Pakistan’s cricket legend Wasim Akram ‘looking forward’ to launching Saudi cricket league soon

President of Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation Saud bin Mishal, left, presents a special jersey to Pakistan cricket legend Wasim Akram in Riyadh on February 2, 2023. (Photo courtesy: @cricketsaudi/Twitter)
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Updated 04 February 2023
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Pakistan’s cricket legend Wasim Akram ‘looking forward’ to launching Saudi cricket league soon

  • The former Pakistani pacer recently met the chief of the kingdom’s cricket federation to discuss the future of the sport
  • The top PCB official has already said his country is ready to share its expertise in cricket with players in the kingdom

ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan cricket captain Wasim Akram has said he is “looking forward” to beginning a cricket league in Saudi Arabia following his trip to Riyadh this week.
The Pakistani pacer issued the statement after a meeting with Chairman of Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation (SACF) Prince Saud bin Mishaal to discuss the future of the sport in the kingdom.
Akram’s visit follows a recent strengthening of cricket ties between the two countries. Last month, Javed Afridi, who owns Pakistan Super League franchise Peshawar Zalmi, announced that his team was going to play exhibition matches in Saudi Arabia.
Chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board Najam Sethi also said last month the South Asian country was prepared to share its expertise in the sport with the kingdom where cricket was increasingly growing in popularity.
“What a trip to Riyadh,” Akram wrote in a Facebook post this week. “Had a great meeting with H.H. Saud [bin] Mishaal, talked about cricket in Saudi Arabia, and so looking forward to [starting] a Saudi league insha Allah very soon.”

 

 

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have strong economic, defense and cultural ties.
Last month, Pakistan women’s football team participated in a four-nation international tournament in the Kingdom and secured second position.
Since its establishment in 2020, the SACF has launched a series of major initiatives, including a national cricket championship, a corporate cricket tournament, a league for expatriate workers, and social programs in several cities.
It oversees 15 official associations representing the sport in nine regions and has announced plans to set up additional associations in the remaining regions to ensure that cricket activities are held across the kingdom.


Saudi Arabia condemns separatist attacks in Pakistan’s Balochistan

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Saudi Arabia condemns separatist attacks in Pakistan’s Balochistan

  • Kingdom says it stands with Pakistan as security forces kill 92 militants in counteroffensive
  • Attacks hit multiple districts including Quetta and Gwadar, killing civilians and security personnel

ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia on Saturday condemned separatist attacks in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province, expressing solidarity with Islamabad after a wave of coordinated violence killed civilians and security personnel across multiple districts.

In a statement cited by the Saudi ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, the Kingdom said it rejected violence in all its forms and stood with Pakistan as its security forces responded to the attacks.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia strongly condemns the attacks carried out by separatist elements in various areas of Pakistan’s Balochistan province,” he said in a social media message. “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia renews its firm position rejecting all acts of terrorism and extremism.”

Pakistan’s military said on Saturday its forces killed 92 militants, including three suicide bombers, while repelling coordinated attacks across the southwestern province, following assaults that targeted civilians and law enforcement personnel in several towns, including Quetta, Gwadar, Mastung and Kharan.

The military said 18 civilians, including women and children, were killed in attacks on laborer families in Gwadar and Kharan, while 15 security personnel died during clearance operations and armed standoffs.

Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry also conveyed condolences to the families of those killed and wished a speedy recovery to the injured, reaffirming its support for Pakistan’s efforts to safeguard stability and security.

Balochistan, which borders Iran and Afghanistan, has faced a decades-long separatist insurgency marked by attacks on security forces, infrastructure projects and civilians, as Pakistan steps up counter-militancy operations in the region.