Pakistan Super League 2017 Schedule

Pakistan Super League 2017

The maiden season of the Pakistan Super League turned out to be a big hit among the fans, as they now wait eagerly for the second season. And given how the PSL draft for the 2017 season went, things can only get more interesting come the next season.

The second edition of the Pakistan Super League will begin from February 9 in Dubai. Matches will be played in Sharjah and Abu Dhabi apart from Dubai with the PSL 2017 final to be played in Lahore subject to security clearances. With big crowds expected to return to see the stars in action in both Dubai and Sharjah, the rush and demand for PSL tickets is set to be huge.

The Darren Sammy-led Peshawar Zalmi will take on defending champions Islamabad United in the first game of the tournament on February 9 which will follow the PSL opening ceremony that evening. This will be followed by a double-header on Friday, February 10 which will see the Lahore Qalandars play the Quetta Gladiators before the Zalmis will be in action yet again as they take on the Karachi Kings.

On Saturday, February 11, Islamabad will be in action yet again as they play Lahore while the second game will see the Gladiators take on the Kings.

Each of the five sides will be involved in a double-leg round-robin league thereby playing eight games each. The top four teams will then qualify for the playoffs wherein the first-ranked team at the end of the league stage will take on the second-placed side in the first playoff. The second playoff will see the third and the fourth ranked side take on each other before the losing team from the first playoff faces the winning team from the second playoff. The final will be played between the winner of the first playoff and the third playoff.

The first and second playoffs will be played in Sharjah while the third playoff will be hosted by Dubai. If the tournament gets its security clearance the final will be held on March 7 in Lahore. The complete schedule of psl 2017 is placed below.

So its gonna be Argentina vs Netherland now

The Netherlands has barely resembled the imposing squad that dismantled Spain in the opener, needing van Gaal’s savvy to avoid elimination in each of its knockout games. Arjen Robben has been magnificent – theatrics aside – but Robin van Persie has been largely absent and the Dutch have struggled to finish.

And no matter what formation van Gaal uses, the Dutch defense will have its hands full with Lionel Messi and Argentina. The Albiceleste finally seemed to have found their groove against Belgium after early struggles of their own, though not having Angel di Maria (thigh) against the Netherlands is a huge loss.

The one thing neither team lacks is motivation. This is Argentina’s first trip to the semifinals since 1990 while the Dutch are still bitter after coming oh-so close four years ago.

PREDICTION

ARGENTINA 1 - NETHERLANDS 0 (EXTRA TIME)

Argentina’s biggest problem early on was letting opponents hang around until too late, and it will pay dearly if it tries that against the Netherlands. The Dutch like to start fast so they can set the tempo for the game, and Argentina will be playing catch-up the whole night if it doesn’t respond immediately. A couple of early chances from Messi will even things out.

How they got here:

Argentina 2 - 0 Slovenia

Argentina 2 - 1 Bos.-Herz.

Argentina 3 - 2 Nigeria

Argentina 1 - 0 Switzerland

Argentina 1 - 0 Belgium


How they got here:

Nethlerands 5 - 1 Spain

Netherlands 3 - 2 Austrailia

Netherlands 2 - 0 Chile

Netherlands 2 - 1 Mexico

Netherlands 0 - 0 Costa Rica

North Korea fires missiles into the sea

North Korea fired two short-range missiles off the coast of the Korean Peninsula early Wednesday, a South Korean Defense Ministry official said.

North Korea did not declare a no-fly zone prior to the launch, the official said. No damage or injures were reported.
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The projectiles, assumed to be short-range ballistic missiles, flew more than 310 miles (almost 500 kilometers), the official said.

The official said the missiles were launched from North Korea's western Hwanghae Province and flew northeast toward the water.

Brazilians having a very bad time, losing against germany in the semi finals by 7-1

Brazilian fans were left distraught by the team's performance
 
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has urged the country to bounce back after its devastating 7-1 World Cup defeat against Germany.

"Like all Brazilians, I am very, very sad after the defeat. But we will not let ourselves be broken," she tweeted.

The coach of the national team Luiz Felipe Scolari called the defeat "the worst day of his life".

Brazilian media reflected the mood of shock on Wednesday, describing the result as a "historic humiliation".

The result was Brazil's biggest defeat in World Cup finals history.

More than 50 bodies, including 2 children, found in iraq

Baghdad, Iraq -- More than 50 unidentified bodies were found in the predominantly Shiite town of Alexandria on Wednesday, Iraqi security officials said.

Two children were among the dozens of bodies found in different parts of the town.

Details about the circumstances of the deaths were not immediately available, and officials did not say when the people may have been killed.
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The discoveries follow weeks of carnage across the country as Iraqi forces battle radical Sunni militants from the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

ISIS, an al Qaeda splinter group, has seized large areas of northern and western Iraq in an offensive that began last month. The terror group has also made major gains in Syria in its quest to establish an Islamic state spanning both countries.

ISIS claimed responsibility for recent suicide bombings in Baghdad that killed almost two dozen people, according to SITE Intelligence, which monitors terrorist groups.

Cable operators have no authority to shut channels: Sindh High Court

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Wednesday observed that cable operators did not have the authority to shut channels on their own directives.

The SHC has hearing eight petitions related to the closure of Geo News by cable operators. The case was heard by a two member SHC bench comprising Justice Muneeb Akhtar and Justice Shafiq Siddiqui. Justice Muneeb Akhtar remarked that under Article 19 freedom of press could not be ignored. He added that it was the right of every Pakistani to have access to information and this was an issue of human rights not just the closure of a channel.

Justice Muneeb Akhtar asked the lawyer for cable operators how could PEMRA ordinance or any laws violate the fundamental rights of citizens.

The SHC observed that freedom of expression and press would not be violated under the constitution. Justice Muneeb Akhtar asked what had been done by PEMRA for the restoration of Geo News which was the most popular channel in the country.

The lawyer for PEMRA informed the court that the regulatory authority had taken action and issued show cause notices to cable operators.

Meanwhile the lawyer for Geo, Jam Asif informed the court that the SHC and Supreme Court had issued verdicts against the closure of Geo News.

The court has issued notices to Attorney General Pakistan and other parties for August 6 and directed PEMRA to submit its written comments. The order further states that PEMRA should ensure that cable operators do not restrict freedom of expression.

Pakistan strictly condemns Israeli aggression in Gaza

 ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Foreign Office has condemned the recent rise in Israeli aggression in Gaza.

160 airstrikes were conducted by the Israeli army in Gaza overnight as part of bombardment which has claimed 28 Palestinian lives.

Foreign Office spokesperson Tasneem Aslam said Pakistan supports the efforts of the international community in stopping Israeli attacks in Gaza. Aslam added that children and women were among the Palestinians being killed in these attacks.

Pakistan has always supported the Palestinian cause and establishment of a Palestinian state, Aslam said.

Typhoon Neoguri lashes Japan's Okinawa

 
Residents have been bracing for rough weather. Kathryn Spoor, who lives in Okinawa, told the BBC that most of the people who needed to evacuate had done so already. 

"Right now we do have a lot of wind and rain," she said. "We have showers coming in and gusts in my area are at about 143 kilometres per hour right now so it is definitely a dangerous situation." 

Okinawa, Japan's southern-most prefecture that comprises several islands, is home to major US bases. Around 26,000 US troops are stationed there under a long-standing security alliance.

Officers have evacuated some aircraft from Kadena Air Base in preparation for Typhoon Neoguri's arrival.

Lieutenant Erik Anthony, near Kadena Air Base, said winds were starting to pick up. 

"Trees are bending and you can see branches flying across the street, garbage and trash rolling down the road," he told the BBC. 

"But I haven't seen any major damage as of yet and the communication is still up, which is a huge priority here on Okinawa.

Urging residents to remain on maximum alert, JMA warned of the possibility that Typhoon Neoguri could move north to Japan's main island of Honshu. 

In the last few hours, the storm has been downgraded from "super-typhoon" status, reports the BBC's Rupert Wingfield-Hayes in Tokyo, and as it crosses in to the East China Sea it is expected to weaken further. 

But Typhoon Neoguri is still carrying a huge amount of moisture. When it hits the mainland much of that will be released as rain, which could unleash flash floods and trigger landslides, our correspondent adds.

Shakib ul Hasan has been banned by Bangladesh board for rude attitude.

Shakib ul Hasan was punished for "serious misbehaviour" towards new coarch Chandika Hathurisingha.

"The will be no compromise when it comes to discipline"

Said by the Bangladesh cricket chief Nazmul Hassan.

BCB president Nazmul Hassan said Shakib's attitude problem is "unprecedented in the history of Bangladesh cricket".

The suspension applies to international and domestic cricket.

Hassan added: "His behaviour is such that it's directly impacting the team.

"We want to give a clear message - if it is repeated, he might be banned for life.

"There will be no compromise when it comes to discipline."

The BCB board voted unanimously to ban Shakib, who has not been granted the No Objection Certificate which would allow him to compete in domestic competitions outside Bangladesh.

He will miss Bangladesh's tour of the West Indies starting next month, and will complete his ban shortly before the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, which gets under way in February.

2014 Fifa Worldcup semi-final, Brazil vs Germany.

For the first time in FIFA World Cup™ history, both semi-finals at Brazil 2014 will conjure memories of showpiece games from years gone by.

Brazil now stand on the verge of another decider courtesy of a 2-1 success against Colombia. It was their most probing display of the competition so far, yet the hosts have been gripped by doubt ever since. The sight of Neymar leaving the pitch on a stretcher had Seleção fans biting their nails, and their worst fears were promptly confirmed when the gifted talisman was ruled out of the rest of the tournament with a fractured vertebra.  

Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari must now choose between a like-for-like replacement and a tactical rethink, and his problems do not end there either. The suspension of captain Thiago Silva ought to mean Dante filling in at the back, and though the Bayern Munich stopper will know the opposition well, the hosts are hardly in prime shape as they vie to clinch a spot in the Maracana Final.
As for Germany, they have been building confidence with every passing victory, even if they lack their trademark air of invincibility. Joachim Low's side have been drawing strength from an ironclad defence, and they have looked even sturdier in that department since Philipp Lahm's return to right-back from midfield.
It is telling, too, that a quartet of Germany players feature in a list of the tournament's ten most prolific passers, with Lahm leading the way on 471 ahead of Toni Kroos (450), Per Mertesacker (324) and Jerome Boateng (315). With belief coursing back through their veins, Die Nationalmannschaft are now focused on going all the way.

The match
Brazil-Germany, Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte, 17.00 (local time) 

Millions of Chinese love this beautiful game FOOTBALL, then why do they struggle with it?

With a population of 1.3 billion, you'd think that there would be 11 people in China who are good enough to put up a fight on the football pitch.

But apparently not. Since 2002, the last -- and only -- time it made it to the World Cup finals, Team China has struggled internationally. A nadir came in June last year, when the side lost a home game 5-1 against a Thai side made up largely of youth team players.

Their sorry showing on the football pitch is cause for despair, ridicule and frustration.

It's not for lack of trying, however.

Imported pedigree

It's often considered an issue of leadership, with flashy, expensive foreign hires typically made to steer the national team. In 2011, amid towering expectations, ex-Real Madrid legend Jose Antonio Camacho was appointed. He was tasked leading China to the 2014 World Cup, but was instead sacked two years later, following that humiliation at the hands of the Thais. With that result, it was considered that he'd left the team worse off than when he started.

To make matters worse, the Spaniard was then handed a $4 million severance package.
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Others say it's the national league that is to blame. Trailing far behind Europe's top leagues in the popularity stakes, the Chinese Super League has again looked outside for help.

In order to boost the profile -- and credibility, following a string of attendance-sapping scandals -- of the country's national league, David Beckham, was recruited to boost China's footballing spirit. The former Manchester United and England star is the closest thing the sport has to royalty, and enjoys a fanatic following in the mainland; it was hoped that some of his stardust would rub off on the Super League.

Cash injections

Another recent push came in the form of the creation of the Evergrande International Football School, which claims to be the world's largest sporting academy.

Property tycoon Xu Jiayin, who owns China's most successful club, Guangzhou Evergrande F.C., opened the school in late 2012 to incubate young football talent on a 167-acre campus.

Despite these moves, industry insiders say China is a long way from making it back to the World Cup.

Israel to expand operation against Hamas in Ghaza.

An Israeli security operation against the militant group Hamas "will probably not end within several days," Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon said Tuesday.

The development appeared to confirm fears that the conflict would continue to escalate.

"We will not tolerate rocket fire and we are prepared to expand the operation and to exact a heavy toll on Hamas," he said.

Overnight, Israel ramped up its airstrikes on Hamas in Gaza.


"We are determined to restore a state of security," he said.

Hamas security sources reported at least 60 Israeli airstrikes across Gaza, including from F-16s, Apache helicopters and drones. At least 24 people were wounded, Palestinian medical sources in Gaza said.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas called on Israel to immediately stop its strikes, warning the operation would drag the region into instability.

Abbas said a truce was needed to "spare the innocent from mass destruction."

My Little Princess 'Lalma'.. :)

A caterpillar you would have never seen before.

A biologist named Louis Weber during his trop to the toprical forests of Austrailia saw in one of the unusual plants caterpillar Phyllodes Imperialls, which got aggressive color in the form of a skull. This rare species, found only in five places in the southern hemisphere. Its is because of the unusual colouring, which deters birds, this species is still alive. Take a look!!

  

  

European Union to expand Ukraine sanctions list

“In light of events, we decided to expand the list of those subject to asset freezes and visa bans,” EU foreign affairs head Catherine Ashton said. 

Already, 33 Ukrainian and Russian officials and business leaders, including members of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s inner circle, have been targeted.

EU ministers held Russia responsible for the latest developments in eastern Ukraine where pro-Kremlin militias continued to occupy many government buildings in defiance of a Kiev ultimatum to leave or face the consequences.

EU ministers held Russia responsible for the latest developments in eastern Ukraine where pro-Kremlin militias continued to occupy many government buildings in defiance of a Kiev ultimatum to leave or face the consequences.

“These attempts at destabilising Ukraine must come to an end,” a statement said, calling on Russia to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and “repudiate the latest lawless acts in Eastern Ukraine and to contribute to stabilize the situation”.

The 28 foreign inisters also demanded that Russia “call back its troops from the Ukrainian border and immediately withdraw the mandate of the Federation Council to use force on Ukrainian soil”.

Going into the meeting, Britain and France had sought a tough response.

Identity card and Passport request has been submited by Altaf Hussain - FO

The Pakistani foreign office had contacted its high commission in United Kingdom for confirming the receiving the MQM chief’s requests for National Identity Card (NIC) and national passport.

FO spokesperson stated that the request for provision of visa and passport has been forwarded to the Ministry of Interior for further process.

The interior minister is authorised to approve such requests, she added.

Earlier, the spokesperson issued statement that the foreign office have no role in issuance of NIC cards and passports.

She said that the requests in such matters have been forwarded to the related departments in Pakistan and they are contact the High Commission in UK to confirm the reports pertaining Altaf Hussain’s application for returning to Pakistan.

US warns Russia of ‘additional consequences’ over Ukraine

SLAVYANSK, Ukraine: US Secretary of State John Kerry warned Russia of “additional consequences” if it fails to pull its troops back from the Ukraine border, as Kiev accused Moscow of aggression in its restive east.

 

During a telephone call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Kerry “made clear that if Russia did not take steps to de-escalate in eastern Ukraine and move its troops back from Ukraine’s border, there would be additional consequences”, a senior State Department official said.

A first wave of US sanctions unveiled in March blacklisted officials and businesspeople close to Russian President Vladimir Putin to protest at Moscow’s takeover of Crimea.

US Vice President Joe Biden will travel to Ukraine on April 22 to stress support for Kiev and steps to improve its energy security, the White House said in a statement.

Ukraine accused Moscow of aggression after Kalashnikov-wielding gunmen seized two security buildings in its restive eastern rust belt on Saturday amid spreading protests demanding the Russified region join Kremlin rule.

An Uncontralable wildfire in the CHILEAN Port City Of Valparaiso.

SANTIAGO: A very wild and uncontrolable fire in the Chilean port city of Valparaiso destoryed 500 homes and forced the evacuation of 3000 people as the conflagration burned into the night.

Huge tongues of fire engulfing one home after another led President Michelle Bachelet to declare the zone a disaster area late Saturday.

Thousands of people, meanwhile, watched from distant vantage points as the hills burned bright red.

A dense column of smoke advanced towards Valparaiso’s port, one of Chile’s largest.

The city of 270,000, whose historic quarter was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2004, draws thousands of foreign and local visitors each year.

The fire, whose cause is still under investigation, led to the suspension of drinking water and power outages in several neighborhoods.

Mohammad Amir will not be playing WorldCup 2015.

 

LAHORE: Mohammad Amir will not be eligible to play in next year's Wold Cup even if he returns early to domestic cricket, said by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Aamer was 18 when the spot-fixing scandal broke out while Pakistan was touring England in August, 2010 which eventually led to the imposition of bans on Amir and his senior teammates — Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif.

PCB has pleaded with the ICC to review the five year ban on the pacer on the basis of his age factor.

Chief operating officer, Subhan Ahmed told media  that PCB was not hopeful about the International Cricket Council (ICC) clearing the pacer to play international cricket until he completed his five-year ban, which would end around August 2015.

“What we have tried to convince the ICC to do is to allow him to be back into domestic cricket by reviewing his ban period so that he is ready when the times comes for him to play international cricket,” Ahmad said.