Latest news with #Afridi


Hindustan Times
43 minutes ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
'Pata nahi India ab kis muh se khelega': Shahid Afridi's brutal swipe as WCL 2025 semifinal all but called off
Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi stirred a buzz on social media with a sharp swipe at the India Champions side, as the highly anticipated World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 semi-final between the two teams appears all but called off. India Champions and Pakistan Champions are scheduled to face each other on Thursday at Edgbaston Cricket Ground. Pakistan Champions all-rounder and former captain Shahid Afridi(Instagram/safridiofficial) Speaking at a local restaurant in Birmingham, Afridi questioned India's intent to face Pakistan, especially after the Yuvraj Singh-led side had refused to play them during the league stage earlier in the tournament — a decision that had forced WCL organisers to cancel the match. "Pata nehi India kis muh se khelega magar khelega humare sath hi (Don't know with what face India will play, but they'll end up playing with us only)," he said as the clip went viral on social media. Afridi's statement came amid a report that Indian players have expressed their unwillingness to play against Pakistan Champions in the WCL 2025 semifinal, citing the nation's stand against any bilateral sporting ties with the neighbouring country after the Pahalgam terror attack. Veteran Indian batter Shikhar Dhawan hinted at the same during India's group-stage match against England on July 27, that the team's stance would not change if they faced Pakistan in the knockout round. "Brother, you're asking this question at the wrong place right now. Do you think I'm going to answer? You shouldn't be asking this. And if I haven't played earlier, then I still won't play," he had said. After winning all four of their completed group games in the second season of the WCL, Pakistan reached the semifinal and hence finished top of the table. On the other hand, India lost three in a row before beating the West Indies Champions in just 13.2 overs in their last group match on Tuesday. They finished fourth in the group. Earlier on Wednesday, EaseMyTrip, the league's top sponsor, clarified that it does not want to be associated with the semifinal fixture between India and Pakistan. "We applaud Team India @India_Champions for their outstanding performance in the World Championship of Legends, you've made the nation proud. However, the upcoming semi-final against Pakistan is not just another game, Terror and cricket cannot go hand in hand," company's co-founder Nishant Pitti wrote on his 'X' handle. "@EaseMyTrip, we stand with India. We cannot support any event that attempts to normalise relations with a country that promotes terrorism. The people of India have spoken and we hear them. EaseMyTrip will not be associated with the India vs Pakistan match in WCL."


News18
3 days ago
- Politics
- News18
3 killed as gunmen fire at protesters in Pakistans Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province
Peshawar, Jul 27 (PTI) Unknown gunmen fired at a gathering protesting against counter-terrorism operations in Pakistan's northwestern province Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday, leaving three dead and many injured, a top official said. A day earlier, a mortar strike claimed the life of a girl in the Zakha Khel area of the Khyber District, sparking the Sunday demonstration, during which locals placed the girl's body in front of the Momand Ghuz security checkpoint. Suhail Afridi, the special assistant to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister, said three people died and eight were injured in the firing by terrorists on the demonstrators in the Tirah Valley. Following the incident, the grieving families and residents of the area staged a protest by blocking the Tank-South Waziristan Road, and demanded immediate identification and action against those responsible for the killings. Afridi said, 'Following the girl's death on Saturday, locals staged a protest in front of the Frontier Corps compound today. They had gathered near he gates when shots were fired." 'I spoke to district officials who told me that terrorists belonging to Fitna-al-Khawarij fired at the protesters," he said, using the term designating members of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province expressed deep sorrow and regret over the Tirah incident. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government announced compensation of Rs 10 million for the kin of each deceased and Rs 2.5 million for each injured individual. PTI AYZ NSD NSD view comments First Published: July 28, 2025, 02:00 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.


Mint
3 days ago
- Sport
- Mint
Shahid Afridi autographs Indian jersey during WCL 2025 amid IND vs PAK controversy; fans call ‘heartwarming moment'
Amid the ongoing India vs Pakistan buzz, former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi was caught signing an autograph on an Indian jersey in the United Kingdom in the ongoing World Championship of Legends (WCL). The picture, which went viral on social media, surfaced online after Afridi's criticising remarks on the Indian players who withdrew from their WCL 2025 match against Pakistan Champions. In the picture, Afridi was seen giving an autograph on the back of an Indian jersey on the sidelines of a game. However, the website couldn't verify the actual cricket match when this photo was clicked. Following the withdrawal of several Indian players, including Shikhar Dhawan, the match against Pakistan Champions was called off. The picture generated mixed reactions. 'Heartwarming moment: Shahid Afridi graciously signs an autograph on an Indian cricket jersey for a fan. A beautiful gesture bridging cricket nations!' an user wrote on X. 'Shame on this Indian fan, getting autograph from this chapri Afridi. India ke khilaf zeher to bohot ugalta Awam se bol delde ki Healthcare / Treatment in India KI BHEEK NA MANGA KAREIN..… We don't need any bridge with Pakistan for any sports,' said another. Screengrab of the comments on Shahid Afridi's photo signing an Indian jersey. India and Pakistan have been a bitter rivals on geopolitical grounds for several decades which was ignited recently in Pahalgam earlier this year when a terror attack killed 26 innocent lives. India retaliated with Operation Sindoor. Soon after the WCL 2025 fixture was announced, there was a constant uproar from the Indians on playing Pakistan on social media. Earlier, Afridi had launched a scathing attack on the Indian players for pulling out of the Pakistan clash on June 20. 'We are here to play cricket, and I've always said that cricket should be kept away from politics — it should move forward,' Afridi told reporters. "A player should be a good ambassador, not a source of embarrassment for their country. If (India) didn't want to play against Pakistan, they should've refused before coming here. But now you've arrived, even held practice sessions, and then suddenly changed everything in a single day," added Afridi. Meanwhile, Dhawan had ignited the Indo-Pak buzz once again when he was asked if he would reconsider his stance on not not playing Pakistan. 'You're asking this question at the wrong time and place — you shouldn't have asked it. And as I didn't play earlier, I still won't play now,' Dhawan told the reporter. While the India vs PAK WCL clash was called off, it remains to be seen what will happen when both these countries face off in the Asia Cup (cricket and hockey) and the women's ODI World Cup later in the year.


Business Recorder
5 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Islamabad Declaration approved: Landmark dialogue on judicial wellbeing held
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Declaration on Judicial Wellbeing called judicial wellbeing a structural imperative for a responsive and sustainable justice system. Marking the International Day for Judicial Wellbeing, a national symposium was held at the Federal Judicial Academy, here on Friday, under the theme 'The Human Dimension of Responsive Justice.' The event brought together judges of the superior and district judiciary, legal experts, development partners, and institutional stakeholders for a landmark dialogue on judicial wellbeing in Pakistan. In his keynote address, Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi underscored the urgent need to humanise judicial reforms by recognising the emotional, psychological, and institutional pressures faced by judges, particularly at the district level. 'A judge who is institutionally supported is better able to be fair, focused, and effectively responsive,' he remarked, affirming his unwavering commitment to ensure dignity, protection, and institutional support for the judiciary. Chief Justice Afridi outlined a series of judicial reform initiatives led through the National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee, including the establishment of Model Criminal Trial Courts, timelines for speedy disposal of civil and criminal matters, development of a Professional Excellence Index, and formulation of ethical guidelines for the use of Artificial Intelligence in the judiciary. The special focus was placed on the wellbeing of the district judiciary, with reforms addressing extraneous influence, performance evaluation, standardised recruitment, parity in service terms, and enhanced access to international exposure. In a promising development, he announced forthcoming Memoranda of Understanding with the Supreme Court of China and the Constitutional Court of Türkiye for judicial cooperation, including the exchange of judicial officers. The symposium concluded with the unanimous adoption of the Islamabad Declaration on Judicial Wellbeing, calling judicial wellbeing a 'structural imperative' for a responsive and sustainable justice system. The declaration affirmed the need to embed judicial wellbeing in all areas of reform—case management, digital integration, infrastructure, and staffing—while fostering a culture of empathy, collegiality, and institutional care. The declaration urged the stakeholders at the national and provincial levels to integrate judicial wellbeing into policy and training and calls upon development partners to collaborate in the design and implementation of a National Judicial Wellbeing Framework. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025


Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Chief justice pays tribute to judiciary's 'silent strength'
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi has underscored the urgent need to "humanize judicial reforms" by recognizing the emotional, psychological, and institutional pressures faced by judges, particularly at the district level. The CJP was addressing a national symposium on Friday held at the Federal Judicial Academy to mark the International Day for Judicial Wellbeing. The theme of the symposium was "The Human Dimension of Responsive Justice". The event brought together judges of the superior and district judiciary, legal experts, development partners, and institutional stakeholders for a landmark dialogue on judicial wellbeing in Pakistan. Addressing the event, Justice Afridi said a judge, who is institutionally supported is better able to be fair, focused, and effectively responsive. He reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to ensure dignity, protection, and institutional support for the judiciary. The CJP outlined a series of judicial reform initiatives led through the National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee, including the establishment of Model Criminal Trial Courts, issuance of timelines for speedy disposal of civil and criminal matters and development of a Professional Excellence Index. He also referred to formulation of ethical guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in judiciary. He said the committee has placed special focus on the wellbeing of district judiciary, with reforms addressing extraneous influence, performance evaluation, standardized recruitment, parity in service terms, and enhanced access to international exposure. He also announced forthcoming memoranda of understanding with the Supreme Court of China and the Constitutional Court of Türkiye for judicial cooperation, including the exchange of judicial officers. The CJP paid tribute to the silent strength of the judiciary and concluded with a resolute pledge: "This day is not just a tributeit is a promise. You are not alone. The entire institution stands behind you." The symposium later adopted a unanimous "Islamabad Declaration on Judicial Wellbeing", calling judicial wellbeing a "structural imperative" for a responsive and sustainable justice system. The declaration affirmed the need to embed judicial wellbeing in all areas of reformcase management, digital integration and infrastructure.