Sports
Champions Trophy: Final squads of all eight participating teams

Dubai, Feb 14: The ICC Champions Trophy is set to commence in Pakistan on February 19. The marquee tournament, returning after an eight-year hiatus, will see the top eight men’s ODI teams battling for glory.
As the deadline for squad submissions ended on February 12, all participating nations have officially announced their 15-member squads, with several last-minute changes shaking up team compositions.
Led by Rohit Sharma, India enters the tournament boasting a formidable lineup, including eight players from their victorious T20 World Cup 2024 squad. However, the team suffered a major blow with pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah ruled out due to injury. Young pacer Harshit Rana has been called in as his replacement. Additionally, Varun Chakaravarthy steps in for Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Defending champions Pakistan, under the leadership of wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, will aim to retain their 2017 title. The squad features key players from their last Champions Trophy-winning team, including Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, and Faheem Ashraf. However, they will miss the services of opening batter Saim Ayub due to injury.
The ODI world champions Australia will head into the tournament significantly weakened, with multiple senior players missing. Captain Pat Cummins, along with premier pacers Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, have withdrawn from the original squad. In their absence, Steve Smith has been handed the captaincy. The Aussies will also be without all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, with new faces Ben Dwarshuis, Spencer Johnson, and Tanveer Sangha stepping up.
New Zealand’s squad, initially set, had to undergo a change as pacer Ben Sears was ruled out with a hamstring injury. Jacob Duffy has been named as his replacement. Mitchell Santner, leading the Kiwis in his first ICC tournament as captain, will guide a squad with a mix of youth and experience. The absence of veteran pacers Trent Boult and Tim Southee puts pressure on Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, and young quick Nathan Smith to deliver.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh, led by Najmul Hossain Shanto, aims to surpass their semi-final finish from 2017. Senior players Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim provide stability, while exciting youngsters Nahid Rana and Rishad Hossain add firepower.
Afghanistan has been forced to make a last-minute tweak, with young spinner Nangyal Kharoti stepping in for the injured Allah Ghazanfar. The squad retains seasoned stars Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi, while Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran add strength at the top order.
England’s lineup sees the return of Joe Root, while Tom Banton has replaced the injured Jacob Bethell. Under the leadership of Jos Buttler, their bowling attack will be spearheaded by Jofra Archer and Mark Wood, backed by Gus Atkinson and Jamie Overton.
South Africa faced a setback with Anrich Nortje ruled out due to injury, leading to Corbin Bosch’s inclusion. Kagiso Rabada leads the Proteas’ pace attack, while Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, and Heinrich Klaasen form the batting core.
The eight teams are split into two groups, with the top two from each group progressing to the semifinals. Group A consists of hosts Pakistan, India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, promising thrilling subcontinental rivalries. Group B features Australia, England, South Africa, and Afghanistan.
India begin their ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 campaign against Bangladesh on February 20 before taking on rivals Pakistan on February 23. India will play their final Group A match against New Zealand on March 2.
This tournament marks the first time Pakistan will host an ICC event since 1996. The 2025 edition features eight teams split into two groups of four, with the top two from each group advancing to the semi-finals.
The top eight-team competition will see 15 matches to be played over 19 days in Pakistan and the UAE. India will play all their matches in Dubai, including the semi-final and the final (subject to qualification)
All final squads:
Afghanistan squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhil, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Farid Malik, Naveed Zadran. Reserves: Darwish Rasooli, Bilal Sami
Bangladesh squad: Nazmul Hossain Shanto (c), Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, MD Mahmud Ullah, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Parvez Hossai Emon, Nasum Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Nahid Rana.
South Africa squad: Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Corbin Bosch.
Travelling reserve: Kwena Maphaka
New Zealand squad: Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Jacob Duffy, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, Will Young.
Australia squad: Steve Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa.
Travelling reserve: Cooper Connolly.
England squad: Jos Buttler (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Jamie Smith, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Saqib Mahmood, Phil Salt, Mark Wood
Pakistan squad: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi.
India squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohd. Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy.
Sports
‘I May Be Leaving Real Madrid But..’: Lucas Vasquez Pens Emotional Note After Spanish Club Announces Mid-Fielder’s Departure

Renowned Spanish Club Lucas Vazquez penned an emotional note as the team announced the mid-fielder’s departure from the team. Having made his debut for Real Madrid in 2015, having already been part of their B and C teams, Vazques said he will carry memories of the club wherever he goes.
The celebrated football club had recently signed on Trent Alexander-Arnold that seemed to confirm Vazquez’s departure. While Madrid had made Luka Modric’s release public, the 34-year-old’s release was seemingly an open secret. However, it got openly confirmed after they announced his departure.
Taking to Instagram, Vazquez wrote that memories of the club will stay with him forever and is leaving knowing that he gave it all for the club.
“Dear Madridistas, it’s been nearly 2 decades since I arrived at Valdebebas as a 16 year old full of dreams and excitement to wear this shirt. Every step along the way has been a gift, and over time, Madrid became my home. We’ve lived unforgettable nights together, celebrated 23 titles and created memories that will stay with me forever.”
“From the bottom of my heart, thank you to the President, board, staff, coaches, teammates and above all, to the fans. You pushed me to always give that little bit more. Today, after more than 400 matches, it’s time to say goodbye to the club of my life. But I leave with peace of mind knowing I gave it my all. I’ve always been aware of the responsibility and privilege that comes with wearing this badge.”
“Wherever I go, I will proudly say that I had the honor of playing for the greatest club in the world” – Lucas Vasquez
The veteran footballer also suggested that his journey with the club has taught him to believe in himself, adding:
“I’ve enjoyed every match, training session, trip, and if there’s one thing this journey has taught me, it’s that no one should ever tell you that you can’t achieve something. I may be leaving Real Madrid, but Real Madrid will never leave me. Wherever I go, I will proudly say that I had the honor of playing for the greatest club in the world. Thank you for being part of the most beautiful journey of my life. Hala Madrid, and nothing more.”
Real Madrid had suffered a crushing 4-0 loss in the recent Club World Cup 2025 semi-final to PSG.
National
Govt to amend MCOCA to contain smuggling of narcotics: CM Fadnavis

Mumbai, July 2: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday told the state council that the state government will move an amendment during the ongoing monsoon session to the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) to take action against the smuggling of narcotics to deal with the cases in which the accused arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 received bail.
In his reply to a question by BJP legislator Parinay Fuke, the Chief Minister said that a separate NDPS unit has been set up in every police station in the state and officers and other personnel have been appointed in it. Coordination committees have also been set up at the district level. He added that the police have taken action in a large number of cases in the last two and a half years.
Fadnavis said that with the help of the Central Government, the state-level and inter-state coordination has now become more effective. He also said that intelligence sharing is going on with all the states, and due to this, joint action against smugglers has been possible.
The Chief Minister also said that addiction recovery centres are important and that appropriate policies will be formulated to increase their number and quality, and quality addiction recovery centres will be established. Clarifying that cannabis cultivation is banned and is not legal in Madhya Pradesh, he said that strict action will be taken against anyone smuggling cannabis, gutkha or similar substances.
Meanwhile, CM Fadnavis in his reply to another question raised by Shiv Sena UBT legislator Sunil Shinde said that all cases related to compassionate recruitment of police officers will be resolved on a mission mode in the 150-day plan of the state government. At the same time, orders have been given to all departments regarding compassionate recruitment.
Fadnavis said that the concept of 8-hour duty was first implemented in Mumbai itself. Sometimes there are exceptions during festivals, but overall, the 8-hour duty of the police has now become stable. Also, weekly holidays have been started across the state for the police, and if, for some reason, they do not get the leave, their ‘encashment’ has also been increased on a large scale. Earlier, the amount of this encashment was less, but now it has been increased, he added.
Large-scale housing projects for the police are being implemented across the state, including Mumbai. Work is also going on at a rapid pace at the taluka level. He mentioned that the work of the Police Housing Construction Corporation is unprecedented. Referring to the DG Loan Scheme, CM Fadnavis said that this scheme was started, but it was closed during the previous government. Now the scheme has been restarted, and efforts are being made to clear the backlog.
Addressing the increasing incidence of lifestyle-related diseases among the police, health check-ups have been made mandatory once a year for police officers above the age of 40 and twice a year for police officers above the age of 50. The Chief Minister said that a special scheme of counselling and interaction with senior officers is being implemented for the mental health of the police.
State’s home minister Yogesh Kadam said that the government is implementing many measures for the welfare of the police, in which free treatment is being provided for 40 types of diseases. For this, tie-ups have been made with 270 hospitals in the state. Cancer screening camps have been organised with various hospitals, and Yoga, meditation and gymnasium have been started for the police.
National
Ahmedabad plane crash: Gujarat govt intensifies relief, insurance, identification efforts

Ahmedabad, June 16: In the wake of the tragic Air India AI-171 crash, which claimed 270 lives near Ahmedabad, the Gujarat government has swiftly ramped up rescue, relief, and administrative support measures to assist grieving families and ensure a streamlined response to the crisis.
District Collectors have personally reached out to the families of victims, while nodal officers have been appointed across districts to oversee the disbursement of insurance and compensation to legal heirs. These officers, drawn from district-level accounting departments and relevant government bodies, are tasked with ensuring that claims are processed efficiently and empathetically.
To facilitate insurance processes, a joint coordination cell has been set up at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, in line with IRDAI guidelines. New India Assurance has taken the lead for general insurance claims on behalf of the General Insurance Council, and HDFC Life has been designated to handle life insurance claims. Alongside LIC, both companies have established help desks at the hospital to assist families with documentation, claims guidance, and other support.
Meanwhile, district authorities are actively aiding insurance teams by providing key documents, including the passenger manifest, to accelerate claim verifications. Twelve dedicated teams are working in rotational shifts to conduct DNA sample collection and matching. As of now, 250 blood samples have been collected from relatives and local residents.
So far, 62 DNA matches have been confirmed, and 35 mortal remains have been handed over to the respective families — 27 after DNA verification and eight through other forms of identification. Only three passenger identifications remain pending, with relatives currently en route from the United Kingdom to submit samples.
To ensure the dignified and smooth transfer of mortal remains, more than 250 nodal and assistant nodal officers have been deployed. These officers remain in touch with families throughout the process — from initial contact and DNA collection to the final rites — ensuring transportation of remains under police escort, handing over personal belongings, and staying present until funerals are complete.
More than 850 medical personnel, including 100 staff members at the trauma centre, have been deployed as part of the emergency medical response. This includes both permanent hospital staff and additional manpower mobilised specifically for this crisis. Counselling services are also being offered to families coping with trauma.
For families arriving from other states, the Gujarat government is coordinating with State Emergency Operation Centres across the country. Regular contact has been established with nodal officers in other regions to provide logistical and emotional support to affected relatives. A team from Air India remains stationed at the Civil Hospital round-the-clock to assist families. Free air travel arrangements are being provided to relatives based on individual needs.
The Roads and Buildings Department has arranged for accommodation and ground transportation to ensure that visiting families face minimal inconvenience. To manage inquiries and streamline support, state-run helplines and control rooms have been receiving and acting on calls from across the country. Over 1,700 calls have been registered as of Sunday evening, with authorities maintaining active coordination across all departments involved.
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