KARACHI:

I was talking to a friend through my AirPods when a message notification popped up on my phone. I casually glanced at it — and froze. A post claimed, “Former captain so-and-so has passed away.”

I told my friend, “I’ve just seen something strange. I’ll call you back.” This wasn’t just a name on a screen. I had known this cricketer personally for years. I tried calling him immediately, but there was no response. Although I knew he was healthy, my mind went into overdrive. That very morning I had sent him my column on WhatsApp – the blue ticks showed he had read it.

Then my phone rang.

His name flashed on the screen.

I answered in panic before he cheerfully said, “Alive… alive!” and burst into laughter.

“They’ve killed me today!” he said. “Do people even think about what such n

See Full Page