West Indies cricketer bats hours after mother's death; gets standing ovation from the crowd
Joseph's mother died just before the start of third day's play
Antigua: West Indies cricket team joined the audience who were giving great ovation on the third day of Antigua test against England, when young bowler Alzarri Joseph came into middle to bat after James Anderson struck two wickets with West Indies leading by 102 runs at 289-8.
He was being given the ovation as the young paceman had lost his mother just hours before coming in to bat here at Antigua.
The West Indies team and Joseph were informed about the demise of Joseph’s mother Sharon Joseph, after prolonged illness just before the start of day’s play, but the youngman did not leave the field and instead set an great example of ‘Incredible courage’. The West Indies team wore black armbands to as a mark of respect, and joined the applause to laud the effort of the youngster in taking to the field to bat.
West Indies team manager Rawl Levis stated “It is with great sadness that we have been informed that Sharon Joseph, the mother of our young fast bowler Alzarri Joseph, has passed away.
"We know that this will be a very sad and difficult time for Alzarri and his family”.
Joseph later also bowled in the inning and managed to pick two wickets by conceding 12 runs in 7 overs including that of England captain Joe Root, he also took a catch.
West Indies won the match by 10 wickets and Captain Jason Holder in the post-match presentation dedicated the win to Alzarri Joseph.
"Alzarri's mum passed away, so we rallied around each other, we wanted to do it for her," West Indies Captain Jason Holder said. "For Alzarri to be involved, credit to him and his family."
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Parliament passes Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025
New Delhi (PTI): Parliament early Friday passed the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, after it was approved by the Rajya Sabha.
The Lok Sabha had on Thursday approved the Bill after over a 12-hour debate.
In Rajya Sabha, the Bill got 128 votes in its favour and 95 against after all the amendments moved by the opposition were rejected.
In the lower house, the bill was supported by 288 MPs while 232 voted against it.
Participating in a debate in the Rajya Sabha, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Bill was brought with a number of amendments based on suggestions given by various stakeholders.
"The Waqf Board is a statutory body. All government bodies should be secular," the minister said, explaining the inclusion of non-Muslims on the board.
He, however, said the number of non-Muslims has been restricted to only four out of 22.
Rijiju also alleged that the Congress and other opposition parties, and not the BJP, were trying to scare Muslims with the Waqf Bill.
"You (opposition) are pushing Muslims out of the mainstream," he added.
He said for 60 years, the Congress and others ruled the country, but did not do much for Muslims and the community continues to live in poverty.
"Muslims are poor, who is responsible? You (Congress) are. Modi is now leading the government to uplift them," the minister said.
According to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Waqf tribunals will be strengthened, a structured selection process will be maintained, and a tenure will be fixed to ensure efficient dispute resolution.
As per the Bill, while Waqf institutions' mandatory contribution to Waqf boards is reduced from 7 per cent to 5 per cent, Waqf institutions earning over Rs 1 lakh will undergo audits by state-sponsored auditors.
A centralised portal will automate Waqf property management, improving efficiency and transparency.
The Bill proposes that practising Muslims (for at least five years) can dedicate their property to the Waqf, restoring pre-2013 rules.
It stipulates that women must receive their inheritance before the Waqf declaration, with special provisions for widows, divorced women and orphans.
The Bill proposes that an officer above the rank of collector investigate government properties claimed as Waqf.
It also proposes that non-Muslim members be included in the central and state Waqf boards for inclusivity.
