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 confers second-highest civilian award on Saudi commerce minister for strengthening ties

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Pakistan confers second-highest civilian award on Saudi commerce minister for strengthening ties

  • Pakistan’s Ambassador Ahmad Farooq confers Hilal-e-Pakistan award on Saudi Commerce Minister Majid Al-Kassabi in Riyadh
  • Award reflects depth of longstanding partnership and strong trade relations between both nations, says Saudi Press Agency

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ahmad Farooq conferred the country’s second-highest civilian award on the Kingdom’s Minister of Commerce Majid Al-Kassabi on Sunday for his contribution in strengthening ties between Islamabad and Riyadh, the Pakistan embassy in Saudi Arabia said. 

Farooq conferred the Hilal-e-Pakistan award on Al-Kassabi during a meeting between the two in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency confirmed in a report on Sunday. The SPA said they also discussed ways to enhance bilateral trade relations during their meeting.

“On behalf of President of Pakistan, Ambassador Ahmad Farooq, conferred Hilal-e-Pakistan on Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Kassabi, Minister of Commerce of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to strengthening Pakistan, Saudi Arabia relations,” the Pakistan embassy in Saudi Arabia wrote on X. 

“The award reflects the depth of the longstanding partnership and strong trade relations between the Kingdom and Pakistan, serving as an impetus to further strengthen joint cooperation for the benefit of both countries and their peoples,” the SPA said. 

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy cordial ties that date back decades and span cooperation in several sectors such as defense, trade, economy, agriculture, livestock and minerals.

Saudi Arabia is the largest source of foreign remittances to Pakistan, with over two million Pakistani expats residing in the Kingdom. Riyadh has also helped bail Pakistan out of several economic crises over the years, providing it oil on deferred payments and loans in critical times. 

The two countries also signed a landmark strategic partnership agreement in September 2025, according to which an act of aggression against one country will be seen as an attack on both.