Entertainment
Pakistan to take on India in Women’s World Cup encounter today
- Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana says focus solely on game.
- India enjoy unbeaten record against Pakistan in Women’s ODIs.
- No handshakes expected as BCCI hints at continuing policy.
COLOMBO: Pakistan and India are set to face off today in a much-anticipated match of the ongoing ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup at the R Premadasa Stadium in Sri Lanka’s Colombo.
Pakistan suffered a massive defeat against Bangladesh in their first encounter of the tournament, while India managed to defeat Sri Lanka in the Women’s Cricket World Cup opener.
The match is likely to be affected by rain, with forecasts predicting intermittent showers throughout the day. Rain is expected before the match begins and may continue at varying intensities during the game.
Colombo has already seen heavy rainfall recently, and yesterday’s match between Sri Lanka and Australia was called off due to persistent showers.
Statistics show that Pakistan have never beaten India in women’s ODIs, with the two teams facing each other 11 times, where India has emerged victorious on all occasions.
The tournament is taking place from September 30 to November 2 in India and Sri Lanka, and Pakistan will play all their group-stage matches at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo.
If Pakistan advance to the semi-final on October 29 and the final on November 2, both matches will also be held in Colombo.
‘No handshakes’
Earlier, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Devajit Saikia said that the policy about Pakistan will remain unchanged in their upcoming clash in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025.
In an interview with BBC, the BCCI secretary stated that there was no assurance that Indian players will shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts during their upcoming game in Colombo on October 5.
“I cannot forecast anything, but our relationship with that country [Pakistan] is the same; there is no change in the last week,” said Saikia.
“India will play that match against Pakistan in Colombo, and all cricket protocols will be followed. I can only assure that whatever is in the MCC [Marylebone Cricket Club] regulations of cricket, that will be done.
“Whether there will be handshakes, whether there will be hugging, I cannot assure you of anything at this moment,” he added.
His comments come in the backdrop of India’s controversial and widely condemned conduct during the recently concluded Asia Cup 2025, where the men’s team refused to shake hands with Pakistan players and made political statements during post-match ceremonies and press conferences.
India also refused to collect the winners’ trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
‘Focus solely on game’
Addressing a pre-match presser on Saturday, Pakistan women’s cricket captain Fatima Sana said that her team is solely focused on the game.
However, Fatima was still asked to share whether she would miss the spirit and camaraderie between the two teams, referencing their off-field interactions after their match at the 2022 edition of the mega event, when the Indian players surrounded then Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof and cooed over her six-month-old daughter.
Fatima, who was a part of the national team then, in response, reiterated Pakistan’s stance of fulfilling the spirit but stressed that their primary objective is to ‘stay focused’ on the game.
“Our main goal is to play well. Our relationship with the other teams is good. We will try to fulfil the spirit of the game,” said Fatima.
“What happened before, like with Bismah’s daughter, when everyone mingled and enjoyed together, as players, we all like such moments. But the main thing is to stay focused on what we have come here for,” she added.
The Pakistan captain also dismissed the notion of odds being against them as they trail India by 11-0 in their head-to-head record in the Women’s ODIs and instead stressed that her team has the potential to beat any top side, stating that the records are meant to be broken.
Entertainment
Queen’s trusted aide shares heartfelt truth after saying goodbye to Palace
Angela Kelly, who shared strong bond with Queen Elizabeth for 30 years, has finally broken her silence after being cut off from the Palace.
The late monarch’s dresser and confidante shared unforgettable memories she cherished with her best friend, revealing how the pair would dance in the royal house to the ABBA hit Dancing Queen.
In a rare interview, the late Queen’s trusted aide revealed they used to chat about “anything and everything.”
She was so closed that they used two drank tea, swapped jokes and anecdotes about their grandchildren.
Kelly, who says the Queen was her best friend, released two books with her former boss’ blessing about her life curating her wardrobe, designing her vibrant looks and looking after her jewellery.
After the late Queen’s death, she lost her grace-and-favour home on the Windsor estate and told her followers on Instagram : “Getting ready to say goodbye. I am moving at last to my new home which I will be able to call My Home at last.”
Replying to a friend, she said her work phone had been disconnected and added she’d be moving to the Peak District, close to Sheffield, in a house provided by the King.
Later this week, six of Kelly’s outfits that she created for her former boss will go on show in an exhibition at Buckingham Palace called Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style.
The 68-year-old told Vanity Fair: “Every morning the queen would listen to the Terry Wogan show on Radio 2. When the song Dancing Queen came on she loved it, and both of us would dance. The Queen would move from side to side and sing.
And as the 100th anniversary of the late Queen’s birth approaches, she remebered her for all the good reason, revealing: “Her Majesty loved singing and had a good voice. I didn’t. I’d get carried away and be dancing all round her like I was at a disco, and the queen would tell me to ‘move over’ because I can’t sing and we laughed. They were moments to cherish, to see the queen so relaxed.”
She also explained Queen’s love for her grandchildren and Easter gatherings, saying: “The family would visit and she loved being granny. Her Majesty took her great-grandchildren out riding or walking. She did barbecues and fun things and she always washed the dishes, even when she was entertaining the prime minister.”
Angela’s close relationship with the late Queen also reportedly caused jealousy among other members of staff, with Kelly, once dubbed ‘AK47’ once joking: “I don’t have any more room for knives in my back.”
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Zendaya will forever be grateful to the Spider-Man franchise for introducing her to her “love” and “best friend,” Tom Holland.
During an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show on Monday, April 6, the Euphoria star took a walk down memory lane to her past projects, including Disney’s Shake it Up, The Greatest Showman, and, of course, Spider-Man: Homecoming.
“Lots comes to mind,” Zendaya said with a grin as a picture of her in Spider-Man’s arms appeared on the screen.
The Drama actress noted how “crazy” it is to be a part of the franchise she grew up watching. “To be a part of them, and the joy that it brings to people…” said Zendaya, before reflecting on what it brought to her own life.
“It brought into my life love and my best friend,” she gushed as she stole another glance at the picture from their early days.
Zendaya, 29, and Holland, also 29, famously met while filming the 2017 Marvel hit. After years of romance rumours, the pair confirmed their relationship in 2020. They got engaged in late 2024, and it was rumoured they secretly wed earlier this year.
Though the couple is choosing not to confirm or deny the rumours for their privacy’s sake, fans will get to see them share the screen once more as Spider-Man: Brand New Day hits theatres on July 31.
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Entertainment
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Last week, Judge Lewis J. Liman dismissed 10 of 13 claims in Lively’s lawsuit, including allegations of harassment and defamation, against her It Ends With Us co-star and director.
Baldoni denied all those allegations which were made against him and his film studio, Wayfarer.
Editors at MailOnline reported that both Lively and Baldoni remain at their different ways, even though Judge Liman asked them to update the court on any settlement.
No agreement was reached in pre-trial hearings and the trial is scheduled to start on 18 May.
The judge, however, ruled that Lively could not file a sexual harassment claim under federal law because she was an independent contractor on the film and she also could not bring a harassment claim under California law because the filming took place in New Jersey.
Only three claims are going forward and that are “breach of contract, retaliation and aiding and abetting in retaliation.”
A Simple Favor actress posted a long statement on Instagram saying that she will continue to fight to expose people and systems that harm, shame, silence or retaliate against victims.
Blake also added that she will not waste the privilege of being able to stand up and thanked supporters for keeping her going.
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