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4 Men Sentenced to Death for ‘Online Blasphemy’ in Rawalpindi, Pakistan: Lawyer

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Rawalpindi, Pakistan – A court in Rawalpindi sentenced four men to death for posting blasphemous content online, a prosecution lawyer told AFP on Monday.

“They were sentenced to death … on Friday for spreading blasphemous content online against the Prophet Muhammad (PUBH) and the Quran,” Rao Abdur Raheem, a lawyer from the Legal Commission on Blasphemy Pakistan, a private group which brought the case to court, told AFP.

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“Our case was supported by forensic evidence from the devices used in this heinous act,” he added.

According to the court order dated January 24 — a copy of which is available with Dawn.com — the four individuals were sentenced to death by hanging for violating Section 295C (Use of derogatory remarks, etc, in respect of the Holy Prophet [PBUH]) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

They were also sentenced to life in prison under 295B (defiling, etc, of the Holy Quran) and 10 years imprisonment under 295A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting Its religion or religious beliefs). “All the above-mentioned sentences of imprisonment shall run concurrently,” the order read.

The four were charged under sections 295A, 295B, 295C, 298A (use of derogatory remarks, etc, in respect of holy personages) and Section 11 (hate speech) of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act in October 2022, according to a first information report seen by Dawn.com.

A member of a support group formed by the families confirmed the sentence to AFP and said the group would challenge the conviction.

“The pattern of arrests and prosecutions in this case is consistent with previous ones,” said the support group member, who spoke anonymously due to security concerns.

“We urge the government to establish a commission to investigate the rise in these cases before these young individuals spend the best years of their lives behind bars.”

Blasphemy is an incendiary charge in Pakistan, where even unsubstantiated accusations can incite public outrage and lead to lynchings.

Last May, police rescued a Christian man from an enraged mob who wanted to lynch him and attacked the homes of some other members of the minority community in Sargodha on allegations of desecration of the Holy Quran.

The mob swelled and set a shoe shop owned by the Christian family on fire and tried to enter their house after damaging the walls and doors.

Sargodha District Police Officer Assad Ejaz Malhi said that 25 of the mobsters were taken into custody from the spot and they were identifying the other attackers.

Later that year, Dr Shahnawaz Kunbhar, accused of sharing blasphemous posts on social media, was shot dead during a gun battle with the police in Mirpurkhas on September 19, authorities said.

According to an official order issued by the Sindh Inspector General (IG), an inquiry committee was constituted to probe two cases (FIR No. 47/2024 and 48/2024) registered at the Sindhri police station on September 19.

According to a copy of the inquiry report available with Dawn.com, the committee “unanimously” agreed that Mirpurkhas police “killed him [Dr Shahnawaz] in a managed encounter and tried to give it a legal cover but failed”.

The report recommended that the deceased’s family record a statement and file a first information report under the relevant provisions, whilst suggesting “strict departmental action” against personnel from both Umerkot and Mirpurkhas police who allegedly celebrated the killing.

Meanwhile, the country has witnessed a sharp increase in the prosecution of “online blasphemy” cases, with private vigilante groups bringing charges against hundreds of young individuals for allegedly committing blasphemy.


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Independent candidate Saurabh Gupta is receiving support from the Purvanchal community

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New Delhi, India – The countdown for the Delhi elections has begun, with voting scheduled for 5 February. Political parties are leaving no stone unturned in their campaigns to secure victory.

This time, the Shalimar Bagh assembly seat has become a focal point of attention. Among the candidates from Congress, BJP, and Aam Aadmi Party, independent candidate Saurabh Gupta is making headlines. Known as the “Youth King” of the Shalimar Bagh constituency, Saurabh Gupta has earned recognition for standing by the people in both their moments of joy and sorrow.

RELATED NEWS : Independent candidate Saurabh Gupta from Shalimar Bagh Assembly is getting a lot of support from the youth

Adding to his growing popularity, many prominent Bollywood personalities have shown their support for Saurabh Gupta by releasing video appeals. He is also receiving strong backing from the Purvanchal voters, who are regarded as kingmakers in the Shalimar Bagh assembly constituency.

The Purvanchal community emphasizes the need for a leader who consistently supports them through thick and thin, and they believe Saurabh Gupta embodies those qualities.


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Timothée Chalamet surprises with deep-cut Bob Dylan covers on SNL

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Timothée Chalamet puts his own spin on Bob Dylan’s hidden gems on SNL: Watch

The majority of the crowd was, well, utterly unaware of the Bob Dylan songs that Timothée Chalamet chose for his musical engagement on Saturday Night Live.

While his selections defied expectations that he would recreate songs he sang as Dylan in A Complete Unknown, which turned out to be the furthest thing from his mind, the actor’s foray into more esoteric choices surprised many Dylanologists who tuned in.

Chalamet hinted that the selections made during his musical section might surprise the audience in his introductory monologue as host.

“You might not know the Bob Dylan songs I’m performing, but they’re my personal favorites,” he told the audience. “I’m so grateful ‘Saturday Night Live’ is still doing weird stuff like this 50 years in. They’re either really nice for letting me do this or incredibly mean and this is all a big prank.”

To the pleasure of expectant music lovers, Chalamet was joined on keyboards for the musical parts by the well-known singer-songwriter James Blake in an unannounced cameo.

Wearing sunglasses and a winter coat with a hood over his head, the Dune star launched into two songs back-to-back for his first musical appearance in the show, making it immediately clear that he intended to perform in his own voice and have some irreverent fun with it.

Chalamet performed a brief, lively, and audacious medley of Outlaw Blues and Three Angels during that debut, two songs that are well-known to true Dylan fans but have never been included on a greatest-hits album. 

When Chalamet returned later in the concert to sing a third Dylan song, he adopted a more restrained approach, but he continued to stay to the extensive catalogue and avoid an overt Dylan vocal style. 

Tomorrow Is a Long Time, which Dylan initially sang live and demoed in 1962 but didn’t release in any form until the 1970s, despite being covered by numerous other artists in the 1960s, was the song he performed to end the evening. 


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Colombian President Petro Blocks U.S. Deportation Flights Amid Growing Regional Backlash

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BOGOTA, Colombia – Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced early Sunday morning that planes carrying deported Colombian migrants from the United States will no longer be permitted to land in the country.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Petro stated, “The U.S. cannot treat Colombian migrants as criminals,” calling on Washington to develop a protocol that “treats migrants with dignity.”

The announcement aligns with a broader wave of discontent across Latin America over the U.S.’s planned mass deportations. Brazil’s foreign ministry on Saturday demanded explanations from the U.S. government regarding what it called the “degrading treatment” of Brazilian migrants aboard deportation flights. Meanwhile, Mexico refused to allow a similar flight to land in its territory on Friday.

Migrants slated for deportation are being escorted onto U.S. military aircraft, as President Donald Trump delivers on his campaign promise to take a hardline stance on immigration. Photo Credit: White House

Petro’s comments reflect growing frustration among regional leaders over the U.S. immigration policies, particularly as they relate to mass deportations. The Colombian president emphasized the importance of respecting migrants’ rights and called for greater dialogue to ensure humane treatment.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have yet to respond to the escalating criticism.

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This move comes as regional tensions over U.S. deportation practices deepen, with Latin American nations pushing back against policies perceived as unjust and disrespectful toward their citizens abroad.


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Suicide attack on bus in southern Pakistan kills 3, injures 6

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Islamabad, Pakistan – At least three people, including the attacker, were killed, and six others injured in a suicide attack on a passenger bus in Balochistan, southern Pakistan, on Sunday, an official said.

The attack occurred at 10:30 am on the M-8 highway in the Khori area, as the bus traveled from Khuzdar in southern Balochistan to Rawalpindi in northeastern Punjab, paramilitary Levies force official Naiv Ullah told EFE.

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The attacker detonated a bomb while traveling in a separate vehicle, partially destroying the bus, Naiv Ullah said.

No group has claimed responsibility, though Baloch separatist groups operating in the region, which borders Afghanistan and Iran, are often accused by Islamabad of terrorism.

Such groups usually target security forces rather than civilians, making this incident unusual.

The injured were taken to the Khuzdar Trauma Center for treatment.The attack comes amid escalating violence in Pakistan, particularly in the provinces of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where both Baloch insurgents and the Pakistani Taliban are active.

Earlier this month, five soldiers were killed, and 20 others injured in a Baloch insurgent ambush near Turbat.

According to the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), 2024 was the deadliest year for Pakistan in nearly a decade, with 2,546 violence-related deaths, including 685 security personnel. Over 90 percent of these fatalities occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.


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Conflict in eastern congo escalates amid international concern

Ongoing Clashes Between M23 Rebels and DRC Army Spark Global Concern

Kinshasa, DRC – The eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remains gripped by violence as fighting between the rebel March 23 Movement (M23) and the Congolese army escalated over the weekend, with alarming humanitarian consequences.

Clashes erupted on multiple fronts in Masisi territory, near Goma, the strategic capital of North Kivu province. Home to over two million people and numerous international NGOs and UN offices, Goma now faces a direct threat from M23, which has vowed to capture the city following a week of intensified fighting.

Crisis Intensifies

The rebel group, supported by Rwandan forces, seized Minova on January 21, a town 40 kilometers from Goma. This critical gain has cut supply routes to the city, worsening already dire conditions. The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (Monusco) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) peacekeeping mission are assisting the Congolese army in a bid to halt the rebel advance.

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In a statement, Clémentine de Montjoye, senior Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch, called on international actors to pressure warring parties to protect civilians amidst reports of severe abuses by all sides. Over 300 people have been injured in North Kivu this week alone, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

The humanitarian crisis in Goma has reached critical levels, with severe shortages of drinking water and electricity. The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) reports that recent violence has displaced an additional 400,000 people in the past three weeks, compounding the plight of over four million already displaced in the region.

A United Nations armoured personnel carrier burns outside Goma, a provincial capital in eastern Congo, on Saturday. (Jospin Mwisha/AFP/Getty Images)

Peacekeepers Targeted

The violence has also claimed the lives of peacekeepers. A South African military union confirmed the deaths of nine South African soldiers this week, seven serving under SADC’s SAMIDRC mission and two with Monusco. Three Malawian soldiers and one Uruguayan peacekeeper were also killed, with dozens more wounded, including personnel from Guatemala.

In response to the worsening security situation, Monusco announced the temporary relocation of non-essential staff to Goma to safeguard lives while ensuring critical humanitarian operations continue.

International Reactions

Global leaders are voicing growing concern. African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat called for an immediate ceasefire, urging the international community to mobilize support for affected populations. The European Union condemned the M23’s advance as a blatant violation of the 2024 ceasefire agreement, urging Rwanda to cease its support of the rebel group.

Although Rwanda denies allegations of aiding M23, the UN has documented evidence of collaboration. Conversely, the M23 and Rwanda have accused the Congolese army of working with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a rebel group founded by perpetrators of the 1994 Rwandan genocide. This claim, too, has been corroborated by UN findings.

A Region in Turmoil

The M23 resumed armed activities in late 2021, launching a series of offensives against the Congolese army. Since March 2022, the group has seized vast swaths of territory in North Kivu, drawing dangerously close to Goma, a city it briefly occupied in 2012.

The DRC’s eastern region has faced decades of conflict, involving numerous rebel militias and the army, despite Monusco’s long-standing presence. As the situation worsens, international pressure mounts to broker peace and alleviate the suffering of millions caught in the crossfire.


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Four Israeli female soldiers, released in exchange for 200 Palestinian prisoners, crossed from Gaza into Israel

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Jerusalem/Gaza – On Saturday, Hamas freed four Israeli female soldiers after 477 days of captivity in the Gaza Strip, according to the Israeli Army.

The soldiers crossed into Israeli territory and were reunited with their families following the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel. As part of the agreement, 200 Palestinian prisoners were set to be released in exchange for the hostages. The soldiers, accompanied by security forces and the domestic intelligence service, Shin Bet, were transported across the border and will undergo medical check-ups before reuniting with their loved ones.

A vehicle of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) drives in front of Palestinians and Hamas militants gathered in the center of Gaza City ahead of the release of four Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip, 25 January 2025. EFE-EPA/MAHMOUD ZAKI

Military spokesperson Daniel Hagari expressed that the mission to return all captives will continue, saying, “We welcome four more Israeli hostages… and this mission will not end until all the captives are returned.”

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The freed soldiers – Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, and Naama Levy – are all between 19 and 20 years old. They were captured on October 7, 2023, at the Nahal Oz military base, located just one kilometer from the Gaza Strip, where they were serving in compulsory military service as spotters.

A fifth soldier, Agam Berger, remains in captivity, and her status is unknown, with uncertainty surrounding her survival.

The Hostages and Families Forum, which represents Israeli families of the remaining 87 hostages in Gaza, expressed that the return of the four soldiers was “a moment of hope and triumph.” The group also vowed to continue fighting for the return of all hostages and thanked President Trump for his instrumental role in facilitating the agreement.

Fifteen female soldiers died at the Nahal Oz base during the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which killed 1,200 people, and seven others were taken into captivity. Other observers from Nahal Oz include Ori Megidish, rescued by the Israeli Army in October 2023, and Noa Marciano, who died in captivity and whose body was found near Al Shifa Hospital in November 2023.

Sources from the Palestinian Ministry of Health reported that 121 of the 200 released Palestinian prisoners will be transferred to Egypt and the Gaza Strip.


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100 Palestinian prisoners released by Israel arrive in Ramallah

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Ramallah, West Bank – Around 100 Palestinian prisoners released by Israel on Saturday were welcomed in Ramallah, West Bank, with a reception to celebrate their return.

The freed individuals arrived on buses at a designated center, where hundreds of people, including jubilant family members, gathered to greet them. Many of the returning prisoners were lifted onto shoulders amid cheers and celebrations.

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The prisoners are part of a group of 200 individuals released by Israel as part of a second exchange of hostages under a ceasefire agreement with Hamas. In return, Hamas released four Israeli female soldiers in good health, who are now receiving treatment at an Israeli hospital.

Israeli police officers stand outside the West Bank’s Ofer military prison ahead of the expected release of Palestinian prisoners in the Israel-Hamas release deal, north of Jerusalem, 25 January 2025. EFE-EPA/ATEF SAFADI

Details of the Prisoners Released

According to the Commission of Prisoners and Ex-Prisoners, 120 of the released prisoners were serving life sentences. The breakdown of affiliations among the released includes:

  • 81 members of Hamas
  • 23 from Islamic Jihad
  • 13 from Fatah
  • 2 from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine
  • 1 from the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine

Among those freed was Mohamed Ahmed Abdel Hamid Al Tus, aged 69, the longest-serving Palestinian prisoner in Israeli custody since 1985. The youngest released was Saiz Nasser Mahmud Arar, aged 15.

Deportation and Future Transfers

Of the released prisoners, 70 will be deported, including Al Tus. He is expected to be transferred from Egypt to Algeria, Turkey, or Tunisia, according to Ameen Shoman, head of the West Bank’s Prisoners Commission.

Further Developments in the Exchange

A Hamas political bureau member stated that if the prisoner exchange continues smoothly, the group will provide Israel with a list of living and deceased hostages still held in Gaza.

As of now, 87 of the 251 hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attacks remain in Gaza. Israeli officials estimate that at least 35 hostages are dead, though the actual number could be higher, leading to demands for a full accounting as part of the ongoing ceasefire negotiations.

The prisoners were brought to the Ramallah Recreational Center, where crowds waved Palestinian, Fatah, and Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine flags. Dressed in gray tracksuits with shaved heads, the released prisoners were carried through the cheering crowd, warmly embraced by loved ones and supporters.


SOURCE : EFE |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

Republic Day 2025: Indian Government Announces Padma Awardees – Here’s the Full List

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As India prepares to celebrate its 76th Republic Day on Sunday, January 26, the central government unveiled the list of distinguished Padma awardees on Saturday, January 25

New Delhi, India – The Padma Awards, among the highest civilian honors in the country, are conferred in three categories: Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri. These awards recognize exceptional contributions across various fields, including art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, and civil service.

The Padma Vibhushan is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service, the Padma Bhushan for distinguished service of high order, and the Padma Shri for distinguished service in any field. The awards are announced annually on the occasion of Republic Day and are presented by the President of India during ceremonial functions at Rashtrapati Bhawan, typically held in March or April.

For 2025, the President of India has approved the conferment of 139 Padma Awards, including one duo case (wherein the award is counted as one). The list includes 7 Padma Vibhushan, 19 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri Awards. Among the awardees, 23 are women, while the list also features 10 individuals from the category of Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI and 13 posthumous awardees.

Take a look at the list of notable awardees:

This year, 139 Padma Awards have been approved, including 7 Padma Vibhushan, 19 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri recipients. The list includes 23 women, 10 individuals from the Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI category, and 13 posthumous awardees.

Padma Vibhushan

The Padma Vibhushan, awarded for exceptional and distinguished service, is being conferred on seven individuals, three of whom are being honored posthumously.

Awardees:

  • Duvvur Nageshwar Reddy (Medicine), Telangana
  • Justice (Retd) Jagdish Singh Khehar (Public Affairs), Chandigarh
  • Kumudini Rajnikant Lakhia (Art), Gujarat
  • Lakshminarayana Subramaniam (Art), Karnataka

Posthumous Awardees:

  • M.T. Vasudevan Nair (Literature and Education), Kerala
  • Osamu Suzuki (Trade and Industry), Japan
  • Sharda Sinha (Art), Bihar

Padma Bhushan

The Padma Bhushan, awarded for distinguished service of high order, recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions in their respective fields.

Prominent Awardees:

  • Shri A Surya Prakash Literature and Education Journalism Karnataka
  • Shri Anant Nag Art Karnataka
  • Shri Bibek Debroy (Posthumous) Literature and Education NCT Delhi
  • Shri Jatin Goswami Art Assam
  • Shri Jose Chacko Periappuram Medicine Kerala
  • Shri Kailash Nath Dikshit Others – Archaeology NCT Delhi
  • Shri Manohar Joshi (Posthumous) Public Affairs Maharashtra
  • Shri Nalli Kuppuswami Chetti Trade and Industry Tamil Nadu
  • Shri Nandamuri Balakrishna Art Andhra Pradesh
  • Shri P R Sreejesh Sports Kerala
  • Shri Pankaj Patel Trade and Industry Gujarat
  • Shri Pankaj Udhas (Posthumous) Art Maharashtra
  • Shri Rambahadur Rai Literature and Education – Journalism Uttar Pradesh
  • Sadhvi Ritambhara Social Work Uttar Pradesh
  • Shri S Ajith Kumar Art Tamil Nadu
  • Shri Shekhar Kapur Art Maharashtra
  • Ms. Shobana Chandrakumar Art Tamil Nadu
  • Shri Sushil Kumar Modi (Posthumous) Public Affairs Bihar
  • Shri Vinod Dham Science and Engineering United States of America

Padma Shri

The Padma Shri, awarded for distinguished service in any field, honors a diverse range of achievers.

Notable Awardees:

  • Dr. Neerja Bhatla (Medicine) – A gynecologist from Delhi, recognized for her specialized work in cervical cancer detection, prevention, and management.
  • Bhim Singh Bhavesh (Social Work) – A social worker from Bihar’s Bhojpur district, celebrated for his 22 years of dedication to uplifting the marginalized Musahar community through his foundation, Nayee Asha.
  • P. Datchanamoorthy (Art) – A master instrumentalist specializing in the Thavil, a classical South Indian percussion instrument, with over five decades of expertise.

These prestigious awards will be conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions held at Rashtrapati Bhawan, typically scheduled for March or April each year.

Pakistan vs West Indies, 2nd Test: Day 1 Highlights – West Indies Edge Ahead After Action

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Multan, Pakistan – It’s no mystery what this Test match has in store. The dynamics were predictable, with West Indies meticulously preparing for Pakistan’s spin-heavy challenge. Pakistan, on the other hand, embraced their home advantage by crafting a surface likely to crumble early, ensuring spin plays a dominant role from the outset. True to expectations, the wicket began to show signs of wear as the two captains walked out for the toss. West Indies batted first, posting 163 before Pakistan replied with 154, leaving the hosts trailing by 9 runs at stumps on Day 1.

Day 1 Summary: Pakistan Trail by 9 Runs
West Indies started the day on the back foot, slumping to 95 for 9. However, a resilient last-wicket stand of over 50 runs gave their total a respectable edge at 163. Pakistan, despite a promising start, failed to capitalize. Several batters got decent starts, but none converted them into significant contributions, leaving the team all out for 154 in 47 overs. The scoring rate of 3.28 showed intent, but a lack of application cost them dearly.

Sajid Khan remained unbeaten on 16 at the end of Pakistan’s innings, while Jomel Warrican was the pick of the bowlers for West Indies. Warrican delivered an impressive spell, claiming crucial wickets with figures of 17-4-43-2, while Gudakesh Motie also shone, taking his share of the spoils as the spin duo dismantled Pakistan’s batting lineup.

West Indies Shine with the Ball
Kemar Roach set the tone with the new ball, delivering a fiery spell that rattled the top order. The real game-changers, however, were Motie and Warrican, who collectively bagged seven wickets and helped the visitors secure a slender but valuable lead.

What Lies Ahead?
Pakistan will be disappointed with their batting display but will take confidence from the conditions as they aim to dismiss West Indies cheaply in the second innings. With the pitch expected to deteriorate further, Day 2 could prove decisive—and potentially the final day of this Test.

Join us tomorrow for what promises to be another thrilling day of cricket. Until then, goodbye and take care!

Key Moments:

  • West Indies’ last-wicket stand added crucial 50+ runs.
  • Jomel Warrican and Gudakesh Motie shared seven wickets.
  • Pakistan conceded a 9-run deficit despite early promise.

Stay tuned for more updates!


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