Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Recalled Malik leads Pakistan's win over Bangladesh

Recalled Shoaib Malik smashed a solid half-century to anchor Pakistan's five-wicket win over Bangladesh in the first Twenty20 international in Lahore on Friday.

Malik's 45-ball 58 not out for his eighth Twenty20 fifty as Pakistan overhauled a modest 142-run target in 19.3 over to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.


Bangladesh had managed 141-5 in their 20 overs with openers Mohammad Naim scoring 41-ball 43 and Tamim Iqbal hit 34-ball 39 as Pakistan's three-man pace attack kept them in check on a flat Gadaffi stadium pitch.

The win further consolidated Pakistan's chances of hanging on to their world number one ranking in the shortest format. If they lose any of the remaining matches -- on Saturday and Monday, also in Lahore, Australia will replace them at the top.

Lahore's foggy weather prompted Pakistan Cricket Board to start the match at 2pm (0900 GMT) but it failed to attract more than 10,000 people in a capacity of 24,000 stadium.

Bangladesh could not put a reasonable fight as Pakistan won their first match after losing six of their last seven T20 matches with one washed out.

Malik, playing his first match since February last year, was in sublime form as he hit five boundaries and added 46 for the third wicket with debutant Ahsan Ali who made 32-ball 36 with four boundaries.

Malik, fourth leading run-getter in Twenty20 internationals with 2321 in a record 112 matches, credited bowlers for the win.

"Congratulations to the whole Pakistan for this win and for hosting another match," said Malik. "It wasn't an easy pitch and our bowlers restricted them to a gettable total.

"It's tough to be in and out of the team but I have been playing leagues and domestic cricket and that helped me stage a comeback in this match.

"I am happy to help achieve this win in a chase."

But Pakistan's chase was initially jolted when they lost world number one Twenty20 batsman Babar Azam on only the second ball into their innings, caught behind off an inside edge off fast bowler Shafiul Islam.

Shafiul was the best Bangladeshi bowler with 2-27.

Another recalled batsman Mohammad Hafeez hit three crisp boundaries and was looking in good touch before he miscued a flick and was caught off Mustafizur Rahman for 17.

Malik and Ahsan took Pakistan to 81 and before Iftikhar Ahmed (16) added a further 36 for the fourth wicket but even the fall of Iftikhar and Imad Wasim (six) did not derail Pakistan.

Earlier, Bangladesh, who won the toss and opted to bat, were off to a good start as Iqbal and Naim put on 70 for the opening wicket.

Naim, fresh from his top score of 81 against India in November last year, cracked three boundaries and a six while Iqbal had four boundaries and a six but Pakistan pulled the scoring rate between 12-15 overs which yielded just 21 runs.

Iqbal was run out in the 11th over while Naim holed out off spinner Shadab Khan in the 15th.

Skipper Mahmudullah hit two boundaries in his 14-ball 19 not out.

Pakistan handed Twenty20 debuts to opener Ahsan and pacer Haris Rauf.

More For You

Chemmani Sri Lanka

The gravesite is one of dozens unearthed across the country. (Photo: X)

x

Child’s remains found in Sri Lanka’s Chemmani mass grave

THE skeletal remains of a girl aged between four and five have been identified among 65 sets of human remains exhumed from a mass grave in Sri Lanka’s Jaffna district. The site first came into focus during the LTTE conflict in the mid-1990s.

“The findings of the excavation at the Chemmani mass grave were reported to the Jaffna Magistrate’s Court on on Tuesday (15) by Raj Somadeva, a forensic archaeologist overseeing the exhumation,” Jeganathan Tathparan, a lawyer, said on Thursday (17).

Keep ReadingShow less
Sidhu Moosewala

Sidhu Moosewala’s legacy continues with his first ever digital concert tour

Instagram/sidhu_moosewala

Sidhu Moosewala world tour to feature digital stage comeback three years after his death

Highlights:

  • Sidhu Moosewala’s official Instagram page announced a 2026 world tour titled Signed to God.
  • The Punjabi singer-rapper was killed in 2022 in Punjab at age 28.
  • The tour will use digital tech, possibly holograms, to bring Moosewala ‘back’ on stage.
  • No official dates or venues announced yet; fan reaction online has been a mix of awe and confusion.

On Tuesday, the late Punjabi singer-rapper’s official Instagram handle dropped a teaser for a 2026 world tour called Signed to God. The announcement stunned fans and sparked immediate speculation over how a concert by a deceased artist is even possible. While the organisers have kept technical details under wraps, reports suggest cutting-edge tech like 3D holograms or augmented reality will be used to recreate Moosewala’s presence on stage.

 sidhu moosewala  Sidhu Moosewala, Indian Singer (Photo: @sidhu_moosewala)  www.easterneye.biz  

Keep ReadingShow less
Aakash Odedra Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist

Aakash Odedra recently won Best Male Dancer and Outstanding Male Classical Performance at the National Dance Awards.

getty images

Aakash Odedra named Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist

AAKASH ODEDRA has been appointed a Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist, the organisation has announced.

Born in Birmingham and based in Leicester, Odedra is known for combining classical and contemporary dance to reflect British Asian experiences.

Keep ReadingShow less
Mark Gatiss’s 'Bookish'

Bookish brings postwar London to life with gripping weekly mysteries

Instagram/uandalibi

Mark Gatiss’s 'Bookish' is being hailed as the ''next best thing to Sherlock'' — Here’s why viewers are hooked

Highlights:

  • Mark Gatiss stars as Gabriel Book, a crime-solving bookshop owner in post-war London in Bookish.
  • The detective drama premiered on U&Alibi on 16 July 2025, with two episodes airing weekly.
  • Critics praise the series for its smart plotting, rich period detail, and modern queer representation.
  • A second season has already been confirmed, with filming set to begin this summer.

Mark Gatiss, best known for co-creating Sherlock, is back with another brainy sleuth, and this time, it’s personal. Bookish, a 1940s-set detective drama written by and starring Gatiss, follows the eccentric Gabriel Book, a former intelligence agent turned antiquarian bookseller who helps the police crack cases in bombed-out postwar London. The six-part series, which debuted this week on U&Alibi, has already garnered praise for its clever plots, layered characters, and strong sense of time and place, with some calling it “the next best thing to Sherlock.”

 Mark Gatiss\u2019s 'Bookish' Mark Gatiss brings queer detective drama Bookish to life as fans call it the new SherlockInstagram/uandalibi

Keep ReadingShow less
Fitbit Charge 6

The Charge 6 is currently on sale for just £72

Getty Images

Fitbit Charge 6 hits lowest-ever in major retail deal

Highlights

  • Fitbit Charge 6 now available for £72 — the lowest price to date
  • Original retail price: £125
  • Includes ECG, heart rate and blood oxygen tracking, and a 7-day battery

What is the Fitbit Charge 6 and why is it still relevant?

Launched in 2023 by Google, the Fitbit Charge 6 remains a compelling choice for users wanting a feature-rich fitness tracker without committing to a full-blown smartwatch. While fitness bands have lost some popularity in favour of affordable smartwatches, the Charge 6 retains its appeal thanks to its health tracking capabilities and long battery life.

Where is the best Fitbit Charge 6 deal right now?

The Charge 6 is currently on sale for just £72 — a significant drop from its original price of £125. This new low applies to brand-new, sealed units in the Porcelain/Silver colour option. The deal makes it one of the most affordable advanced fitness trackers currently available.

Keep ReadingShow less