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World News / International

PSL 11: Franchises announce updated retention categories

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PSL 11

LAHORE:  Pakistan Super League franchises have released the revised retention category lists for the 11th edition of the tournament, outlining player placements across Diamond, Gold, Silver and Emerging categories ahead of the PSL 11 draft process.

The updated lists provide clarity on player movements, promotions and possible retentions before the official auction.

Silver Category

According to the revised list, the following players have been placed in the Silver category:

Islamabad United: Mohammad Faizan, Haneen Shah

Peshawar Zalmi: Arif Yaqoob, Mehran Mumtaz

Karachi Kings: Mirza Mamoon Imtiaz

Quetta Gladiators: Ali Majid

Lahore Qalandars: Mohammad Akhlaq

In addition, Mohammad Naeem, Mohammad Aazib, Yasir Khan, Aamir Barki, Mohammad Junaid, Mohammad Altaf, Ali Imran, Jehanzaib Sultan and Ubaid Shah have also been included in the Silver category.

Emerging Category

The Emerging category includes:

Islamabad United: Saad Masood, Mohammad Shehzad, Ghazi Ghori

Karachi Kings: Riyazullah, Fawad Ali, Saad Baig

Lahore Qalandars: Momin Qamar

Peshawar Zalmi: Abdullah Fazal, Ali Raza, Moaz Sadaqat

Multan Sultans: Shahid Aziz, Mohammad Zulkifal

Quetta Gladiators: Mohammad Zeeshan, Shamil Hussain

Diamond Category

Ahead of PSL 11, franchises have also confirmed the updated Diamond category list.

Karachi Kings: Abbas Afridi, Shan Masood

Abbas Afridi has been downgraded from Platinum to Diamond.

Lahore Qalandars: Abdullah Shafique, Salman Mirza

Multan Sultans: Usama Mir, Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed

Quetta Gladiators: Saud Shakeel, Wasim Jr, Usman Khan

Peshawar Zalmi: Sufiyan Muqeem

Sufiyan Muqeem was promoted from Gold to Diamond at the final stage.

Gold Category

The revised Gold category list has also been issued, with franchises allowed to retain one Gold player prior to the auction.

Lahore Qalandars: Jahandad Khan, Zaman Khan, Asif Ali, Asif Afridi

Asif Ali and Asif Afridi were part of the Silver category last season.

Islamabad United: Azam Khan, Haider Ali, Salman Irshad, Rumman Raees

Azam Khan was previously in the Diamond category, while Rumman Raees featured in Silver.

Karachi Kings: Khushdil Shah, Aamir Jamal, Irfan Niazi, Mir Hamza, Zahid Mahmood, Umair Bin Yousuf, Shahnawaz Dahani, Arafat Minhas

Peshawar Zalmi: Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Ali, Abdul Samad, Hussain Talat, Sufiyan Muqeem, Ahmed Daniyal, Ehsanullah

Quetta Gladiators: Khawaja Nafay, Haseebullah Khan, Khurram Shahzad, Hasan Nawaz, Danish Aziz

Multan Sultans: Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Faisal Akram, Aakif Javed, Tayyab Tahir

Possible Platinum Category Players

Franchises have also shared provisional lists of Platinum-category players ahead of official confirmation by the Pakistan Cricket Board.

Islamabad United: Shadab Khan, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Agha, Mohammad Nawaz, Imad Wasim

Karachi Kings: Hasan Ali

Lahore Qalandars: Shaheen Shah Afridi, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf

Multan Sultans: Mohammad Rizwan

Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam, Saim Ayub

Quetta Gladiators: Mohammad Amir, Faheem Ashraf, Abrar Ahmed

The PCB is expected to officially announce the final list of Pakistani Platinum-category players on Wednesday.

Foreign Players’ Retention

Meanwhile, the retention categories for foreign players will be finalized after the completion of auction registration.

According to PSL regulations, the retention category for overseas players who featured in the previous season will be determined based on their base price during registration. However, franchises and players may mutually agree on retention categories for PSL 11.

Under the rules, each of the six PSL franchises will be allowed to retain one player in each of the four categories.

India, EU agree on landmark trade deal termed ‘Mother of All Deals’

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India, EU agree

New Delhi: India and the European Union have reached a major trade agreement, described by both sides as the “mother of all deals,” marking a significant milestone in bilateral economic relations.

According to the European Union, the agreement will reduce or eliminate tariffs on nearly 97 percent of European exports to India, potentially saving up to €4 billion annually in customs duties.

Following high-level talks in New Delhi with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the agreement as historic.

“This is the mother of all deals,” Modi said, adding that the pact would create vast opportunities for India’s 1.4 billion people as well as millions across the European Union.

EU officials stated that this is India’s most comprehensive and wide-ranging trade agreement to date, expected to significantly benefit key European sectors including agriculture, automobiles, and services.

Foreign news agencies reported that the agreement also includes a security partnership component, opening new avenues for defense-related cooperation and business opportunities.

Prime Minister Modi noted that the deal would equally boost India’s textile industry, gems and jewellery sector, leather products, and services industry.

According to a senior Indian official quoted by international media, the formal signing of the agreement is expected within the next five to six months, once all legal and procedural requirements are completed.

Egypt’s Dar Al-Ifta declares use of AI Apps for Quran interpretation impermissible

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Egypt’s Dar Al-Ifta

Cairo: Egypt’s Dar Al-Ifta has declared the use of artificial intelligence applications for interpreting the Holy Quran to be religiously impermissible, warning that reliance on such tools may lead to misinformation and doctrinal misunderstandings.

According to Arab media reports, the Egyptian religious authority stated that trusting AI-based applications for Quranic interpretation does not meet Islamic scholarly standards and may result in the spread of inaccurate or misleading explanations.

Dar Al-Ifta emphasized that the interpretation of the Holy Quran must be based on authentic classical commentaries, qualified scholars, and recognized religious institutions, rather than automated digital tools.

The statement warned that artificial intelligence lacks the theological depth, scholarly methodology, and contextual understanding required for Quranic exegesis, which could create confusion among believers.

Arab media reports added that the ruling includes popular AI platforms such as ChatGPT. The fatwa was issued in response to a query submitted by a citizen seeking guidance on the religious validity of using AI applications for Quranic interpretation.

Religious scholars reiterated that while technology may assist in general learning, matters of faith and Quranic interpretation require verified human scholarship and established religious authority.

Nipah virus cases emerge in India ahead of ICC T20 World Cup

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Nipah virus

MUMBAI: As the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup approaches, reports of Nipah virus cases have emerged in India, raising health concerns just weeks before the event. The tournament is scheduled to be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.

According to Indian media, at least five Nipah virus cases have been reported in West Bengal, prompting authorities to place approximately 100 individuals under quarantine as part of emergency medical measures.

The infected individuals include healthcare personnel, with two nurses from Kolkata reportedly in serious condition.

The outbreak comes at a time when international teams and large numbers of cricket fans are expected to arrive in India for the T20 World Cup.

Nipah virus is a highly dangerous zoonotic disease transmitted primarily by fruit bats. It can also spread through contaminated food and close contact with infected individuals. The virus is considered deadly, with reported fatality rates reaching up to 75 percent in some cases.

India’s Kerala state has previously reported dozens of deaths due to Nipah virus since 2018. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified Nipah virus as a “Priority Pathogen” due to its potential to cause a global outbreak.

Authorities are monitoring the situation closely and have urged caution as the World Cup draws near.

Spain to legalise 500,000 undocumented migrants

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Spain to legalise

MADRID: Spain has announced a plan to provide legal status to approximately 500,000 undocumented migrants, marking a significant move in contrast to stricter immigration policies in other parts of Europe.

According to the Spanish Minister for Migration, José Luis Escrivá, the government is set to approve a decree under which nearly half a million undocumented migrants will be regularized.

The actual number of beneficiaries may vary. Those granted legal status will be allowed to live and work anywhere in the country and in any sector.

Minister Escrivá emphasized that the government aims to create an immigration system aligned with human rights, social inclusion, mutual integration, economic growth, and social cohesion.

The policy will apply to migrants who have resided in Spain for at least five months and have a clean criminal record. It also covers children already living in the country. Applications are expected to open in April and continue until the end of June.

The initiative will be implemented through a government decree, which does not require parliamentary approval, as the coalition government led by the Socialists does not hold a majority.

Opposition parties, including conservatives and right-wing groups, have criticized the plan, claiming it could lead to an increase in illegal immigration.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez defended the policy, stating that immigration is necessary to address labor shortages and the challenges of an aging population.

According to the think tank Funkas, as of early January 2025, around 840,000 undocumented migrants were living in Spain, mostly from Latin America.

The Spanish National Institute of Statistics (INE) reports that of Spain’s total population of 49.4 million, over 7 million are foreign migrants.

Bangladesh Chief Advisor orders armed forces on high alert ahead elections

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Bangladesh Chief

DHAKA: Bangladesh Chief Advisor Professor Mohammad Yunus has instructed the country’s armed forces to remain on the highest level of alert ahead of the February 12 referendum and the 13th national parliamentary elections.

During a meeting with the top military leadership at Army Headquarters, Yunus described the upcoming elections as a crucial milestone for the nation’s democratic future, emphasizing the importance of a transparent, free, and peaceful electoral environment. He stressed that the armed forces play a vital role in safeguarding public confidence.

The Chief Advisor directed the military to maintain neutrality, professional responsibility, and operate within the law, while providing full support to the Election Commission and civil administration.

He added that the referendum offers citizens a chance to voice their opinion on the state’s future, and the elections provide the opportunity to elect their representatives, warning that any lapse in this process could undermine public trust.

Sharma’s 14-ball fifty steals spotlight, Yuvraj Singh’s comment goes viral

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Sharma’s 14-ball fifty

GUWAHATI: India opener Abhishek Sharma stunned cricket fans with a blistering 14-ball fifty as India defeated New Zealand by 8 wickets in the third T20I, taking a 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

Chasing a target of 154, India reached it in just 10 overs, losing only two wickets. Sharma remained not out on 68 off 20 balls, powering the chase with his explosive batting.

Earlier, New Zealand posted 153 for 9, with Glenn Phillips top-scoring with 48 runs. Jasprit Bumrah was the pick of the Indian bowlers, claiming 3 wickets for 17 runs, and was later named Player of the Match.

The rapid fifty by Sharma also caught the attention of former Indian star Yuvraj Singh, who humorously posted on social media with a smiling emoji: “Still can’t make 50 in 12 balls, can you? Well played, keep it up.”

India’s dominant performance in Guwahati highlighted the team’s aggressive approach, with Sharma’s innings being the standout.

Severe winter storm in US kills 11, forces cancellation of 19,000 flights

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Severe winter storm

WASHINGTON: At least 11 people have died in the United States due to a major winter storm, which has also led to the cancellation of more than 19,000 flights since Saturday.

International news agencies report that authorities have advised residents to avoid travel on roads due to hazardous conditions.

The storm has brought snow, sleet, and rain across a wide swath from Texas to New England, with forecasts warning of dangerously low temperatures in the coming days.

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani confirmed that five people were found dead outdoors on Sunday. Texas authorities reported three fatalities, while two deaths from hypothermia were recorded in Louisiana. In southeastern Iowa, a traffic accident caused by severe weather killed one person and injured two others.

The storm also caused widespread power outages, leaving over 820,000 customers without electricity, primarily in southern states hardest hit by the storm on Saturday.

Authorities from Texas to North Carolina and New York have urged residents to remain indoors due to the dangerous conditions.

At least 20 U.S. states, including the federal capital Washington, D.C., have declared states of emergency. Major airports in Washington, Philadelphia, and New York have canceled almost all flights. Flight-tracking websites report that more than 19,000 domestic and international flights have been canceled since the storm began.

Pakistan’s T20 World Cup participation decision expected on Friday or Monday

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Pakistan’s T20 World Cup

ISLAMABAD: The final decision regarding Pakistan’s participation in the ICC T20 World Cup is expected to be announced by Friday or next Monday, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirmed.

Naqvi met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss the matter, during which all available options were considered. The Prime Minister directed Naqvi to resolve the issue while taking all aspects into account.

Speaking on social media platform X, Naqvi said he briefed the Prime Minister on the current ICC situation, and that the decision on Pakistan’s participation would be made after careful consideration.

Sources revealed that during the meeting, Naqvi highlighted the ICC’s double standards, stating that the organization applies one set of rules for India and another for other countries.

 He recalled that India had previously refused to play in Pakistan during the Champions Trophy, after which a neutral venue was provided.

Naqvi also noted that Bangladesh had informed the ICC of security concerns, declining to tour India, but was instead excluded from the World Cup rather than being offered an alternative venue.

The PCB chairman further stated that if Pakistan decides not to participate, it would forfeit the significant participation revenue, but refusing to play against India would inflict greater losses on India.

UK deploys fighter jets to Qatar amid rising US-Iran tensions

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UK deploys fighter jets

LONDON / DOHA: The United Kingdom has deployed four Typhoon fighter jets to Qatar in response to escalating tensions between Iran and the United States, British media reported.

According to the UK Ministry of Defence, the jets have been sent to Qatar strictly for defensive purposes.

The move comes after US President Donald Trump told journalists aboard Air Force One that a large US force is moving toward Iran, with several aircraft en route, as a precautionary measure near Iranian territory. He added, “We’ll see what happens next.”

Earlier, President Trump stated that the US would not launch further military action against Iran, but warned that any restart of Iran’s nuclear program would prompt a response.