Day: May 4, 2022

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Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari extends felicitations to media fraternity on World #PressFreedomDay

Karachi, May 04, 2022 (PPI-OT):Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Foreign Minister of Pakistan Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that access of citizens to accurate information is the foundation of a strong democratic society.

According to a statement issued by Media Cell Bilawal House, in his message on World Press Freedom Day, PPP chairman said that the constitution of Pakistan guarantees freedom of the press and the right of citizens to access accurate information. He said that his Party has never been, and never will, compromise on the issue of freedom of speech and writing.

He pointed out that Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, after assuming the office of the Prime Minister for the first time, had abolished the black laws against the media in 1988, which were imposed during the dictatorship. “Recent candid stance against the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) was a manifestation of the PPP’s strict adherence to its ideology and guiding principles,” he maintained.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the PPP and Pakistan’s journalist fraternity have worked together for the protection of freedom of expression and journalism, which spans over five decades. He expressed concern saying that media workers all over the world are facing difficult situation at present. He urged the need to ensure the safety of media workers around the world. “On the one hand, access to the Internet and censorship of content is on the rise, and on the other, fake news and hate-mongering propaganda are also on the increase,” he added. Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also extended felicitation to journalists all over the world including Pakistan on the International Day.

For more information, contact:
PPP Media Cell (Sindh)
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)
Peoples Secretariat Shikarpur Colony,
Behind Mazar-e-Quaid-e-Azam, Karachi, Pakistan
Cell: +92-305-3370383
Email: contact@ppp-tu.com
Website: https://www.ppp.org.pk

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Australia consolidate top position in Tests after annual update 

Dubai, May 04, 2022 (PPI-OT):Australia have increased their lead over second-placed India from one to nine rating points while Pakistan have overtaken England to fifth position in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s Test Team Rankings following the annual update carried out today.

Australia, who beat England 4-0 in a five-match home series in January, have moved from 119 to 128 rating points in the annual update that drops the 2018-19 season and reflects all series completed since May 2019. Series completed prior to May 2021 are now weighted at 50 per cent and subsequent series at 100 percent.

India have also gained a point to move to 119 while England have had the biggest decrease of nine points as their 4-1 series win over India in 2018 is now dropped from the rankings. England’s 88 rating points is their lowest since 1995.

The England versus India series that began in 2021, will be included in the rankings once the final postponed Test is completed.

South Africa have closed the gap with third-placed New Zealand from 13 points to just one point in the updated rankings that still contain 10 teams since Afghanistan and Ireland are yet to play enough Tests to be included in the rankings.

In the updated ODI rankings, New Zealand remain on top but their lead over England is reduced from three to one point. The gap between England and third placed Australia has increased from seven to 17 points. Pakistan have moved past South Africa to fifth place while the United Arab Emirates are the biggest gainers, earning six rating points and advancing two places to 13th.

India remain on top in T20Is, extending their lead over second-placed England from one to five points. South Africa and Australia have overtaken New Zealand, who are now in sixth place. Similarly, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are now ahead of Afghanistan (10th).

The biggest rating improvement has been by Portugal, who have moved up five places to 45th in the latest update, in which the number of ranked teams has fallen from 91 to 72, as 19 teams have not played the required six rated matches since May 2019.

Of the 19 teams to have lost their ranking, 11 still have a rating since they played some T20Is in the past three years. Mexico, Philippines and Isle of Man have played five matches so will regain their ranking when they play their next match, while France, Peru, Hungary, Samoa, Brazil, Chile and Turkey will regain their ranking after playing two more matches. Bhutan need to play four more matches to be ranked.

Fiji, Costa Rica, Japan, South Korea, St Helena, China, Indonesia and Myanmar have not played since May 2019 and so have lost their rating.

For more information, contact:
Headquarters,
International Cricket Council (ICC)
Street 69, Dubai Sports City,
Sh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE
Phone: +97-143828800
Fax: +97-143828600
E-mail: enquiry@icc-cricket.com
Website: www.icc-cricket.com