West Indies have earned their first points in the 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship after pulling off a remarkable draw against New Zealand in Christchurch, built on one of the most stubborn fourth-innings efforts in their history. Chasing a massive target of 531, the visitors batted for 163.3 overs in the final innings and finished on 457 for 6. It was their longest fourth-innings stay at the crease in almost 100 years and left New Zealand frustrated on the final evening at Hagley Oval. The hero of the day was Justin Greaves, who produced a career-defining knock. The middle-order batter crafted an unbeaten 202 off 388 balls, spending more time at the crease in this single innings than in his previous 12 Tests combined. After West Indies had slipped to 92 for 4 on Day 3, he joined Shai Hope and the pair added a crucial 196-run stand that pulled their side back from the brink. Once Hope fell for a fine 140 and Tevin Imlach departed soon after, Greaves took full responsibility. He calmly guided the lower order and brought up his maiden double-century in the penultimate over, cutting Jacob Duffy over backward point for only his second boundary of the final session. His innings anchored a resistance that turned what looked like a certain defeat into a famous escape. At the other end, veteran seamer Kemar Roach played an equally vital hand with the bat. Returning to the XI, the 37-year-old faced 233 deliveries for a stoic 58 not out, the highest score of his first-class career. Remarkably, he scored just five runs from his last 104 balls, standing firm as New Zealand’s attack ran out of ideas on a flattening surface under the late-afternoon sun. The final session was not without controversy. New Zealand felt aggrieved when Roach appeared to edge Michael Bracewell to Tom Latham, but with all reviews used up, umpire Alex Wharf’s not-out decision stood. Moments earlier, he had correctly turned down a separate caught-behind appeal, adding to the drama in the closing overs. Despite failing to force a win, New Zealand still took valuable points from the match, while West Indies finally opened their account in the World Test Championship. The result also slightly reshaped the standings, where Australia continue to lead and Pakistan remain in the middle of the table, as fans and platforms such as PakistaniBano News track every shift in the rankings. Latest ICC World Test Championship Points Table Rank Team Played Won Lost Drawn Points Win% 1 Australia 4 4 0 0 48 100.00 2 South Africa 4 3 1 0 36 75.00 3 Sri Lanka 2 1 0 1 16 66.67 4 Pakistan 2 1 1 0 12 50.00 5 India 9 4 4 1 52 48.15 6 England 6 2 3 1 26 36.11 7 New Zealand 1 0 0 1 4 33.33 8 Bangladesh 2 0 1 1 4 16.67 9 West Indies 6 0 5 1 4 5.56
South Africa great Jacques Kallis believes the 2026 T20 World Cup has arrived at the ideal moment for the Proteas and says they have a strong chance to finally claim their first world title. The tournament will start on 7 February next year, just days after the end of the high-profile SA20 league. Kallis is convinced that the timing of SA20 will give the national side a major advantage, as most of South Africa’s key players will be in constant action right up to the global event. According to him, this block of high-intensity cricket should help the Proteas enter the World Cup with rhythm, sharpness and confidence. The former all-rounder pointed out that senior names such as Kagiso Rabada, Quinton de Kock and captain Aiden Markram will be central to South Africa’s push for the trophy. He also singled out Marco Jansen, calling his recent rise with bat and ball one of the most important positives for the side. Kallis referenced Jansen’s Player-of-the-Match performance against India in Guwahati and his seven wickets in the previous T20 World Cup as proof of his development. In his view, Jansen has always had talent but has now found a better balance in his game, making him a genuine premium all-rounder for South Africa in pressure situations. Looking ahead to the group stage, South Africa are drawn with New Zealand, Afghanistan, Canada and the UAE at the 2026 tournament. Their first match is scheduled against Canada on 9 February in Ahmedabad, a fixture that will set the tone for their campaign. As global interest builds, including coverage from platforms like PakistaniBano News, Kallis’ confidence adds another layer of expectation around the Proteas’ latest bid for a T20 world title.
Laughter Chefs Season 3 has once again turned weekend television into a lively mix of comedy and chaos. The show’s unique blend of cooking challenges and unpredictable celebrity humour has created a strong fan wave, and interest in the upcoming Episode 4 is growing quickly. Viewers are eager to know when and where they can watch the new episode as the series continues to pull attention with its lighthearted kitchen battles. The show arrived this season with high expectations. Fans were curious about what the makers would bring after the success of the previous instalment. The early response confirmed the buzz, as social media filled with clips, reactions, and memes from the first few episodes. The mix of burnt dishes, loud laughter, and surprising kitchen mistakes set the tone for another entertaining run. Episode 4 is now the main focus for viewers. The weekend format has built a steady routine, and many are waiting to see what new challenges and unexpected moments will unfold. The early hype suggests more fast-paced comedy and cooking disasters that have become a trademark of the show. Laughter Chefs Season 3 features a star-studded lineup this time. Tejasswi Prakash, Vivian Dsena, Eisha Singh, and Isha Malviya have entered the kitchen, ready to try a completely different side of performance. Real-life couple Gurmeet Choudhary and Debina Bonnerjee have also joined, bringing strong chemistry and fun energy to the show. Fan favourites from previous seasons have returned as well. Aly Goni, Karan Kundrra, Krushna Abhishek with Kashmira Shah, Elvish Yadav, Abhishek Kumar, Samarth Jural, and Jannat Zubair are all back to recreate their earlier charm and compete in the new season’s unpredictable kitchen challenges. Keeping the show’s spirit alive are host Bharti Singh and Chef Harpal Singh. Their humour, guidance, and reactions hold the format together, balancing the fun with expert judgment. Their presence remains one of the strongest elements that keep the audience hooked. The next episode is set to air tonight, November 30. The third episode will be broadcast on television, continuing the Saturday and Sunday release pattern that has worked well for fans who look for weekend entertainment. The makers have kept the rhythm steady, ensuring regular episodes for viewers who follow the show closely. For those who prefer streaming platforms, each episode of Laughter Chefs Season 3 is available on JioHotstar. Viewers can enjoy the show anytime and even rewatch earlier episodes to keep up with the ongoing kitchen madness. The platform makes it easy for users to stay updated even if they miss the television broadcast. Watching Episode 4 online is simple. First, download the JioHotstar app from the Play Store or App Store. Those who do not want to install the app can open the official website instead. After launching the platform, type the show’s name into the search bar to access the episode list. Some episodes may require a subscription. If the episode is locked behind a premium plan, users can select a package that suits their budget. Once logged in with a registered mobile number or email, viewers will get full access to the show’s library. Choosing Episode 4 will start the stream instantly, giving fans a fresh dose of jokes, confusion, and culinary surprises. The show continues to deliver a break from routine, offering a light and entertaining viewing option for the weekend. The excitement around Laughter Chefs Season 3 shows how the mix of celebrity presence, kitchen challenges, and spontaneous comedy keeps audiences engaged. With every new episode, the show manages to bring unexpected moments that viewers enjoy sharing online. The anticipation around the next set of challenges and funny mistakes remains strong, as fans look forward to another weekend filled with chaotic fun and memorable scenes from the kitchen studio.
The Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 squad is gradually taking shape as the mega event draws closer. Over the last two years, Pakistan’s T20I performance has slipped in key areas such as powerplay control, strike-rate and death-overs impact, and the numbers reflect that decline. According to the latest figures, Pakistan currently sit in 7th position on the ICC Men’s T20I Team Rankings with a rating of 235. Since the last T20 World Cup, they have played 34 T20 Internationals, winning 21 matches. With the next tournament just months away, attention has turned firmly towards the Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 squad and how it will line up on the opening day. Pakistan are scheduled to start their campaign on 7 February, when they face the Netherlands. Team management will be keen to begin the World Cup on a strong note and reverse recent trends with a more settled and confident unit. Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 Squad Takes Shape Under Salman Ali Agha Against this background, T20I captain Salman Ali Agha has indicated that the core of the side for the World Cup is already clear. He has conveyed to officials that no major changes are expected and that the current balance of the team is likely to be carried into the tournament, providing continuity and stability. This approach means the Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 squad is expected to feature a settled top order, a middle phase strengthened by all-round options, and a bowling unit built around high-quality spin and established pace. According to the present thinking inside the camp, the combination looks structured and aligned with the captain’s longer-term vision for the format. Pakistan T20 World Cup Squad 2026 (Probable) Player Name Primary Role Abdul Samad Top-order batter Babar Azam Batter Hasan Nawaz Top-order batter Sahibzada Farhan Middle-order batter Saim Ayub Top-order batter Usman Khan (†) Wicketkeeper-batter Salman Ali Agha (c) All-rounder (off-spinner) Faheem Ashraf Bowling all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz All-rounder (left-arm orthodox spinner) Abrar Ahmed Leg-spinner / mystery spinner Mohammad Wasim Jnr Fast-medium bowler Naseem Shah Fast bowler Salman Mirza Left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi Left-arm fast bowler Usman Tariq Off-spin bowler The probable Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 squad appears balanced across departments. At the top, names such as Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, Usman Khan, Abdul Samad and Hasan Nawaz offer a mix of stability and stroke-play for the powerplay overs. The middle overs are expected to be controlled by captain Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Nawaz, with Faheem Ashraf adding further depth as a bowling all-rounder. The bowling group stands out as one of Pakistan’s major strengths, with Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Mohammad Wasim Jnr leading the pace attack alongside left-arm quick Salman Mirza. In spin, Abrar Ahmed and Usman Tariq provide variety and control in the middle overs. Taken together, the structure suggests a clear, strategy-driven approach as Pakistan prepare for the 2026 T20 World Cup, a topic closely followed by readers of Pakistani Bano and regular visitors of PakistaniBano News.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has released the full schedule for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, confirming that the much-anticipated match between Pakistan and India will be played on 15 February in Colombo. This will be one of the most watched fixtures of the tournament. The event will begin on 7 February and will end on 8 March, with matches taking place across India and Sri Lanka. According to the ICC, the tournament’s opening day will feature Pakistan vs Netherlands, West Indies vs Bangladesh, and India vs USA at different venues. Pakistan’s group matches will be held entirely in Colombo. The ICC stated that this decision was taken due to security concerns linked to tensions between the two countries. Pakistan have been placed with India, Netherlands, Namibia and USA in the opening stage. Pakistan’s second match will be against the USA on 10 February, also in Colombo. The team will then face India on 15 February in a headline clash at the R. Premadasa Stadium. Their final group match is scheduled for 18 February, when they will take on Namibia at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground. The tournament will continue with daily matches, with fixtures set across Colombo, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Ahmedabad and Kandy. The schedule also confirms games such as New Zealand vs Afghanistan (8 February in Chennai), England vs West Indies (11 February in Mumbai), and Australia vs Sri Lanka (16 February in Kandy), along with several other league-stage fixtures. The Super Eight round will begin on 21 February, followed by the semi-finals on 4 March in Kolkata and Colombo, and 5 March in Mumbai. The final of the tournament will be held on 8 March, with the venue depending on qualification — either Ahmedabad or Colombo. The ICC said the schedule marks another major global event returning to South Asia and expressed confidence that cricket fans would witness a competitive and high-energy tournament across both host nations. Full T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule (Date-Wise, One Line Per Match) 07 February 2026 – Pakistan vs Netherlands, SSC Colombo 07 February 2026 – West Indies vs Bangladesh, Kolkata 07 February 2026 – India vs USA, Mumbai 08 February 2026 – New Zealand vs Afghanistan, Chennai 08 February 2026 – England vs Nepal, Mumbai 08 February 2026 – Sri Lanka vs Ireland, R. Premadasa Colombo 09 February 2026 – Bangladesh vs Italy, Kolkata 09 February 2026 – Zimbabwe vs Oman, SSC Colombo 09 February 2026 – South Africa vs Canada, Ahmedabad 10 February 2026 – Netherlands vs Namibia, Delhi 10 February 2026 – New Zealand vs UAE, Chennai 10 February 2026 – Pakistan vs USA, SSC Colombo 11 February 2026 – South Africa vs Afghanistan, Ahmedabad 11 February 2026 – Australia vs Ireland, R. Premadasa Colombo 11 February 2026 – England vs West Indies, Mumbai 12 February 2026 – Sri Lanka vs Oman, Kandy 12 February 2026 – Nepal vs Italy, Mumbai 12 February 2026 – India vs Namibia, Delhi 13 February 2026 – Australia vs Zimbabwe, R. Premadasa Colombo 13 February 2026 – Canada vs UAE, Delhi 13 February 2026 – USA vs Netherlands, Chennai 14 February 2026 – Ireland vs Oman, SSC Colombo 14 February 2026 – England vs Bangladesh, Kolkata 14 February 2026 – New Zealand vs South Africa, Ahmedabad 15 February 2026 – West Indies vs Nepal, Mumbai 15 February 2026 – USA vs Namibia, Chennai 15 February 2026 – India vs Pakistan, R. Premadasa Colombo 16 February 2026 – Afghanistan vs UAE, Delhi 16 February 2026 – England vs Italy, Kolkata 16 February 2026 – Australia vs Sri Lanka, Kandy 17 February 2026 – New Zealand vs Canada, Chennai 17 February 2026 – Ireland vs Zimbabwe, Kandy 17 February 2026 – Bangladesh vs Nepal, Mumbai 18 February 2026 – South Africa vs UAE, Delhi 18 February 2026 – Pakistan vs Namibia, SSC Colombo 18 February 2026 – India vs Netherlands, Ahmedabad 19 February 2026 – West Indies vs Italy, Kolkata 19 February 2026 – Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe, R. Premadasa Colombo 19 February 2026 – Afghanistan vs Canada, Chennai 20 February 2026 – Australia vs Oman, Kandy 21 February 2026 – Super Eight Match (Y2 vs Y3), R. Premadasa Colombo 22 February 2026 – Y1 vs Y4, Kandy 22 February 2026 – X1 vs X4, Ahmedabad 23 February 2026 – X2 vs X3, Mumbai 24 February 2026 – Y1 vs Y3, Kandy 25 February 2026 – Y2 vs Y4, R. Premadasa Colombo 26 February 2026 – X3 vs X4, Ahmedabad 26 February 2026 – X1 vs X2, Chennai 27 February 2026 – Y1 vs Y2, R. Premadasa Colombo 28 February 2026 – Y3 vs Y4, Kandy 01 March 2026 – X2 vs X4, Delhi 01 March 2026 – X1 vs X3, Kolkata 04 March 2026 – Semi-final 1, Kolkata 04 March 2026 – Semi-final 1, R. Premadasa Colombo 05 March 2026 – Semi-final 2, Mumbai 08 March 2026 – Final, R. Premadasa Colombo 08 March 2026 – Final, Ahmedabad
The Pakistan Super League has taken a major step toward expansion, announcing that the auction for two new PSL franchises will take place on 6 January 2026. The move follows the completion of market valuations for existing teams and commercial assets, allowing the league to proceed with its long-awaited growth plans. According to the PSL, only bidders who meet the technical requirements will be allowed to participate in the January auction. Officials say the aim is to ensure that only committed and financially capable groups enter the competition, keeping the league’s standards intact. The inclusion of two new teams is expected to reshape the tournament’s structure. It will expand PSL’s presence across Pakistan, create new rivalries, and open the door for more young cricketers to showcase their talent. This development comes at a time when the league is looking to strengthen its national footprint and improve commercial opportunities. As part of the pre-auction process, the PCB has shortlisted six cities from which bidders can select their franchise identity: Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Hyderabad, Sialkot, Muzaffarabad, and Gilgit. Successful bidders will be free to choose any of these as their official team name once the auction is complete. PSL and PCB officials said they are excited to welcome new stakeholders into the league’s ecosystem, noting that the expansion reflects Pakistan cricket’s broader ambitions both on and off the field. With the auction date now confirmed, the arrival of two new teams is set to add depth, opportunities, and fresh energy to the country’s biggest cricket event.
The federal government has confirmed two public holidays across Pakistan in December 2025, giving citizens a welcome break before the new year. The holidays will be observed nationwide and apply to all public and private institutions. According to the official notification, December 25 will be a full public holiday to commemorate the birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The day also coincides with Christmas celebrations, allowing both events to be observed together throughout the country. In addition, December 26 has been declared a public holiday for the Christian community to continue their Christmas festivities. On this day, government offices, educational institutions, and most private organizations will remain closed, giving citizens an extended two-day weekend. The announcement has been widely welcomed by students, employees, and families who see it as a chance to relax and spend time with loved ones. Many citizens also view it as an opportunity to participate in community events and year-end gatherings before the start of 2026. Officials confirmed that both holidays are part of the national holiday calendar for 2025, ensuring that citizens across all provinces will enjoy the same observance days.
