New Zealand have unveiled a mixed and experimental squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against South Africa at home, with Mitchell Santner and Tom Latham set to share leadership duties. While Santner will captain the side for the first three matches, Latham will take charge for the final two games of the series, which begins at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on March 15. The squad also features several new faces alongside experienced campaigners as the Black Caps manage player workloads following their recent T20 World Cup campaign.

Tom Latham returns to T20I setup after two-year gap

Veteran wicketkeeper-batter Latham has made a return to New Zealand’s T20I squad after last appearing in the format in April 2023. His comeback follows an impressive run in domestic cricket, where he emerged as the top run-scorer for Canterbury Kings in the latest Super Smash season.

Latham’s leadership experience will also come into play as he is set to captain the team in the final two matches of the series. His inclusion provides stability to a squad that blends youth and experience as New Zealand continue to build their T20 depth ahead of future global tournaments.

Mitchell Santner to lead first three games as squad rotation continues

All-rounder Santner, who was part of New Zealand’s recent T20 World Cup campaign, will lead the side for the opening three matches of the series. Santner is among eight players from the World Cup squad included for the South Africa clash.

Devon Conway and Lockie Ferguson will also feature in the first half of the series before leaving after the third game. Meanwhile, several players including Kyle Jamieson, Cole McConchie, Jimmy Neesham, Ben Sears and Ish Sodhi have been selected for the entire five-match contest.

The selection approach reflects New Zealand Cricket’s intention to carefully manage player workloads after a busy international schedule that included tours to India and Sri Lanka earlier in the year.

Three uncapped players earn maiden call-ups

The squad includes three uncapped players – Katene Clarke, Nick Kelly and Jayden Lennox – who have been rewarded for their impressive performances in domestic competitions.

Clarke’s selection follows a remarkable Super Smash campaign in which he scored 431 runs, including an unbeaten century, helping Northern Brave lift the domestic T20 title. He is expected to be available for the final two matches of the series.

Left-arm spinner Lennox also earned his maiden T20I call-up after impressing during his debut ODI series against India earlier this year. Meanwhile, Kelly has been picked following consistent performances for Wellington Firebirds and his ODI debut against Pakistan last season.

Also READ: Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates and Lea Tahuhu return to fold as New Zealand announces squad for South Africa Women’s T20I series

Rested players and injury concerns shape squad selection

Several senior players have been rested after the demanding T20 World Cup schedule. Key names such as Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra and Tim Seifert will sit out the series.

Fast bowler Matt Henry is also unavailable as he spends time with his newborn child. In addition, a few players were not considered for selection due to injuries, including Michael Bracewell (calf), Adam Milne (ankle), Will O’Rourke (back) and Blair Tickner (ankle).

Dane Cleaver will join the squad for the final two matches once Conway departs after the third game, marking his return to the national setup after nearly two years.

New Zealand’s squad for the T20Is against South Africa: Mitchell Santner (captain for matches 1–3), Katene Clarke (matches 4–5), Josh Clarkson, Dane Cleaver (wicketkeeper, matches 4–5), Devon Conway (wicketkeeper, matches 1–3), Lockie Ferguson (matches 2–3), Zak Foulkes, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, Nick Kelly, Tom Latham (wicketkeeper and captain for matches 4–5), Jayden Lennox (matches 4–5), Cole McConchie, Jimmy Neesham, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Ish Sodhi.

Also READ: South Africa unveil 15-member squad for the T20I series against New Zealand, Keshav Maharaj to lead

Jeffrey Epstein (AP file photo)

What is damning about Jeffrey Epstein is yet to be written, an email said, as sexual offender and paedophile Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch in New Mexico has come under the scanner of authorities following an investigative campaign highlighting “macabre and strange” claims about the property.According to a New York Post report, millionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, who had links with many high-profile figures around the world, allegedly planned to use his Zorro Ranch in New Mexico as a “baby factory” to seed the Earth with “more perfect humans”. He was also accused of burying victims of deadly sex games on the property, filming horrific child pornography there and building a strange labyrinth-like garden that is now a large hole in the ground.

Despite the disturbing claims about Zorro Ranch, law enforcement had never carried out a thorough search of the property.Much of the recent push to investigate the 33,000-square-foot compound came from local radio host Eddy Aragon, who received a disturbing tip in November 2019 — just three months after Epstein died in jail.Aragon has spent the years since looking into the claims about Zorro Ranch. He believes the secrets the property may hold will “horrify the world”.“This is way beyond just burying bodies at Zorro Ranch. This is something far more macabre and strange than you think or have thought of,” he recently told the Santa Fe New Mexican.

“These are things if I were to say them would make me seem crazy or conspiratorial, and it’s not,” he added.Aragon said he received an anonymous email about the compound.“Did you know somewhere in the hills outside the Zorro, two foreign girls were buried on orders of Jeffrey and Madam G?” the message said, referring to Epstein’s associate Ghislaine Maxwell.“Both died by strangulation during rough, fetish sex,” the email added. “What is damning about Jeffrey Epstein is yet to be written.”Maxwell, who is serving a federal prison sentence after being convicted of sex trafficking charges, has not been charged with any crimes related to deaths at Zorro Ranch.The email — which claimed to be from a ranch employee “that has been there and seen it all”, did not provide further details about the alleged deaths. Instead, it demanded that Aragon pay one Bitcoin, worth about $6,500 at the time, to an anonymous digital wallet within a day in exchange for a USB drive containing damaging information.Aragon did not pay. Instead, he forwarded the message to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, saying it “could be real.”It is still unclear whether the FBI investigated the tip. However, on Monday — more than six years later — Zorro Ranch was swarmed by police in New Mexico in one of the first major searches of the property since Epstein’s activities became public.The ranch, located about 30 miles south of Santa Fe, has since been sold to the family of former Don Huffines, a former Texas state senator. The family is cooperating with the investigation.The final sale price has not been disclosed, but the property had been listed for around $18 million shortly before the sale.Authorities have not said exactly what investigators are searching for. However, parts of the land have already been dug up since the ranch was sold in 2023. Recent photos show a deep pit where the sprawling maze-like garden, once as large as the mansion itself, used to stand.Although Aragon never received a response from the FBI about the tip, he says his own investigation has convinced him that authorities could uncover major new details about the Epstein scandal.He also said he believes he knows which former Epstein staff member sent the email. According to him, the person claimed they had kept information about the alleged bodies and videos of Epstein as “insurance in case of future litigation.”

Lakshya Sen (Pic Credit: All India Radio News’s X Handle)

NEW DELHI: When Lakshya Sen left for the All England Open Badminton Championships in 2026, he carried the hopes of an entire nation on his shoulders. The expectations were high after his remarkable run in 2022, when he reached the final of the prestigious tournament.The 24-year-old was well aware of the spotlight and was determined to put the disappointment of the 2022 final behind him. Match after match, round after round, he progressed steadily through the tournament, raising hopes of a historic triumph.Then came the big moment — the final.But the final hurdle once again proved elusive for the Indian shuttler.Lakshya went down to Lin Chun-yi of Chinese Taipei in straight games, 15-21, 20-22. Despite putting up a gritty fight and battling cramps and blisters, he fell just short of the title. As a result, India’s 25-year wait for a men’s singles champion at the All England continued.

Lakshya Sen (Pic Credit: All India Radio News’s X Handle)

India last tasted success at the tournament when Pullela Gopichand lifted the trophy in 2001. Before him, Prakash Padukone had famously won the title in 1980 after reaching the finals in 1980 and 1981.Lakshya, who became only the second Indian player to reach two All England finals, had to settle for the runner-up finish again.The disappointment was evident on his face after the match. He stood on the court for a few moments, looked up, and slowly walked off.Former shuttler and now coach Parupalli Kashyap believes Lakshya possesses strong physical and mental qualities, something the young shuttler continues to demonstrate by consistently reaching the finals of major tournaments.“Twenty or twenty-five years ago, India did not even have many players competing regularly at this level. There was a time when India was hesitant about sending badminton teams to major events because we were not competitive enough. Now we are talking about an Indian player reaching multiple finals in major tournaments. That itself is a big achievement. He is not “failing” in finals — he is reaching them consistently, and that is extremely difficult at the highest level,” Kashyap told TimesofIndia.com in an exclusive interview.“Lakshya is one of those players who understands how to perform in major events. He has a very good mindset, a strong work ethic and a great attitude towards training. All the qualities required to become a top professional are there in him. When he started playing on the international circuit from the lower levels, he always had a very steady mindset. That is something very important for a player’s growth. Lakshya himself understands what is required to become a top player,” he said.“For me, this is just the beginning for him. According to me, he has the right mindset and the right attitude to succeed,” he added.“I always judge top players by how they perform in crunch situations. Some players are naturally very good in those moments. Others have to learn how to deal with pressure. In Lakshya’s case, I have seen that he remains quite relaxed even in big situations. There is aggression in his game but also balance. That balance in mindset is very important. Some players are gifted with that ability, while others develop it over time. Lakshya seems to have that natural composure,” Kashyap said.

Lakshya Sen (AP Photo)

THE ‘FINAL’ HURDLEAt just 24, Lakshya has already brought several laurels to the country.His achievements include a bronze medal at the BWF World Championships in 2021, a gold medal with India at the Thomas Cup, gold and silver medals at the Commonwealth Games, and a silver medal at the Asian Games.His junior career was equally impressive. Lakshya won a silver medal at the Youth Olympic Games in 2018, a bronze medal at the BWF World Junior Championships, gold and bronze medals at the Asian Junior Championships, and also clinched a mixed team gold at the Youth Olympic Games.However, the final hurdle remains an area where Lakshya will look to improve.The Indian shuttler narrowly missed out on an Olympic medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, finishing fourth after losing the bronze-medal match to Lee Zii Jia of Malaysia.After finishing runner-up at the All England Open Badminton Championships in 2022, Lakshya once again reached the final of the German Open later that year but lost the title clash to Kunlavut Vitidsarn.The final hurdle surfaced again when he went down in the summit clash of the 2026 All England Open.

Lakshya Sen (Pic Credit: All India Radio News’s X Handle)

Former India badminton player Trupti Murgunde believes Lakshya needs to step back and analyse what goes wrong in the finals despite often enjoying dominant runs through the earlier rounds of tournaments.Murgunde, who currently serves as a coach at the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy in Bengaluru, was also part of the coaching staff when Lakshya won his World Championships bronze in Huelva in 2021.“Definitely, anyone would feel disappointed. These are big stages and this is what players work for over many years. But this is also part and parcel of being a sportsperson. In Lakshya’s case, yes, he is still young and has a long way to go, but he has also been in the circuit for quite some time now. It’s not like he has just arrived in the last three or four years. Lakshya has been doing well since his junior days, even winning medals at the junior world level,” Trupti said.“He has also done fantastically at the Olympics, although he missed the medal there as well in the bronze medal match. So naturally, some disappointment will be there. If reaching finals but not winning them becomes a pattern, then he will have to analyse it carefully and work on it — whether it is the mental aspect or the physical aspect,” Trupti, who won a bronze medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne and has five gold medals at the South Asian Games, said.“In this particular event, I felt the physical side might have played a role in the final. Considering the way he played throughout the tournament, especially in the semi-final where he pushed himself so much, the body might not have supported him fully in the final. Mentally though, he looked good. From his body language while watching the final, he seemed confident. Sometimes the body is there but the mind isn’t, and sometimes it’s the other way around. So you cannot point to just one factor — every final needs to be analysed individually,” she said.“For Indian players, it becomes even more special because we have not had many winners there. Unlike countries like China or some other Asian nations where players reach that stage regularly, for us it is still a rare moment. So whenever an Indian reaches that stage, all eyes are on him or her. We saw that when Sindhu reached the finals as well. Naturally, that creates a different level of pressure. At the same time, when you reach the final, you know you are just one match away from the title. That feeling itself brings a different mindset. You have to stay mentally strong. These things come with experience over time. I am sure Lakshya will bounce back and do well in the coming tournaments, but sometimes opportunities are missed and that is part of sport,” Trupti said.

Lakshya Sen (AP Photo)

For seasoned Indian shuttler B. Sai Praneeth, the situation is easy to relate to, having faced similar challenges several times during his own career. Praneeth understands what Lakshya must be feeling after falling short in another big final.At the All England Open Badminton Championships in 2016, Praneeth had stunned badminton great Lee Chong Wei in the opening round of the tournament — a result that highlighted his ability to perform on the big stage.In fact, players like Praneeth and Kidambi Srikanth were once seen as India’s brightest hopes to replicate the historic achievements of Prakash Padukone and Pullela Gopichand at the prestigious All England.For Praneeth, simply reaching the final of a major tournament is no small feat — something he insists should never be taken lightly.“Sometimes it also comes down to fate. If you look at Lee Chong Wei, he played three Olympic finals but never won a gold medal, and he reached five World Championship finals without winning the title. That doesn’t mean there was something wrong with his preparation. Everyone gives their best at that level. Even in Lakshya’s finals, he played really well. Maybe it was just not his day or perhaps he was a little tired,” Praneeth told TimesofIndia.com.

Lakshya Sen (AP Photo)

“Playing two All England finals is definitely not a joke. He had good chances to win both times, but maybe luck did not favour him. Still, I feel he can win the All England soon, and even at the World Championships he has played very well. I have been watching him since his childhood, and even back then many people believed that he could become one of the top players in the future. The way he has transformed his game and the way he is performing now is really impressive. Physically he is very strong and mentally he is extremely strong as well, which is a very important factor in badminton. In tournaments like the All England, mental strength matters a lot. If you look at the semifinal he played, it was one of the best matches. He won that mainly because of his mental toughness. Overall, he is playing really, really well,” he said.“For any athlete, winning major events is a dream, and Lakshya performs particularly well in big tournaments. From what I know, his preparation is very solid. He is mentally very strong and confident. If he plays at his best, he can beat anyone in the world,” Praneeth said.

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Veteran actress Mumtaz is known for always being very vocal about her opinions. She has also been extremely honest while talking about her life, be it her relationship with Shammi Kapoor, her marriage or her daughter Natasha Madhvani’s marriage with Fardeen Khan. In an earlier interview with The Times of India, Mumtaz also spoke about the speculations around their marriage. “They are saying they are separating, but they still aren’t divorced. Even if they do divorce, they won’t be truly separated because of their kids,” she had revealed. While Natasha currently lives in London with their children and Fardeen remains based in Mumbai, the two continue to stay connected as co-parents. In a recent interview, Mumtaz once again discussed the situation and suggested that the death of Fardeen’s father, Feroz Khan, may have played a role in the couple drifting apart. She said during an interview with ‘Sitaron Ka Safar’, “What happened was that when Feroz passed away, he was very attached to his father. So I don’t really know what happened at that time. Natasha was shifted to London for the children’s education. After that, I’m not sure what misunderstandings arose between them. But that’s when some problems began.”

She added, “What else can I say? And what can I even say, they are grown-ups themselves now, and are the parents of the children.”During the same conversation, Mumtaz also praised Fardeen for the way he has continued to show up for his family. “Fardeen is a very good, sweet guy. Even today, he goes to London to see the children. Natasha was unwell, and he went ten times to check on her. I never expected that men these days would do so, but he looked after everything.”The actress has previously spoken fondly about him as well. In a chat with journalist Vickey Lalwani, she recalled the time of his birth and said, “Even today, Fardeen seems like a gem to me. He is my favorite. I love him because when he was born, and we were shooting for Feroz’s film, I drank the celebratory champagne in his honors. He is such a sweetheart.”

As the dust settles from the recent T20 World Cup, international cricket returns to the iconic Shere Bangla National Stadium for a three-match ODI series between Bangladesh and Pakistan. This opening clash on March 11 marks a fresh chapter for both sides, featuring new leadership and a youth-centric approach.

Bangladesh enter this series with Mehidy Hasan Miraz at the helm. With the transition away from the “Big Five” era, the Tigers are leaning heavily on their domestic stars. Keep an eye on the pace trio of Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, and Mustafizur Rahman, who have developed world-class variations (cutters and slow bouncers) specifically for these Mirpur conditions.

Pakistan, led by speedster Shaheen Afridi, arrives with a squad that emphasizes “the next generation.” With Babar Azam rested, the spotlight shifts to young talents like Shamyl Hussain and Sahibzada Farhan. The inclusion of specialist leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed suggests Pakistan are ready to fight fire with fire on a spinning track.

BAN vs PAK, 1st ODI: Match Details

• Date and Time: March 11; 01:45 pm IST/ 08:15 am GMT/ 02:15 pm Local
• Venue: Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka

BAN vs PAK, Head-to-Head Record

Matches Played: 39 | BAN won: 5 | PAK Won: 14 | No results: 0

Shere Bangla National Stadium Pitch Report

The surface at Shere Bangla National Stadium is known for its slow and low nature. Historically, the track assists spinners from the very first hour. Expect Mehidy and Abrar to be the most influential figures on the field. Batting is generally easiest during the first 10–15 overs when the ball is hard. Once the shine wears off, the surface becomes “tacky,” making it difficult for incoming batters to find their timing. The captain winning the toss is likely to bowl first to capitalize on any early humidity and avoid the “dry” period of the afternoon when the pitch is at its slowest.

Also READ: Pakistan name 6 uncapped players in ODI squad for Bangladesh tour, no place for Babar Azam

Squads

Bangladesh: Mehidy Hasan Miraz (captain), Soumya Sarkar, Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tawhid Hridoy, Litton Das, Afif Hossain, Mahidul Islam Bhuiyan, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Nahid Rana.

Pakistan: Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abdul ​Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, ⁠Hussain Talat, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad ⁠Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Saad Masood, ‌Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha, Shamyl Hussain

BAN vs PAK, 1st ODI: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• Bangladesh wins the toss and bowl first
• Pakistan powerplay score: 50-60
• Pakistan total score: 270-280

Case 2:

• Pakistan wins the toss and bowl first
• Bangladesh powerplay score: 40-50
• Bangladesh total score: 250-260

Match result: Team bowling first will win the game.

Also READ: Mike Hesson explains Babar Azam’s omission from Pakistan ODI squad for Bangladesh tour

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Stock market today (AI image)

Stock market today: Indian equity benchmarks, Nifty50 and BSE Sensex, opened flat in trade on Wednesday as Middle East tensions and US-Iran war continued to add uncertainty to global markets. While Nifty50 was above 24,250, BSE Sensex was near 78,300. At 9:18 AM, Nifty50 was trading at 24,284.90, up 23 points to 0.096%. BSE Sensex was at 78,281.72, up 76 points or 0.097%.Stock market experts expect the benchmarks to move within a consolidation phase in the near term. Dr. VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Investments Limited says, “There are some important market trends that investors should analyse and try to understand now. One, the FII vs DII game is back to the last one-year pattern of sustained selling by FIIs being more than matched by sustained buying by DIIs. Given the continuing indifference of FIIs towards India and the sustaining inflows into Indian equity mutual funds, this game is likely to continue in the near-term. Two, despite the weakness in the market some segments like pharmaceuticals and domestic consumption themes like telecom, automobiles and defence are exhibiting resilience. Sustained FII selling has made large banking stocks, which constitute the largest segment of FII’s AUM, attractive. These stocks have the potential to reward investors who can buy and hold them for at least two years. Here patience is the key. The decline in Brent crude to below $88 will improve the risk-on sentiment in the market.”Asian equities opened about 0.8 per cent higher and optimism around the artificial intelligence sector also improved sentiment after Oracle Corp. shares surged 8 per cent in after-hours trading following stronger-than-expected revenue results.In the United States, stocks pared early gains on Tuesday, with the S&P 500 slipping into negative territory. Investors weighed diminishing expectations of a quicker end to the US-Israeli war on Iran against renewed military threats and continuing concerns about potential economic stagflation.Commodity markets showed mixed movements. Gold prices advanced on Wednesday as declining oil prices eased concerns over inflation. Investors are also awaiting a series of US economic indicators due later this week for signals on the Federal Reserve’s policy outlook.Oil prices fluctuated on Wednesday after the Wall Street Journal reported that the International Energy Agency had proposed the largest release of oil reserves in its history to counter supply disruptions arising from the war involving Iran.Foreign portfolio investors were net sellers of equities worth Rs 4,673 crore on Tuesday. Domestic institutional investors, on the other hand, purchased shares worth Rs 6,333 crore.(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)

Iran’s military establishment appears to have played a decisive role in elevating the country’s new supreme leader, even though his own father reportedly opposed the idea of him inheriting the post.According to reports, the appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei followed intense pressure from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which saw him as a leader likely to back its hardline agenda.The 56-year-old cleric became the third supreme leader of the Islamic Republic after the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, who was killed in US-Israeli strikes on Tehran on February 28 amid an escalating regional war. Iran’s Assembly of Experts, the body responsible for choosing the country’s supreme leader, formally announced Mojtaba’s appointment days later.

Ali Khamenei reportedly opposed the idea

One of the most striking claims to emerge after the leadership transition is that the elder Khamenei himself did not want his son to succeed him.“In Khamenei’s will, he explicitly asked Mojtaba not to be named as successor,” Khosro Isfahani, research director for the opposition-linked National Union for Democracy, told the New York Post.Isfahani said the late supreme leader believed his son lacked the experience needed to run the Islamic Republic.“Mojtaba is an impotent young cleric who has achieved nothing in terms of political life,” he said. “All these years, he has been nothing without his father’s name.”According to the report, Mojtaba had never held a formal government post before being elevated to the most powerful office in Iran. Instead, he spent much of his career working behind the scenes within his father’s office, known as the beyt, where he developed strong links with security and military figures.Leaked US diplomatic cables from the 2000s had previously described him as “the power behind the robes,” suggesting he wielded influence within the system long before his public rise.

Several Iranian insiders told Reuters that the Revolutionary Guards were instrumental in securing Mojtaba’s appointment.The Guards, already one of the most powerful institutions in Iran, reportedly pushed hard for his selection, seeing him as a more pliant leader who would support their hardline policies both at home and abroad.Sources told Reuters that senior clerics and political figures initially raised objections, partly because the succession appeared hereditary and partly due to fears that it would strengthen the military’s dominance of the political system.The opposition delayed the announcement of Mojtaba’s appointment for hours, according to Reuters, but the Guards eventually forced the issue.One insider said the IRGC had directly contacted members of the Assembly of Experts, pressing them to support Mojtaba’s elevation. Another source said critics of the decision were warned against opposing it.The Guards also argued that the wartime situation required a rapid decision and a leader who would stand firmly against the United States.Alex Vatanka, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute in Washington, told Reuters that Mojtaba “owes his position to the Revolutionary Guards and as such he is not going to be as supreme as his father was”.Some Iranian insiders fear the development could accelerate the transformation of the Islamic Republic into what one source described as a “military state with only a thin veneer of religious legitimacy”.The elder Khamenei had spent decades balancing competing power centres — clerical elites, elected politicians and the Revolutionary Guards — while keeping the military establishment in check.But with Mojtaba’s rise, that balance may have shifted.Sources told Reuters the Guards have already expanded their influence since the outbreak of war and are likely to wield greater control over strategic decisions under the new leadership.