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SYLHET: Bangladesh were bowled out for 390 in their second innings on Sunday, setting Pakistan a massive target of 437 runs in the second Test as the hosts tightened their grip on the match.

Resuming the third day at 110-3, with captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim at the crease, Bangladesh built steadily before being dismissed late in the innings.

Mushfiqur Rahim led the charge with a brilliant 137, while Liton Das contributed 69. Other notable contributions included 52 from Mahmudul Hasan Joy, 30 from Mominul Haque, and 22 from Taijul Islam.

For Pakistan, Khurram Shahzad took four wickets, while Sajid Khan claimed three and Hasan Ali picked up two.

Bangladesh had already taken control of the match after posting 278 in their first innings, with Liton Das scoring a century (126), and then restricting Pakistan to 232.

Pakistan’s batting collapse included key contributions from Babar Azam, who scored 68, along with 38 from Sajid Khan and 18 from Hasan Ali. However, no other batter offered substantial resistance.

Earlier in the match, Bangladesh had taken a 156-run lead after the first innings, while Pakistan resumed their first innings at 21 without loss before being bowled out.

Bangladesh lead the two-match series 1-0 after winning the opening Test by 104 runs, putting Pakistan under pressure heading into the final innings of the second Test.

ISLAMABAD: The government of Pakistan has granted temporary relaxation in business operating hours across the country, allowing commercial centres to remain open beyond previously set restrictions until May 31.

According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Division, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved an exemption from closing-time restrictions for shops and business centres nationwide.

The notification said that all markets, departmental stores and shopping malls will be allowed to operate normally throughout the week during the exemption period.

It added that bakeries, tandoors, restaurants and grocery stores will also remain exempt from the previously enforced operating-hour limitations.

The move is aimed at facilitating business activity and easing operational restrictions for commercial sectors during the specified period.

Earlier, Pakistan strongly condemned a reported drone attack on the Barakah nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates, expressing solidarity with the Gulf nation and calling for restraint.

In a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan condemns any attack on a nuclear energy facility in the UAE.

He expressed full solidarity with the leadership and people of the UAE, urging all parties to exercise maximum restraint and fulfill their responsibilities under international law.

The prime minister stressed that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable path toward lasting regional peace, stability and de-escalation of tensions.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office also issued a statement condemning the attack, saying deliberate targeting of a nuclear energy facility constitutes a violation of international law and nuclear safety principles.

A spokesperson said civilian nuclear installations must not be targeted under any circumstances, warning that such attacks could have devastating consequences for human lives, the environment and global peace.

ISLAMABAD: Cambridge International Education has confirmed the leakage of an AS Level Mathematics paper, prompting the postponement of the examination and triggering concerns over exam security.

According to an official statement, the AS Level Mathematics paper was shared ahead of schedule on May 12, leading the examination body to take immediate precautionary measures.

The administration stated that, as a result, the A Level Mathematics Paper 32 (9709) has been postponed, and a new examination date will be announced later.

The paper was originally scheduled to be held in Pakistan on Friday, May 15, with the revised date expected to be communicated by May 22.

Cambridge further confirmed that the decision was taken after consultations with stakeholders in Pakistan and as part of enhanced security measures. Schools will be provided with detailed instructions regarding alternative arrangements by May 22.

Despite the disruption, the examination body has maintained that the AS & A Level results will still be released on August 11 as planned.

Meanwhile, Country Director Uzma Yousuf described the situation as “unusual and serious,” noting that certain elements are attempting to undermine the examination system and students’ future. She added that legal measures are being pursued to hold those responsible accountable and prevent further breaches.

LOS ANGELES: Argentina star Lionel Messi continues to dominate Major League Soccer’s salary rankings as the highest-paid player with an annual base salary of $25 million, according to the latest figures released by the MLS Players Association.

The report shows that Messi earns more than double the salary of the league’s second-highest paid player, South Korea’s Son Heung-min.

Messi’s updated earnings reflect his contract extension with Inter Miami CF signed in October, which will keep him at the club until the 2028 season. His overall guaranteed compensation has increased to $28.3 million.

Son Heung-min, who joined Los Angeles FC last August in a record transfer, earns a base salary of $10.36 million with total guaranteed compensation of $11.2 million.

The salary figures do not include endorsement earnings, nor do they reflect Messi’s reported option to acquire an ownership stake in Inter Miami, which is co-owned by David Beckham.

At 38, Messi continues to perform at a high level, scoring 59 goals in 64 MLS regular-season appearances. He also led the league with 29 goals last season and was named Most Valuable Player for a second consecutive year.

Messi’s teammate at Inter Miami and Argentina international Rodrigo De Paul ranks third on the salary list with $9.7 million in guaranteed compensation.

Mexico’s Hirving Lozano sits fourth despite limited appearances, while Atlanta United’s Miguel Almirón completes the top five with $7.9 million.

Overall league compensation has reached $631 million, with average guaranteed pay rising 8.9 percent to $688,816, reflecting continued financial growth across MLS.

KARACHI: Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood has faced a difficult start to his leadership tenure, with the national side losing 11 out of 15 Test matches under his captaincy.

Masood took over the Test leadership following the resignation of Babar Azam after the 2023 World Cup, but results have remained largely disappointing for Pakistan in the longest format.

Since assuming charge, Pakistan have played 15 Test matches, winning only a few while suffering 11 defeats. The team has also lost three consecutive matches against Bangladesh, highlighting ongoing inconsistencies.

Since December 2023, Pakistan have played six away Tests and lost all of them, including series whitewashes in Australia and South Africa.

Bangladesh also secured a historic 2–0 whitewash over Pakistan at home, marking one of the team’s most significant Test setbacks in recent years.

Under Masood’s captaincy, Pakistan have also suffered home defeats against England, West Indies, and South Africa, losing at least one Test match against each opponent on home soil.

Despite ambitions of reaching the World Test Championship final, the team’s performance has continued to decline, with Pakistan finishing seventh in the 2023 cycle and bottom of the table in the 2025 cycle.

Analysts note that while the captain has repeatedly pointed out errors after defeats, the team has struggled to translate discussions into on-field improvements.

ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi has been conferred the Hilal-i-Imtiaz in recognition of his outstanding contributions to sports.

The award was presented during a special investiture ceremony held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, where President Asif Ali Zardari distributed civil honors to distinguished individuals from various fields.

Afridi was honored for his remarkable services to cricket and his role in promoting Pakistan’s image internationally through sports.

At the same ceremony, young mountaineer Shehroze Kashif was also awarded the Hilal-i-Imtiaz for his achievements in mountaineering. The award was received by his mother on his behalf.

The investiture ceremony recognized prominent personalities for exceptional performance and contributions in sectors including sports, literature, journalism, science, education, and public service.

Among the honors conferred were the Nishan-i-Imtiaz, Hilal-i-Imtiaz, and awards for bravery, acknowledging individuals who have rendered distinguished service to Pakistan.

Mumbai: Bollywood actress Kriti Sanon has openly addressed the ongoing issue of pay inequality between male and female actors in the Indian film industry, saying that actresses still face significant challenges when it comes to remuneration.

In a recent interview, Kriti Sanon revealed that producers often attempt to reduce an actress’s fee first when a film’s budget is tight, while a larger share of the budget is typically allocated to male lead actors.

She said that a sense of male dominance still exists in the industry, adding that women have to continuously struggle for equality both in pay and professional treatment.

The actress further noted that discrimination can also be experienced on film sets, where unequal treatment sometimes becomes visible in day-to-day working conditions.

Kriti Sanon recalled an early career incident where she felt disrespected after learning that a male co-actor was provided better facilities, including a superior vehicle, compared to her.

She described her 2017 film Mimi as a turning point in her career, saying it significantly changed public perception of her acting abilities. The film also earned her a major national award, which she called one of the most important moments of her professional journey.

The actress added that before Mimi, she often faced disappointment as several key roles were reportedly given to star kids at the last moment.

The film One Battle After Another dominated the Academy Awards, winning six trophies including Best Picture in one of the most competitive award seasons in recent years, defeating strong rival Sinners.

Director Paul Thomas Anderson personally won three Oscars—his first-ever Academy Awards—for the political thriller that explores issues such as immigration raids and white supremacy in the United States.

After receiving the Best Adapted Screenplay award, Anderson said he wrote the film for his children as a way of apologizing for the world his generation is leaving behind while encouraging hope that the next generation will bring wisdom and decency.

The film follows a former revolutionary struggling with addiction, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, who faces off against the menacing Colonel Lockjaw, portrayed by Sean Penn, who won Best Supporting Actor. The film also secured awards for Best Editing and Best Casting.

Despite 11 previous nominations for films like There Will Be Blood and Boogie Nights, Anderson had never won an Oscar until this year.

Meanwhile, Ryan Coogler’s vampire-themed drama Sinners—which explores America’s complex racial history—entered the ceremony with a record 16 nominations and won four awards.

These included Best Original Screenplay for Coogler and Best Actor for Michael B. Jordan, who played twin gangster brothers Smoke and Stack.

Jordan later told reporters backstage that he kept detailed journals to develop the backstories of both characters and highlight the subtle differences between them.

Other awards for Sinners included Best Original Score for Ludwig Göransson and Best Cinematography for Autumn Durald Arkapaw, making her the first woman to win in that category.

In other major wins, Jessie Buckley took home Best Actress for her role as Agnes, William Shakespeare’s grieving wife, in Hamnet. She said winning the award on Mother’s Day in her home country of Ireland made the moment especially meaningful.

Amy Madigan won Best Supporting Actress for her performance as a deranged witch in the horror film Weapons. The Norwegian family drama Sentimental Value won Best International Feature Film, while K-Pop Demon Hunters claimed Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for “Golden.”

Both One Battle After Another and Sinners were produced by Warner Bros., which dominated the night by winning 12 out of 24 awards at the ceremony.