Azam says Pakistan have advantage ahead of India clash

India's Virat Kohli, left, shakes hands with Pakistan's captain Babar Azam before the start of the Asia Cup 2023 one-day international (ODI) cricket match at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy on September 2, 2023. (AFP)
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Updated 09 September 2023
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Azam says Pakistan have advantage ahead of India clash

  • The arch-rivals meet again in Colombo on Sunday after their group match was abandoned due to rain
  • Pakistan won their opening match of Super Four and a second win will further their chances for the final

COLOMBO: Pakistan skipper Babar Azam said Saturday his side will have an edge over India in their Asia Cup Super Four clash, with a bowling line-up ready to win matches and tournaments. 

The arch-rivals meet again in Colombo on Sunday after their group match was abandoned due to rain, which has played havoc with the 50-over tournament that is a precursor to the upcoming ODI World Cup in India. 

Pakistan won their opening match of the Super Four stage and a second win will further enhance their chances of making the final on September 17. 

But rain in the Sri Lankan capital is expected to play spoilsport again in the match, for which a reserve day has been kept aside. 

"You can say we have the edge as we have played back-to-back cricket here (in Sri Lanka) and in Pakistan," Azam told reporters. 

"It has been two-and-a-half months in Sri Lanka including the Test series, Lanka Premier League, Afghanistan series and now the Asia Cup. 

"So you can say it will be advantage (for us)." 

Pakistan's pace trio of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf have stood out with 23 wickets between them and played a key role in the team's performance so far. 

Shaheen, a left-arm quick who leads the bowling, rattled India with his opening burst in the group match, taking the key wickets of skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. 

Azam said the team believes their bowlers can win them titles. 

"Proud to have the fast bowlers that we have. One of the best (in the world)," said Azam. 

"Fast bowlers win you tournaments and matches and I have total belief (in) them. The line-up that we have including Naseem and Faheem (Ashraf) is the best lot that we have. They have the belief and how they bowl in partnerships." 


Pakistan sees 40% increase in services exports to Kuwait in 2025

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Pakistan sees 40% increase in services exports to Kuwait in 2025

  • Islamabad’s services exports to Kuwait increased from $16.7 million in 2024 to $23.6 million in 2025, Pakistani embassy says 
  • Says upward trend underscores strengthening economic linkages between Pakistan and the Gulf country in services sector 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s services exports to Kuwait have recorded 40% increase from January to November 2025, Pakistan’s embassy in the Gulf country said recently, adding that it reflected the strengthening of economic ties between the two states. 

Pakistan’s services exports to Kuwait were reported at $12.6 million in 2022, according to the Pakistan embassy in the Gulf country. These exports increased in 2023 to $15 million and further to $16.7 million in 2024. 

As per the latest data shared by the Pakistan embassy in Kuwait, from January to November 2025, Pakistan’s services exports to the country increased to $23.6 million, marking a 40 percent increase. 

“This upward trend underscores strengthening economic linkages between Pakistan and Kuwait in the services sector,” the embassy said in a post on social media platform X on Sunday. 

Pakistan enjoys cordial ties with Kuwait, with diplomatic relations between the two countries dating back to October 1963. The two countries cooperate with each other at various international fora, including the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Financial Action Task Force and others.

Kuwait hosts around 95,000 Pakistani nationals, as per figures shared by Pakistan’s foreign office. The ratio of skilled and unskilled Pakistani laborers in Kuwait is around 70 percent to 30 percent, with the majority being blue collar workers such as masons, steel and tile fixers, drivers, plumbers, painters, barbers, dry cleaners and tailors. 

A small number of Pakistani white-collared professionals such as doctors, engineers, chartered accountants and financial experts also work in Kuwait.