With Virender Sehwag Example, England Great Blasts Pak Over Saim Ayub Stunt

A golden duck followed a 10-ball duck as Saim Ayub's return to the Pakistan Test team backfired dramatically. The young opening batter was brought to the team ahead of the third and final Test against England at Edgbaston. The result was him getting a pair over the two innings, failing to even open his account in the 11 balls he faced. On both occasions, it was England pacer Ollie Robinson who showed him the way to the dressing room. Having flown in straight from the Caribbean Premier League (a T20 league in the West Indies), Ayub's unpreparedness was duly exposed, and former England captain Nasser Hussain feels the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selection committee is to be blamed for this stunt.

In his blunt analysis of Pakistan's second innings as the touring side lost 2 wickets for 52 runs by stumps on Day 2, Hussain said that Ayub shouldn't have been a part of this Pakistan side.

"The truth is he shouldn't be here. He came from the CPL and hasn't played first-class cricket in some time," Hussain said during a post-day show on Sky Sports.

"I don't know who thinks it's the right thing to fly someone over from foreign conditions, playing a completely different format, and think they're going to be fine in these conditions against a Dukes ball, against Ollie Robinson and England's bowling attack," Hussain asserted, explaining why Ayub was destined to fail in these conditions against a team of the calibre of England.

The PCB has courted plenty of criticism of late for its casual approach, chop-and-change decision-making over selection of players and coaches. Hussain feels that the manner in which the Pakistan board is operating, it shows the people in charge aren't giving Test cricket the respect it deserves.

"It is just a sort of disrespect and disregard for Test match cricket. Test match cricket, as any cricketer will tell you, is the toughest format. Batting at the top of the order in England is the toughest task, and you just feel you can fly someone in from some part of the world and go, Good luck," he said.

Nasser Hussain discusses Pakistan's handling of Saim Ayub and whether it was the right decision to select the opener pic.twitter.com/PMZDnRjpMY

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) September 10, 2026

Hussain also highlighted what the results were when India once did the same, flying in Virender Sehwag into the squad without adequate match practice in English conditions. The result was him getting a pair. To expect Ayub to produce better results, hence, shows Pakistan's amateur approach.

"Virender Sehwag tried it on this ground, if you remember... they flew him in. Virender Sehwag got a pair, and that's Virender Sehwag, who's a better, more experienced player than Saim," highlighted Hussain.

"So a bit of responsibility goes to the lad for the shot he played. But also, whoever thought that was a seriously good decision and that he was going to go okay this week?"

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Indiabulls To Acquire 70% Stake In Fintech Cloud For Rs 1,050 Crore

Indiabulls Limited will acquire a 70% stake in Fintech Cloud Private Limited for Rs 1,050 crore, as the company looks to enter the fintech segment and expand its technology solutions business for non-banking financial companies (NBFCs).

According to an exchange filing on Friday, Indiabulls has executed a definitive agreement with Fintech Cloud for the proposed acquisition. The deal values Fintech Cloud at Rs 1,500 crore on an equity basis.

The acquisition will be undertaken through an NCLT-approved scheme involving Indiabulls and the shareholders holding 70% of Fintech Cloud. The consideration will be settled through the issuance of up to 21 crore fully paid-up equity shares of Indiabulls, subject to applicable pricing and regulatory requirements, including SEBI's ICDR regulations.

ALSO READ: SEBI Proposes Extending IT, Cyber Security Framework Of MIIs To Their Arms

Indiabulls will also appoint the majority of directors on Fintech Cloud's board with immediate effect.

Fintech Cloud is a loan service provider (LSP) that provides technology-enabled solutions and support for loan origination, underwriting and servicing to regulated entities, including NBFCs. The company reported gross revenue of Rs 133.77 crore and profit before tax of Rs 30.31 crore in FY26.

The target company was incorporated on January 11, 2021, and had reported no turnover in FY24 and FY25 before generating revenue of around Rs 133.77 crore in FY26.

The proposed acquisition will enable Indiabulls to enter the fintech segment through a business focused on providing technology solutions to NBFCs, the company said in its exchange filing.

ALSO READ: India Can Save Rs 7 Lakh Crore, Create One Crore Jobs Through Freight Network Revamp: IIM Mumbai

The transaction is expected to be completed within 9-12 months and will require approvals from the NCLT, SEBI and stock exchanges, along with other applicable regulatory and shareholder approvals.

Indiabulls said the proposed acquisition does not constitute a related-party transaction, and its promoter, promoter group and group companies do not have any interest in Fintech Cloud.

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US-Iran Conflict, Oil Rally, Modi-Putin Talks, NSE IPO & More - The Week That Was

The week starting on September 7 remained highly volatile for markets with a mix of global uncertainty, rising oil prices and expectations of interest rates hike by US Federal Reserve, while corporate India saw several important developments. Here are few top stories from this week -
US-Iran Conflict
Tensions between US and Iran escalated again this week following a brief pause as US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that the American forces attacked five Iranian oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman and near Kharg Island. Iran responded by launching ballistic missiles at a US base in Jordan and targeted multiple commercial and military vessels near the Strait of Hormuz.

Oil Prices Cross $100
Oil prices rose over $100 a barrel this week, for the first time in nearly four months, even  hitting $109 before retreating on Friday. Crude prices are track for a weekly gain of around 8% to 9%.  Following this surge, benchmark indices such as Sensex and Nifty fell, posting consecutive sessions of losses, while Wall Street and Asian markets also declined. 

Modi-Putin Talks

Ahead of BRICS Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi conducted bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, September 11. PM Modi raised the issue of  the safety of Indian seafarers in the Black Sea, and emphasised India's support for any peace initiative to end the Ukraine conflict as both leaders agreed boost bilateral trade ties amid ongoing geopoltical uncertainties.

ALSO READ: SEBI To Issue CAS Consultation Paper On Saturday; Derivative Settlement Price Methodology May See Tweak

NSE IPO Price Band
On Friday, September 11, National Stock Exchange (NSE) announced price band for its much awaited initial public offering (IPO). The public issue will open for subscription on September 17, paving the way for the bourse's listing and close on September 21. The bidding for anchor investors will take place on September 16. NSE IPO price band has been set at Rs 1,700 to Rs 1,785 per share, according to the red herring prospectus (RHP). The IPO lot size is 8 shares, and the minimum investment amount required by a retail investor is Rs 14,280.

US Inflation Data
The US consumer price index rose by more than expected last month, strengtehning the case for Federal Reserve officials to raise interest rates next week. The consumer price index, excluding food and energy, advanced 0.3% in August from a month earlier, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data released on Friday. According to Bloomberg median estimate, 0.2% increase was estimated. 
 

Global Fintech Fest 

The Global Fintech Fest (GFF), annual gathering focused fintech and the wider financial services ecosystem, with participation from more than 80 countries was conducted from September 8 to September 11, 2026. PM Narendra Modi, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra, SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey were some of the notable speakers at the event.

ALSO READ: NSE IPO: No Application Filed With SEBI To Trade Own Shares On NSE, Says MD

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Rani Mukerji Awarded For Her Contribution To Cinema, Speaks In Marathi

Over the years, actor Rani Mukerji has taken on a wide range of roles and delivered each of them with sincerity. The Chalte Chalte star has been honoured with the Raj Kapoor Special Contribution Award for her contribution to cinema. The recognition came as Rani completed three decades in the film industry. The 62nd Maharashtra State Film Awards ceremony was held in Mumbai, bringing together several noted names from the Marathi and Hindi film industries. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar honoured the award winners at the ceremony.

Dressed in a gorgeous green sari with a broad red border, Rani stole the spotlight. She paired the traditional look with green bangles, a mangalsutra and a gajra, completing the elegant ensemble.

Rani's words after receiving the award struck a chord with the audience. The actor spoke in Marathi and opened up about what made the recognition particularly special for her.

“Namaskar, for me, Maharashtra is not just a state. Maharashtra is my birthplace and it is also my workplace. This is an inseparable part of my life. I was born in this very city and grew up here. This is our very own Mumbai, the city of dreams. It was here that I learned the lessons of life, and it was also this city that taught me about cinema.”

The Black actor also mentioned that she has experienced everything here, both success and failure. And that's why today's honour is special to her. “Because I have received this honour from my own people. I took my first step into this industry at a very young age. At that time, I did not have anyone's support. I simply continued doing all my work with all my heart. For me, cinema is a medium through which we understand people,” Rani added.

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Devendra Fadnavis, while speaking at the ceremony, highlighted the importance of Marathi cinema and theatre. He said that the state government was preparing an action plan to make more cinema halls available for Marathi films.

Rani ended her speech by reiterating her connection with Mumbai and Maharashtra.

“Earlier I was a little girl, then I became an actress, a wife and now a mother. This city has given me so much and has given me the belief that one should never give up in life. I dedicate this award to all the people of Maharashtra, artists, technicians, directors and our film industry. 

“This award will always have a special place in my heart. Because whenever I look at this award, I will always remember my Mumbai and my Maharashtra. Please continue to shower me with your love and blessings. Thank you so much! Jai Hind, Jai Maharashtra!”

Salim Khan, Pandit Hridaynath Mangeshkar and Prasad Oak were also honoured at the event.

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