Stories by Ahmer Naqvi

That’s not cricket: How ‘creeping Hindutva’ stumped sportsmanship ahead of the T20 World Cup

The reality of the sport is that the flap of a butterfly’s wings in local Indian politics can cause a typhoon in another country’s cricketing fortunes.

Published 04 Feb, 2026 08:06am

From ‘Burger-i-Karachi’ to Kattar Karachi — Talha Anjum’s journey in his own words

For all the acclaim from across the world, Talha remains defined by a consistent, relentless dedication to his kind of music.

Published 27 Jan, 2025 03:43pm

THE ICON INTERVIEW

He’s released almost 80 songs over the past two years alone. He’s the most streamed musician in Pakistan right now.

Updated 27 Jan, 2025 05:20pm

Coach Misbah

Even if Misbah’s reign proves to be a huge success, the consequences of this move would be truly felt afterwards.

Updated 08 Sep, 2019 07:25am

A good sport

The story of Pakistan cricket is a story of a passionate, turbulent and epic love.

Published 07 Jul, 2019 07:37am

Faith in the World Cup

In the face of despair, why wouldn’t we seek to create hope and meaning in our cricket team’s chances?

Published 28 May, 2019 06:58am

A symbolic victory

The staging of the PSL in Pakistan was perhaps one the most powerful plays recently made by the state.

Updated 21 May, 2019 12:29pm

That’s not cricket

Cricket had previously served as the basis for imagining peace, and now as a means of punishment.

Updated 03 Apr, 2019 11:44am

Why the PSL matters

The league has been a form of redemption as well as revival.

Updated 14 Feb, 2019 04:53pm

Beyond boundaries

Is a person’s skin colour even an acceptable punchline?

Updated 31 Jan, 2019 09:09am

NON-FICTION: GRAPPLING WITH PAKISTANI IDENTITY

Cultural critic Nadeem Farooq Paracha’s third book attempts to provide easy access to a diverse Pakistan with

Published 26 Aug, 2018 07:40am

CRICKET: BUILDING A DYNASTY

The PSL3 final showcased a battle between Peshawar Zalmi captain Darren Sammy’s sheer force of will and the methodical,

Published 01 Apr, 2018 06:50am

CRICKET: THE RISE OF THE LEFT WING

Pakistan seems to have an embarrassment of left-arm quicks to draw upon. What’s brought this about?

Updated 14 Aug, 2017 12:36pm

What did Pakistan listen to during Ramazan?

A look at how music consumption changed - or didn't - during the holy month

Published 26 Jun, 2017 01:25pm

POPARAZZI: THE GHARANA'S LAST STAND

Even classical musicians now aim for commercialism

Published 25 Jun, 2017 08:13am

THE ICON INTERVIEW: BEING MEESHA

Singer, actor, model, mother, yogi — Meesha Shafi juggles varied personas in her search for her true calling

Updated 19 Jun, 2017 04:22pm

SUBTEXT: MANIFESTO OF THE MAN-CHILD

Critics have missed the point completely. Sahir Lodhi’s Raasta is actually about male sexuality and what kind of...

Updated 23 Apr, 2017 08:56pm

Where are Pakistan's YouTube stars?

The Youtube ban from 2010-2015 left Pakistanis behind on the world’s premier online video platform

Updated 21 Apr, 2017 12:56pm

POPARAZZI: WHERE ARE PAKISTAN’S YOUTUBE STARS?

A few weeks ago, I was part of a Twitter conversation which was based largely around a single question — where was...

Updated 21 Apr, 2017 08:10pm

Owning our music

I was sitting in a restaurant recently when a thought struck me; I had just noticed one of the other customers ...

Published 29 Jan, 2017 06:34am