With over hundred streak freezes used, my O Levels, and entire A Levels done, here am I, knocking the doors of the 1000 Day streak club,

I studied the Arabic course, and I completed it pretty soon, then started the English course when it was introduced, and it is good, nearly going to complete it. Started Turkish back in 2023, went pretty further there, but discontinued it due to A Levels, yet to resume it.

Did learn some notes in Music, trying to master Chess (it's fun beating Oscar in those games), and do Maths just for a fun.

About my Duolingo Journey, my elder sister encouraged me to join Duo back in early 2023, she started it in 2022, but then lost that account (it had got some problems) in mid-2024, and thus she lost her 600 day streak, and now has a 600+ day streak now. She has achieved B1 level in French, and has completed her English course. She is further ahead in Music than me.

A brief rant about Duolingo, I used to enjoy Duolingo very much back in 2024, just like I enjoy Reddit now, a day without looking at the Feed, seemed like a day wasted. Ramp up challenges, and things like that, required 30 gems, rather than the 100 gems (that it was raised to later). Our profile pictures were removed, and got those 'avatars' that don't seem fit to me.

Courses like Arabic aren't improved or features like story added to them. Many users that I know from 2024, have either gone inactive, or don't do as much Duolingo as they used to do at that time. Duolingo needs not to go more towards pushing users towards Super or Max version, it should keep the normal version of it, usable for users who have trusted it since long.

The new energy system doesn't seem to be on, I was fine with hearts, though I wasn't a big fan of those, like that if we made 5 mistakes, we couldn't do our lessons again, unless we would practice to earn hearts, or watch ads, or spends gems on getting the hearts back. Now in energy system, we can do a maximum of two lessons seamlessly, before feeling the need to either watch ads, or refill energy spending the gems (which we don't earn easily).

My appeal to the Duolingo management is, to revert back to the heart system, keep the practice to earn hearts option again, make the practice your mistakes feature free for all Duolingo users.

Thank you all, and yes, I am not going to leave Duolingo, it feels like an emotional investment over the period of the last 3 and a half years, so I am not quitting it yet. Thanks to my dear sister who introduced me to Duolingo, and all those who were with me on Duolingo.

Match details

Ground: Kent County Cricket Ground, Beckenham

Series: Pakistan tour of England

Season 2026

Hours of play (local time): 1100 start, Lunch 1300-1340, Tea 1540-1600, Stumps 1800

Match days: 13,14,15 August 2026 - day (3-day match)

https://youtu.be/gDado5eeBKc?si=iYccEDss82-iLxUo

Pakistan Greens won the toss and elected to bat first.

1st match won by Pakistan Greens (vs. Pakistan Whites)

2nd match won by Pakistan Blues (vs. Pakistan Gold)

3rd match won by Pakistan Whites (vs. Pakistan Blues)

Gold Captain: Shaheen Shah Afridi

Greens Captain: Shadab Khan

https://www.cricinfo.com/series/national-champions-cup-2026-1547980/pakistan-gold-vs-pakistan-greens-4th-match-1547986/full-scorecard

Match details

Ground: Kent County Cricket Ground, Beckenham

Series: Pakistan tour of England

Season 2026

Hours of play (local time): 1100 start, Lunch 1300-1340, Tea 1540-1600, Stumps 1800

Match days13,14,15 August 2026 - day (3-day match)

Follow up to u/Ghostly_100 bhai's Prophetic XI, and my Qur'an XI versions of Pakistan Cricket Team, I decided to do something new...

Since it is 14th August, I thought why not do something slightly different for a change. I was messing around with the names of Pakistani cricketers and somehow ended up going down the Mughal family tree.

So here we are.

An all-time Pakistan XI consisting of players whose names connect to Mughal emperors, princes or royal titles.

The rules are fairly simple:

• The player must have represented Pakistan internationally at least once.
• They can be from any era, from 1952 to 2026.
• Their name, or a clearly identifiable part of it, has to correspond to a Mughal emperor, prince, royal name or title.
• Some of the connections are admittedly very technical. But that's half the fun. 😂

So, here is my Mughal Royalty XI:

1. Babar Azam

Babar → Zahir-ud-Din Muhammad Babur

The easiest selection of the entire XI.

Babur was the founder of the Mughal Empire, and Babar Azam is opening the batting for the Mughal Empire. Seems fair enough.

2. Fakhar Zaman

Zaman → Muhammad Zaman Mirza

Muhammad Zaman Mirza was a Timurid prince and a member of the dynasty from which the Mughals descended.

Yes, I'm stretching the definition slightly by including the Timurids, but Babur himself was a Timurid prince before establishing the Mughal Empire, so I'm allowing it.

And Babar and Fakhar opening? Pre-Champions Trophy 2025 ODI tri-series flashbacks, anyone? 😭

3. Zaheer Abbas

Zaheer → Zahir-ud-Din Muhammad Babur

Babur's full name was Zahir-ud-Din Muhammad Babur, so Zaheer Abbas gets in through the Zaheer/Zahir part.

Which means we've somehow selected both Babar Azam and Zaheer Abbas because of different parts of Babur's name.

The Mughal Empire has excellent batting depth.

4. Javed Miandad

Mian → Mian

Mian was a title used for princes and nobles in the Mughal-era world.

And I'm surely not leaving Javed Miandad out of an all-time Pakistan XI because the connection is slightly technical.

One of Pakistan's greatest ever batsmen and my dad's favourite Pakistan batter ever, walks straight into the middle order.

5. Fawad Alam

Alam → Shah Alam

There were multiple Mughal emperors known as Shah Alam, including Shah Alam I and Shah Alam II.

So Fawad gets his place through the Alam in his name.

Fair enough.

6. Saleem Yousuf (wk)

Saleem → Prince Salim

Prince Salim was the son of Akbar and later became Emperor Jahangir.

And we need a wicketkeeper, so Saleem Yousuf gets the gloves otherwise Saleem Malik could've been considered too.

7. Ahmad Daniyal

Daniyal → Prince Daniyal Mirza

Daniyal Mirza was one of Emperor Akbar's sons.

This is another pretty straightforward one because we're actually matching the name of a Mughal prince.

Ahmad Daniyal also gives us another pace option and some lower-order batting.

8. Shaheen Shah Afridi

Shah → Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar

There are obviously plenty of Mughal emperors who carried the title Shah, notably Bahadur Shah Zafar.

And if I'm making a Mughal Royalty XI and I have a Pakistan fast bowler called Shaheen Shah, there is absolutely no chance I'm leaving him out.

9. Jalaluddin

Jalaluddin → Jalal-ud-Din Muhammad Akbar

Now this is where the XI gets properly old-school.

Jalal-ud-Din Muhammad Akbar was the third Mughal emperor, better known as Akbar the Great.

And considering this is an all-time XI, I wanted at least one proper name from the old days rather than having half the team consisting of modern-day players.

10. Abrar Ahmed

Ahmed → Ahmad Shah Bahadur

Ahmad Shah Bahadur was Mughal emperor from 1748 to 1754.

So Abrar gets his place through Ahmed/Ahmad.

Our mystery spinner is now officially serving the Mughal court.

11. Khurram Shahzad

Khurram → Prince Khurram, later Emperor Shah Jahan

This might be my favourite selection of the entire XI.

Before becoming Shah Jahan, the future emperor was known as Prince Khurram.

And we have a Pakistani international literally called Khurram Shahzad.

So the final XI:

Babar Azam
Fakhar Zaman
Zaheer Abbas
Javed Miandad (C)
Fawad Alam
Saleem Yousuf (wk)
Ahmad Daniyal
Shaheen Shah Afridi
Jalaluddin
Abrar Ahmed
Khurram Shahzad

And honestly, this team isn't even bad.

Babar and Fakhar at the top gives us those pre-CT2025 vibes.

Zaheer Abbas at 3 and Javed Miandad at 4 is ridiculous batting quality.

Fawad at 5, Saleem Yousuf at 6 and Ahmad Daniyal at 7 gives us a decent amount of depth.

Then we have Shaheen, Jalaluddin and Khurram as the three specialist pace options, Ahmad Daniyal as another pace-bowling option, and Abrar as the specialist spinner.

So technically, we've got a pretty balanced side.

The Mughal Empire might actually win a few ODIs. 😭

And that's literally the point, I wanted to make a good cricketing combination, that can actually win on paper.

It's 14th August, we're Pakistan cricket fans, and sometimes you just have to make your own little khushiyan. 🇵🇰 ❤️

Happy Independence Day, everyone!

What do you guys think?

👑 🏏 Who have I missed, and what would your Pakistan Mughal Royalty XI look like? 🏏 🇵🇰

In case someone needed to know what happened on the first day of the warm-up between Pakistan and PCC Select XI, I am posting this.

Pakistan used 8 bowlers, with Mohammad Ali taking 3/23 in 10 overs, while Abbas took 3/37 in 10 overs. Khurram Shahzad was expensive early on, as he took 2/55 in 10.5 overs. Ubaid Shah had a difficult outing, he conceded 50 runs in 8 overs, going wicketless. Aamer Jamal took 1/33 in 9 overs.

Coming to the spin attack, Ali Usman took 1/38 in his 11 overs, while Sajid Khan had figures of 0/22 in 5, and Salman Ali Agha had 0/33 in 6 overs.

Pakistan meanwhile made a cautious start to their innings, scoring 44/0 in 13 overs, which is a goos sign that openers didn't lose wickets at twilight time.

Remember that Wasim Jnr was dropped from the ODI squad after the Bangladesh series in March 2026 and wasn't considered for the 2026 Australia home ODIs.

And he come backs with a roar! Pakistan needs him in the ODI squad for 2027 World Cup instead of Rauf, Wasim Jnr is quick, good fielder and can hit a few good shots at the end. He also scored 20 odd in this game too.

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Sarfaraz Ahmed and Mohammad Rizwan practicing wicket-keeper catching. Good teamwork by the two keepers.

In another news, Abdullah Fazal has began rehabilitation process at NCA, after being ruled out due to lower-back injury from both WI and England Tests. Hopefully he regains full fitness by Sri Lanka home Tests.

Pakistan's tour of the Caribbean ended on a positive note. After losing the first Test at Tarouba, they responded brilliantly at Port of Spain to level the series 1-1. It wasn't a perfect tour by any means, but there were enough positives to build on. Now comes a much bigger challenge.

England is one of the hardest (or the easiest in some cases) places in the world to tour. The Dukes ball swings for longer as the conditions aren't abrasive, fast bowlers are rewarded for patience and discipline as batting is usually easier towards the end of the English summer, while visiting batters from Asian countries (usually) are consistently tested outside off stump. Winning there isn't just about picking the biggest names. It's about selecting players who suit the conditions and then using them in the right way.

For me, the top 5 of the batting order almost get picked automatically.

I'd open with Azan Awais. Since making his Test debut, he's shown exactly the temperament Pakistan need in England. He scored a century on debut on a lively Dhaka pitch, followed it with a patient hundred in the four-day warm-up against the West Indies Select XI at Tarouba, before making a valuable fifty at Port of Spain. More than the runs themselves, it's the way he gets them that impresses me. He's prepared to leave the ball, trusts his defence and is comfortable while spending time at the crease. Those are qualities every successful young opener needs in England.

Alongside him, I'd keep Shan Masood. I know opinions on Shan are divided, but his record in England deserves respect. His 151 at Southampton in 2020 remains one of Pakistan's finest overseas opening innings in recent years, and before injury ruled him out of the second Test in the Caribbean, he had scored a century at Tarouba on a difficult pitch where seamers took all 40 wickets. England is probably the place where his experience becomes even more valuable.

At number three, Abdullah Shafique has earned his place after that unbeaten 160 at Port of Spain. After not being considered earlier and coming in as an injury replacement, he answered every question with the bat. England will test every top-order batter, but if anyone in this side has the patience and technique to occupy the crease for a long time, it's Abdullah.

Babar Azam remains my captain at number four. His return to the captaincy also saw a return to runs, with two half-centuries during the West Indies series. Pakistan's job should be simple: allow the top order to negotiate the toughest phase with the new Dukes ball so that Babar walks in against an older ball rather than inside the first hour.

At number five, I'd back Abdullah Fazal. He announced himself with two fifties on debut on a pace-friendly Dhaka pitch and looked positive again in the Tarouba warm-up with two quick innings in the middle-order, before injury unfortunately ruled him out of the Test series. Although naturally an opener in first-class cricket, I don't think batting at five is a problem for someone with his technique.

I'm also sticking with Salman Ali Agha. The West Indies series wasn't good for him with the bat and three cheap dismissals were disappointing, but one poor series shouldn't erase what he's done over the last couple of years. Personally, I think England's conditions will suit him much better. The bounce is generally more even and I wouldn't be surprised if he rediscovers his form there.

The same goes for Mohammad Rizwan. This could well be his final overseas Test tour, and historically he's batted well in SENA countries. Add to that his experience behind the stumps, and I still think he's an important player for this side.

Both Awais Zafar and Ghazi Ghori travel as batting backups. They both average around 42 in first-class cricket while scoring at strike rates above 65, suggesting they can balance patience with positive intent. Awais Zafar's Test debut at Port of Spain lasted only 8 deliveries with a solitary score, but I'm certainly not judging him on that. Ghazi is another good prospect who, even if he doesn't play, will benefit enormously from spending time around the senior squad on an England tour.

The pace attack is fairly straightforward.

Mohammad Abbas and Mohammad Ali should lead the attack throughout the series if they're fit. England is tailor-made for bowlers like them. They bowl disciplined lines, let the Dukes ball do the work and rarely give batters easy scoring opportunities.

The third seamer is where I'd make a slightly different call.

I still rate Khurram Shahzad very highly, but one thing I've noticed recently is that his pace has dropped. He's now operating at almost the same speed as Abbas. For me, that's a problem because both bowlers are asking batters almost identical questions.

I'd rather have variety.

That's why I'd go with Musa Khan.

He gives Pakistan genuine pace, something this attack otherwise lacks. More importantly, he's beginning to control that pace much better than before. His bouncer has become a genuine wicket-taking weapon and, on flatter days when the Dukes ball stops doing as much, having someone capable of bowling over 140 kmph gives Pakistan another way of breaking partnerships.

Aamer Jamal would remain in my squad as the reserve seamer. I still think he's a useful cricketer, but he can become expensive. For me, he starts on the bench and comes in only if conditions or injuries demand it.

The hardest decision in the squad is the spinner.

Normally I'd look towards Sajid Khan, because right-arm off-spin has always been an excellent matchup against left-handers. But when you look at England's likely XI for Headingley and Lord's, they'll probably have only two left-handers at the top before a long line of right-handers. That changes the equation completely.

For me, the decision comes down to Abrar Ahmed and Ali Usman.

Ali Usman has one major advantage. He's coming straight from Test cricket after making his debut in the Caribbean and taking six wickets at Port of Spain. He's already in red-ball rhythm and should be full of confidence.

Abrar's case is slightly different.

His last Test appearance came back in January 2025, so there are genuine concerns about how quickly he'll readjust to the longer format. At the same time, there are reasons to keep him involved.

He's already been in England for the last few weeks playing for Sunriser Leeds in The Hundred. While that's obviously a completely different format, he's already adapted to the weather, pitches and training conditions.

He's also sharing the dressing room with players like Zak Crawley, Harry Brook, Dan Lawrence, Matthew Potts and Brydon Carse. 4 of them (except for Crawley) are part of the squad against Pakistan. No, that doesn't suddenly give him a blueprint for dismissing them, but spending time alongside those players does help you understand how they prepare, how they train and how they approach different situations.

Abrar has also taken 46 wickets in just 10 Tests, which tells you everything about his quality.

Personally, I'd start the series with Ali Usman because he's coming in with recent red-ball cricket behind him. Then I'd seriously consider bringing Abrar into the second or third Test once he's had a little more time to switch back into the rhythm of Test cricket.

One tactical adjustment I'd really like Pakistan to try has nothing to do with selection.

I'd like to see Mohammad Rizwan standing up to the stumps whenever Mohammad Abbas or Mohammad Ali are bowling.

New Zealand used this tactic very effectively earlier in the English summer, with Tom Blundell regularly standing up to the medium pacers. I think Pakistan could benefit from doing something similar.

It could be particularly effective against Joe Root, who has occasionally looked vulnerable to LBWs when the wicketkeeper stands up and keeps him rooted in his crease.

The same idea could also work against Harry Brook.

Brook loves advancing down the wicket to seam bowlers and turning good-length deliveries into scoring opportunities. If Rizwan is standing up, Brook has to think twice before leaving his crease because the chance of a stumping is always there. It won't completely stop England's two best batters, but if it makes them hesitate for even a split second before committing to a shot, Pakistan have already gained something. Test cricket is often decided by these little tactical details.

My squad would be: Babar Azam (captain), Shan Masood, Azan Awais, Abdullah Shafique, Abdullah Fazal, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Ghazi Ghori (wk), Awais Zafar, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Musa Khan, Khurram Shahzad, Aamer Jamal, Abrar Ahmed, Sajid Khan and Ali Usman.

No squad is ever going to please everyone, and I'm sure people will have one or two changes they'd make. This is simply the group I'd trust to tour England.

The Caribbean series showed that Pakistan can compete overseas when they stay competent with the bat, disciplined with the ball and adapt to the conditions in front of them. England will demand even more of those qualities. If Pakistan can carry those lessons from the Caribbean, make a few smart tactical adjustments and trust players whose games are suited to English conditions, I genuinely think they'll give themselves a good chance of winning a Test series on English shores.