ISLAMABAD: Just hours before the sporting showdown between Pakistan and Indian cricket teams at the World Cup’s marquee event in Manchester, Prime Minister Imran Khan said Pakistan must banish all fear of losing in a five part tweet.
Khan is a former skipper of the Pakistan national team, and led the greenshirts to their one and only World Cup victory in 1992. Pakistan has not won a single world cup match against India in the last 27 years.
“Today, given the intensity of the match, both teams will come under great mental pressure and the power of the mind will decide the outcome of the match,” Khan tweeted.
“In Sarfaraz we are fortunate to have a bold captain & today he will have to be at his daring best.”
Khan advised captain Sarfraz Ahmed to have a “winning offensive strategy,” and to use specialist batsmen and bowlers.
“Unless the pitch is damp, Sarfaraz must win the toss and bat,” Khan said. Contrary to the Prime Minister’s advice however, Ahmed chose to bowl after winning the toss.
“Just give your best and fight till the last ball. Then accept whatever the result like true sportsmen,” Khan said.
It is estimated that Sunday’s match will be watched by a billion people across the world.
Banish fear of losing: PM Imran Khan gives Twitter pep-talk before Pak-India cricket clash
Banish fear of losing: PM Imran Khan gives Twitter pep-talk before Pak-India cricket clash
- Power of the mind will decide the outcome of the match, says PM Khan
- Imran Khan led Pakistan to its one and only World Cup win in 1992
Pakistan, China call for more ‘visible, verifiable’ actions to dismantle ‘terrorist’ groups in Afghanistan
- Foreign ministers of China, Pakistan co-chair seventh round of strategic dialogue in Beijing to review bilateral cooperation, regional situation
- Pakistan accuses Kabul of facilitating attacks launched by militant outfits from Afghanistan’s soil, a charge Kabul has repeatedly denied
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China on Monday urged Afghanistan to take more visible actions to dismantle “terrorist organizations” based in its country, vowing to work with world powers to encourage Kabul to adopt moderate policies and integrate into the international community.
Ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan remain strained as Islamabad alleges militant outfits, mainly the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) group, uses Afghan soil to launch attacks against Pakistan. Islamabad accuses the Afghan Taliban government of facilitating these attacks against Pakistan, charges Kabul have repeatedly denied.
The joint statement by China and Pakistan was released after a meeting of both countries’ foreign ministers, Ishaq Dar and Wang Yi, in Beijing. Dar and his Chinese counterpart co-chaired the Seventh Round of China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue in Beijing on Jan. 4 where they reviewed cooperation in trade, investment, economic sectors, counterterrorism, defense and regional matters.
“The two sides called for more visible and verifiable actions to dismantle and eliminate all terrorist organizations based in Afghanistan which continue to pose serious threats to regional and global security, and prevent terrorist organizations from using the Afghan territory for terrorism against any other country and to endanger any other country,” the statement read.
The joint statement said the two countries will work with world powers to encourage Kabul to adopt an inclusive political framework, moderate policies, and pursue good neighborliness.
On bilateral cooperation, China and Pakistan said they had agreed to focus on industry, agriculture and mining, and also promote the building and operation of the Gwadar Port in southwestern Pakistan.
“The two sides will deepen cooperation in areas such as trade and investment, information technology, science and technology, cybersecurity, technical and vocational training and education, and people-to-people and cultural exchanges,” the statement said.
“The two sides agreed to further strengthen cooperation in the financial and banking sectors, including extending mutual support at regional and international multilateral financial forums. Pakistan appreciated China for providing support for its fiscal and financial sectors.”
The joint statement said China commended Pakistan’s “comprehensive measures” to combat “terrorism” and protect Chinese personnel, projects and institutions in the country.
“The two sides reiterated their commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations with zero tolerance, and agreed to further deepen all-round cooperation on counter-terrorism and security, and make concerted efforts to ensure that the China-Pakistan Belt and Road cooperation advance in a secure and smooth manner,” the statement said.
Pakistan and China expressed their willingness to conduct a transboundary water resources cooperation, stressing the importance of fulfilling international legal obligations. The statement comes as Pakistan frequently accuses India of violating a water-sharing agreement between the two neighbors, claiming New Delhi purposefully diverts the flow of water away from its territory.
Islamabad has warned that any move by New Delhi to stop or divert the flow of Indus rivers to Pakistan will be considered an “act of war.”
Pakistan and China also demanded an unconditional, comprehensive and permanent ceasefire in Gaza in their joint statement, reaffirming their support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and for the implementation of a two-state solution in the Middle East.
“The two sides also expressed their concern at the situation in the occupied West Bank, and urged the need for urgently addressing it,” the statement said.
