New Delhi, Oct 29: Pakistan’s T20I captain Salman Agha was quite critical of his team’s performance in a 55-run loss to South Africa in the T20I series opener and pointed out that the team middel order failed to build partnerships.

Pakistan faced a 55-run defeat in the T20I series opener, with the Proteas taking a 1-0 lead. Chasing a target of 195, Pakistan was dismissed for 139 in 18.1 overs, hindered by a disciplined bowling effort from Corbin Bosch and George Linde. The loss highlighted Pakistan’s ongoing challenge in forming meaningful partnerships, a point Agha focused on during the post-match presentation.

“We started well. We didn’t start well when it comes to bowling but we pull things back. With the batting, we are losing too many wickets in the middle and we need to fix that and we need to make a quick turnaround from the previous time. I think we just need to do proper batting shift.

“We didn’t start well with the ball, but we pulled things back. With the batting, we are losing wickets quickly, and we need to have a quick turnaround. We have to take singles and doubles and make partnerships and the partnerships are missing right now in the middle. If we have good partnerships, then we can chase these kinds of totals. But right now, we are just losing too many wickets in the middle and that’s costing us a game as well,” he said.

Agha was also disappointed with his bowlers, saying that they didn’t do well in the powerplay. He noted that the wicket was one where, had they bowled on top of the off stump, it would’ve benefited them. However, he acknowledged that the bowlers failed to do so, which led to the visitors posting a big total.

“I think we didn’t bowl well when it comes to powerplay. We didn’t start it well, and I think it’s the kind of wicket that if we had bowled right on top of the off stump, it would’ve been good enough. But we didn’t bowl well. But we bowled really well when it comes to bowling in the middle overs and that’s positive for us.”

The two teams now feature in the second T20I at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Friday. The third and final T20I of the series will also be staged at the same venue on Saturday.

New Delhi, Oct 29: Preparations are underway in Ayodhya for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to the Ram Mandir, where he is scheduled to hoist the flag as part of a special ceremony.

The Chairman of the Building Construction Committee, Nripendra Misra, shared key details about the ongoing completion works at the temple and the Prime Minister’s visit following a review meeting.

Misra said, “In yesterday’s meeting, the Prime Minister’s work was discussed. He will hoist the flag at the temple, and if feasible, visit the Parikota to view the murals.”

“Preparations are underway keeping in mind the interest in Sapt Mandir and sages’ ashrams. The Shaheed Memorial pillar will be metal, the old temple will be preserved, and symbolic lighting will be added. The aim is to ensure that the temple is fully completed by 2025, with a visit planned in November,” he added.

Earlier, regarding the arrangements being made for the ceremony, he had explained, “Devotees will not be allowed for darshan on November 25. Only those who are invited will have the opportunity to see the Lord, and arrangements are being made for around 8,000 invitees.”

“Devotees will be allowed for darshan from the next day. As for whether devotees will be able to move freely without security checks in all areas, the trust is considering that. My constant effort is to ensure that everything built here is dedicated to the devotees,” he said.

The Ram Mandir Trust has been closely coordinating the event logistics, with special attention to security, seating, and ceremonial arrangements for dignitaries and guests.

The metal Shaheed Memorial pillar, preservation of the old temple structure, and symbolic lighting are among the elements being finalised to enhance the spiritual and cultural significance of the site.

The flag-hoisting ceremony on November 25 is expected to be a major milestone in the temple’s development, symbolising the nearing completion of construction before its full opening in 2025.

Bengaluru, Oct 29: Bajrang Dal has filed a police complaint regarding a Wi-Fi username ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ at the Jigani Police Station on the outskirts of Bengaluru on Wednesday.

The police have registered a Non-Cognisable Report (NCR) in this regard and initiated an investigation.

According to the police, the incident was reported from Kallubalu village near Jigani on the outskirts of Bengaluru.

The complaint states that while checking available Wi-Fi networks to access the internet, one of the visible Wi-Fi usernames was found to be ‘Pakistan Zindabad’.

Bajrang Dal activists have alleged that anti-national elements may be operating in the area. The complainant stated that when Wi-Fi options are searched on a mobile device, the IDs of nearby users are displayed, and what was shocking was the appearance of the ID named ‘Pakistan Zindabad’.

The complaint further alleged that someone using such a name indicates the possible presence of a person with extremist intentions in the vicinity, raising serious concerns about their activities.

The Jigani Police have registered an NCR and are investigating the matter.

Earlier, in February 2024, an incident of ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ slogans in the premises of Vidhana Soudha being raised by supporters of Congress leader Syed Nasir Hussain after his Rajya Sabha election victory had sparked a major controversy.

The BJP had demanded an investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The situation had escalated to the point where members of the Congress and the BJP nearly came to blows in the Legislative Council.

Subsequently, on March 4, 2024, the Vidhana Soudha Police arrested three people for allegedly raising ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ slogans in the corridors of Vidhana Soudha during the victory celebrations of Rajya Sabha member Syed Nasir Hussain.

The arrests were made based on a Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report, circumstantial evidence, and witness statements gathered at the event. The accused were identified as Iltaz from Delhi, Munawar from RT Nagar in Bengaluru, and Mohammed Shafi Nashipudi from Byadagi in Haveri district, Karnataka.