Latest news with #Masood
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Salman Agha tipped to become Pakistan's all-format captain
Salman Agha is all set to become Pakistan's all-format national cricket team skipper after impressing selectors and new white-ball head coach Mike Hesson, sources told The 31-year-old was appointed Twenty20 international skipper for the Zimbabwe leg of the tour to give regular skipper Mohammad Rizwan rest but Salman has impressed with his clarity of thoughts and resolve in the short period. "Salman has been impressive in the opinions of the selection committee, new head coach Hesson and, above all, the chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board Mohsin Naqvi. All are on the same page that he should be the all-format captain," said the sources. A decision is likely to be announced after the Eid holidays. The decision means ODI skipper Mohammad Rizwan has lost favours with the PCB and the selection committee in which the strongest influence is that of Aaqib Javed, added sources. Rizwan was at the loggerheads with Aaqib on the tour of New Zealand where Pakistan lost the ODI series. Rizwan publically criticised lack of authority as skipper in matters of selection on the New Zealand tour. Pakistan lost the ODI series in New Zealand 3-0 which came on the back of a disastrous Champions Trophy 2025 tournament at home where the team crashed out in the first round. Test skipper Shan Masood was also tipped to be sacked after Pakistan lost nine out of 12 Tests under his captaincy since December 2023. Masood's worst phase was a 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Bangladesh, Pakistan's first loss against the lowly ranked team. Pakistan also drew a relatively easier series against the West Indies 1-1 last year. That defeat left Pakistan on the ninth and last position of the World Test Championship's third cycle. They finished fifth and seventh in the first two WTC cycles. "Masood's captaincy was unimpressive and timid, so he was destined to lose captaincy. Moreover, Masood's own performance was poor so Salman will also take over from him," the sources said. Pakistan's next tour is of Bangladesh for a three-match T20I series with matches on July 20, 22 and 24. Pakistan then play five T20Is against the West Indies in USA and the Caribbean. As for the Tests, Pakistan hosts South Africa for a two-match Test series in October. In the WTC fourth cycle (2025-2027) Pakistan will also host Sri Lanka and New Zealand while their away series are in Bangladesh, the West Indies and England.
India.com
5 days ago
- Sport
- India.com
This star player likely to become Pakistan Cricket Team's all-format captain, his name is...
Salman Ali Agha with his teammates. (PIC - X) New Delhi: Salman Agha is all set to become Pakistan's all-format national cricket team skipper after impressing selectors and new white-ball head coach Mike Hesson, says a report. According to the 31-year-old was appointed Twenty20 international skipper for the Zimbabwe leg of the tour to give regular skipper Mohammad Rizwan rest, but Salman has impressed with his clarity of thought and resolve in the short period. 'Salman has been impressive in the opinions of the selection committee, new head coach Hesson and, above all, the chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board Mohsin Naqvi. All are on the same page that he should be the all-format captain,' quoted as saying. A decision is likely to be announced after the Eid holidays, by next week. The decision means ODI skipper Mohammad Rizwan has lost favours with the PCB and the selection committee in which the strongest influence is that of Aaqib Javed. Rizwan was at loggerheads with Aaqib on the tour of New Zealand where Pakistan lost the ODI series. Rizwan publically criticized lack of power in selection on the New Zealand tour. Pakistan lost the ODI series in New Zealand 3-0 which came on the back of a disastrous Champions Trophy from which the team crashed out in the first round. Test skipper Shan Masood was also tipped to be sacked after Pakistan lost nine out of 12 Tests under his captaincy since December 2023. Masood's worst phase was a 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Bangladesh, Pakistan's first loss against the lowly ranked team. Pakistan also drew a relatively easier series against the West Indies 1-1 last year. That defeat left Pakistan on the ninth and last position of the World Test Championship's third cycle. They finished fifth and seventh in the first two WTC cycles. 'Masood's captaincy was unimpressive and timid, so he was destined to lose captaincy. Moreover, Masood's own performance was poor so Salman will also take over from him,' added Pakistan next tour Bangladesh for a three-match T20I series with matches on July 20, 22 and 24. They then play five T20Is against the West Indies in USA and the Caribbean. As for the Tests, Pakistan hosts South Africa for a two-match Test series in October. In the WTC fourth cycle (2025-2027) Pakistan will also host Sri Lanka and New Zealand while their away series are in Bangladesh, the West Indies and England.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Lahore woman recruiting Indian visa seekers for ISI espionage and propaganda: Intel
New Delhi: Investigators probing the recent cases of espionage have identified a Lahore-based woman with ties to the Pakistani Army and intelligence agency ISI. She used to trap visa seekers and get them to work for ISI, sources claimed. Naushaba Masood, who runs a travel agency in Pakistan, facilitated visas for those who 'cooperated' and supplied them with SIM cards to begin with. The return favours included a range of tasks, beginning with shooting pro-Pakistan videos and uploading them on YouTube to create a favourable narrative. This was a calculated move by ISI to expand its influence through a dual strategy of intelligence gathering and propaganda dissemination. Some of the arrested suspects had Masood's Pakistani number (+92321044****) saved in their phones under the moniker Madam N. Masood worked with her husband, a retired civil service officer, to set up a network of spies in India, sources said. Investigation revealed that she coordinated with Suhail Qamar, first secretary (visa), and Umar Sheryar, counsellor (trade), besides ISI operative Danish alias Ehsan-ur-Rehman. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If you have a mouse, play this game for 1 minute Navy Quest Undo Masood figured in the interrogation of several suspects and had the reputation of being able to provide a Pak visa 'with a single phone call'. "She lured social media influencers and YouTubers to Pakistan by offering them a free trip, and once they arrived, she would introduce them to Pakistani Army and ISI officials. She specifically targeted individuals from the Hindu and Sikh communities," said a source. The investigation also revealed that in the last six months, Masood facilitated the entry of around 2,500 Indians to Pakistan. "The accused disclosed that she was in direct contact with the seniors at the Pakistani high commission in Delhi and could get visas approved instantly by calling the officials in charge of visa-related matters," said an investigator. The investigator added, "It has been discovered that Masood also handled tours for Sikh and Hindu pilgrims to Pakistan. After charging excessive amounts from the pilgrims, she utilised the additional funds for promoting Pakistan's interests and supporting ISI activities. Masood had agents stationed in several Indian cities, including Delhi, who promoted her travel agency through social media and other means. These agents were used to lure new individuals into her network." Several Pakistani bank accounts have also been traced and these were used to transfer funds from India. The transactions and money trail are being probed. Multiple suspects, including those arrested by Delhi Police's Special Cell recently, confessed that they provided their handlers Indian SIMs and the OTPs to activate WhatsApp in exchange for visas and money. This enabled the Pakistani handlers to operate WhatsApp and other encrypted messaging platforms from Indian SIM cards, masking their real identities.
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First Post
5 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
Who is Pakistan's ‘Madam N', who trapped Indian YouTubers arrested for spying?
Naushaba Shahzad Masood reportedly helped Indian social media influencers, including YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, to visit her country. Also known as 'Madam N', she runs a 'travel agency' in Lahore and has links to the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) read more A Pakistani businesswoman's name has emerged in the espionage cases linked to Indian YouTubers. 'Madam N' reportedly helped social media influencers travel to her country with the aim of setting up a spy network in India. India has recently arrested some social media influencers on suspicion of spying for Pakistan. Weeks after YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra's arrest, the Punjab Police's State Special Operations Cell (SSOC) arrested Jasbir Singh from Mohali on Tuesday for his alleged involvement in a Pakistan-backed espionage ring. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Is 'Madam N' linked to them? Let's take a closer look. Who is 'Madam N'? Pakistani businesswoman Naushaba Shahzad Masood, who runs a 'travel agency' in Lahore, is reportedly linked to the country's spy agency – the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). She is the owner of Jaiyana Travel and Tourism in Pakistan. Masood's husband is a retired civil services officer, as per a News18 India report. What is her role? Known as 'Madam N' by the ISI, Naushaba Masood is suspected of trying to develop a sleeper cell network in India through social influencers and YouTubers. Masood's name cropped up during the interrogation of social media influencers arrested in India on espionage charges, NDTV reported, citing sources. She allegedly helped Jyoti Malhotra and other Indians to visit Pakistan. The YouTuber had travelled to Pakistan multiple times, including days before the Pahalgam terror attack. Masood attempted to build a network of at least 500 spies in India who could hide in plain sight. She got instructions from the Pakistani Army and the ISI on how to establish the sleeper cell network. Masood used to target Hindus and Sikhs living in India. As per NDTV sources, she introduced Indian influencers to her country's army and the ISI. The businesswoman facilitated the visit of nearly 3,000 Indians and 1,500 non-resident Indians (NRIs) to Pakistan in the last six months. Her contacts at the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi helped her in getting visas approved immediately, as per News18. She was in touch with First Secretary (visa) Suhail Qamar and Counsellor (trade) Umar Sheryar and ISI operative Danish alias Ehsan-ur-Rehman . Danish, who was in contact with Jyoti Malhotra, was a visa officer in the Pakistani embassy in Delhi. He was declared persona non grata on May 13 by the Indian government on suspicion of spying. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As per NDTV, the Pakistani High Commission has been issuing visitor visas on the suggestion and sponsorship of 'Madam N'. Masood appointed some travel agents in Delhi and other Indian cities, who now promote her company on social media. These agents are allegedly involved in brainwashing people to indulge in espionage activities on behalf of the Pakistani Army. Notably, Masood's agency was the only one that organised Sikh and Hindu pilgrimages to Pakistan, in collaboration with the Evacuee Trust Property Board. Indian YouTubers arrest Jyoti Rani Malhotra, a travel vlogger from Haryana, was among 11 individuals arrested across Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh last month in connection with a suspected Pakistan-backed spy network operating in North India. She was allegedly spying for Pakistani intelligence agencies and shared 'sensitive information' with an official of the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi. Earlier this week, the Punjab Police arrested YouTuber Jasbir Singh, who is allegedly linked to Shakir alias Jutt Randhawa, a Pakistani intelligence operative associated with the ISI. Singh, who ran the YouTube channel 'JaanMahal video', was in touch with fellow YouTuber Malhotra. He was also in regular contact with Danish, the former official at the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi. With inputs from agencies
The Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Former EastEnders star slams soap over ‘ridiculous storylines' and reveals why she really left the show
A FORMER EastEnders star has slammed the soap's 'ridiculous storylines' and revealed why she really left the show. EastEnders viewers know Nina Wadia for playing Zainab Masood in the BBC soap for six years. 4 4 Zainab arrived in 2007 before eventually leaving Walford behind in 2013. Over a decade on, Nina has addressed the reasons behind her decision to leave. During an appearance on Channel 5 's Vanessa, she explained to host Vanessa Feltz: "When the storylines get so ridiculous and so difficult, you kind of think 'I'm out'". The actress continued: "The reason I left was because the storylines were getting ridiculous. "That was one of the reasons I left. There were several, but that was one of the main reasons. "My husband Masood was going to have yet another affair. "And I was like, 'How can I react any differently [to the] way I reacted before when he told me he was having an affair?" Nina revealed Zainab's initial brief had been "Pauline Fowler, but funny." Having provided levity and comic relief for two years, she was confused to receive a domestic violence storyline. The star continued: "You thought, 'How can I be funny with that storyline? I don't understand.' Celeb Millionaire contestant forced to use lifeline on tricky Shakespeare question - but could you get it right- "I think that's what happens when you have a change at the top, with the execs, they bring in their vision. "Someone who hasn't really been paying attention to what your character's been doing - all of a sudden, you're asked to do something absolutely ridiculous." Nina later added: "That's why I wanted to come out of it for a while. "Hopefully, at some point, they invite me back, it'll be for something more interesting to do." Vanessa pointed out Zainab hadn't been killed off - meaning Nina could potentially return to the soap one day. The actress replied by saying: "They wouldn't kill her off. "I did ask to be killed off because I thought, 'Yay, I'll get a big storyline if I get killed off'. "But they were like, 'No, we want her back someday.' So, who knows?" Among Zainab's most notable storylines was discovering oldest son Syed (Marc Elliot) was secretly gay. EastEnders' 40th anniversary cameos so far With the 40th anniversary of EastEnders coming up, fans are looking forward to some more incredible cameos from iconic faces of Walford's past. But who have we had so far? Tracy-Ann Oberman - Oberman returned as Chrissie Watts, a character she last played nearly two decades ago. Paul Bradley - Bradley returned as Nigel Bates, a character he last played over 25 years ago. Micheal French - French returned as David Wicks, a character he last played two decades ago. Patsy Palmer - Palmer returned as Bianca Jackson, a character she last played in 2019. Ricky Groves - Groves returned as Garry Hobbs, a character who has not been seen since 2009. Cliff Parisi - Parisi returned as Minty Peterson, a character who was last seen on the square in 2010. Ross Kemp - Kemp has returned to play Grant Mitchell, a character he first played in 1990. The BBC has described Kemp's storyline as "explosive". Kemp said it was an "absolute honour" to return to the show. Other aspects of the EastEnders 40th anniversary celebration include: A wedding between fan favorites, A huge explosion at the Queen Vic, and A live interactive episode. Viewers also watched her relationship and family life with Masood Ahmed (Nitin Ganatra), their marriage breakdown, and her abusive relationship with Yusef Khan (Ace Bhatti). Last year, Nina told The Sun about her hopes for Zainab to return for the soap's 40th annviersary. She shared with us: 'I loved that show. I loved my time on it. I know they've got a big anniversary coming up, and I'm waiting for the call.' EastEnders airs on BBC One and iPlayer.
