Entertainment
PCB-Latif row ends as ex-skipper retracts remarks
KARACHI: The prolonged dispute between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and former captain Rashid Latif was resolved on Saturday after the ex-skipper “unconditionally” retracted his earlier statements about the board.
The disagreement began when Latif suggested that Mohammad Rizwan’s removal as the ODI captain was connected to the wicketkeeper’s public support for Palestine. His comments led the PCB to file a complaint with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA).
Latif, as a result, was summoned to appear before an investigation officer at NCCIA’s Lahore office on November 17.
The former wicketkeeper batter later moved the Islamabad High Court against the inquiry, labelling it as unlawful.
Latif wrote a detailed public apology on X, stating that his comments were not intended to allege any player, board member, or stakeholder involved in wrongdoing.
“I write with reference to my recent comments made on social media and in interviews concerning surrogate advertising. My principal contention was related to potential violations of the advisories upon such advertising issued by the Government of Pakistan,” Latif wrote.
“At no point, whether inadvertently or deliberately, have I ever sought or intended to implicate any individual, including players, board members, or other stakeholders in wrongdoing,” he added.
Latif further acknowledged that he made an “unwarranted reference” to Rizwan’s support for Palestine as a potential reason behind his removal as Pakistan’s ODI captain, further admitting that his assumptions were not supported by any credible evidence.
“However, notwithstanding my intention to refrain from political commentary or unverified speculation, I acknowledge that I made an unwarranted reference to Mohammad Rizwan’s public support for Palestine as a potential factor in his removal from captaincy. Upon further reflection, I recognise that this assumption was inappropriate, unfounded, and not supported by any credible evidence.”
Latif concluded by apologising to the general public, especially PCB, and vowed that his public commentary on cricketing affairs would be measured and evidence-based as he described himself as the “advocate” of responsible broadcasting and research-based journalism.
“I deeply regret any distress or offence that my comments may have caused to the general public, or more specifically, to the Pakistan Cricket Board and its officials. I offer my sincere apologies for any unintended harm arising from my remarks, which I withdraw unconditionally and affirm that no such harm was ever intended,” Latif stated.
“I am an advocate of responsible broadcasting, research-based journalism, and objective analysis. Having had the honour of serving as captain of the Pakistan national cricket team, I hold the reputation and dignity of the country in the highest regard and would never intentionally act in a manner that could bring disrepute upon it. I endeavour to participate in public discourse in a manner that is fair, balanced, and constructive.”
In response to his public apology, former PCB Chairman Najam Sethi came to his defence, but deleted the post after Mohsin Naqvi termed his comments “completely misplaced, ill-timed and factually incorrect”.
“[Najam Sethi], your comments are completely misplaced, ill-timed, and factually incorrect,” wrote Naqvi on X, accompanied by Sethi’s now-deleted tweet.
The current PCB chairman further emphasised that the cricket board’s action against Latif was not about silencing its criticism but instead about “addressing” the spread of false and defamatory claims.
“The PCB’s action against Rashid Latif was never about silencing criticism, it was about addressing the deliberate spread of false and defamatory allegations. Our proceedings have remained fully within the law and focused solely on protecting the integrity of Pakistan cricket and its players,” Naqvi explained.
He also stated that the PCB welcomed Latif’s apology, reiterating that the board members are committed to “protecting” Pakistan cricket and its assets.
“Rashid Latif has apologised in his tweet today, clearly affirming the Board’s stance. We welcome his apology and offer a clean slate,” Naqvi stated.
“We do not use any other means to silence those who criticise the Board. We protect Pakistan cricket and its assets.”
Here’s what to know about tonight’s Golden Globe awards
- The 2026 Golden Globes are honoring the standouts in film and television, along with a new award this year for Best Podcast.
- “One Battle After Another” scored the most nominations for any movie with nine, including nods for Best Comedy, Best Director, Best Actress, and Best Supporting Actress and Actor.
- The third season of HBO’s “The White Lotus” earned six nominations, including for Best Drama Series and a slew of acting nods.
- Nikki Glaser is returning to host the show for the second year in a row.
- The Golden Globes are airing live from the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, on CBS television stations and streaming live on Paramount+.
- “Golden Eve: The Golden Globes Honor Helen Mirren & Sarah Jessica Parker,” aired Thursday, Jan. 8, on CBS and can be streamed on Paramount+. Mirren received the Cecil B. DeMille Award and Parker received the Carol Burnett Award.
Follow updates below for the full list of winners and nominees in each category as they are announced.
Paris Hilton is pushing back on growing concern surrounding Britney Spears, assuring fans that the pop star is in a good place despite recent headlines questioning her behavior.
Speaking to the Daily Mail at the WWD Style Awards in Santa Monica on Friday, Hilton addressed the chatter directly and offered a calm, confident update about her longtime friend.
“She’s doing good,” Hilton said of the Gimme More singer. She then repeated the sentiment, adding, “She’s doing really good.”
The two have remained close over the years, and Hilton recently spent time with Spears along with her children, son Phoenix and daughter London.
Spears later shared a heartfelt Instagram post reflecting on the visit, describing a tender moment with Hilton’s son.
“My relationship with little Phoenix was quite intense he actually let me hold him forever and he held my chest and looked up to me and his stunning mamma was miraculously so beautiful in letting me hold him for so long,” Spears wrote.
She also praised Hilton’s role as a parent, adding, “I’m so proud of Paris for being such a strong, beautiful mother!!!!!!!”
Spears ended the message by thanking Hilton for celebrating her birthday with her and writing, “You already know I love you sis!!!!”
Hilton’s reassurance comes after reports suggested Spears had distanced herself from members of her family.
In November 2025, a family insider told the Daily Mail that the singer had stopped responding to messages.
“She isn’t returning texts, won’t pick up calls, and won’t even read DMs,” the source claimed.
Another family source described her behavior as “disturbing” and said it was raising “a lot of red flags right now,” leaving relatives unsure how to move forward.
Speculation continued in December when Spears was photographed returning from a Cabo trip carrying a baby carrier and wearing a mystery ring.
Later that month, she spent Christmas with her younger son, Jayden, 19, while her older son, Sean Preston, 20, stayed with her sister Jamie Lynn Spears.
Spears appeared to address family tensions in a pointed Christmas Instagram post, writing, “Merry late Christmas to my beautiful family who have never disrespected me, harmed me, ever done anything completely unacceptable or caused unbelievable trauma, the kind you can’t fix …”
Despite the mixed signals playing out publicly, Hilton’s words offer a steady counterpoint.
As someone who has known Spears for decades, her message is clear, from her perspective, there is no reason for alarm, and Britney Spears is doing just fine.
Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani said on Sunday that passengers appreciated the electric bus service launched by the Punjab government, ensuring safe, affordable and convenient transport facility.
While visiting his Jhelum constituency, the state minister travelled on the electric bus to inspect the public transport service that was inaugurated in Jhelum two weeks ago.
The Punjab government launched the electric bus service in Jhelum last month with a fleet of 15 vehicles, aiming to provide residents with modern, environmentally friendly transport facilities in line with services available in other parts of the province.
He said in an X post that he spoke to passengers at the bus stop and during the journey to get their feedback.
“All passengers appreciated the service launched by CM Punjab, which has ensured safe, affordable and convenient transport for the citizens. I was delighted to see a number of women and elderly benefitting from the service.”
Kayani added that he also visited the Cath Lab in District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital Jhelum, inaugurated last Monday for the provision of cardiac treatment, to review the facility and check progress.
“Nine angiographies and three angioplasties have been successfully done so far, all free of cost for the patients.”
“This is the first Cath Lab in any DHQ Hospital in Punjab. Citizens of Jhelum no longer have to travel to Islamabad or Lahore for affordable and quality cardiac care,” he added.
Kayani also met local party colleagues to discuss local issues, and offered fateha and condolences to constituents whose loved ones have recently passed away.
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