Connect with us

Entertainment

Sahibzada Farhan, Haris Rauf get heroic welcome before Asia Cup final

Published

on

Sahibzada Farhan, Haris Rauf get heroic welcome before Asia Cup final


Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf (left) and opening batter Sahibzada Farhan waves at fans outside ICC Academy, Dubai, September 27, 2025. — Reporter 

DUBAI: Pakistani fans turned out in full force at the ICC Academy on Saturday to greet their team ahead of the much-anticipated Asia Cup 2025 final against India.

The atmosphere was electric, with supporters chanting patriotic slogans such as “Dil Dil Pakistan” and “Jeeway Jeeway Pakistan.”

The spotlight was firmly on opener Sahibzada Farhan and fast bowler Haris Rauf, whose arrival drew loud cheers and heartfelt admiration from the crowd.

Fans said both players had “stolen their hearts,” while the duo responded warmly, shaking hands and engaging with supporters before heading into training.

Located just 1.2 kilometres from the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, the ICC Academy echoed with chants of “O Shahzada…!” and “Farhan Bhai, once again…!” Meanwhile, Pashtun fans extended their best wishes to Fakhar Zaman in Pashto, saying “Best of luck.”

With the high-stakes final just a day away, excitement among Pakistani fans in Dubai has reached fever pitch, as they eagerly await their favourite stars taking the field in Sunday’s historic showdown.

The Green Shirts set up a final against India after edging past Bangladesh by 11 runs in a Super Fours encounter on September 25. The final will be the first time the arch-rivals will face each other in the tournament’s history.

The 2016 champions have beaten every opposition on their path before swaggering into the final of the eight-team tournament.

Pakistan were defeated twice, first in the group stage and then in Super Fours, by an India team containing the world’s top-ranked batter and bowler in the T20 format in opener Abhishek Sharma and spinner Varun Chakravarthy.

The two sides will lock horns in the ultimate game as tensions remain heightened due to Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav’s controversial actions during their group match on September 14.

Pundits called his decision to skip a customary handshake at the toss and political statements in the post-match interview “unprecedented” and “detrimental to the spirit of the game.”

Following a Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) complaint, the International Cricket Council (ICC) formally reprimanded Yadav over his political remarks, advising him to refrain from such actions in the future.

Despite the charged environment, Pakistan captain Salman Agha expressed his excitement for the final against India. “The amount of pressure on both teams will be the same. We will try to give our best and win the final,” he said.





Source link

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Entertainment

Hugh Jackman pokes Ryan Reynolds at 2025 Gotham Awards

Published

on

Hugh Jackman pokes Ryan Reynolds at 2025 Gotham Awards


Hugh Jackman takes friendly jab at bestfriend Ryan Reynolds at 2025 Gotham Awards

Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson made history at the 2025 Gotham Awards, and Jackman couldn’t resist taking a friendly swipe at his longtime pal Ryan Reynolds in the process.

The pair received the first-ever Gotham Musical Tribute on Monday, December 1, for their work in the upcoming musical film Song Sung Blue.

The ceremony took place at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City, where the duo walked onstage to Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline. Hudson even belted out the iconic “So good!” as she kicked off her speech.

Hudson reflected on working alongside Jackman and director Craig Brewer, saying that performing with the two was “one of the great joys of my career.” 

She also shared how deeply music has shaped her life, noting, “I don’t know where I’d be without it.”

Jackman accepted his portion of the honour with a playful nod to Reynolds, joking that the award was “something to make Ryan Reynolds insanely jealous.” 

The two actors have famously kept a lighthearted rivalry going for years, and Jackman didn’t miss the moment to add one more jab.

He went on to highlight what makes Song Sung Blue meaningful for him, praising its message of “real people, real lives, real struggles, real love.”

He also made a bold prediction about his costar’s performance, saying Hudson is “not only one of the great stars of our business, she is a consummate actor,” and even predicted she’ll “win the Oscar” for the role.

Song Sung Blue is written and directed by Brewer and arrives in theaters on Christmas Day. 

The film also features Michael Imperioli, Ella Anderson, King Princess, Mustafa Shakir, Hudson Hensley, Fisher Stevens and Jim Belushi.

Gotham Film & Media Institute executive director Jeffrey Sharp previously praised the two leads, saying their performances in the film are “at once powerful, intimate, and deeply human.”





Source link

Continue Reading

Entertainment

‘Stranger Things’ Jamie Campbell Bower on Vecna transformation: ‘Hideous’

Published

on

‘Stranger Things’ Jamie Campbell Bower on Vecna transformation: ‘Hideous’


Jamie Campbell Bower on Vecna transformation

Vecna, there’s a lot of talk about the character’s makeover in the new season of Stranger Things, and it didn’t take long for fans to notice that something has changed. 

Jamie Campbell Bower has returned as the terrifying villain in the first volume of season five, and viewers were quick to point out his sharpened look, especially that slim waist.

One fan on X asked why Vecna appeared so different this time around, pointing out the “branches on his shoulder” and “slimmer waist.” 

Jamie didn’t miss the chance to keep things light, replying with one word: “Zumba.”

After being nearly burned alive by Nancy Wheeler at the end of season four, the villain formerly known as Henry Creel is back in Hawkins with longer vines across his shoulders and head, and visible marks from the injuries he sustained. 

While still large and imposing, his new appearance is much leaner than before.

For Jamie, the changes are tied to Vecna’s journey and what he has endured. 

Speaking about the transformation in an interview with Screen Rant, he said, “Well, as we saw at the end of season four, Vecna suffered a fall and obviously was sort of almost burned alive. My understanding of it is that the reason he looks the way he does now is a byproduct of partly of that process. And also, just having spent more time, not in the human world as it were.”

Jamie continued, “He’s become more resentful and hideous within that process and part of the world in which he was thrown into.” 

He also explained that stepping into this evolved version of the character took even more work behind the scenes. 

“I speak about this often,” he said, adding that extra pieces were added to the suit to bring his presence to life. The makeup alone took around eight hours to complete.

Jamie teased Vecna’s return before the season dropped as well. 

Back in October, he posted a clip of the character walking through the Upside Down with the caption, “At long last, we can begin. @strangerthingstv Hi x.”

With Stranger Things Vol. 1 now streaming, fans won’t have to wait long for the rest. Vol. 2 lands on Dec. 25, and the finale arrives Dec. 31. 

Vecna is officially back, and more frightening than ever.





Source link

Continue Reading

Entertainment

John Travolta gives ‘Greased Lightnin” a Santa-inspired revival

Published

on

John Travolta gives ‘Greased Lightnin” a Santa-inspired revival


John Travolta dresses up as Santa for Capital One ad

John Travolta is giving fans a nostalgic holiday surprise by channeling his iconic Grease character Danny Zuko, this time dressed as Santa Claus.

The actor, 71, stars in a new Capital One commercial where he appears in a workshop-style garage, decked out as Santa and eyeing a high-tech sleigh. 

While checking out the vehicle, Travolta goes into character and jokes, “Ho, ho, ho, ho. Why, this sleigh could be frost-o-matic, tinsel-matic, 1.5% cash back-o-matic.” 

He follows it up with an unmistakable throwback line, “It’s Greased Lightnin’,” while paying with a Capital One card.

Travolta then jumps into a playful reenactment of the famous Greased Lightnin’ performance, complete with dance moves and support from Santa’s elves, plus a reindeer in sunglasses. 

He ends the commercial with the tagline, “Ho, ho, ho — what’s in your wallet?” before the sleigh takes off into the sky.

This isn’t the first time Travota has nodded to his most memorable roles in Capital One ads. 

Last year, he partnered with Samuel L. Jackson for a spot filled with Pulp Fiction references. 

The 2024 holiday ad also brought back his Santa persona, where he shops online for gifts like hot chocolate, marshmallows and “3,000 bolo ties,” a fun reference to his role as Vincent Vega. 

The ad wraps up with Travolta’s Santa recreating the iconic Pulp Fiction dance scene, set to Chuck Berry’s Run Run Rudolph.

Travolta has shown his love for Grease before too, including a surprise appearance at a Hollywood Bowl sing-along event for the classic movie.

With his latest ad, he brings back the spirit of Greased Lightnin’ in a festive way, mixing Hollywood nostalgia, holiday cheer and a little bit of classic Travolta charm.





Source link

Continue Reading

Trending