After Pakistan were knocked out in the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup 2026, veteran Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik took a sharp dig at former England captains Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain.Last year, Atherton and Hussain had suggested that India had an unfair edge when they won the Champions Trophy in Dubai.Also See: SA vs NZ Live Score T20 World Cup Semifinal

Since India played all their matches at the same venue, after the Indian government did not allow the team to travel to Pakistan, they didn’t have to deal with travel or changing conditions. According to the English duo, getting used to one ground and staying in one place helped India plan better and eventually win the title.Fast forward to this T20 World Cup, and Karthik used that same logic to question Pakistan’s performance. Speaking on the Sky Cricket Podcast, he said he expected both Sri Lanka and Pakistan to reach the semifinals. He pointed out that Pakistan had similar comforts this time, playing consistently in Colombo, staying in one hotel, and getting familiar with the same pitches.That’s when he delivered the punch. Referring to Atherton and Hussain, Karthik said: “I expected Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Sri Lanka, because of the home conditions and because they are a side that needs a bigger cause. But that didn’t work out. And then I thought of Pakistan, purely because they consistently played in Colombo, stayed in one hotel, knew the same pitches — and both you ‘Fossils’ felt that was the main reason why India won the Champions Trophy. “By that same logic, Pakistan should have done something in this World Cup. Clearly, it works for one team but not for another, so there is a genuine lack of skill there. I’ll back Pakistan to say they will fight a lot more, but then almost losing to Sri Lanka was mad, and on top of that, you hear about that.”

In a move that signals the beginning of a new chapter for Pakistan cricket, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has unveiled a 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Bangladesh – one that notably leaves out former captain Babar Azam.

The announcement, made on Wednesday, comes on the heels of Pakistan’s disappointing T20 World Cup 2026 campaign and marks one of the most dramatic squad overhauls in recent years. What has truly caught everyone’s attention is the inclusion of six uncapped players, highlighting the selectors’ clear intent to rebuild with fresh talent.

Shaheen Afridi will continue to lead the ODI side despite Pakistan’s early exit from the T20 World Cup at the Super Eight stage. The left-arm pacer retains the captaincy as the team looks to move forward with a revamped squad. Experienced players like Mohammad Rizwan, Haris Rauf, and Salman Ali Agha remain part of the team, providing a sense of continuity. However, the absence of Babar Azam – arguably Pakistan’s most successful active ODI batter – has stunned fans and experts, marking the first time in his career that he has been dropped from the ODI setup.

Youth takes centre stage in Pakistan’s ODI squad for Bangladesh tour

The selectors have clearly chosen to invest in youth, handing maiden call-ups to six uncapped players: Abdul Samad, Maaz Sadaqat, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan and Shamyl Hussain. Several of these players recently featured for Pakistan Shaheens against England Lions in Abu Dhabi, giving them valuable exposure against strong opposition.

Among the newcomers, Sahibzada Farhan stands out after a sensational T20 World Cup campaign. The explosive opener finished as the tournament’s highest run-scorer, piling up 383 runs in six innings at an incredible average of 76.60 and a strike rate of 160.25. He also made history by becoming the first player in the tournament to score two centuries in a single edition. Another promising name is Maaz Sadaqat, who impressed in the 2025 Rising Stars Asia Cup. The young all-rounder topped the run charts with 258 runs in five innings while maintaining a staggering strike rate of nearly 178, and he also contributed with seven wickets.

Meanwhile, Fakhar Zaman misses out due to the hamstring injury he sustained during the T20 World Cup 2026, while players like Saim Ayub, Haseebullah, Mohammad Nawaz and Naseem Shah have also been left out. The pace attack will be spearheaded by Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, with Mohammad Wasim Jr providing additional support. In the spin department, Abrar Ahmed and Faisal Akram will be expected to add variety.

Also READ: PCB set to penalise Pakistan players following underwhelming display at T20 World Cup 2026 – Reports

Pakistan will travel to Dhaka on March 8 ahead of the ODI series against Bangladesh, with a practice session scheduled for March 10. All three matches will take place at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on March 11, 13 and 15. The tour comes less than a year after Pakistan last visited Bangladesh, when the hosts won the T20I series in July 2025.

Pakistan’s 15-man ODI squad

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

Also READ: Shahid Afridi blasts next potential captain of Pakistan after T20 World Cup 2026 exit amid leadership crisis debate

NEW DELHI: Babar Azam has been dropped from Pakistan’s ODI squad for the upcoming three-match series against Bangladesh, as the selectors begin reshaping the team with an eye on next year’s 50-over World Cup. The decision follows Pakistan’s disappointing T20 World Cup campaign in India and Sri Lanka, where they failed to reach the semi-finals.

Babar endured a lean run in the T20 tournament, managing only 91 runs. Despite that dip in form, his ODI numbers remain impressive — 6,501 runs and 20 centuries in 140 matches — making his omission a significant call. Alongside him, opener Saim Ayub, all-rounders Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz, and fast bowler Naseem Shah have also been left out of the 15-member squad.In a clear sign of transition, Pakistan have drafted in six uncapped players: Abdul Samad, Maaz Sadaqat, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan and Shamyl Hussain. The three ODIs will be played in Dhaka on March 11, 13 and 15, giving the newcomers a chance to prove themselves on the international stage.Meanwhile, Fakhar Zaman has been ruled out after suffering a hamstring injury during the T20 World Cup.Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi will captain the side, the Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed, as the team enters what appears to be a rebuilding phase.With the next ODI World Cup scheduled to be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia in October next year, Pakistan seem focused on refreshing their squad and testing new combinations in the lead-up to the global event.

India bowling coach Morne Morkel with Gautam Gambhir (PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: As defending champions India prepare to face England in the T20 World Cup semi-final at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, bowling coach Morne Morkel says dew could play a big role.He explained that conditions at Wankhede can be tricky. “I think dew is always a big concern. But that’s again something you can’t control: the toss. I think at Wankhede there’s always that extra bit of bounce. Guys can trust the bounce and lead through the line that can also, as a bowler, bring you into the game. I just felt or feel that the margins here are a lot smaller. The ball travels; it’s quite a small ground,” Morne Morkel told the reporters.

He added that bowlers must stay brave despite the risks. “So you just need to be really fighting that over, staying in the moment and competing for every ball. Because, as I said, a batter’s strength can also be his weakness on the surface. So it’s sometimes not to go too defensive and keep on attacking because opportunities can come,” he added.Head coach Gautam Gambhir also spoke about how the lack of dew during this tournament has affected India’s batting compared to earlier bilateral series. “During the bilateral series as well, there was a lot of dew in the second innings as well, but we did not see a lot of dew during this World Cup campaign. So I felt that it was not only about the strike rate, but it was about reading the game properly and obviously reading the situation as well. And that is something that is going to be important, and the guys did that really well,” Gambhir said.“Even today, you saw they were chasing 195. We never felt that we were out of the game. Never ever did we feel in 20 overs that the chase was away from us. So the guys kept in control. Yes, there were times in bilateral matches where we could chase the target in 16 or 17 overs, but this is the World Cup. And the pressure is different, and the quality is different as well.”India reached the semi-finals after wins over Zimbabwe and West Indies, despite a setback against South Africa in the Super Eights.

Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty ended sharply lower on Wednesday, tracking weakness in Asian markets as escalating tensions in West Asia pushed crude oil prices higher and weighed on investor sentiment.The 30-share BSE Sensex fell for the fourth consecutive session, dropping 1,122.66 points or 1.40 per cent to close at 79,116.19. During the day, the index plunged 1,795.65 points or 2.23 per cent to hit 78,443.20 before trimming losses in the latter half of the session.The NSE Nifty declined 385.20 points or 1.55 per cent to settle at 24,480.50, marking its third straight day of losses and the lowest closing level in the past six months. The index had slipped 560.3 points or 2.25 per cent intraday to 24,305.40.

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“Global risk sentiment remained fragile amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which kept oil prices volatile. Indian equities mirrored the broader risk-off environment due to the impact of inflation and the potential for higher CAD.“The continued depreciation of the INR also remains a key concern, while incremental foreign outflows lead to near-term volatility in the market,” Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments Limited, said, PTI quoted.The rupee weakened to an all-time low of 92.35 against the US dollar on Wednesday, pressured by the sharp rise in crude oil prices.Broader markets also remained under pressure. The BSE smallcap index tumbled 2.42 per cent, while the midcap index dropped 2.10 per cent.Sectorally, metal stocks led the losses with a 4 per cent decline. BSE PSU Bank fell 3.50 per cent, industrials dropped 3.29 per cent, realty declined 3.16 per cent and commodities lost 3.12 per cent. Capital goods fell 2.64 per cent, power 2.59 per cent, services 2.25 per cent and energy 2.23 per cent.On the BSE, 3,245 stocks declined, while 1,053 advanced and 135 remained unchanged.Asian markets also closed with steep losses. South Korea’s Kospi plunged 12 per cent, while Japan’s Nikkei 225, China’s Shanghai SSE Composite and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index ended significantly lower.European markets were trading higher, while US markets had ended Tuesday’s session in the red.The conflict in West Asia has intensified, with Iran continuing attacks on several Gulf countries in retaliation for the joint strike by Israel and the US. Washington and Tel Aviv have also carried out fresh strikes on Iran.Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) sold equities worth Rs 3,295.64 crore on Monday, according to exchange data, while Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) bought shares worth Rs 8,593.87 crore.

In a throwback interview, Rashmika Mandanna made heartfelt reflections on motherhood and her now-husband Vijay Deverakonda. Following their dreamy Udaipur wedding on February 26, 2026, this interview has resurfaced where the ‘Pushpa’ star discussed her protective instincts for her future children and her plans for a balanced life in her 30s. On the work front, Rashmika Mandanna will be seen in ‘Cocktail 2’ with Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon. She will also be seen in the period drama, ‘Ranabaali’ opposite Vijay Deverakonda.

The “VIROSH” era officially kickstarted with a magnificent and dreamy Udaipur wedding on March 26, 2026. It will be followed by a reception for political dignitaries, industry peers and friends today, March 4, 2026. While the internet is currently flooded with “Shiv-Parvati” coded pictures of the newlyweds, a resurfaced interview has resurfaced. In the candid throwback, Rashmika reveals a deeply maternal and protective side, confessing that even before marriage, she felt a fierce “warrior” instinct for her future children.

‘I’d go to war for them’: Rashmika Mandanna’s fierce maternal instinct

Long before the intimate rituals at ITC Mementos, Rashmika Mandanna opened up about her emotional connection to the idea of motherhood. Despite not being a parent yet, the actor described a visceral sense of responsibility toward her future children, in an old interview with Gulte.

“I’m not even a mother, but I already feel… I know I’m going to have kids, and I love that that’s going to happen. But I already feel something so strongly for these little humans that are not even born yet,” Mandanna shared.The ‘Animal’ actress emphasized that her fitness and career drive are partly fueled by this future role. She noted that she wants to be “fit enough to go to war” to protect her children, highlighting a protective side that fans are now finding even more touching following her union with Vijay.Mandanna shared, ““I want to do everything for them. I want to keep them so safe, so protected. And if I’m supposed to get into a war, I need to be fit enough to go to war for them. I’m already thinking about that.”

Rashmika Mandanna on stability and financial independence

The ‘Geetha Govindam’ actress has always been vocal about her “work-hard-now” philosophy. In the same conversation, she detailed her roadmap for life, explaining that her 20s and 30s were strictly reserved for building a stable foundation.Mandanna revealed, “I always knew that I would just put my head down and keep working in my 20s and 30s.We need to make a living; we need to have our own money. I knew that 30 to 40 was always going to be about work-life balance, and I have to ensure that it happens. And 40 onwards, I still haven’t thought that far.”

More about Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda‘s pre-wedding festivities

The couple didn’t just celebrate with a grand “Virosh Premier League” (VPL) and a Japanese-themed dinner; they have also made headlines for their post-wedding philanthropy. Following their Grihapravesham in Vijay’s ancestral village of Thummanpeta, Telangana on March 2, the couple announced the Deverakonda Charitable Trust scholarships. This initiative will support Class 9 and 10 students across 44 government schools in the Achampet division.

Rashmika Mandanna on the work front

On the work front, Rashmika Mandanna will be seen in ‘Cocktail 2’ with Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon. She will also be seen in the period drama, ‘Ranabaali’ opposite Vijay Deverakonda.

Here are the top 5 stories of the day

Iran tensions deepen: Khamenei funeral delayed, Israel warns successor, 101 missing at sea

Tensions surrounding Iran intensified as state media said a farewell ceremony for slain Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was postponed. Meanwhile, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned that any future Iranian leader would be a “target for elimination.” Additionally, 101 people were reported missing after a submarine attack on an Iranian vessel off Sri Lanka. Follow live updates

‘Such a scary time’: How stranded passengers in Dubai used cabs, cash and detours to flee Iran crisis

As regional airspace closures followed missile exchanges linked to the Iran conflict, thousands were stranded in Dubai and across Gulf hubs. With flights grounded, travellers improvised — hiring taxis, crossing borders overland and paying thousands for last-minute tickets. Amid interceptions overhead and explosions nearby, many described the scramble to leave as chaotic and deeply unsettling. Read full story

MS Dhoni fined Rs 1000 after caught breaking traffic rules

Former Indian men’s cricket team captain MS Dhoni has been fined Rs 1000 for overspeeding in Ranchi after his car was caught breaking traffic rules near his home. The city’s automated traffic monitoring system recorded the vehicle going above the speed limit, and an e-challan was issued under Section 183 of the Motor Vehicles Act. Read full story

‘Committed war crimes’: BLA says it executed 7 Pakistan soldiers captured during Operation Herof II

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed it has executed seven Pakistani military personnel who were taken captive during “Operation Herof II” last month. The BLA had captured 17 soldiers on February 14, releasing 10 of them because they were ethnic Baloch. The group had suggested a prisoner swap with Islamabad in exchange for the remaining captives. Read full story

Protests over Ayatollah Khamenei’s killing in Kashmir: School closed, Meta blocks media pages

After large-scale protests over the past two days against the killing of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, the Jammu and Kashmir government extended the closure of schools and colleges across the Valley until Saturday. At the same time, Meta blocked several newspaper accounts in the Valley, evoking condemnation from political parties. Read full story

Jailer actor Vasanth Ravi is among the Indian celebrities who are stranded in Dubai due to the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States-Israel coalition. The actor spoke to us on experiencing war firsthand, the on-ground situation, and how he plans to get back to India with his family...‘THE CITY CONTINUES ITS REGULAR OPERATIONS, BUT PRICES MAY SHOOT UP’We came here four days back. Appa had some work here, and he wanted me to come. It was all fine until that first attack happened in Abu Dhabi when things started to change. But while flights have been cancelled, schools are closed and people have been advised to work from home if possible, the city continues its regular operations and everything else is functioning as normal.

And people are also stepping out of their homes. I went to a mall on Sunday. I was told that the place is crowded on weekends, but on that day, it was only 20%. That’s the case with other touristy places as well. But people are stepping out, but it’s very limited. I think eventually things will return to normal.There is talk that prices of essentials, like vegetables and grocery items, will shoot up soon if this situation continues because many of the items are imported and stocks might not last long.‘IRAN’S MISSILES ARE BEING INTERCEPTED AND DEBRIS KEEPS FALLING ON THE CITY’Iran and Dubai are very close, separated by a stretch of sea, so we’re experiencing war firsthand. As Iran’s missiles fly over the skies here, they are being intercepted, and the debris keeps falling on the city. That’s the major anxiety as you do not know where the next missile is going to come from and you cannot predict where the debris might hit. My parents have lived through a range of situations and Appa was saying that this was their first experience of a war situation. But they have been strong so far, because they believe Dubai will withstand this situation.‘HOTELS ARE LETTING TOURISTS EXTEND THEIR STAY’The government has assured that they will take care of the accommodation and food of the over 20,000 who were stranded at the airport on the first day of the attack. We are staying in a hotel and there are rooms available. We were supposed to leave for India on Monday, but have asked the hotel to extend our stay given the flight situation. And since there’s no inflow, hotels across the city have been letting tourists extend their stay. Restaurants are also open across the city.‘I’M EXPLORING DRIVING TO OMAN AND FLYING BACK TO INDIA’We are all waiting for air travel to open. That said, I’m also exploring the option of driving to Muscat from here by car and taking a flight from there. But I’m told flights from Oman, though operational, are all full. I’m planning to assess and then take this option in a day or two if the situation continues to be the same here.