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SituationNow PK, Islamabad (2025)

18/11/2023

Pakistan fast bowler Naseem Shah has surprisingly parted ways with the Quetta Gladiators team, citing personal reasons for his departure. This decision has fueled speculation about his potential move to other franchises in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Naseem Shah, renowned for his fast bowling skills, joined the Gladiators in 2019, commencing his association with the team. Although the specific reasons for his departure from Quetta Gladiators remain undisclosed, reports suggest that both Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi are expressing interest in acquiring his services for the upcoming PSL season.

The unexpected development has stirred excitement within the league, with discussions about Naseem Shah's potential move gaining momentum. Sources indicate that he might enter the drafting process or be part of a trade deal.

Given the young fast bowler's impressive track record in previous tournaments, other franchises, notably Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi, are reportedly keen on securing his participation in the upcoming season.

18/11/2023

OpenAI, the company that introduced ChatGPT a year ago, announced the unexpected dismissal of CEO Sam Altman, a central figure in the AI revolution. Altman gained widespread attention with the launch of ChatGPT, an AI chatbot with remarkable capabilities in generating human-like content.

The firing of Altman surprised the tech community, leading to speculation on social media regarding the reasons behind this sudden decision. In a statement, OpenAI mentioned its mission of ensuring AI benefits everyone and indicated that new leadership is necessary for the company's progress.

Fellow OpenAI co-founder Greg Brockman was removed from the company's board during the shakeup, and he later announced his resignation, expressing pride in what they had built but citing the news as the reason for his departure.

Analysts attempted to decipher the shakeup, and Altman's dismissal, suggesting ethical concerns might have played a role. OpenAI's board stated that Altman's departure followed a thorough review, revealing that he was not consistently transparent in communications with the board, eroding confidence in his leadership.

18/11/2023

In a recent clash in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers, Saudi Arabia secured a 4-0 victory over Pakistan. However, head coach Roberto Mancini acknowledged Pakistan's commendable performance and progress during the post-match press conference.
Mancini emphasized the challenging nature of football, stating, "In the world of football, there is no easy match, and the Pakistani national team performed well."

Despite facing a 4-0 defeat, the Pakistani team displayed resilience, particularly in defense, until the 50th minute when they conceded a penalty. The Men in Green maintained their determination, holding their ground against the fifth-best Asian team until Saudi Arabia scored two late goals in stoppage time.

Renowned for his coaching achievements, Mancini began his career with Fiorentina in the 2001/02 season, winning the 'Coppa Italia' in his debut season. His successful coaching journey continued with Lazio, Inter Milan, and Manchester City, where he secured an English Premier League title in the 2011/12 season. After coaching Italy from 2018 to 2023, winning the UEFA European Championship in 2020, Mancini recently took charge of the Saudi Arabian national team, aligning with crown prince Mohammad bin Salman’s vision 2030. His contract with Saudi Arabia extends until 2027.

Despite the defeat to Saudi Arabia, the Pakistani team earned respect for their performance. Looking ahead, Saudi Arabia is scheduled to face Jordan in the second match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers on November 21, 2023, at the Amman International Stadium.

18/11/2023

Sohail Tanvir, a former Pakistani cricketer and member of the 2009 T20 World Cup-winning squad, has been named the head of the junior selection committee by the Pakistan Cricket Board. With an international career that includes two Test matches, 62 ODIs, and 57 T20Is, where he claimed 130 wickets and scored 612 runs, Sohail is set to take on the significant responsibility of chairing the junior selection committee.

His inaugural task in this role will be the selection of the Pakistan U19 squad for the 2023 ACC U19 Asia Cup, scheduled to take place from 8 to 17 December in the UAE. Subsequently, the chosen squad will also participate in the ICC U19 World Cup scheduled from 13 January to 4 February in Sri Lanka.

Expressing his gratitude for the opportunity provided by Mr. Zaka Ashraf, the Chairman of PCB Management Committee, Sohail Tanvir emphasized the honor and responsibility that comes with leading the junior selection committee. He conveyed his belief in the potential of young talent in Pakistan and expressed a collaborative commitment to establishing a development pathway from grassroots to the international stage. Tanvir stated that the immediate focus is on selecting a robust U19 squad for the upcoming ACC U19 Asia Cup, with an eye on building a competitive team for the ICC U19 World Cup in the following year.

16/11/2023

Pakistan is set to make history in football as they enter the second round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, marking their debut in this stage. The national team's first Group G match will be against Saudi Arabia at the Al-Fateh Stadium.

This occasion is significant as it is Pakistan's first appearance in the second round of the Asian Qualifiers. Pakistan is in a group with Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Tajikistan, with the top two teams advancing to the third round.

The team is under the guidance of English coach Stephen Constantine, and overseas players like Imran Kayani, Harun Hamid, Yousuf Butt, Abdullah Iqbal, Abdul Samad, Otis Khan, and Rahis Nabi have joined the squad.

The match against Saudi Arabia is anticipated to be challenging, and it provides an opportunity for Pakistani players to showcase their talent on the international stage.

16/11/2023

On Wednesday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) appointed former cricketer Mohammad Hafeez as the Director of Cricket, replacing Mickey Arthur, days after the national team's elimination from the World Cup 2023.

The board announced a change in the portfolio of the entire coaching staff, and all coaches will continue to work in the National Cricket Academy. The PCB will reveal the new coaching staff for the upcoming series in Australia and New Zealand in due course.

Additionally, former pacer Wahab Riaz has been Appointed Chief Selector, filling the vacancy left by Inzamam-ul-Haq's resignation over conflict of interest allegations. Sohail Tanveer has been appointed as the head of the junior selection team.

16/11/2023

Sydney-based aerospace startup AMSL Aero has secured $5.43 million from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to develop a hydrogen-powered electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

The company, known for its battery-electric aircraft Vertiia, aims to integrate hydrogen fuel cell technology to extend its range to up to 1,000 km.

Vertiia is designed with eight tilting wings and eight rotors, making it suitable for applications like emergency services, air ambulance, and freight and passenger transport. AMSL Aero plans to launch the hydrogen-powered aircraft commercially by 2026.

16/11/2023

Former cricketer Wahab Riaz emerges as the strong contender for the role of Chief selector which has been left vacant following the resignation of Inzamam-ul-Haq.

Former Pakistan cricketers Younis Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, Wahab Riaz, and Sohail Tanvir met with Chairman PCB Management Committee Zaka Ashraf at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore today. The meeting comes as Ashraf seeks a new chief selector with a deep understanding of the contemporary demands of cricket.

Following Inzamam-ul-Haq’s resignation as chief selector, Tauseef Ahmed temporarily assumed the role of selecting the team for the Australia Test tour. However, the PCB has now dissolved the interim selection committee led by Tauseef Ahmed.

16/11/2023

An astronaut’s tool bag that accidentally floated away during a routine spacewalk at the International Space Station is now orbiting Earth and may be bright enough to spot by keen-eyed skywatchers.

The bag drifted away from the space station this month when NASA astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli and Loral O’Hara were performing maintenance on the exterior of the orbiting outpost.

“During the activity, one tool bag was inadvertently lost,” NASA officials wrote Nov. 1 in a blog post detailing the outcome of the spacewalk. “Flight controllers spotted the tool bag using external station cameras. The tools were not needed for the remainder of the spacewalk.”

The bag is now circling the planet in low-Earth orbit, but NASA said there’s little danger of the tools hitting the International Space Station.

16/11/2023

Former Pakistani cricketer Mohammad Amir expressed a controversial opinion, stating that he believes Babar Azam should not be part of Pakistan's T20 International team.

This viewpoint adds to ongoing cricket discussions and opinions regarding team composition and player selections.

15/11/2023

As the UAE prepares to host the world's largest autonomous car racing event in April 2024, there are plans to introduce the world's first flying car race, and the UAE is a top contender to host it, according to Christian Pineau, CEO of Maca Flight, the first hydrogen-powered flying racing car producer. Maca Flight, an independent entity spun off from Airbus, revealed its flying racing car earlier this year. Priced at $2 million (Dh7.34 million), the vehicle boasts a maximum speed of 250 kilometers per hour and zero CO2 emissions.

Pineau envisions the flying car race, set 4-5 meters above the ground, attracting 8 to 10 participants in its debut. The UAE, particularly Dubai, is being considered as a potential host for this groundbreaking racing championship, with interest also shown by Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain. The goal is to establish a flying racing car championship by the end of 2025, with the first race potentially taking place in the UAE. The project is in collaboration with Red Bull, known for its involvement in extreme sports.

14/11/2023

Shoaib Malik, the former captain of the national cricket team, clarifies that he is not against Babar Azam. In a statement, he acknowledges Babar Azam's talent as a good player but notes that criticism surrounds his captaincy.

Shoaib Malik asserts that he plays cricket with passion, highlighting no fitness concerns. He expresses a personal goal of achieving 2000 runs to surpass Chris Gayle's record. Additionally, he emphasizes his focus on playing cricket with the ultimate goal of participating in the World Cup.

14/11/2023

Mohammad Amir picks three captains for Pakistan cricket team

14/11/2023

Two senior flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) have reportedly evaded authorities in Canada after a flight from Islamabad landed in Toronto.

This incident brings the total number of PIA crew members who have absconded upon arriving in Canada this year to four. Last year, a similar occurrence involved four PIA crew members.

The airline confirmed the names of the two flight attendants as Khalid Mehmood and Feda Hussain and stated that strict departmental action would be taken, including termination of their services, after an investigation.

14/11/2023

The winning team of Pakistan from the ICC T20 World Cup 2009 is set to celebrate their historic victory in the United States of America (USA). Former cricketers, including captain Younis Khan, Shahid Afridi, Misbah Ul Haq, Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Umar Gul, and Saeed Ajmal, attended a star-studded ceremony on Monday to announce the celebration tour.

Scheduled to commence on April 28, the celebration tour will feature meet and greet sessions and an exhibition match in various states of the US. The aim of the tour, as stated by the event organizer, is to promote cricket among the Pakistani community in the US.

Younis Khan, reflecting on the 2009 victory, expressed his wish for more title wins during that period, stating, "I wish we had won more cups during that time. I believe we should have had more titles." This celebration in America is a first for the 2009 victory.
Shahid Afridi, a hero of the semi-final and final in 2009, had high hopes for the current team in the ICC World Cup 2023 but acknowledged the team's failure to perform up to their skills in favorable conditions. He also commented on the uncertainty surrounding Babar Azam's captaincy and supported him to continue leading the side on the Australia tour.

Former captain Shoaib Malik addressed the national team's disappointing campaign in the ICC World Cup 2023, clarifying that any criticism towards Babar Azam is not personal and expressing confidence in Azam's capabilities as a player. Malik emphasized that Azam can achieve great things as a player despite the captaincy challenges.

14/11/2023

Australian left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc has confirmed his decision to retire from ODIs before concluding his Test career, announcing the move ahead of the ICC World Cup 2023 semi-final against South Africa in Kolkata on November 16. Despite holding an impressive record of 230 ODI wickets in 119 matches, Starc is certain that he won't be part of the next World Cup. With the 2027 World Cup being co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, he acknowledges that at 37, he will be beyond the timeframe for such a commitment.

Starc won't immediately retire from ODIs, with Australia having scheduled an ODI series against West Indies in February 2024. The next 50-over match for the team is not until September when they tour England. While addressing reporters in Kolkata, Starc emphasized his commitment to Test cricket, stating, "I've always maintained that Test cricket is the top of the tree for me, and I'll drop off the rest before I let go of Test cricket."

Despite a somewhat subdued performance in the current World Cup, with only 10 wickets compared to 22 and 27 in the 2015 and 2019 tournaments, respectively, Starc is eager to contribute to Australia's success against the formidable Proteas in Kolkata and advance to the highly anticipated final on November 19 in Ahmedabad.

Reflecting on his performance, Starc admitted, "I certainly haven't been at the level I would have liked… or not the same level as the last two World Cups anyway, but now a chance at the pointy end to impact again."

Acknowledging the challenges for bowlers in the current cricketing landscape, especially with two new balls and favorable batting conditions, Starc emphasized the need for bowlers to adapt, saying, "Bowlers just have to find a way to take wickets."

13/11/2023

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is undergoing a change in its coaching staff as bowling coach Morne Morkel officially ends his association with the team. Morkel, a former South African fast bowler, initially signed a contract with the PCB until the 2023 World Cup.

However, after the disappointing performance of Pakistan's bowlers in the recent World Cup, Morkel expressed his decision not to continue the association. The PCB will now announce a replacement for the bowling coach position.

Former Pakistani fast bowler Umar Gul is a potential candidate for the role, having temporarily taken on coaching responsibilities during Morkel's absence in a recent series against Afghanistan.

The focus now shifts to the upcoming Test series against Australia, and a training camp is scheduled to begin on November 20 to prepare for the challenges ahead.

13/11/2023

The journey of the Pakistan cricket team in the ICC Men's World Cup 2023 came to a close on Saturday after they suffered a defeat against England in their final game. Following a disappointing campaign in the round-robin stage, Pakistan captain Babar Azam returned to Lahore via a private flight from Dubai, accompanied by other staff from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Upon Babar's arrival at the airport, spectators chanted slogans of "Pakistan Zindabad." The team, having concluded their ICC Men's Cricket World Cup journey, returned to the country in separate groups. A batch of players, including Agha Salman, Imam-ul-Haq, and Shaheen Shah Afridi, had already arrived in Lahore from Kolkata via Dubai, while some players headed directly to their hometowns.

After a subpar performance in the tournament held in India, the Pakistan squad left in two groups, with the first batch departing from Kolkata at 8:55 am on Sunday via Emirates flight EK571. The remaining members left at 08:20 pm on the same day via Emirates flight EK573. Upon landing in Dubai, the players and squad members were set to disperse to their respective cities.

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