ISLAMABAD: In an interview with Arab News, Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki said Saudi Arabia was concerned about India’s move to abolish special status for Kashmir and wanted the dispute to be settled in accordance with international resolutions.
On August 5th, India blocked the right of the state of Jammu and Kashmir to frame its own laws and permitted non-residents to buy property there. Telephone lines, Internet and television networks have been blocked there since, and there are restrictions on movement and assembly despite reports of large-scale protests.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ... has noticed with concern the developments in the current situation in Indian-held Jammu and Kashmir resulting from India’s abolition of Article 370 of its Constitution,” Al-Malki told Arab News.
“Saudi Arabia reaffirms the right of all people to freedom, dignity, and self-determination, including the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and considers that the settlement of disputes is through peaceful manners ... in accordance with relevant international resolutions,” Al-Malki said, and called upon all parties to take into account the “interests of the population of the region.”
He said Saudi Arabia had first reacted to the revocation of Kashmir’s special status by hosting an urgent Islamic summit in Jeddah to discuss India’s decision in order to “defuse tension, maintain security, peace, and stability in the region and ensure legitimate rights.”
Saudi Arabia wants Kashmir dispute settled through international resolutions: envoy
Saudi Arabia wants Kashmir dispute settled through international resolutions: envoy
- The Kingdom reacted to the revocation of Kashmir’s special status by hosting an urgent Islamic summit in Jeddah
- Saudi envoy says his country believes in the right of all people to freedom, dignity and self-determination, including the people of Kashmir
Coach Gambhir under pressure as India aim for back-to-back T20 triumphs
- India’s home defeats in other formats have put Gautam Gambhir’s coaching job on the line
- Indian media suggests former batter, World Cup winner may lose his job if India fails in T20 tournament
NEW DELHI, India: Holders India will enter the T20 World Cup as firm favorites on home soil, but coach Gautam Gambhir faces intense scrutiny under the weight of expectation from a billion-plus fans.
India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, will begin their campaign against the United States at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on Saturday.
It will round off the opening day of the tournament’s 10th edition, which has been marred by a chaotic build-up.
Bangladesh last month refused to play in India, citing security concerns, and were kicked out to be replaced by Scotland.
This week the Pakistan government followed up by barring its team from playing against India in Group A on February 15 in Colombo as a protest at Bangladesh’s treatment.
The boycott has robbed the group stage of the biggest rivalry and money-spinning spectacle, but leaves India in pole position to top the group.
Pakistan should also progress to the Super Eights in second place, barring a slip-up against the Netherlands, Namibia or the USA, who make up the five-team group.
Top-ranked India reinforced their credentials as tournament favorites with a recent 4-1 win over New Zealand — their ninth successive T20 bilateral series triumph.
But home defeats in other formats have put Gambhir’s high-profile job on the line.
India were beaten 2-0 by South Africa in a Test series last year and New Zealand won an ODI series 2-1.
Gambhir, 44, replaced Rahul Dravid as coach after the T20 World Cup triumph in 2024 and has lost 10 out of 19 Tests.
SWASHBUCKLING SHARMA
Indian media suggested the former batsman and World Cup-winner may lose his job if India fail in the 20-team tournament.
“He should stay away from social media till the World Cup and focus on the team,” India batsman Ajinkya Rahane told website cricbuzz.
It will be India’s first T20 World Cup since the retirements of then captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli following the final victory in Barbados in 2024.
India first won the title under Mahendra Singh Dhoni in Johannesburg in 2007 but will have to defy history to win again, with no team having previously gone back-to-back.
Abhishek Sharma has replaced Rohit in the role of fearless opener, with the swashbuckling batsman scoring at a punishing strike rate of more than 194.
The 25-year-old left-hander is in form. He smashed India’s second fastest 50, off 14 balls, against New Zealand.
Captain Suryakumar ended a batting slump with three half-centuries in the same series while Ishan Kishan’s comeback has added muscle to the batting order.
Batting great Sunil Gavaskar told broadcaster JioStar that India were full of confidence.
“Even if there is a small stumble, this team knows it can recover, regroup, and continue marching toward victory,” said the former India captain.
The bowling attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah, has new talent in the shape of medium-pacer Harshit Rana.
Bumrah, Rana and Arshdeep Singh form the seam attack, with Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube as the all-rounders.
“It’s a luxury that we have a handful of bowlers that can bowl in every situation,” bowling coach Morne Morkel said.
“Part of the thinking ... was to look at different sorts of combinations. We don’t want teams to have set plans against us.”
Spinner Washington Sundar and batsman Tilak Varma are recovering from injury, but both are expected to be fit.
