ISLAMABAD: The excitement of Pakistani cricket fans swiftly turned to depression on Sunday as Indian batsman aggressively countered the blitz of Pakistani bowlers attempting to take down their South Asian arch rival during the first inning of the most awaited match of the cricket World Cup. Pakistan won its first and only World Cup in 1992 under the captaincy of incumbent Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Arab News witnessed several disappointed Pakistani cricket fans in Islamabad storm out from public and private screening venues of the India-Pakistan match early. Many predicted a defeat as India set a stunning 377 target for Pakistan which later was lowered to 302 impacted by intermittent wet weather.
The second inning which Pakistani batsmen played cautiously was shortened to 40 overs. Overall, spectators at home said the green team’s performance was subpar while fielding coordination disorganized.
Fans managed to salvage some moments of joy as Pakistan struggled to knock out Indian wickets. And when the green jerseys did, a dim ray of hope returned but quickly faded realizing the Indian were just too strong for Pakistan.
In this video, Arab News shows the match highlights, facial expressions, and people’s comments over India-Pakistan’s first pitched battle of ICC Cricket World Cup played in England which Pakistan lost by a mile.
Cricket fans upset as India beat Pakistan in world cup match
Cricket fans upset as India beat Pakistan in world cup match
- If Pakistan can’t beat India, how can it expect to win the World Cup argue cricket fans
- India defeating Pakistan came as no surprise say Pakistanis that kept high hopes, low expections
UK announces ‘major reset’ of Pakistan development partnership with new trade, climate, education initiatives
- UK commits to increased investment-led cooperation in climate, business regulation and higher education
- London shifts from aid donor to investment-focused partner as bilateral trade crosses $7.3 billion
ISLAMABAD: The United Kingdom on Wednesday unveiled what it called a “major reset” in its development partnership with Pakistan, announcing new investment-focused cooperation, education programs and a bilateral climate compact during a visit by UK Minister for Development Jennifer Chapman.
The trip marks the first federal-level development dialogue between the two governments in eight years and reflects London’s shift from a traditional aid-donor role toward investment-based partnerships. The British government said the new approach aims to use UK expertise to help partner economies build capacity and unlock domestic growth.
Pakistan-UK trade has also reached a record high, crossing £5.5 billion ($7.3 billion) for the first time, with more than 200 British firms now active in Pakistan, an increase London says signals growing two-way commercial confidence.
“Pakistan is a crucial partner for the UK. We work together to tackle the drivers behind organized crime and illegal migration, keeping both our countries safer,” Chapman was quoted as saying in a statement by the British High Commission in Islamabad.
“Our strong bilateral trading relationship brings jobs and growth to us both. And we’re working together to tackle climate change, a global threat.”
The minister and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday jointly launched a package of business regulatory reforms aimed at improving Pakistan’s investment climate and making it easier for UK firms to operate. Officials said the initiative supports Pakistan’s economic recovery agenda and creates new commercial avenues for British companies.
A second key announcement was the next phase of the Pak-UK Education Gateway, developed with the British Council and Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission. The expanded program will enable joint research between universities in both countries, support climate- and technology-focused academic collaboration, and introduce a startup fund to help commercialize research. The Gateway will also promote UK university courses delivered inside Pakistan, giving students access to British degrees without traveling abroad.
Accompanied by Pakistan’s Minister for Climate Change Dr. Musadik Malik, Chapman also launched a Green Compact, a framework for climate cooperation, green investment, environmental protection and joint work at global climate forums.
The UK emphasized it remains one of Pakistan’s largest development partners, citing ongoing work in education, health, climate resilience and anti-trafficking capacity building.
During the visit to Pakistan, Chapman will meet communities benefiting from UK-supported climate programs, which London says helped 2.5 million Pakistanis adapt to climate impacts in the past year, and observe training of airport officers working to prevent human trafficking.
“We remain firm friends of Pakistan, including in times of crisis, as shown through our floods response,” Chapman said. “And we know to accelerate growth in both our countries, we must work together in partnership to tackle the problems we face.”
