless of nationality or religion. “If a call for peace triggers you, then you need self-reflection,” she said, adding that speaking against chaos does not make someone an enemy.

Expressing her emotions during the holy month of fasting, the actress said it is alarming that people become upset when someone talks about peace. She described this trend as deeply troubling.

In the caption of her video, Nora reiterated that she stands by her words and suggested that anyone angered by calls for global peace and unity should consider seeking help.

Previously, she had also expressed concern over the situation in the Middle East, stating that the continuous stream of tragic news and visuals had been emotionally overwhelming.

Saba Hameed reveals she slapped Hiba Bukhari for real during drama

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Saba Hameed reveals

KARACHI: Senior Pakistani actress Saba Hameed has revealed that she once slapped actress Hiba Bukhari for real while filming a drama scene.

The veteran star made the disclosure during her recent appearance on comedy show Hansna Mana Hai, hosted by Tabish Hashmi, where she discussed some of the most memorable scenes from her career.

While talking about the popular Entertainment drama Fitoor, Saba Hameed shared details about a scene in which she had to slap her on-screen daughter, played by Hiba Bukhari.

The senior actress admitted that she is usually skilled at “cheating” such scenes during filming, making them look realistic without actual contact. However, she said the director insisted that the slap be performed authentically to capture the required intensity.

“As a result, I ended up slapping her for real,” Saba Hameed revealed, adding that the slap landed quite hard. She later apologized to Hiba Bukhari for the unexpected intensity of the scene.

The candid confession amused viewers and offered a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the realities of drama production.

Afghan soil being used against Pakistan is unacceptable, says COAS

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Afghan soil being

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir has said that sustainable peace between Pakistan and Afghanistan is only possible if the Afghan Taliban abandon support for terrorism and militant groups.

According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations, the army chief visited Wana in South Waziristan, where he laid a floral wreath at the martyrs’ memorial and paid tribute to soldiers who sacrificed their lives in defense of the motherland.

During the visit, Field Marshal Munir was briefed on the prevailing security situation along the western border and on the progress of Operation Ghazab-Lil-Haq. He reviewed operational preparedness and met troops deployed at forward positions, appreciating their professionalism, operational readiness, and high morale amid ongoing clashes.

The ISPR statement quoted him as saying that the sacrifices of martyrs form the foundation of Pakistan’s security and resilience.

He termed the use of Afghan soil by “Fitna al-Khawarij” and “Fitna al-Hindustan” elements for carrying out terrorist activities against Pakistan as unacceptable, adding that all necessary measures would be taken to neutralize threats emanating from across the border.

The army chief reiterated that peace on both sides of the border can only be ensured when the Afghan Taliban renounce terrorism and cease backing militant organizations.

He also expressed full confidence in the combat readiness, coordination, and morale of formations deployed along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

Pakistan Cricket Board announces ODI squad for Bangladesh series

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Pakistan Cricket Board

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a 15-member One Day International (ODI) squad for the upcoming series against Bangladesh.

Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi will continue to lead the ODI side for the series.

Key Players Dropped

In a surprising move, several prominent players have been left out of the squad, including: Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Haseebullah Khan and Hassan Nawaz

15-Member Squad

The selected squad includes: Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram,Haris Rauf, Hussain Talat, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Mohammad Ghazi Ghori, Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha and Shamyl Hussain

Series Schedule

The ODI series between Pakistan and Bangladesh will be played in Dhaka from March 11 to March 15.

The matches are expected to be held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, where both sides will look to build momentum ahead of upcoming international commitments.

Iranian warship reportedly sunk after alleged US submarine strike

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Iranian warship

COLOMBO: A video has surfaced purportedly showing an alleged submarine strike on an Iranian warship near Sri Lanka, triggering a major international controversy.

According to footage released by the United States Department of Defense, a torpedo can be seen striking the Iranian naval vessel, followed by a massive explosion at sea.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that American forces targeted the Iranian warship. He stated that the vessel appeared to believe it was secure in international waters, but “that assumption proved incorrect.”

Vessel Identified as IRIS Dena

Foreign media reports, quoting US officials, earlier claimed that the strike was carried out by an American submarine. The vessel has been identified as IRIS Dena, which was reportedly returning to Iran after participating in military exercises in India.

Sri Lanka’s foreign ministry confirmed that upon receiving distress signals about the sinking of the Iranian vessel near its coastline, the Sri Lanka Navy dispatched rescue teams. However, by the time assistance arrived at the scene, the ship had already sunk.

Officials stated that at least 30 injured sailors were rescued and shifted to a nearby hospital. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s deputy foreign minister reportedly said that around 80 personnel were killed in the alleged US strike.

The incident has raised serious concerns about escalating tensions in regional waters, with further international reaction expected in the coming days.

New Zealand storm into final with 9-wicket win

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New Zealand

KOLKATA: New Zealand delivered a commanding performance to defeat South Africa by nine wickets in the first semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, securing a place in the final in emphatic fashion.

After winning the toss, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner opted to field first. South Africa posted 169 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs, with Marco Jansen top-scoring with an unbeaten 55.

Other notable contributions came from Dewald Brevis (34) and Tristan Stubbs (29), while Aiden Markram (18), Quinton de Kock (10), and David Miller (6) failed to convert their starts.

For New Zealand, Matt Henry, Glenn Phillips (if McConchie intended, assumed Phillips), and Rachin Ravindra claimed two wickets each to restrict the Proteas below the 170-mark.

In reply, New Zealand’s openers dismantled the South African bowling attack. Finn Allen produced a breathtaking innings, smashing the fastest century in T20 World Cup history. He reached his hundred in just 33 balls, hammering 10 fours and eight sixes, rewriting the tournament record books.

Allen found strong support from Tim Seifert, who scored 58, as the Black Caps chased down the target in just 13 overs for the loss of one wicket. Rachin Ravindra remained unbeaten on 13.

The previous record for the fastest century in T20 World Cup history was held by West Indies legend Chris Gayle, who scored a 47-ball hundred against England in 2016.

Meanwhile, the second semi-final will see India face England in Mumbai tomorrow, with the winner set to meet New Zealand in the grand finale.

Aamir Khan enters mediation as Ranveer Singh quits Don 3

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Aamir Khan enters

MUMBAI: Don 3 has emerged as one of Bollywood’s most discussed projects after lead actor Ranveer Singh stepped away from the film, sparking industry-wide speculation.

Initially cast in the title role, Ranveer’s reported exit has led to efforts by senior industry figures to mediate between the parties. According to Indian media reports, a high-level meeting was held to address the situation and deliberate on the future of the project.

The meeting was attended by prominent names including Aamir Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Rajkumar Hirani, Zoya Akhtar, Sajid Nadiadwala, Ramesh Taurani, Kumar Mangat, and Amritpal Singh Bindra.

Reports suggest that the core issue revolves around Ranveer Singh’s departure from the film. Excel Entertainment, headed by Farhan Akhtar, reportedly sought ₹40 crore in compensation following the actor’s withdrawal.

Sources indicate that Aamir Khan stepped in to mediate between the two sides to resolve the matter amicably. The speculation gained further traction after Karan Johar, Sajid Nadiadwala, Ekta Kapoor, Farhan Akhtar, and Zoya Akhtar were seen leaving Aamir Khan’s residence in Mumbai days later.

The Don franchise originally began with Shah Rukh Khan in the lead role. The 2006 film was a remake of the 1978 classic and was followed by a sequel in 2011. In 2023, Excel Entertainment officially announced that Ranveer Singh would headline the third installment of the series.

Hania Aamir’s drama criticized for romanticizing violent male characters

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Hania Aamir’s drama

KARACHI: Pakistani drama viewers are currently engaged in a heated debate over what constitutes “healthy love” on screen, as the television serial Meri Zindagi Hai Tu faces intense criticism for its storyline and character dynamics.

The drama stars Bilal Abbas Khan and Hania Aamir in lead roles. The story revolves around Ira, a principled medical student, whose life takes a turn when Kamyar, a wealthy and influential young man, enters her world. Kamyar is portrayed as someone who views love as a mix of control and persistence, often interpreting rejection as a challenge.

A significant number of viewers argue that the serial repeats a familiar formula: a powerful, affluent man persistently pursues a woman, disregards her refusal, intrudes into her life without consent, and yet is ultimately presented in a romantic light. Over time, Ira’s resistance appears to weaken, and she gradually becomes inclined toward Kamyar — reinforcing the notion that stubbornness and relentless pressure are proof of love.

Critics on social media contend that the issue extends beyond a single character’s behavior. They question the writing and the limited development of Ira’s character, arguing that the serial not only depicts toxic behavior but normalizes and glamorizes it.

Some commentators have also objected to the portrayal of a character shown as aggressive and struggling with substance abuse being partially justified within the narrative. Additionally, certain scenes referencing religion to establish moral superiority have drawn criticism.

The controversy surrounding “Meri Zindagi Hai Tu” has once again reignited debate over whether Pakistani dramas are reinforcing unhealthy relationship dynamics by labeling them as romance, potentially shaping misleading perceptions among younger audiences.