Pakistan enter mega-event as number one ranked side.
LAHORE: In a much-awaited announcement, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has finally revealed the 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023.
The announcement of Pakistan’s squad faced unexpected delays as the team management held consultations following a humiliating exit from the Asia Cup and the injuries faced by major bowlers during the tournament.
Chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq unveiled the squad at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.
Babar Azam will captain the team, while Shadab Khan remains the team’s vice-captain. Hasan Ali has been called in to replace pacer Naseem Shah — who has been ruled out from the tournament due to his shoulder injury.
Ali, however, will be returning to one-day international (ODI) cricket after a year-long hiatus following his last appearance against West Indies in Multan in 2022.
“We were forced to make one change because of an unfortunate injury to Naseem Shah. We had a few injury scares in the recent Asia Cup, but I am glad to share that all the players are fully fit and are eager to perform for their country in the all-important tournament. I have received encouraging reports from our medical panel about Haris Rauf. He has started to (shadow) bowl at the National Cricket Academy and will be available for selection,” said Inzamam while speaking during a press conference today.
“I have a firm belief that this squad can bring the World Cup trophy to Pakistan and make the whole nation proud with their incredible performances. It is time to get behind our team and provide them with the backing and support that they need.”
Babar Azam’s side enters the mega-event as the number one ranked side and enjoys the best win/loss ratio of 2.4 in this World Cup cycle for any side that has played the ODI format.
The ICC World Cup 2023 will take place in India with 10 teams fighting for the elusive title across 10 venues from October 5 to November 19, with the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad hosting the tournament opener and the final.
The Cricket World Cup will be played in a round-robin format, with all teams playing against each other for a total of 45 league matches.
The top four teams will qualify for the semifinals, which will be held in Mumbai on November 15 and in Kolkata on November 16. The semi-finals and the final will have reserve days.
Squad
Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Abdullah Shafiq, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), M Wasim Jnr, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usama Mir.
The highly anticipated criminal thriller Kattar Karachi, which also features rapper Talha Anjum in her acting debut, marks Imran Ashraf’s triumphant comeback to the big screen.
Fans have already taken notice of the newly released teaser, which promises a gripping cinematic experience.
Set against the gritty and chaotic backdrop of Karachi, Kattar Karachi exudes a noir-inspired style, with Ashraf portraying a powerful Mafia boss determined to dominate the streets of the city.
Anjum, on the other hand, takes on the role of a fierce protagonist fighting to defend his ground. Their on-screen rivalry is set to ignite sparks, making for a high-stakes drama that promises plenty of tension.
Kinza Hashmi will accompany them on this exciting journey; she has bravely changed for the part, suggesting a character that is different from anything she has played in the past. The film also features Syed Jameel, who completes the impressive ensemble cast.
With its compelling story and outstanding performances, Kattar Karachi is creating a lot of hype and is highly anticipated by both fans and reviewers. An intriguing new viewpoint on the Pakistani film business is anticipated from this film.
Actor and producer Sheheryar Munawar of Pakistan has confirmed the long-awaited news of his impending marriage. He said in a recent interview that he will marry before the end of this month.
After months of circulating on social media, the revelation was formally verified during a YouTube presentation.
Munawar responded, “I am getting married at the end of December, and my bride is not from the showbiz industry,” when questioned about his preparations for marriage. With pleasure and thankfulness, he begged, “Please do pray for us.”
There have been many rumors about his relationship with Maheen Siddiqui, a rising actress in Pakistan’s entertainment sector, even though the name of his wife has not been formally revealed.
Siddiqui famously shared a passionate message for Munawar on his 36th birthday in August, calling him her “jaan,” which further stoked rumors about their connection. The two had been connected in media reports for a while.
Fans have been quick to offer their well wishes for the couple, even though Sheheryar Munawar has mostly kept his personal life private. The actor has already expressed his admiration for Siddiqui in public.
The actor has received considerable praise for his performances and is well-known for his celebrated parts in dramas like Zindagi Gulzar Hai, Pehli Si Mohabbat, and Aye Ishq e Junoon.
A-lister Mahira Khan once again captivates her followers with her exquisite beauty in a crimson saree, receiving abundant praise and admiration.
Mahira Khan epitomizes elegance and skill. She consistently captivates audiences both in her performances and in her personal life. Renowned for her exceptional performances in popular dramas and films, including her Bollywood debut in Raees with Shah Rukh Khan, Mahira has established a distinct presence in the entertainment business.
In addition to her professional endeavors, the actress is renowned for her excellent sense of style.
The actress captivated her followers with a striking appearance, posting a video of herself on Instagram in an exquisite red saree.
Accompanied by gajra-adorned hair and traditional green bangles, her modest yet sophisticated appearance once again captivated onlookers.
Nonetheless, it was not solely her appearance that garnered attention. Her clever caption, embodying her unabashed confidence, also attracted attention.
She stated, “I wore this sari for two consecutive nights.” My friends refer to it as ‘guts.’ I refer to it as ‘who cares.’
Fans inundated the post with admiration, with one remarking, “Is she a vampire?” “She has not aged since 2011,” while another remarked, “You appear beautiful in all circumstances.”
Another admirer screamed, “How can someone be so beautiful?” What accounts for such beauty?