ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Navy Ship ASLAT with an embarked AL-43 helicopter visited the Jeddah Port of Saudi Arabia as part of overseas deployment for Regional Maritime Security Patrols in the Arabian Sea, the Pakistan Navy said in a statement on Saturday.
Deployment of the Pakistani Navy ship is aimed at ensuring maritime security in the region in line with the Pakistan government’s policy and international obligations.
“PNS ASLAT is front line warship of Pakistan Navy Fleet and fourth ship of Sword Class frigate project; built at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works,” Pakistan Navy said, adding that “the ship is fitted with state of the art weapons and sensors, capable of undertaking wide range of maritime operations in multi-threat environment.”
Commander Replenishment Group Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) Western Fleet along with the Joint Operations Center Jeddah welcomed the Pakistani Ship at Jeddah port.
Commanding Officer ASLAT, Captain Shafiq Ur Rehman, met with Saudi Navy officials and highlighted that the visit was a part of a multifaceted long-term collaboration between the two navies.
“Pakistan and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are tied in eternal bonds of religion and brotherhood,” the Pakistan Navy statement said. “The visit by ASLAT will further enhance Pakistan Navy’s bilateral relations with Royal Saudi Naval Forces in diverse avenues.”
Last month, on June 29, three Saudi naval officers were among 175 graduates of the Pakistan naval academy’s 111th course commissioning parade in Karachi, where the commander of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, Vice Admiral Fahad Bin Abdullah Al-Ghofaily, was the chief guest.
While addressing the graduating officers, Al-Ghofaily highlighted the close collaboration between the armed forces of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, and said there was a common desire in both nations for regional peace and stability.
Pakistan Navy warship in Jeddah as part of regional security patrol
Pakistan Navy warship in Jeddah as part of regional security patrol
- Deployment aimed at ensuring maritime security in line with Pakistan's policy and international obligations
- ASLAT is a front line warship "capable of undertaking wide range of maritime operations in multi-threat environment”
Babar Azam dropped for scoring too slowly, says Pakistan coach Hesson
- Shaheen Shah Afridi was left out after conceding 101 runs in three matches
- Pakistan will now face New Zealand in the opening match of the second phase
COLOMBO: Batting great Babar Azam was dropped for Pakistan’s final T20 World Cup group game against Namibia for scoring too slowly, said head coach Mike Hesson on Friday.
Azam, who is the highest run-scorer in T20 international history with 4,571 runs, was left out for the must-win game against Namibia as Pakistan racked up 199-3 and secured a place in the Super Eights by 102 runs.
The 2009 champions face New Zealand in Colombo on Saturday in the opening match of the second phase.
“I think Babar is well aware that his strike rate in the power play in the World Cup is less than 100 and that’s clearly not the role we think we need,” Hesson told reporters after Pakistan’s final practice session on Friday was washed out by rain.
Pakistan left out Azam for the same reason at last year’s Asia Cup and even after dismal showing in the Big Bash League, he was still selected for the T20 World Cup.
“We brought Babar back in for a specific role post the Asia Cup,” said Hesson.
“We’ve got plenty of other options who can come in and perform that role toward the end.
“Babar is actually the first to acknowledge that.
“He knows that he’s got a certain set of skills that the team requires and there are certain times where other players can perform that role more efficiently.”
Hesson also defended dropping pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi after he conceded 101 runs in three matches, including 31 in two overs against India.
“We made a call that Salman Mirza was coming in for Shaheen, and he bowled incredibly well,” said Hesson.
“To be fair, he was probably really unlucky to not be playing the second and third games.”
Hesson was wary of Pakistan’s opponents on Saturday.
“New Zealand have played a huge amount in the subcontinent in recent times so we have to play at our best.”
