World Cup: Pakistan beat Netherlands by 81 runs
Hyderabad (PTI): Pakistan began their World Cup campaign on a winning note, going past a fighting Netherlands by 81 runs here on Friday.
Pakistan made 286 all out in 49 overs as wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Rizwan (68 off 75 balls) and Saud Shakeel (68 off 52 balls) helmed their innings on either side of a batting collapse.
Netherlands were then bowled out for 205 in 41 overs.
On a slightly tacky pitch, Netherlands pacer Bas de Leede (4/62) checked Pakistan's batters with a good spell.
De Leede then returned to make a brave 67 off 68 balls but Pakistan bowlers led by Hasan Ali and Harris Rauf, who grabbed five wickets among them, warded off Dutch challenge.
Brief scores: Pakistan: 286 all out in 49 overs (Mohammad Rizwan 68, Saud Shakeel 68; Shadab Khan 32, Mohammad Nawaz 39; Bas de Leede 4/62) beat Netherlands: 205 all out in 41 overs (Bas de Leede 67, Harris Rauf 3/43, Hasan Ali 2/29) by 81 runs.
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Kiren Rijiju questions Rahul Gandhi’s silence during Waqf Bill debate in Parliament
New Delhi, April 16: Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju has questioned Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, for not speaking during the recent debate on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025. Rijiju also noted that senior Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi was absent during the voting process in Parliament.
Speaking during an interview with ANI, Rijiju expressed surprise at the Congress leadership's silence on what he termed a “landmark bill.” He said, “I was surprised. Even Priyanka Gandhi was not present during the voting, she was absent.”
He further remarked that Rahul Gandhi came to vote but did not participate in the debate or make any remarks during the parliamentary proceedings. “Rahul Gandhi also came much later to vote. He did not take part in the proceedings, also he did not speak,” Rijiju said.
Rijiju speculated on possible reasons for Gandhi’s silence. “One of the reasons could be the huge pressure from the Christian community for the Congress party and for other MPs to support the Waqf Act. Secondly, maybe he wants to play a safe game, and whatever you speak on this landmark bill will remain on record. This was an important bill on which important leaders should have spoken,” he added.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 has drawn attention and criticism from various quarters, including opposition parties and minority groups. While the ruling BJP maintains that the amendments aim to improve transparency and governance of Waqf properties, critics argue that the bill threatens the autonomy of Waqf boards and could lead to interference in Muslim religious matters.
