Pak Cricketers Return From Unsanctioned Zambia League, Face 2-Year PCB Ban

A group of former Pakistan cricketers have returned from Zambia after featuring in an unsanctioned Twenty20 league, where they reportedly failed to receive full payment and now face a two-year ban from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The players went to Lusaka in order to take part in the Asian Legends League, a tournament that was promoted last month and which included among its featured names former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez, wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal and all-rounder Sohail Tanvir. Although Ambati Rayudu from India was originally going to take part in the league, he withdrew from Zambia without playing after finding out that the tournament had not been sanctioned.

The Lusaka T20 League, which included teams like Asian Stars, Pakistan Panthers, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, was set to start on August 2.

A source close to the players stated that Hafeez, Akmal, Tanvir and Zahid Mahmood had asked for information regarding the tournament after finding out that it had not been sanctioned by the Zambia Cricket Union (ZCU).

The source said that players such as Hafeez, Akmal, Tanvir and Zahid Mahmood inquired about the league and, after finding out that it had not been sanctioned by the Zambia Cricket Union (ZCU), and that the ZCU had issued a statement making it clear that the league received no sanction, approval or endorsement, some players, including India's Ambati Rayudu, decided to leave without taking part.

It is reported that several international players and their support staff were left stranded in Lusaka as they attempted to sort out their unpaid travel arrangements, and this has also resulted in demands for "a joint investigation involving multiple cricket boards".

Imran Nazir, Taufeeq Umar, Yasir Shah, Hasan Raza, Rahat Ali, Mohammad Irfan, Yasir Butt, Ibrar Hussain and Rana Anwar were among the former Pakistan players who took part in some matches.

The tournament was suddenly halted as a result of the ZCU's intervention. The report also stated that the organisers had not been able to finalise a broadcast deal.

After noticing that former Pakistan players had taken part in the Asian Legends League, the PCB announced a two-year ban, as it was discovered that the players had not secured the necessary No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the board.

A player acknowledged that it had been a mistake to take part in the tournament and said that the group had been misled by agents.

The player told Telecom Asia Network, on the condition of anonymity, that he had been misled by agents who had told him the league was approved by the ZCU and that he would receive a good amount of money. However, he suffered embarrassment as the hotel would not let him check into a room because of non-payment and he then faced further difficulties at the airport.

The player stated that the cricketers had returned without receiving the financial rewards they had hoped for and were now facing a serious punishment.

"The situation is a blow for all the players since they had gone there in order to earn some good money, which they haven't obtained, but what they have received instead is a severe punishment from the Pakistan Cricket Board," the player said.

Sources state that the affected players intend to approach Mohsin Naqvi, the chairman of the PCB, and ask for clemency on the grounds that cricket is still their main source of income and that a two-year ban could have serious financial repercussions.

Akmal has also publicly supported his teammates and asked the PCB to review the punishment.

Akmal stated on social media that players from other countries such as India, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan took part in the event and have not been banned, and that the PCB should reconsider this penalty since the players' livelihoods depend on cricket.

The controversy comes at a time when the International Cricket Council (ICC) has expressed concern about the rapid increase in T20 franchise leagues worldwide. To supervise the development of T20 franchise cricket and ensure better coordination with the international cricket schedule, the ICC established a special Franchise Leagues Committee at its annual conference.

Tamim Iqbal, the former Bangladesh captain, has been named chairman of the committee.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Cupid Q1 Results: Profit Nearly Triples As Margin Widens; Revenue Up 2.6x

Cupid Ltd. reported a sharp jump in its June-quarter earnings, with consolidated net profit surging nearly 200% year-on-year as stronger operating margin and a more than 2.6-fold increase in revenue boosted profitability.

The company's consolidated net profit rose to Rs 44.1 crore in the quarter ended June, compared with Rs 15 crore in the corresponding period last year, according to an exchange filing on Friday.

Revenue from operations surged to Rs 154.7 crore from Rs 59.8 crore, reflecting robust business momentum and strong execution during the quarter.

ALSO READ: Titan Q1 Results: Profit Soars 63% To Beat Estimates; Revenue Tops Rs 21,300 Crore

Operating performance improved even faster than revenue. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation climbed to Rs 60.1 crore, up from Rs 16.5 crore a year ago. The Ebitda margin expanded to 38.8% from 27.5%, indicating better operating leverage and an improved product mix.

Cupid's June-quarter performance comes amid sustained demand across its business segments, with revenue increasing more than 2.5 times from the year-ago period. The pace of earnings growth exceeded revenue expansion, reflecting the benefits of scale and stronger margins.

Investors will closely watch the company's management commentary on order inflows, export demand, capacity utilisation and growth outlook for the rest of the financial year to assess whether the strong momentum can be sustained in the coming quarters.

ALSO READ: Q1 Results Live Updates: Oil India Profit Surges 73%; Kaynes Tech Revenue Rises 41%

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Flipkart Freedom Sale: Samsung Galaxy S25 FE Deal Teased Ahead of Sale

Flipkart's Freedom Sale will kick off later this week. The Independence Day-themed special sale will offer exclusive early access to Flipkart Plus and VIP members and will have discounts on popular smartphones from leading brands. Samsung's Galaxy S25 FE is confirmed to be available at a discounted price during the sale. This Fan Edition smartphone runs on an Exynos 2400 processor and features a triple rear-camera setup headlined by a 50-megapixel primary sensor. The vanilla Galaxy S25 will also be discounted in the sale. 

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE Confirmed to Get Discount During Flipkart Freedom Sale

Flipkart's dedicated microsite for the Freedom Sale reveals that the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE will be available at Rs. 47,999 during the sale. Interested users can buy the handset with EMI offers starting at Rs. 8,333 per month. The discounted price tag includes both flat discounts and bank-based offers.

Photo Credit: Flipkart

 

The Galaxy S25 FE is currently listed on Flipkart for Rs. 54,999 for the 8GB RAM and 128GB storage variant. The 256GB and 512GB storage variants with the same amount of RAM were priced at Rs. 65,999 and Rs. 77,999, respectively. The handset was launched in India last year with a starting price tag of Rs. 59,999.

Similarly, during the Flipkart Freedom Sale, the Samsung Galaxy S25 is confirmed to be offered for a starting price of Rs. 57,999, instead of the actual price of Rs. 74,999. EMI offers start at Rs. 9,999.

The Flipkart Freedom Sale is set to begin on August 8, and the Plus and Flipkart Black members will get 24 hours' early access to the sale starting August 7. During the sale, buyers can avail of a 10 percent instant discount on payments made via SBI credit cards. Buyers will get no-cost EMI offers and exchange discounts during the sale. The end date of the sale is still under wraps.

The Galaxy S25 FE features a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection. It has an Armour Aluminium frame and offers an IP68-rated build. It runs on an Exynos 2400 processor and flaunts a triple rear-camera setup led by a 50-megapixel primary sensor. It has a 4,900 mAh battery with support for 45W wired and 15W wireless charging.

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R Madhavan Reacts To Dhurandhar 'Propaganda' Attack

In an interview with Galatta Plus, actor R Madhavan was asked about the successive release of films based on real-life characters such as Rocketry: The Nambi Effect, Dhurandhar (where he played Ajit Sanyal, a character modelled on National Security Advisor Ajit Doval) and now GDN.

The actor replied, "I don't decide the release date of these films. I have done four big films in between but there are delays because of various reasons and it looks like I'm only doing biopics. But that's not the reason."

The anchor then asked the actor about the polarised social media climate and how many people viewed Dhurandhar as a 'propaganda' film and pro-Indian government and people end up labelling those who act in these movies as 'Sanghis'.

Madhavan is asked how he reacts to such comments and filters out these accounts to find the authentic/ relevant posts. In his reply, the actor said, "It's very easy to find out when you check out the username, when they set up the account and how many followers they have. You can figure out if it is a bot or it's a paid post. But that's not my point. My point is that everybody is a product of their conditioning. Right from the time I was a child, I was taught that my country is most important and what we do for our country is important."

Madhavan said he has never spoken negatively about any political party, politician or political leader in his social media posts or his interviews.

"If someone does something good, like Stalin sir for instance, I praise them immediately. I have decided that I will do only good and if I have doubts about something, I won't talk about it. When an elected politician becomes a Prime Minister or a Chief Minister, I believe it is my duty to support them.

"Till date, no political party has asked me or hinted that I join them or do publicity for them at the state or national level. When I read such comments, I feel they are saying it out of some frustration but it doesn't affect my decision-making. If, for instance, a sportsman makes our country proud by winning and they say we should post about it, I think it feels right. If someone is feeling bad about that then I question their intent."

When asked that people on social media can put up any criticism like Dhurandhar is "propaganda" or Rocketry: The Nambi Effect showcased "too much Indian tradition and customs", Madhavan counter questioned: "How is it wrong to be an Indian? Why can't I show that I'm Indian? We are only showcasing what happened. I am not saying this as a political statement - basically, I don't understand this. In Dhurandhar, we have shown what happened in Pakistan - how is it propaganda? In Rocketry, we have shown what Nambi sir is and says in real life. We have not manufactured it. How can I be honest to the story when I feel afraid of who he really is. I have to be true to the character."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by R. Madhavan (@actormaddy)

Madhavan will next be seen in GDN, based on the life of legendary engineer and philanthropist Gopalaswamy Doraiswamy Naidu, widely known as the "Edison of India". The film also starring Sathyaraj, Jayaram, Priyamani, Vinay Rai, Dushara Vijayan and Aditi Balan. It will hit the screens on Friday.

Also Read | GDN Trailer: R Madhavan Transforms Into 'Edison Of India' GD Naidu

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Telegram Removed From Apple's iOS App Store Worldwide: Reports; Users Share Screenshots

Telegram has unexpectedly disappeared from Apple's App Store search results worldwide, leaving users unable to find or download the messaging app on iPhones and iPads. The removal has also resulted in "Page Not Found" errors on Telegram's official App Store listing.

As of now, neither Apple nor Telegram has issued an official statement explaining the app's disappearance, and Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has not commented on the incident.

It remains unclear whether the app was removed due to a technical issue or a policy-related action.

A Similar Incident in 2018

This is not the first time Telegram has been removed from Apple's App Store. In February 2018, Apple temporarily delisted both Telegram and its experimental Telegram X app after identifying inappropriate and illicit content circulating through public channels.

According to BitPinas, Apple reportedly required Telegram to strengthen its content moderation systems, permanently ban offending accounts, and address policy violations before restoring both apps within 24 hours.

ALSO READ: WhatsApp Down? Scores Of Users Unable To Share Videos, Images Via App

Impact on Apple Users

The current removal does not affect existing Telegram accounts, but it does create several limitations for Apple users. Those who already have Telegram installed can continue using the app, but they are advised not to uninstall it, as it cannot currently be re-downloaded from the App Store, as per BitPinas.

BREAKING: @telegram REMOVED FROM IOS APP STORES pic.twitter.com/998CP55DVK

— DEGEN NEWS (@DegenerateNews) August 4, 2026

Users setting up a new iPhone or iPad are also unable to install the official Telegram app. In addition, iOS updates, bug fixes, performance improvements, and security patches are temporarily unavailable until the listing is restored.

I'm sorry what??

Telegram was just removed from the Apple App Store worldwide pic.twitter.com/2aR8ep3nK4

— Jeremy (@Jeremybtc) August 4, 2026

However, Telegram's web version, desktop applications for Windows and macOS, and the Android app continue to function normally.

@Telegram has disappeared from the App Store for all iOS users

— plug.ton (@plugontele) August 4, 2026

Meanwhile, users are complaining on social media, sharing screenshots and expressing confusion over Telegram's sudden disappearance from the App Store.

Telegram has now been removed from the Apple App Store worldwide. pic.twitter.com/BBZRP2fcHF

— FearBuck (@FearedBuck) August 4, 2026

About Telegram

Telegram is a cloud-based instant messaging platform known for its speed, security, and synchronisation across multiple devices. With more than 1 billion active users, it ranks among the world's five most-downloaded messaging applications. 

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Paytm Block Deal: SAIF Partners, Elevation Capital To Offload Stake In Rs 2,000-Crore Shar

Shares of One97 Communications Ltd., the parent company of Paytm, are likely to remain in focus after early investor backers SAIF Partners and Elevation Capital decided to pare their holdings through a block deal worth around Rs 2,000 crore.

The development confirms an NDTV Profit newsbreak, as the channel had reported on July 24 about the upcoming stake sale via the block deal route.

According to sources, SAIF Partners and Elevation Capital will jointly sell 14.9 million shares, representing approximately 2.3% of Paytm's equity, through a block deal scheduled for August 4. The transaction is estimated to be worth around Rs 2,002 crore, making it one of the larger secondary share sales in the stock this year.

Morgan Stanley is acting as the banker to the deal, sources said.

ALSO READ: DLF Q1 Results: Revenue Halves But Profit Rises 4%; Margin Contracts

Saif Partners owns 3.63% stake as of quarter ended June, while Saif III Mauritius Company owns 8.55% stake in the company.

Paytm Q1 Results

Paytm reported a 8.1% jump in its consolidated revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2026-27 to Rs 2,448 crore sequentially, compared to Rs 2,264 crore, according to an exchange filing from the company on Monday.

The firm's net profit saw a 20% increase to Rs 220 quarter-on-quarter from Rs 184 crore. Its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) increased by 54% to Rs 203, compared to the previous quarter's Rs 132 crore. The Ebitda margin expaned to 8.3% from 5.8% in the quarter prior.

The company has clocked a profit for the fifth straight quarter.

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Lock Upp 2: Harshad Becomes 1st Finalist After Shivangi's Emotional Sacrifice

The latest episode of Lock Upp 2 delivered an emotional rollercoaster, complete with heartfelt sacrifices, unexpected confessions, and a shocking elimination twist that left both the contestants and viewers stunned.

The episode began with a major task that would decide the season's first finalist. Contestants were asked to unanimously choose one person to move a step closer to the finale.

Right at the start, Shreya Kalra secured a special advantage in the game. Meanwhile, Yogesh made a surprising move by choosing to keep Rs 10 lakh for himself. Interestingly, he did not have to leave the show to claim the cash reward and continued his journey inside Lock Upp 2.

As the game progressed, Laila, Shilpa Shinde, Ram Kapoor and Akanksha Chamola voluntarily stepped out of the race, leaving only Shivangi Joshi and Harshad Chopda inside the cell. 

Harshad's Confession Leaves Shivangi In Tears

With the final decision resting between the two, Harshad made a confession that completely changed the mood inside the jail. He admitted that he had deliberately lost the previous challenge.

"I did lose that game," Harshad told Shivangi.

His revelation left Shivangi emotional as she struggled to understand why he had willingly given up an earlier opportunity. T

Shivangi then said that if winning Lock Upp 2 was truly written in her destiny, she would eventually lift the trophy. Both contestants initially insisted that the other deserved to stay and even offered to walk out of the cell themselves.

However, Harshad later stood by his decision to remain, explaining that he had not yet received a chance to play for himself. After Riteish Deshmukh asked them to make the final call, Shivangi chose to step out, officially making Harshad Chopda the first finalist of Lock Upp 2.

A Shocking Elimination 

Just when it seemed the emotional drama had ended, the episode served up another surprise.

Riteish Deshmukh revealed that the advantage Shreya Kalra won came with immense power. She was given the authority to eliminate one contestant from the show.

After hearing appeals from the contestants, Shreya made her decision and chose to eliminate Shivangi Joshi. The announcement left everyone inside the jail visibly shocked.

Whether Shivangi has actually exited the competition or whether another twist awaits is something viewers will have to find out in the upcoming episode.

Lock Upp 2 streams every day except Friday at 8 pm on Netflix.

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