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Cricket World Cup: Just six innings old, but Saud Shakeel already instilling hope in Pakistan middle order | Cricket-world-cup News

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In the ask-the-panelists forum of SAMAA TV, the agitated anchor reads out the question that has been jamming her inbox. “One good innings and people are already asking if Saud Shakeel could be the next Pakistan captain.”

Shahid Afridi, one of the experts on the panel, dismissively shakes his head. Mohammad Yousuf, a more restrained character, implores the fans to “leave him alone and let him focus on his batting.” He tries to drill some sense: “He has had a good start in the World Cup, and let him bat peacefully. When the time for captaincy comes, we will think.”

Ironically, the talk show itself is titled ‘Babar versus Saud: Who is the next captain of Pakistan?’

But it’s only five minutes into the 12-minute slot, after an intense debate and lament about pitches in Pakistan losing their character, that Shakeel swirls into the panel. On Express News channel, former captain Aamir Sohail strikes a philosophical note: “Only if you have cried for something, you will know about its value when you finally achieve it.” Salman Butt takes a dig at the selection process: “In other countries, you play Tests first and then ODIs. In Pakistan, you play T20s and the ODIs. Ajeeb hain yeh.”

He has been advocating picking Shakeel for some time. “If you are a good Test player, you could be good in other formats too. Look at Virat, Rahul, Babar, they are all good Test players and good in other formats too.”

Shakeel has excited Pakistan, even though he is only six innings old, spread across two years, in this format. Much of it owes to Pakistan’s flimsy middle order. Since the departure of Yousuf, Misbah-ul-Haq and Shoaib Malik, their middle order has looked both confused and unstable. A raft of players flung in and out of the team, spin-bowling all-rounders Shadab Khan and Mohammed Nawaz too auditioned.

Festive offer

In the series against Afghanistan, they dallied with three different combinations. In the first two games, Salman Agha batted at No 5; in the third Shakeel was tried. Salman was restored for the first three games of the Asia Cup, before they resorted to Mohammad Haris in the final match of the difficult tournament. The crisis meant that Pakistan became a top-heavy side — between 2019 and 2023, the top three have accounted for nearly 60 percent of the runs the team has made and accounted for all the 12 hundreds in this span.

All this while, former players kept criticising, even ridiculing, the treatment of players. “Look at any tournament Pakistan has done well in, the middle order was the key. Give the players at least a long run. In the 1992 World Cup, Inzamam-ul-Haq did not have a great match until the semifinal, but how important that was,” former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja would fume on SUNO News.

Comparing with the past

Over the decades, Pakistan has had wonderful openers and one-drop batsmen. Wrist-artist Saeed Anwar; six-colossus Shahid Afridi, buccaneers Aamir Sohail and Ijaz Ahmed, the quietly purposeful Younis Khan and now Babar Azam. But the beating heart was always the middle order. It featured men of various styles and techniques. The indolently graceful Inzamam-ul-Haq, whose 277 outings (out of 378) games arrived at 4, 5. 6 or 7; or the imperious Yousuf with that high and languorous back-lift, or the late-blooming Misbah-ul-Haq. Or the man who defines the essence of Pakistan’s batting ideals — Javed Miandad. There has always been a steady stream of aesthetically pleasing batsmen from the country, who were loved and idolised, but the physical definition of the Pakistan school of batting was always Miandad.

He was the everyman cricketer, the one who founded his batting on defiance and bravado (though it has to be mentioned that his technique was robust, he possessed fast hands, feet and brain, but always made it look like cricket was a battle of wits). He embodied the tigerishness of Imran’s cornered tigers, the unflappability, the mischief, shrewdness (he found improbable gaps in the field), even the arrogance that the team would somehow find a way through.

Shakeel has some Miandad qualities — his manipulation of field is immaculate; the junctures he chooses to counterattack are timely; the avenues he chooses are wise. He has the wits and smarts about him. But he is no Miandad.

But then, every time someone shows some promise at number four or five, Miandad creeps in subconsciously. Miandad is a high bar for any youngster to scale. But given the shortage of quality middle-order batsmen the country has produced in recent times, the hype around Shakeel is understandable.

Mature head

Little wonder then that many, including Mohammed Rizwan, believe he is a superstar in the making. “If Saud maintains the hard work he’s doing, Pakistan will have found themselves another superstar,” he says, with Shakeel beside him on a couch. The latter shuts his eyes and looks down, expressionless, as though he was deaf to the praise.

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In their match-defining stand against the Netherlands, picking up Pakistan from 43/3, the trait that impressed Rizwan the most was Shakeel’s shrewdness. In the 22nd over of the game, Shakeel spotted that there was an extra man outside the ring. He did not point this out to the umpire then, because he knew that if didn’t, he couldn’t be given out even if he got out, for the ball would be judged a no-ball. So, he chipped down the track and lifted Roelof van der Merwe for a four between long-on and midwicket. Then, he had a chat with the umpire, who signaled a no-ball and free-hit. He duly despatched it into the stands. “The awareness he showed is what I liked the most about him, “ Rizwan would say. He would again talk up his superstar potential: “He has gifts that make him a different kind of superstar!”

On the SAMAA panel, Yousuf calls him “sensible, “purpose-based in nets” and “the best player of spin in Pakistan”. Afridi has the last word on Shakeel’s success: “Look how many first-class games he has played? He had five seasons under his belt before he played international cricket. So in the five years, he must have batted on every kind of pitch and in every situation, and against bowlers of all sorts,” he says. The show winds up abruptly, before Afridi begins to get preachy about playing in the Pakistan Super League.

But far from all the buzz and fuss, Shakeel is putting on a sparkling show by himself.





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Circle to Search: Share part of your screen!

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According to recent reports, Circle to Search, a feature introduced with the Samsung Galaxy S24 series in January 2024, might soon undergo an upgrade. Initially allowing users to copy text from selected areas, it’s now rumored to include the capability to capture and share screenshots of specific screen sections.

This enhanced functionality, observed in the latest version of Circle to Search, enables users to not only copy text but also capture and share screen images. A video shared by a tipster on X showcased this update, revealing new options of Copy and Share upon selecting an area. Even adjustments to the selected region don’t remove these options, ensuring a seamless experience. Users can either copy the image to the clipboard for further editing or share it directly through various apps.

Previously, the visual lookup feature solely facilitated text copying. While Android devices offer a three-finger swipe-down gesture for quick screenshots, it captures the entire screen, necessitating subsequent cropping. This new functionality streamlines the process, allowing users to select and share specific screen sections in just two steps.

Interestingly, Google recently addressed concerns about accidental activations of Circle to Search in a podcast featuring its developers. They acknowledged the issue and assured users of an impending fix. This indicates ongoing efforts to refine the feature for a smoother user experience.

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Discounted OnePlus Nord CE 3 price in India: Check it out!

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The OnePlus Nord CE 3 has recently undergone another price reduction in India, marking a significant update for potential buyers. Initially introduced to the Indian market in June 2023, this smartphone received its first price adjustment in November of the same year. The base variant, featuring 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, was notably listed at a price Rs. 2,000 lower than its launch price, signaling OnePlus’s commitment to providing competitive pricing to its customers.

The OnePlus Nord CE 3 is powered by an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset and ships with the Android 13-based operating system. It boasts a triple rear camera setup, enhancing its photography capabilities, and supports SuperVOOC charging, ensuring rapid replenishment of its battery. The inclusion of these features positions the Nord CE 3 as a compelling option for smartphone enthusiasts seeking a balance between performance, affordability, and innovation.

The recent unveiling of the OnePlus Nord CE 4 in India marks the continuation of OnePlus’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology to its users. Serving as the successor to the Nord CE 3, the Nord CE 4 is expected to build upon the strengths of its predecessor while introducing new enhancements and features to further elevate the user experience.

When considering the revised pricing of the OnePlus Nord CE 3, it’s evident that OnePlus aims to make its devices more accessible to a wider audience. The reduction in price, particularly on platforms like Amazon and the OnePlus India website, presents an opportunity for consumers to acquire a high-quality smartphone at a more affordable rate.

Let’s delve deeper into the specifications and features of the OnePlus Nord CE 3 to understand its capabilities and appeal to potential buyers.

OnePlus Nord CE 3 Price in India (Revised)

The base variant of the OnePlus Nord CE 3, featuring 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, was initially launched in India at Rs. 26,999. Following its first price cut in November, the price was reduced to Rs. 24,999. Now, the same variant is available on Amazon at Rs. 22,990, representing a Rs. 2,009 reduction from its previous price. Furthermore, customers can benefit from an additional flat Rs. 2,000 instant discount on ICICI and HDFC Bank cards, bringing the effective price down to Rs. 20,990.

On the OnePlus India website, the 8GB + 128GB variant is priced at Rs. 22,999, marking a Rs. 2,000 decrease from the November price of Rs. 24,999. It is worth noting that this discount is exclusively applicable to the 128GB model, as the higher-end 256GB variant is currently listed as out of stock.

OnePlus Nord CE 3 Specifications and Features

Display:

The OnePlus Nord CE 3 boasts a 6.7-inch full-HD+ fluid AMOLED display with a resolution of 1,080 x 2,412 pixels. With a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, users can enjoy smooth and fluid visuals, enhancing their overall viewing experience.

Processor and Performance:

Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 782G SoC, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 delivers robust performance and efficient multitasking capabilities. With up to 12GB of RAM and up to 256GB of onboard storage, users can seamlessly navigate between apps and store their multimedia content with ease.

Operating System:

The smartphone ships with Android 13-based OxygenOS 13.1, providing users with a clean and intuitive user interface coupled with a plethora of customization options. OxygenOS is known for its smooth performance and timely software updates, ensuring that users stay up-to-date with the latest features and security patches.

Camera:

The OnePlus Nord CE 3 features a versatile camera setup, comprising a 50-megapixel primary sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS) and electronic image stabilization (EIS) support. Accompanying this primary sensor is an 8-megapixel sensor with an ultra-wide-angle lens and a 2-megapixel macro shooter, allowing users to capture a wide range of subjects with stunning detail and clarity. On the front, the device houses a 16-megapixel sensor for high-quality selfies and video calls.

Battery and Charging:

Equipped with a robust 5,000mAh battery, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 offers ample battery life to power through a full day of usage. Additionally, the device supports 80W wired SuperVOOC charging, enabling users to quickly replenish the battery and minimize downtime.

Connectivity:

The OnePlus Nord CE 3 supports a comprehensive range of connectivity options, including 5G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, GPS, and USB Type-C. Whether it’s streaming multimedia content, browsing the web, or staying connected with friends and family, users can rely on the Nord CE 3 to deliver seamless connectivity and performance.

Security:

For enhanced security, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 features an in-display fingerprint sensor, allowing users to conveniently unlock their device with a simple touch. This biometric authentication method adds an extra layer of protection to safeguard sensitive data and personal information.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 offers a compelling combination of performance, affordability, and innovation, making it an attractive choice for smartphone enthusiasts in India. With its recent price reduction and competitive specifications, the Nord CE 3 presents a compelling value proposition for consumers seeking a high-quality smartphone experience without breaking the bank. As OnePlus continues to innovate and introduce new features with each iteration, the Nord CE 3 stands as a testament to the company’s commitment to delivering exceptional devices tailored to the needs of its users.

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Namma Yatri launches cab service in Bengaluru

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In its largest market, Bengaluru, ride-hailing company Namma Yatri has expanded its services to include cab-hailing, marking a significant shift from its previous focus on auto rickshaws. Namma Yatri, known for pioneering a daily subscription model as opposed to the commission-based model utilized by competitors like Ola and Uber, had initially concentrated on auto rickshaws in Bengaluru. However, it now features a distinct section on its app dedicated to booking cabs in the city. Additionally, Namma Yatri already provides cab rides in Kochi and Kolkata.

The decision to venture into cab services follows Namma Yatri’s separation from its former parent company, Justpay, and comes on the heels of a reported expansion plan announced on April 1st. The move also aligns with the broader trend observed in the industry, as both Ola and Uber have recently introduced subscription-based plans for auto-rickshaw drivers on their platforms. This strategic shift towards subscription-based models, akin to Namma Yatri’s approach, as well as that of Rapido, highlights a growing preference within the industry for alternative pricing structures beyond traditional booking fees or commissions.

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