Mohsin Naqvi congratulates Shaheens, ODI team

Mon, 17 Nov 2025, 12:21 AM

ISLAMABAD, Nov 16 (APP): Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has commended Pakistan Shaheens and the Pakistan ODI team for their impressive victories.

Pakistan Shaheens beat India A to qualify for Asia Cup Rising Stars semis while Pakistan team clean sweep the three-match ODI against Sri Lanka.

Naqvi tweeted on a social media platform, “What a proud moment for Pakistan and for the Board today! Our Pakistan Shaheens defeated India A by 8 wickets, chasing down the target in just 13.2 overs. A dominant, fearless and unforgettable performance in the Asia Cup Rising Stars Tournament in Doha. Superb cricket by our young guns, the future of Pakistan is shining bright. Congratulations to the nation!”

He further wrote, “Well Done Boys, Congratulations to all the players on a brilliant clean sweep in the ODI series against Sri Lanka, after winning the T20I series as well. Back to back dominant performances, proud of our players, coaches and management for their hard work and spirit. Please trust and believe in these boys, they are giving their all for the country. Special congratulations to Haris Rauf on being awarded Man of the Series, outstanding bowling throughout. A great moment for Pakistan cricket and our fans.”

Shaheen Afridi credits team effort for series win

NNPS Desk

Mon, 17 Nov 2025, 12:15 AM

ISLAMABAD, Nov 16 (APP): Pakistani Skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi has credited the team’s consistent performance for their success in the recent three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka.

Speaking to the media after the conclusion of the ODI series, at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Afridi said, “We’ve won two consecutive series, and today Pakistan Shaheens has given joy to the entire nation by defeating India A.”

Afridi praised the team’s efforts, saying, “All players have played exceptionally well, which resulted in a clean sweep in the series. Our senior players are the backbone of the team, and they’ve always delivered in crucial moments.”

He specifically lauded Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, saying, “Both players have consistently performed for the team. Babar’s return to form is a welcome change. We were all waiting for his century, and it was moment of joy for the entire nation.”

Afridi said, “Babar is our main player, and when he scores, the entire team feels relaxed. He worked hard and maintained his confidence, which paid off on the field.”

He also praised Rizwan, saying, “He took responsibility in both matches and played a central role in the team’s victories.”

Afridi commended fast bowler Wasim Jr’s performance, saying, “He has gone through injuries, but his comeback has been remarkable. His reverse swing has been outstanding, and he’s proved himself to be a talented player.”

He acknowledged that the team didn’t play their best in a couple of matches but was satisfied with the overall performance.

“The players’ morale is high, and we’ll continue our winning streak in the tri-series,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s batting coach Julian Wood has acknowledged that Pakistan’s experience played a significant role in their team’s defeat in the recent ODI series.

“Pakistan has played a lot of cricket and we haven’t. It’s disappointing to lose, but if you’re planning for the 2027 World Cup, it starts now. This series has given us a lot of information and things to move forward with,” he said.

He praised Pakistan’s performance, and said, “Pakistan has been brilliant, and they’ve done everything fantastically well. I love coming to Pakistan, and I’ve been here three to four times now. We’ve been looked after fantastically well.”

He attributed Sri Lanka’s struggles to their inability to rotate the strike against spin, “We made the same mistake each time we had a good power play, but then we lost wickets. We need to look at our options against spin.”

Wood also lauded Sri Lanka’s young debutant Pavan Rathnayake, who scored 32 off 37 balls, saying, “He’s one for the future, and that’s another box ticked.”

He felt that Sri Lanka should have won the first game and that it affected their momentum. “I thought we should have won the first game, and it affected us. We should have got 320 to 340 in the second game,” he said.

He also praised Pakistan’s Haris Rauf, saying, “Pakistan has Haris, who has the ability to come and go bang. It’s a complete learning curve for us, and we will come back strong.”

Wood is looking forward to the upcoming tri-series, saying, “We’re getting new players coming in, and it’s a different format. We’re looking forward to it.”

UNSC set to vote Monday on US draft resolution to form international force for Gaza peace

NNPS Desk

Mon, 17 Nov 2025, 12:10 AM

UNITED NATIONS, Nov 16 (APP): The UN Security Council is set to vote on Monday afternoon on a U.S.-drafted resolution related to a Gaza ceasefire plan, which includes a provision for an International Stabilization Force (ISF) and a transitional governing body called a “Board of Peace”.

The 15-member Council will meet at 5 pm (local time, 3 a.m. Pakistan time Tuesday) after weeks of discussion on the U.S. proposal.

Ahead of the vote, eight Arab and non-Arab countries, including Pakistan, issued a joint statement which came after the U.S. faced objections and subsequently made changes to its draft resolution to include more defined language on Palestinian self-determination, according to Council diplomats. The other countries backing the proposal are: Qatar, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Jordan and Turkiye, with Pakistan being the only country on the Council.

In this regard, Pakistan’s UN Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, who has been involved in intense negotiations in the process, said that Islamabad policy on the issue has been clear and unambiguous.

As Coordinator of the elected members of the Security Council for November, he organized a luncheon meeting with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that also includes five elected members who will take their seats on January 1, 2026. Later, the Palestinian Ambassador, Riyad Mansour, had a meeting with the Pakistani envoy.

“Pakistan’s consistent policy, and every action pursuant to it, is for a just and lasting resolution of the Palestinian question based on international legitimacy – Palestinian self-determination and establishment of a sovereign, independent and contiguous State of Palestine based on pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital,” Ambassador Ahmad said, while speaking to APP correspondent.

“That’s the only route to durable peace and stability in the region,” the Pakistani envoy said.

Meanwhile, the position of Russia on the U.S. draft remains unclear. Moscow has circulated a rival proposal that would remove reference to a transitional authority meant to be headed by President Donald Trump and asks the United Nations to lay out options for an international stabilization force.

A Security Council resolution needs nine affirmative votes to pass, and this must include the concurring votes of all five permanent members (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States).

Under its terms, the resolution would authorize member states to form a temporary ISF to help secure border areas, coordinate humanitarian aid flow, and support the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip, working with newly trained Palestinian police and in consultation with Israel and Egypt.

A transitional governing body for Gaza, which, in theory, would be chaired by President Trump and have a mandate running until the end of 2027.

US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz said failure to endorse the plan, which would deliver Gaza to an International Stabilization Force (ISF) and an apolitical Palestinian administration overseen by a Trump-chaired Board of Peace, amounted to support for Hamas and for war.

“Any refusal to back this resolution is a vote either for the continued reign of Hamas terrorists or for the return to war with Israel, condemning the region and its people to perpetual conflict,” wrote Waltz in the Washington Post on Friday.

“Every departure from this path, be it by those who wish to play political games or to re-litigate the past, will come with a real human cost,” Waltz wrote.

The US officially launched negotiations within the 15-member Security Council on draft resolution last week following up on Israel and Hamas’s October 9 ceasefire-hostage agreement.

That agreement has seen Israel stage an initial withdrawal in Gaza and Hamas release the last 20 hostages abducted on October 7, 2023.

The US draft includes the entirety of Trump’s 20-point plan, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also endorsed in a joint press conference with the president in September.

The draft authorized member states working with the Board of Peace to “establish a temporary International Stabilization Force,” and indicated the board’s mandate would run through the end of 2027. Countries that expressed willingness to contribute troops to the ISF have said they would need a UN resolution enshrining the force.

The ceasefire plan included in the draft also says that, as Gaza is demilitarized and rebuilt and the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority “faithfully” reforms itself, “the conditions may finally be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood.”

PM jubilant over Pakistan’s win against Sri Lanka

NNPS Desk

Sun, 16 Nov 2025, 11:59 PM

ISLAMABAD, Nov 16 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif expressed happiness over Pakistan’s ODI series win against Sri Lanka.

In a statement, he said the determination, hard work and team spirit shown by all the players, coaches and management of the Pakistan cricket team, especially Chairman PCB Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, was a matter of pride.

This success has made the entire nation proud, he added.

He said, “I extend my best wishes to the entire team and hope that they will continue to bring glory to the country and nation with the same spirit and performance in the future.”

Pakistan cricket team and management in a group photograph with the trophy after winning the ODI series against Sri Lanka.

Wajid

Sun, 16 Nov 2025, 11:54 PM

APP82-161125Rawalpindi — APP82-161125 RAWALPINDI: November 16 – Pakistan cricket team and management in a group photograph with the trophy after winning the ODI series against Sri Lanka. APP/ADZ/FHA

Pakistan cricket team and management in a group photograph with the trophy after winning the ODI series against Sri Lanka. — APP82-161125
RAWALPINDI: November 16 –

Operations launched against illegal fireworks warehouses, shops in Hyderabad

Asif Jalal

Sun, 16 Nov 2025, 11:49 PM

HYDERABAD, Nov 16 (APP):On the instructions of Deputy Commissioner Hyderabad Zainul Aabdin Memon, operations have been launched against illegal fireworks warehouses and shops in the city.

The district administration, police and civil defense teams conducted joint operations in different areas of the city and raided several places.

According to the district administration, shops selling fireworks openly and illegally were sealed during the operations.

A large quantity of fireworks was also seized from a warehouse located in Liaquat Colony.

The DC said that the people involved in the illegal business are absconding from the spot while the police are continuing raids to arrest all the accused.

He made it clear that any illegal activity that endangers human lives will not be tolerated.

World Culture Festival 2025 continues

Asif Jalal

Sun, 16 Nov 2025, 11:47 PM

KARACHI, Nov 16 (APP): The 39-day World Culture Festival 2025 continued its vibrant cultural journey on its 17th day with Dance Night 2.0, workshops, film screenings, and theatre performances.

Dance Night 2.0 showcases spectacular performances by both international and local artists. Anisha Thai performed alongside the Sovapa students, while the Philippines Folk Dance drew massive attention from the audience.

The ACP Classical Fusion group captivated spectators with their intricate and graceful movements, making the event a memorable cultural celebration.

Earlier, the day began with a dance workshop by renowned Hong Kong dancer Anisha Thai, where students explored various dance styles through expressive body movements and learned the art of synchronisation and stage presence.

The festival featured the Middle East Shorts Showcase, presenting five acclaimed short films from Turkiye, Iran, Sudan, Bahrain, and Egypt. The festival also hosted the English-language theatre play” Didn’t Know That About You” by Soky Productions (Norway), directed by Elisabet Topp. The performance featured international artists including Bella Rahim (Malaysia), Karen and Kristoffer Reinstad Eggset (Norway), and Hjalmar (Denmark).

Pakistan clean sweeps ODI series against Sri Lanka

Asif Jalal

Sun, 16 Nov 2025, 11:34 PM

ISLAMABAD, Nov 16 (APP): Pakistan completed a clean sweep of the three-match ODI series, sealing a six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the final clash at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday night.

Chasing 212, Pakistan reached the target comfortably at 215 for 4 in 44.4 overs, anchored by an unbeaten partnership between Mohammad Rizwan and Hussain Talat. Rizwan compiled a measured 61 off 92 balls, striking four boundaries, while Talat contributed a steady 42 from 57 deliveries. The pair added a crucial 100-run stand for the fifth wicket to guide the hosts home.

Earlier, Pakistan suffered an early setback when opener Haseebullah Khan was dismissed for a duck by Maheesh Theekshana.

Fakhar Zaman steadied the innings with an attacking 55 runs off 45 balls before falling to Jeffrey Vandersay. Fakhar’s 74-run partnership with Babar Azam provided the foundation for the chase.

Azam, after a promising start, was bowled by Vandersay for 34 runs off 52 deliveries. The leg-spinner continued to trouble Pakistan’s middle order, claiming his third wicket by trapping Salman Ali Agha lbw for 6 runs.

Earlier when Pakistan decided to bowl first after winning the toss, the bowling attack delivered a commanding performance in the final ODI, skittling Sri Lanka for 211 for all in 45.2 overs.

Sadeera Samarawickrama top-scored for the visitors with a composed 48 from 65 balls, while Kusal Mendis added 34 off 54 deliveries. Debutant Pavan Rathnayake impressed with a brisk 32 from 37 balls.

Earlier, openers Kamil Mishara (29 off 30) and Pathum Nissanka (24 off 27) provided a solid platform, putting on 55 for the first wicket before the innings faltered.

Pakistan’s bowlers kept a tight grip throughout. Mohammad Wasim led the charge with figures of 3 for 47, supported by Faisal Akram, who claimed 2 for 42, and Haris Rauf, who took 2 for 38. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Faheem Ashraf chipped in with a wicket apiece as the hosts maintained control from start to finish.

Pakistan’s Mohammad Wasim Jr was declared Player of the match while Haris Rauf was named Player of the series.