PARN HARIT

Ramadan is here and now we have...: Pakistan star plays religion card, warns teams ahead of Super 8 fixture vs NZ

In the high-octane world of international cricket, matches are often decided by technical skill, fitness, and data-driven strategies. However, as Pakistan enters the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup, vice-captain Shadab Khan has pointed toward a different kind of strength—one that transcends the physical boundary.

Following Pakistan's successful qualification after a dominant win against Namibia, Shadab Khan addressed the media with a perspective that resonated deeply with fans back home. "Ramadan is here, and now we have our 12th man with us in Super 8," Shadab said, flashing a confident smile.

Faith as a Competitive Edge

For Shadab and many of his teammates, the arrival of Ramadan during the most critical phase of the tournament isn't seen as a physical challenge, but as a source of immense psychological and spiritual power. By referring to the holy month as a "12th man," Shadab suggests that the team feels an added layer of protection and motivation that their opponents might not account for.

In Pakistan cricket history, the team has often found its greatest rhythm when playing during periods of religious significance. Shadab’s statement reframes the narrative of the tournament; while the world focuses on the tactical fallout of the India vs. Pakistan game, the squad is drawing on a deeper sense of purpose.

Silencing Critics with Conviction

The spiritual "12th man" isn't the only thing Shadab is relying on. He is also using his inner resolve to block out the noise regarding his recent form. Reflecting on the heavy criticism he faced after the India fixture, Shadab remained unfazed.

"Since I came back to Pakistan, I had one bad over with the ball, and all of this is happening because of that," he noted. "I don’t perform to justify myself to them, but it was just a bad day."

By separating his self-worth from the opinions of pundits and focusing on his duty to the team and his faith, Shadab has found a way to maintain his composure under immense pressure.

From Namibia to the Super 8 Gauntlet

The victory over Namibia served as the perfect springboard. It wasn't just a win; it was a cleansing of the errors made in the group stages. With the Super 8 fixtures now set, the "Men in Green" face a grueling path to the semi-finals:

vs. New Zealand (Feb 21)

vs. England (Feb 24)

vs. Sri Lanka (Feb 28)

As the team prepares for these high-stakes encounters in Colombo and Kandy, the atmosphere in the dressing room has shifted. The focus is no longer on the "Lot of talk about the India game," but on the collective goal of lifting the trophy. For Shadab Khan, with the "12th man" by their side and a clear heart, the path to the final has never looked clearer.

NZ VS Pakistan Today

New Zealand: Mitchell Santner (C), Tim Seifert (WK), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy, Ish Sodhi, Kyle Jamieson, Devon Conway, Cole McConchie.

Pakistan: Salman Ali Agha (C), Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Usman Khan (WK), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq, Fakhar Zaman, Naseem Shah, Salman Mirza, Khawaja Nafay.

In the world of high-stakes cricket, a little spiritual motivation can go a long way. The "star" in question is Pakistan's vice-captain, Shadab Khan, who made headlines today, February 21, 2026, with a bold statement ahead of Pakistan's Super 8 clash against New Zealand in the T20 World Cup.

The "12th Man" Comment

Following Pakistan's dominant win over Namibia to qualify for the Super 8s, Shadab Khan addressed the media regarding the team's mindset as the tournament enters its most critical phase.

"Ramadan is here, and now we have our 12th man with us in Super 8." — Shadab Khan

By referring to the holy month of Ramadan as a "12th man," Shadab signaled that the team views the spiritual and psychological strength gained during this period as a competitive advantage. Historically, Pakistan has often found a unique rhythm and "cornered tiger" energy when playing during significant religious periods.

Match Update: Pakistan vs. New Zealand (Super 8)

Despite the pre-match talk of spiritual momentum, the weather had the final say in Colombo today.

Result: The match was officially abandoned due to persistent rain.
The Toss: Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and elected to bat first, but the heavy downpour began almost immediately after.
Standings: Both teams received 1 point each.
The Fallout: This washout puts immense pressure on both sides for their remaining fixtures. Pakistan must now face England (Feb 24) and Sri Lanka (Feb 28) with very little room for error if they want to reach the semi-finals.

Why the "Religion Card" Narrative?

The phrase "playing the religion card" has been used by some media outlets to describe Shadab’s comments, framing them as a way to deflect from recent on-field struggles—specifically the heavy criticism the team faced after losing to India earlier in the tournament.

Shadab, however, dismissed the noise, stating that he is focused on his process and the "inner resolve" provided by his faith rather than the opinions of pundits.

Would you like me to keep you updated on the points table after tomorrow's England vs. Sri Lanka double-header?

Video shows moment of explosion after truck with liquid gas overturns in Chile, killing 4

At least four people died, and several people were injured after a truck transporting liquid gas overturned and exploded in Chile's capital, Santiago. The driver reportedly lost control of the truck and crashed.

A video of the incident also went viral, showing flames and plumes of smoke coming out of the site of the explosion. In the video, thick white smoke can be seen spreading rapidly and covering the entire road as cars stop midway.

The accident took place in the northern Santiago commune of Renca, near a major highway and an industrial area, news agency Reuters reported.

The truck was affiliated with a local gas company named Gasco, and the truck driver was among those who died in the incident.

The prosecutor's office is investigating what led up to the accident.

The explosion was reportedly felt within a radius of 120 to 200 metres and damaged at least 50 vehicles, the report said, citing firefighters.

President Gabriel Boric informed that some debris flew on three businesses, but so far, there have been no reports of further widespread damage.

Claudio Orrego, the governor of the Santiago metropolitan region, said that there are no reports of further widespread damage. He also said that the five people were in serious condition. One person suffered full-body burns and is in a life-threatening condition

Firefighters and emergency services reached the spot immediately and started rescue operations.

In a similar incident last month, a CNG-powered truck carrying highly inflammable foam material caught fire in Ludhiana, triggering four blasts. No one was injured in the incident.

In another incident, last year, a truck driver was burnt alive after the CNG cylinder of his vehicle exploded following a collision on a flyover in Punjab. The driver was en route to deliver goods to various shops when the accident occurred around 11pm.

A devastating explosion occurred in Santiago, Chile, on Thursday, February 19, 2026, after a truck carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) overturned on a highway.

The footage, which has since gone viral, captures a haunting sequence: a massive white cloud of pressurized gas rapidly blankets the highway before igniting into a colossal fireball that incinerates everything in its path.

Key Details of the Incident

Casualties: At least 4 people were killed, including the truck driver.
Injuries: 17 people were injured, with 5 in critical condition. One victim reportedly suffered burns over 100% of their body.
Location: The commune of Renca, a northern district of Santiago near a major industrial zone and highway.
Property Damage: The blast was felt up to 200 meters away, damaging or destroying at least 50 vehicles and sending debris into three nearby businesses.

How the Disaster Unfolded

The Crash: The truck, operated by the local gas company Gasco, was traveling from a terminal in Quintero to a plant in Maipu. The driver reportedly lost control, striking a guardrail or barrier before the vehicle overturned.
The Gas Cloud: Immediately after flipping, high-pressure liquid gas began leaking, creating a thick, white "fog" that swallowed nearby cars and a cyclist visible in some versions of the footage.
The Ignition: Moments later, the gas found an ignition source, resulting in a massive explosion. President Gabriel Boric confirmed that emergency teams worked for hours to cool the remaining tanks and prevent secondary blasts.

Investigation Status

The prosecutor's office has launched a formal investigation. Preliminary reports suggest speeding or a loss of control as the primary cause. The highway remains a focal point for cleanup and forensic analysis as authorities determine if mechanical failure played a role.

Would you like me to look for updates on the condition of the injured victims or any official statements released by the Gasco company?