Pakistan

Test cricket returned to Pakistan on Wednesday, 10 years and nine months since the Lahore terror attack on the Sri Lanka cricket team’s coach and security convoy killed six policemen and two civilians, while leaving the reserve umpire and seven Sri Lanka players wounded.  The first Test at Rawalpindi between Sri Lanka and Pakistan is not the first international cricket to be played in the country since security fears stripped it of its co-hosting role for the 2011 World Cup and all tours were cancelled; there have been 12 T20 internationals and six ODIs in the past four years - split between Karachi and Lahore - to test the water.  Sri Lanka played three of each there in September and October with a scratch side after 10 players decided to stay at home but have now returned with a full-strength squad who have been awarded the status of state guests along with the three English umpires Richard Kettleborough, Michael Gough and Richard Illingworth. They have all been … [Read more...] about Test cricket returns to Pakistan after 10 years – and 11 players make home debuts

Openers Tammy Beaumont and Danni Wyatt hit one-day international hundreds as England made a winning start against Pakistan in Malaysia. The pair shared a first-wicket stand of 188 to set up a 75-run victory at Kuala Lumpur's Kinrara Oval, the opening game of an ICC Women's Championship series featuring three ODIs and three Twenty20s. Beaumont struck nine fours in her 107 from 141 balls before becoming one of Rameen Shamim's three victims. Wyatt was the more aggressive of the pair, striking 12 fours and three sixes in a majestic 95-ball 110 to claim the player of the match award. Skipper Heather Knight chipped in with 41 from 44 balls as England, determined to bounce back from last summer's Ashes series defeat to Australia, posted 284 for six from 50 overs. … [Read more...] about Tammy Beaumont and Danni Wyatt hit centuries for England in 75-run ODI win over Pakistan

Police are probing claims an air steward attacked a passenger on a flight from Islamabad to Manchester. Muzafar Ahmed says he was assaulted - and the 63-year-old revealed the row started over seating on the plane. The Huddersfield man says he was punched twice and sworn at on the Pakistan International Airlines flight, the ExaminerLive report. Mr Ahmed was on board when a disagreement after seating escalated. He says he was pulled by his arm, punched twice in the face, subjected to a tirade of foul and abusive language and then pushed onto shocked passengers. Mr Ahmed said the incident happened a couple of hours into the flight on Monday December 2 - and was witnessed by his wife and other passengers. He had moved seats but says he was told by the steward to leave his new seat as it incurred a £100 charge. Mr Ahmed said he was left frightened, his face was swollen and his shirt sleeve was ripped. MirrorOnline have contacted PIA for comment. "He pushed me and hit me twice on the … [Read more...] about Man claims ‘foul-mouthed’ air steward ‘punched him twice in the face’ on flight

Mohammed Tabraz was jailed for at least 20 years today, after fleeing to Pakistan and then to New Jersey following the murder on a 24-year-old rival in Luton, on April 4, 2001 A man who bludgeoned a 20-year-old to death with a hammer in an 'honour killing' has been jailed for life - after he spent 18 years hiding in the US.  Mohammed Tabraz was jailed for at least 20 years today, after fleeing to Pakistan and then to New Jersey following the murder of Soheil Mumtaz, 24, who was lured from his home and beaten to death with a hammer in 2001.  Tabraz, who was known as Tagga, was aged 20 when he launched the attack with such force that the hammer bent, because he believed Mr Mumtaz had 'besmirched his sister's honour' by suggesting she was attractive. Mr Mumtaz was kicked while on the ground during the ferocious attack in Kenilworth Road, Luton on April 4th 2001. The married father-of-one, whose wife was pregnant with their second child, staggered to his home in nearby … [Read more...] about ‘Honour’ killer who smashed 20-year-old victim to death with a hammer for saying his sister was attractive is jailed for life after hiding in US for 18 years

Indian lawmakers have approved legislation granting citizenship to migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan – but not if they are Muslim. Critics of the government said the legislation undermines the country’s secular constitution, as protests against the law intensified in some parts of the country. The citizenship amendment bill seeks to grant Indian nationality to Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jains, Parsis and Sikhs who fled the three countries before 2015. The upper house of parliament passed the bill 125-105 on Wednesday night. The lower house had approved it on Monday. It now needs to be signed by the country’s ceremonial president, a formality before becoming law. The bill was introduced by the Hindu nationalist-led government of the prime minister, Narendra Modi, following his resounding election victory in May. He said it was a “landmark day for India” and the law would “alleviate the suffering of many who faced persecution for … [Read more...] about India passes law denying citizenship to Muslim migrants