Zimbabwe delivered a masterclass in Group B of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, toppling hosts Sri Lanka by 6 wickets in a nail-biting chase at Colombo. Chasing a target of 174, the Chevrons showcased depth across batting and bowling, with Brian Bennett’s explosive 70 off 49 balls and captain Sikandar Raza’s unbeaten 62 steering them home with 5 balls to spare. Sri Lanka posted 173/6 thanks to half-centuries from Pathum Nissanka (60) and Kusal Mendis (52), but Zimbabwe’s bowlers led by Blessing Muzarabani’s 3/25 kept things tight. This win propelled Zimbabwe to the top of Group B, boosting their Super 8s hopes. Relive the action in the ICC’s official match highlights video . Key Performances and Turning Points Bennett’s aggressive knock, featuring 5 sixes and 6 fours, set the tone after early wickets, while Raza’s composed finish under pressure sealed the deal amid a roaring Colombo crowd. Muzarabani’s death-over yorkers restricted Sri Lanka, who lost momentum after a strong p...
Recent developments have placed Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) in a tough spot due to a serious shortage of funds. This has led to the temporary grounding of some of its planes. The airline is struggling to gather the money it needs to keep flying, which has resulted in unpaid bills to various parties like creditors, aircraft lessors, fuel suppliers, insurers, and even the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
The Ministry of Aviation has issued a strong warning, drawing attention to PIA's dire financial condition. As a result, the airline has had to take five of its 13 leased planes out of service, with the possibility of four more facing a similar fate. To make matters worse, the Ministry of Aviation has revealed that Boeing and Airbus may stop supplying spare parts by mid-September.
In an attempt to address these urgent issues, the ministry has asked for an immediate cash injection of Rs23 billion and for the suspension of duties, taxes, and service charges to domestic agencies. However, this request was made without presenting a clear and viable business plan.
This situation has raised serious concerns about PIA's future and its ability to remain in operation during the restructuring process, which is expected to take around eight months. It's vital for the airline to keep flying to ensure a fair value for its shares when they are eventually sold.
Abdullah Khan, a spokesperson for PIA, has confirmed that some leased planes have been temporarily grounded. However, he remains hopeful that they will be back in service once the outstanding payments are settled. He pointed out that blocked funds since December 2022 and challenges in converting foreign exchange are major obstacles affecting the airline's ability to meet its financial commitments.
PIA's debts have ballooned to Rs743 billion (about $2.5 billion), which is five times more than its total assets, according to Bloomberg's data. This significant financial imbalance highlights the urgency of finding a sustainable solution to the airline's financial difficulties.
In these trying times, PIA is at a critical crossroads, requiring careful financial planning, support from the government, and a clear roadmap to ensure its ongoing operation and eventual recovery.
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