Mumbai’s theatre and film fraternity gathered under one roof on Saturday night as Prithvi Theatre hosted its Memorial Concert; an evening steeped in music, memory and mentorship. Titled Rehnuma, the concert paid tribute to the enduring spirit of the legendary Ustad Zakir Hussain, celebrating his unwavering encouragement of young musicians.

The place was abuzz as actors, directors and theatre aficionados thronged the venue, reaffirming the deep cultural bond that Prithvi continues to nurture across generations. The evening began with the lamp lighting ceremony and a spirited performance by Dhol players.

Kunal Kapoor, Trustee, Prithvi Theatre, said, “For the 42nd Memorial Concert, we presented Rehnuma. It was an acoustic version of the exclusive show that we did at Lollapalooza India 2026.” The stripped-down format lent the evening a rare intimacy, allowing every note resonate deeply with the audience. Echoing the sentiment, Zahan Kapoor, Trustee, Prithvi Theatre, added, “Keeping in tune with Zakir Hussain’s dedication to music, collaboration and generosity and his support to young musicians, we brought together some of India’s finest young talent to perform and pay tribute to the spirit of the legendary maestro.” True to that vision, the concert brought together some of the country’s most exciting emerging musicians. The ensemble featured Zubin Balaporia on keys, Gino Banks on drums, Sheldon D’Silva on bass, Mehtab Ali Niazi on sitar, S. Akash on flute, Faizan Hussain on percussion, Ishaan Ghosh on tabla, and Shikhar Naad Qureshi on djembe. Their seamless interplay reflected the collaborative ethos that Ustad Zakir Hussain championed throughout his illustrious career. The evening was as much about community as it was about music. Among those present were Kunal Kapoor, Zahan Kapoor, Shaira Kapoor, Karan Kapoor, Sanjna Kapoor, Randhir Kapoor, Babita, Karisma Kapoor, Neila Devi, Louiz Banks, Agastya Nanda, Navya Naveli Nanda, Nikhil Nanda, Mahesh Bhatt, Pooja Bhatt, Neena Gupta, Feroze Abbas Khan, Akash Khurana, Ila Arun, Shishir Sharma, Kirti Kulhari, Ishita Arun, Ira Dubey, Divya Dutta, Vivaan Shah, Rajit Kapoor, Dia Mirza, Suchitra Pillai, Dolly Thakore, Nimrit Kaur, Sayani Ghosh, Vrajesh Hirjee, Aditya Rawal, Suneeta Rao and Bhamini Oza, among others.

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England cricketer Jonny Bairstow has made an emotional public appeal to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer for assistance in repatriating the England Lions team from Abu Dhabi, as escalating Middle East tensions between Iran, Israel and the United States have left the squad stranded amid missile threats and explosions across the UAE capital. Bairstow, currently serving in a coaching role with the Lions, took to social media in the early hours of Sunday with a desperate plea as security concerns mount in the region.

“Can you get us home?”: Bairstow’s desperate appeal to the Prime Minister of United Kingdom

The former England international responded directly to Starmer’s official statement on Iran posted Saturday evening, tweeting a stark four-word message: “Can you get us home???”  The appeal came after multiple residents in Abu Dhabi reported hearing loud explosions across the city, with state media confirming one fatality though details remain scarce .

Starmer had earlier released his position on the escalating Iran situation, but Bairstow’s reply highlighted the immediate human consequences facing British citizens caught in the conflict zone.

Can you get us home???

— Jonny Bairstow (@jbairstow21) February 28, 2026

The England wicketkeeper-batter also sought urgent communication from Emirates after his flight was cancelled, urging the airline to provide clarity and assistance.

@emirates we haven’t had any communication post flight getting cancelled.
Tried the lines of communication but nothing. Could someone please be in contact.

— Jonny Bairstow (@jbairstow21) March 1, 2026

Explosions rock Abu Dhabi as tensions in Middle East escalate

According to Reuters reports, witnesses described hearing five rapid explosions that shook windows near Abu Dhabi’s Corniche, with similar blasts reported in the Al Dhafra and Al Bateen areas. Fighter jets were observed circling over Yas Island on Saturday afternoon, adding to the atmosphere of heightened alert .

Residents received mobile phone alerts instructing them to take shelter in the nearest secure building and stay away from windows due to missile threats, underscoring the severity of the situation . The presence of strategic military installations – including Al Dhafra Air Base used by both UAE and US Air Forces, and Dubai’s Jebel Ali Port serving as the US Navy’s largest regional facility – has placed the UAE in a potentially vulnerable position amid Iran-Israel tensions.

Also READ – T20 World Cup 2026: Final-over wide triggers debate in Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Super 8 clash

ECB cancels second One-Dayer due to safety concerns

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) moved swiftly to cancel Sunday’s scheduled 50-over match between the England Lions and Pakistan Shaheens, prioritizing player and staff safety above all else. In an official statement released Saturday, the ECB confirmed: “The safety and security of our teams and staff is our top priority. We are in contact with security experts and the Government in relation to current events in the Middle East and are following official advice.” 

Bairstow’s presence in Abu Dhabi stems from his coaching involvement with the England Lions setup, a role that has kept him connected to the game following his illustrious international career. The 35-year-old, who remains a popular figure in English cricket, now finds himself navigating a very different challenge than the sporting contests he anticipated.

Also WATCH: Australia captain Alyssa Healy receives Guard of Honour from India players in her final ODI

 

South Africa vs Zimbabwe Live Score: Zimbabwe will need to fix their bowling woes against a skillful South Africa as they aim to end their spirited T20 World Cup campaign on a high in their final Super 8 fixture here on Sunday.

Reaching the Super 8 as group toppers was part of the success story for Zimbabwe, and inspired by their leader Sikandar Raza, they will be determined to push South Africa to the limit.

Bowling Discipline Key Against Proteas

South Africa are the team to beat in the ICC showpiece, and if Zimbabwe are to challenge them, they must improve their bowling performance after conceding more than 250 runs in the previous two Super 8 games against West Indies and India.

Raza knows his side can only compete with the bigger teams if all three departments click.

“At the World Cup against the best teams, you need all your three departments to be working hand in hand. And unfortunately, if one lacks, then the game runs away from you.

“So hopefully in the last game, leave everything on the park and we try and sort out all our three departments and hopefully that gives us the best chance to win the game,” Raza said after the India defeat.

Errors to Correct

Zimbabwe have been guilty of bowling too many loose balls in the Super 8 stage. They need to bowl with the discipline they displayed against Australia and Sri Lanka in the group stage.

Their unbeaten run in the group stage came on slow pitches in Sri Lanka, but the margin for error drops drastically in batting-friendly Indian conditions, as they experienced in Mumbai and Chennai.

Batting Strategy: Maximising the Powerplay

On the batting front, the opening duo of Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani need to make the most of the powerplay.

Bennett, who is yet to be dismissed in the tournament, showed against India that he can also clear the ropes. He will need to find a way to tackle a wily South African attack.

South Africa’s Strengths

Marco Jansen and Lungi Ngidi, with 11 wickets each, have been the standout bowlers for the Proteas, complemented well by pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada, Corbin Bosch, and frontline spinner Keshav Maharaj.

The top three — skipper Aiden Markram, Quinton de Kock, and Ryan Rickelton — are in top form, and it would take a special bowling effort from Raza and his team to stop them.

The middle order, including David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, and Dewald Brevis, has also made an impact in the Super 8 stage.

Venue and Context

South Africa, who have only played in Ahmedabad and Delhi so far in the tournament, return to the national capital for their final Super 8 fixture.

In the five games played here, 200 has only been breached once, with India posting 209 against Namibia.

It is effectively a dead rubber, with South Africa already through to the semifinals and Zimbabwe eliminated from the race following back-to-back losses.

Teams

Zimbabwe: Sikandar Raza (captain), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Graeme Cremer, Bradley Evans, Clive Madande, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Ben Curran.

South Africa: Aiden Markram (captain), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Quinton de Kock, Marco Jansen, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs.

MUMBAI: Can 18 doctors arrive at the same decision at the same time, specially if that decision costs each of them Rs 1.2 crore?! That is what appears to have occurred at the NY Tasgaonkar Institute of Medical Science, a college in Karjat which was allowed to start postgraduate medical courses for the first time this year.The institute was approved for 36 PG seats and entered the state’s admission counselling process only in Round 3. By the end of that round, all 18 seats under the institutional and NRI quotas, for which higher fees are charged, were shown as filled, while four subsidised state quota seats out of 18, remained vacant.When the next counselling round opened, the college did not admit candidates under the institutional or NRI quotas, citing zero availability. Days later, on Feb 20, it moved the Bombay high court saying all 18 students admitted under the quotas had cancelled their seats, and sought permission to fill the seats directly at the college level. “It is submitted that Petitioner college was listed for admission when the 2 CAP rounds were already over. In short, Petitioner college was listed for admission only in the 3rd CAP Round. Since Petitioner college was listed for the first time for postgraduate course, there was very minimum response from the students and at the end of 3rd round out of 36, only 7 students selected in the 3rd round of admission reported and/or joined Petitioner college. Out of 36 seats, nearly 29 seats thus remained vacant,” said the petition, a copy of which is with TOI.The court granted the request. As per admission rules released in the state CET Cell brochure, PG medical admissions in Maharashtra are conducted only online by the state CET Cell, with no provision for institutional-level discretion.Parent representative Sudha Shenoy said the college had told the court it had received late permission to admit students and hence 29 seats were vacant, without disclosing to the court that all seats had been filled in the preceding Round 3. The state’s legal response to this, she said, fell short.A senior official overseeing admissions at the state’s CET Cell, Dr Siddhesh Nar, said the college emailed them on Feb 26 stating that 18 institutional and NRI candidates had cancelled admissions on Feb 24 and 25, attaching cancellation forms. “We asked the Directorate of Medical Education and Research to conduct an inquiry and submit a report to the state CET Cell.” The DMER report has been sent to the CET CEll, though details have not been shared.The perfectly timed collective withdrawal of all the doctors, said experts, requires scrutiny. As one source put it, answers are needed on IP addresses used for admission registrations, the banks that issued demand drafts, how and why were doctors’ original documents returned after retention of admission, and the penalties actually collected. Vacant PG seats that can be filled directly by a private medical college without govt supervision can raise serious concerns about the admission process. Multiple calls and messages to the college met with a stock response: “Please message”. Questions messaged to the college met with no response.

In the immediate aftermath of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s killing, Iran’s top security official Ali Larijani struck a defiant tone, vowing retaliation against the United States and outlining plans for a transitional leadership structure.“The Americans have stabbed the Iranian people in the heart and we will stab them in their heart,” Larijani said in remarks, according to Al-Jazeera. He warned that the reaction from Iran’s armed forces would be much stronger. “ They must know they cannot just hit and run.”

Larijani also confirmed that a temporary leadership mechanism would be activated following Khamenei’s death, according to Times of Israel. “An interim leadership council will soon be formed. The president, the head of the judiciary and a jurist from the Guardian Council will assume responsibility until the election of the next leader. This council will be established as soon as possible. We are working to form it as early as today,” Larijani said. His comments signal both retaliation abroad and political management at home, as Iran navigates one of the most critical moments in the history of the Islamic Republic.

Who is Ali Larijani?

Ali Larijani, 67, is one of the most powerful figures in Iran’s political and security establishment. A former commander in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and longtime conservative politician, he currently serves as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Iran’s top national security body.In recent months, as tensions with the United States and Israel escalated and nationwide protests gripped Iran, Khamenei reportedly leaned heavily on Larijani to steer the country. Iranian officials describe him as a trusted and loyal adviser with direct access to the supreme leader.Conservative analyst Nasser Imani said Khamenei “fully trusts Larijani,” calling him the right figure for a “sensitive juncture” because of his political experience and strategic thinking.Larijani’s responsibilities have expanded significantly. He has overseen internal security measures during protests, coordinated with regional actors such as Russia, Qatar and Oman and played a role in nuclear negotiations with Washington. He has also been involved in contingency planning in case of war or disruption to the leadership.Larijani comes from an elite political and religious family. He served as speaker of Parliament for 12 years and previously held the post of secretary of the Supreme National Security Council from 2005 to 2007 before returning to the role on August 5 this year.He was also tasked in 2021 with negotiating a 25-year strategic agreement with China worth billions of dollars, reflecting his standing within the system.Although Larijani is a central figure in Iran’s leadership circle, he is not considered a likely successor to Khamenei because he is not a senior Shiite cleric, a key requirement for the position of supreme leader. However, officials say that he sits at the top of contingency lists for managing the country in the event of leadership disruption, according to The New York Times.Observers describe Larijani as a calculating conservative with a mix of pragmatism and nationalism. While some critics link him to harsh crackdowns on dissent and allege complicity in human rights abuses, supporters view him as one of the few remaining figures capable of holding together a system under pressure.

The makers of Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda‘s film, ‘Ranabaali’, dropped the first song, ‘Endhayya Saami’, from the film as a special tribute to the couple’s new chapter in life. And now, the actress has reacted to the surprise released by the producers. She expressed that they had no idea about the music video. Let’s take a look at what she has to say.

Rashmika Mandanna reacts to ‘Endhayya Saami’ song drop

The song features a poignant sequence from the period drama, capturing Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna’s characters as they tie the knot and step into his home, observing every traditional ritual. It beautifully traces the gradual blossoming of their love story, unfolding with tenderness and emotional depth. Towards the end of the music video, a caption appears, which reads, “Happy married life, Vijay & Rashmika.“

Reacting to the same, Rashmika took to her Instagram Story and wrote, “This is such a lovely surprise for us (heart-shaped hands emojis), and now it’s a surprise for you too (white heart emojis). This is us, Ranabaali and Jayamma.”Take a look here.

More about ‘Ranabaali’

Directed by Rahul Sankrityan, the film features Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna in the lead roles. Set in colonial India, the movie also stars Arnold Vosloo.This will be Vijay and Rashmika’s first project together as a married couple. The duo has earlier featured in films like ‘Geeta Govindham’ and ‘Dear Comrade’.The makers have roped in the famous duo Ajay-Atul to compose the music for the film. It has been set to hit theaters on September 11, 2026.

More about Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda’s marriage

Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna got married in Udaipur, Rajasthan, on February 26, 2026. The couple had two ceremonies to honor his Telugu Hindu rituals and her Kodava (Coorg) traditions. As per the reports, the duo will be hosting a wedding reception on March 4 in Hyderabad. Reportedly, it will be attended by friends from the industry and other prominent personalities.

In a fairytale ending to a glittering One-Day International (ODI) career, Australian captain Alyssa Healy produced a breathtaking knock of 158 runs off just 98 balls against India at Hobart’s Bellerive Oval on Sunday, with husband Mitchell Starc watching proudly from the commentary box as she walked off into ODI sunset in emphatic style. The 35-year-old wicketkeeper-batter’s farewell innings was nothing short of spectacular, featuring 27 fours and two sixes in a masterclass of aggressive strokeplay that left the Indian bowling attack haples.

Guard of honour precedes Alyssa Healy’s final ODI knock

The emotion was palpable even before Healy took strike. As she walked out to open the batting alongside Phoebe Litchfield in the third ODI, the Indian women’s team, led by captain Harmanpreet Kaur, formed a guard of honour to acknowledge the retiring great’s immense contribution to women’s cricket. The BCCI Women shared images of the tribute on social media, capturing the moment Harmanpreet shook hands with her long-time rival as Healy made her way to the crease.

#TeamIndia formed a guard of honour before the start of play today for Australia Captain Alyssa Healy, who is playing her Final ODI match 👏👏#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/Vb9dg1dfhE

— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) March 1, 2026

The gesture represented the deep respect Healy commands across the cricketing world, having been one of the most influential figures in the sport’s growth over 16 years at the highest level.

Alyssa Healy races to 150 in just 95 balls

After reaching her century in just 79 balls, Healy accelerated further to bring up 150 off 95 deliveries, tormenting the Indian bowlers with her signature blend of power and precision. The Australian captain appeared destined for a double century before Sneh Rana finally ended her innings in the 37th over with a high full-toss that Healy missed while attempting a reverse sweep .

Her 158-run knock placed Australia in a commanding position at 3-281 when she departed, with a total of 400 or more appearing well within reach. The innings added to her career tally of 3,777 ODI runs at an average of 37.02, which includes eight centuries and 19 fifties across 126 matches.

Also WATCH: Alyssa Healy receives Guard of Honour from India players in her final ODI

Throughout her innings, Healy had a special spectator watching intently. Mitchell Starc, the Australian pace spearhead and Healy’s husband since 2016, was positioned in the Channel Seven commentary box. Cameras captured the moment Healy brought up her century, with Starc remaining silently emotional as the milestone was raised – a contrast to the thunderous applause from the Hobart crowd.

The couple’s cricketing journey together spans decades, having first met as nine-year-olds playing against each other in club cricket before becoming teammates in representative cricket from under-10s through under-16s . They tied the knot in April 2016, and Starc has been a constant presence supporting his wife throughout her career, famously leaving the Australian camp early in March 2020 to watch her Player of the Final performance in the T20 World Cup final against India.

Here’s the video:

An Alyssa Healy century in her final ODI!

And no one is prouder than Mitch Starc in the commentary box 😊#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/Ey27zCbPt2

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) March 1, 2026

Earlier in the series, Starc was spotted in the commentary box during the first ODI in Brisbane, donning stylish attire alongside former cricketer Lisa Sthalekar as Healy’s farewell series began. His presence throughout the ODI leg underscored the personal significance of this moment for cricket’s most admired power couple.

When Healy announced her retirement in January, Starc shared a photograph of her sitting on a lawn giving a thumbs-up, accompanying it with a short but deeply felt caption: “Proud of you.”  In a subsequent Instagram tribute, he posted “Proud of ya” with a heart emoji, a message that resonated powerfully with fans worldwide .

Reflecting on his wife’s evolution as a player, Starc had earlier noted how she transformed after taking over the captaincy from Meg Lanning in late 2023. “She watches a lot more cricket than I do. I mean, she’s the captain too. She’s a bit more switched on with all that sort of thing, probably seeing her shift a little bit when she took over the captaincy and putting her personal stuff aside and trying to push that team to achieve all that potential.”

Also READ: Kayla Reyneke earns maiden ODI call-up as South Africa announce squad for New Zealand tour

 

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

A mob of hundreds stormed the US consulate in Pakistan’s Karachi on Sunday after a joint US-Israel airstrike killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.Protesters were seen vandalising the property and setting parts of the building on fire.According to news agency Associated Press, at least one protester was killed and several others were wounded after police and paramilitary forces used batons and tear gas to disperse the crowd.Sindh home minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar sought an immediate report on the situation from Karachi Additional Inspector General of Police (AIG) Azad Khan, according to a statement from his office.The unrest caused significant traffic disruptions. In an update issued around 11 a.m., Karachi Traffic Police said both sides of the road from Sultanabad Traffic Section towards Mai Kolachi had been closed due to the protest, Dawn reported.Meanwhile, authorities continued to monitor the situation as tensions remained high in the port city following developments linked to the Iranian leader’s killing.This came hours after Iran confirmed that Khamenei was killed in airstrikes carried out by Israel and the United States — dubbed “Operation Epic Fury”.Iran acknowledged the 86-year-old leader’s death at his Tehran office, a development that has thrown the future of the Islamic Republic into question and raised the risk of regional instability.In retaliation, Iran fired missiles at targets in Israel and Gulf Arab states on Sunday after vowing massive revenge for Khamenei’s killing.Iran’s Cabinet said the “great crime will never go unanswered”, and the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard threatened to launch its “most intense offensive operation” yet, targeting Israeli and American bases.Iran is observing 40 days of public mourning following Khamenei’s death, according to state media. In Shia Islam, the 40th day after death (Arba’een) holds spiritual significance.The Supreme Leader’s office has declared a period of national mourning, with flags at half-mast and public gatherings planned to pay respects, marking the end of a 37-year chapter in the Islamic Republic’s history.Meanwhile, President Donald Trump said that the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei could create a pathway to diplomacy.While talking to CBS News, Trump expressed confidence in the results so far, calling the joint airstrikes by US and Israel “a great day for this country, a great day for the world.”He also warned Iran to not plan any attack on US and Israeli military bases following its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khameini death.In a social media post on Truth Social, Trump said that if Iran attacks US, then US will “hit them with a force that has never been seen before.”“Iran just stated that they are going to hit very hard today, harder than they have ever hit before.They better not do that, however, because if they do, we will hit them with a force that has never been seen before! Thank you for your attention to this matter!” Trump said.The United States launched nearly 900 strikes within the first 12 hours of a joint operation with Israel.