Pakistan’s economy is expected to recover slightly from 2021 onward as increased government revenues from a tax hike allow expanded public investment and as other government reforms required by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) begin to bear fruit, says the latest United Nations report on the state of the world economy. The ‘World Economic Situation and Prospects 2020’ report emphasised …

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal on Friday said that he was “hurt and heartbroken” after being snubbed for the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh, reported Geo Super. Akmal failed to make the national squad as chief selector and head coach Misbah-ul-Haq retained Mohammad Rizwan, who replaced former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed in the wicket-keeping department. Akmal, now 38, took to Twitter to express …

ADELAIDE: Ashleigh Barty won a re-match of last year’s French Open final on Thursday as the Australian reached the semi-finals of the ATP-WTA Adelaide International. The top seed dominated Czech tournament number eight Marketa Vondrousova 6-3, 6-3, to thrill home fans at Memorial Drive in the inaugural edition of the event. Vondrousova was playing her first tournament in six months …

NEW DELHI: The Indian cricket board signalled it is ready for life without Mahendra Singh Dhoni after dropping the long-serving wicket-keeper from its list of centrally-contracted players on Thursday. The former captain quit Test cricket in 2014 and has not played for India since taking a break after the team’s semi-finals exit at the 50-overs World Cup in England last …

MELBOURNE: Aust­ralian Open tournament director Craig Tiley defended the decision to hold qualifying matches this week even though Melbourne’s air quality was among the worst in the world because of smoke from wildfires devastating parts of the country. The tournament has drawn criticism from players for contesting matches in conditions that led one, Dalila Jakupovic, to collapse to her knees …

RAJKOT: Australia are braced for an Indian backlash when they meet on Friday in their second One-day International, captain Aaron Finch said. The hosts suffered a crushing 10-wicket defeat on Tuesday in the opening game of the three-match showdown after Finch and opening partner David Warner hit unbeaten centuries in Mumbai. Finch, who smashed 110, believes the loss will sting …

PORT ELIZABETH: Ben Stokes dug in to help England recover to 224-4 against South Africa at stumps on the opening day of the crucial third Test at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth on Thursday. Stokes, crowned world player of the year this week for some scintillating performances, showed he can also play cautiously when required. England were back in …

All-rounder Mohammad Hafeez said that he is looking forward to contributing to the Pakistan cricket team as a batsmen in the upcoming Twenty20 International matches against Bangladesh. Speaking to reporters in Lahore on Friday, Hafeez said that his plan for the moment is to play world T20 cricket matches and eventually exit from international cricket with a bang. “That is my …

Hollywood insiders and experts have taken to their thinking caps in an attempt to observe the terms governing the Duke and Duchess’s decision to distance themselves from royal life. It appears as though the issue might be due to a number of reasons, mainly stemming from rumors of possible closed deals. The Queen’s blessing gave rise to a large amount …

Primetime television seems to have hopped the #Megxit bandwagon with steps to air a TMZ special, featuring the inside scoop into the furry details behind the couple’s decision to split form the royal family. The special will be over an hour long and will be dubbed Harry and Meghan: The Royals in Crisis, airing at 8 p.m, on January 29, three weeks after the …