Ample opportunity for Babar Azam to break more records by year end

Thu, 31 Aug 2023, 6:43 PM

ISLAMABAD, Aug 31 (APP): With the Asia Cup just commenced and the 13th edition of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup just weeks away, Pakistani Skipper Babar would have ample opportunity to break more records by the end of the calendar year.

As records tumbled during Pakistan’s dominant display in the Asia Cup opener, inspirational skipper Babar Azam confirmed his place among the list of all-time greats with a superb individual century against Nepal in the opening game of the Asia Cup in Multan on Wednesday.

Babar stroked a magnificent 151 from just 131 deliveries and in the process went past South Africa great Hashim Amla and became the quickest player in the history of the game to score 19 ODI centuries.

Babar reached the feat from just 102 ODI innings, with Amla holding the previous best mark in 104 innings. Babar was at his brilliant best as he scored a superb century against New Zealand at the 2019 World Cup.

The world’s No.1 ranked ODI batter hit 14 fours and four massive sixes during his entertaining innings and more records came tumbling as a result.

The 151 was the second highest score achieved at the Asia Cup, only bettered by Virat Kohli’s 183 against Pakistan in 2012.

As records shared by the International Cricket Council (ICC), it was the first time a captain has scored 150 or greater at an Asia Cup, beating the previous best from a skipper when Kohli compiled 136 against Bangladesh in 2014.

It was just the second time Babar has scored more than 150 in an ODI, with his innings of 158 against England at Birmingham in 2021 still his highest ODI score.

The knock sees Babar maintain his healthy lead as the No.1 ranked player on the MRF Tyres ODI Batting Rankings.

The innings boosted Babar’s ODI average to an astonishing 59.47, which is the fourth highest of all time in men’s ODI cricket and the best of any player with a minimum of 2000 ODI runs

It was Babar’s 31st international century, drawing him level with Pakistan legends Javed Miandad and Saeed Anwar with
Younis Khan (41), Mohammad Yousuf (39) and Inzamam-ul-Haq (35) were the only players from the country in front of him

It also means Babar was now just one century away from equalling Anwar’s record of 20 ODI centuries – the most by any player from the country.

Pakistan were next in action at the Asia Cup on arch-rival India in Pallekele on Saturday, while their first clash at the World Cup this year comes against the Netherlands in Hyderabad on October 6.

Three robbers shot dead by companions

Raiq Qureshi

Thu, 31 Aug 2023, 6:42 PM

SIALKOT, Aug 31 (APP):Three robbers were killed by their own companions in Satrah police station area on Thursday.

According to a police spokesperson, six robbers on two motorcycles snatched a motorcycle

and cash from a man at gunpoint. On information, officials chased the accused and they opened

firing on policemen near the motorway bridge on Wadala Road.

During which three robbers were shot dead by their own companions while three others

escaped.

The accused were identified as Javed, Ashraf and Adnan Munawar who were wanted to

police in several cases of robbery, theft and dacoity.

The accused were also involved in an incident of injuring police constable Haroon in

Jhawaran-wala area.

A donkey cart holder on the way loaded with tree branches at Husenabad

Zia Ur Rehman

Thu, 31 Aug 2023, 6:42 PM

APP12-310823 HYDERABAD: August 31 – A donkey cart holder on the way loaded with tree branches at Husenabad. APP/AKS/MAF/ABB

Certificates distribution ceremony at UoS

Raiq Qureshi

Thu, 31 Aug 2023, 6:40 PM

SARGODHA, Aug 31 (APP):Vice Chancellor of the University of Sargodha (UoS) Professor Dr Qaisar Abbas

distributed certificates among staffers participated in a special training programme

under the supervision of the Directorate of IT here on Thursday.

According to a press release issued by UoS, the training was aimed to provide computer

skills and solve basic technical issues related to internet.

In this regard,a ceremony was held at the Vice Chancellor’s office while Registrar Waqar Ahmed,

Director Administration Dr Rehana Aliyas and Director IT Professor Dr Muhammad Aliyas were

also present.

More than 70 staff members participated in the training workshop.

A man preparing cotton wool for quilts at his workplace in Factory Area

Zia Ur Rehman

Thu, 31 Aug 2023, 6:39 PM

APP11-310823 SARGODHA: August 31- A man preparing cotton wool for quilts at his workplace in Factory Area. APP HSD/ MAF/ABB

CM provides financial assistance to sick journalists

Raiq Qureshi

Thu, 31 Aug 2023, 6:38 PM

QUETTA, Aug 31 (APP):Caretaker Chief Minister Balochistan, Ali Mardan Domki on Thursday ordered to treat two sick journalists and give money to the family of a deceased journalist.

The statement quoted the caretaker information minister as saying, “The required amount has been transferred to the bank account of Quetta Press Club on the instructions of the caretaker chief minister.”

Caretaker Information Minister Jan Achakzai said “the CM has taken notice of the financial issues experienced by the family of a deceased journalist.”

The provincial government firmly believes in press freedom and was committed to finding solutions to journalists’ difficulties, the minister added.

“A friendly and trustworthy relationship with the media, is our top objective,” Achakzai maintained.

Two killed, six injured in road mishap

Raiq Qureshi

Thu, 31 Aug 2023, 6:36 PM

HAVELIAN, Aug 31 (APP):At least two people were killed and six others injured when a Suzuki Highroof and truck collided near Pakistan Ordnance Factory (POF) Havelian.

According to police sources, the accident occurred on the outskirts of Havelian owing to a brake failure of a Suzuki Highroof vehicle. The aftermath of the collision left two people dead and six critical injured including women who were also caught up in the unfortunate incident.

The injured were identified as Omer, Fatima, Saman and Usama. Unfortunately, the deceased includes Haneefa Bibi and a young man Osman, all injured and dead belonged to the same family and were residents of Kuchari Road Abbottabad.

Responding promptly to the call, a rescue medical team reached the accident site and shifted the injured and the deceased to Type D Hospital Havelian.

Later, due to the deteriorating condition of one of the injured, doctors referred him to Ayub Medical Complex for treatment.

FDA to undertake 2 mega projects with Rs.3 bln: Mehar Ayub

Raiq Qureshi

Thu, 31 Aug 2023, 6:30 PM

FAISALABAD, Aug 31 (APP):Faisalabad Development Authority (FDA) would undertake two mega projects of construction of Abdullah Pur-Jhumra Road Flyover and widening of Sheikhupura Road with an estimated cost of Rs.3 billion under Urban Development Program.

This was stated by FDA Chief Engineer Mehar Ayub while briefing the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Abdullah Nayyar Sheikh about specifications of both projects and scope of development work.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Abdullah Nayyar Sheikh visited the sites to review the administrative and technical aspects of these mega projects whereas Deputy Director Development Rana Tahir, Deputy Director Engineering FDA Umer Iqbal and others were also present on the occasion.

Mehar Ayub apprised the Deputy Commissioner and said that Abdullah Pur-Jhumra Road Flyover would be completed with a cost of Rs1.36 billion.

He said that the long standing issue of traffic flow towards Jhumra Road from the turning point of Abdullah Pur Overhead Bridge would be redressed through this development project.

He said that construction of 0.75 kilometer long flyover would be started from Railway Colony Tariqabad adjacent to old Abdullah Pur Overhead Bridge and it would end on Jhumra Road to facilitate the vehicular traffic and travelers intending to go towards Mansoor Abad and Jhumra Road.

The chief engineer informed that necessary departmental process was being completed rapidly including pre-qualification of contractors and tendering of the project.

He said that rehabilitation and widening of Sheikhupura Road from Nishatabad Overhead Bridge to Gattwala would also be carried out with a cost of Rs1.51 billion.

This three-lane road project had been approved by the provincial cabinet standing committee during its recent meeting, he said, adding that the project included rehabilitation of existing road and addition of 10 feet lane, laying down tuff tiles, construction of footpaths and drains on both sides.

This project would help in dealing with traffic flow on Sheikhupura Road in addition to depicting development beauty of the city, he added.

Deputy Commissioner Abdullah Nayyar Sheikh termed these mega projects very beneficial for the public and urban development and directed the FDA officers to complete all departmental process speedily.

He advised that any technical and financial hitch should be removed immediately and he should be apprised of departmental progress regularly.