Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim retires from international cricket
Lahore: Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim on Friday announced his retirement from international cricket, bringing curtains to his eight-year international career.
Wasim took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce his decision, having played 121 international matches across ODIs and T20Is for Pakistan.
Imad's final outing for his country was in April this year in a T20I against New Zealand at Rawalpindi. The Welsh-born Wasim made his international debut with the Men in Green in May 2015 in a T20I against Zimbabwe at Lahore.
''In recent days, I have been doing a lot of thinking about my international career, and I have come to the conclusion that now is the right time for me to announce my retirement from international cricket,'' the 34-year-old Wasim wrote in his retirement note.
''I would like to thank the PCB for all their support over the years - it has truly been an honour to represent Pakistan. Each of my 121 appearances across the ODI and T20I formats was a dream come true.'' Wasim, a left-handed batter, played 55 ODIs scoring 986 runs averaging 42.86 and he plucked 44 wickets with his left-arm spin. From 66 T20Is, Wasim made 486 runs and took 65 wickets. ''Each of my 121 appearances across the ODI and T20I formats was a dream come true. It's an exciting time for Pakistan cricket going forward with new coaches and leadership incoming. I wish all involved every success and I look forward to watching the team excel.'' However, Wasim said he would continue to focus on his playing career as a non-international player.
''Thank you to the Pakistan fans for always supporting me with such passion. A final thank you to my family and friends who have been so important in helping me achieve at the highest level. I now look forward to focusing on the next stage of my playing career away from the international stage.''
— Imad Wasim (@simadwasim) November 24, 2023
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Congress leadership asks Deputy CM Shivakumar to continue, say sources
Bengaluru (PTI): The power tussle and squabbling in the ruling Congress in Karnataka has subsided for the time being as the party high command told the Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar to continue as the party state unit chief, Congress sources said on Sunday.
Shivakumar along with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was on a two-day visit to New Delhi on last Thursday and Friday where they had a meeting with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
The meeting assumes significance as a campaign has begun to replace Shivakumar as the party state president.
Several MLAs and Ministers believed to be from Siddaramaiah camp want Shivakumar to discontinue as the Congress state chief.
They have been demanding the strict adherence of the party policy of 'one person, one post'.
Since Shivakumar is the state Deputy Chief Minister and Congress president, his rivals in the party have been demanding his removal.
The argument is also that a person holding a ministerial position cannot do justice to the state president's post as he cannot give time to the party cadres willing to meet him.
Party high command is not keen on replacing Shivakumar considering his immense contribution to the party especially in winning the assembly elections, good performance of parry during Lok Sabha elections and in winning all three assembly bypolls, the sources said.
"The party high command was not inclined to replace Shivakumar at least till November and December this year," a senior party functionary told PTI.
There are reports about a secret pact that Siddaramaiah would helm the first half of the Congress' five-year tenure in Karnataka, who will be replaced by Shivakumar.
Neither Siddaramaiah, nor Shivakumar have confirmed this but their supporter ministers and MLAs in the party have started lobbying for their leaders.
There were also discussions on Cabinet reshuffle, MLC elections and honey trap attempts on ministers and MLAs, the sources said.
According to them, cabinet reshuffle is not on the cards as of now.
Another party office-bearer said the Congress high command has left the selection of candidates for the MLC election to Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar.
Regarding the honey trap issue, Congress top sources said Rahul Gandhi was upset with the way it was raised.
"Gandhi was of the opinion that it shouldn't have been discussed inside the assembly, especially by Cooperation Minister K N Rajanna," a source said.
Rajanna had raised the issue inside the Karnataka Assembly. He even claimed that at least 48 MLAs have been honey-trapped.
The Minister got backing from state Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi who too stated that honey trap attempts were made on some ministers and MLAs.
About a fortnight ago, Rajanna had been to New Delhi to apprise the party high command how honeytrap attempts were made.
