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Rain, runs and records: Five key Asia Cup moments

Indian players celebrate with the trophy after their win in the Asia Cup cricket final against Sri Lanka, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on September 17, 2023. (Photo courtesy: AP)
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Updated 18 September 2023
AFP
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Rain, runs and records: Five key Asia Cup moments

  • Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi delivered a brilliant performance against India on Sept. 2 by taking four important wickets
  • Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj saved the best for last when he took six wickets against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup final 
Updated 18 September 2023
AFP

COLOMBO: India hammered Sri Lanka by 10 wickets in the Asia Cup final on Sunday after nearly three weeks of action and rain in the regional tournament.

The 50-over competition hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka was a tune-up for the upcoming ODI World Cup in India for five of the six participating teams.

AFP Sport looks at five key moments.

Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi made an early statement when he rattled India with his left-arm pace in a group match washed out due to rain.

Shaheen bowled skipper Rohit Sharma and then Virat Kohli, and fellow quicks Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah combined to dismiss India for 266 in the only innings possible in Pallekele.

In the next meeting between the arch-rivals, the Pakistan quicks went for runs as India posted 356-2 in their 228-run win.

Naseem and Rauf suffered injuries in the game in a blow to Pakistan ahead of the World Cup, but in an interview with AFP, Shaheen said his “best is yet to come.”

India fast bowler Mohammed Siraj saved the best for the last when he ripped through the Sri Lankan batting with six wickets including four in one over.

Siraj returned his ODI best figures of 6-21 in a devastating spell of fast bowling in overcast conditions, to help skittle out Sri Lanka for 50 in 15.2 overs.

The performance capped off a dominant few weeks for India after they crushed Pakistan by 228 runs in their Super Four match with centuries from Virat Kohli and KL Rahul.

Opener Shubman Gill also made his presence felt with a sparkling 121 — albeit in a lost cause — in an inconsequential match against Bangladesh.

Dunith Wellalage was a part of Sri Lanka’s young players who put up a strong show for the underdogs, after they snuck into the Super Fours with a dramatic win over Afghanistan.

The left-arm spinner claimed his maiden five-wicket haul in a Super Four clash versus India, and got the key wickets of Rohit and Kohli to bowl the opposition out for 213.

Sri Lanka fell short in their chase despite Wellalage’s unbeaten 42, but the performance from the 20-year-old boosted the team’s confidence.

Fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana and batsman Charith Asalanka then helped the island nation edge out Pakistan in a last-ball thriller to make the final.

An army of 100 ground staff wearing orange jerseys ran with the covers every time rain halted play and were hailed as “unsung heroes” by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and Sri Lanka Cricket.

Rain played havoc in the tournament which had nine of the 13 matches played in Sri Lanka, after India refused to tour Pakistan due to political tensions.

Showers in Pallekele meant the blockbuster India-Pakistan match was abandoned, and rain followed the teams to Colombo in a Super Four game which was awarded a reserve day — much to the annoyance of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Rohit and Kohli thanked the groundsmen for their efforts and the ACC and SLC promised a $50,000 bonus shared between the staff.

Nepal had a baptism by fire on their Asia Cup debut when Pakistan bundled out the cricketing minnows for 104 in the opener in Multan.

But the Rohit Paudel-led side made an impression against big guns India, when they posted 230 all out in 48.2 overs in a rain-hit group game they eventually lost by 10 wickets.

Paudel said he and his players spoke to Rohit and Kohli after the game, a meeting that proved “useful” to them.

Nepal, who are still finding their feet in international cricket and got ODI status in 2018, made waves after they reached the ODI World Cup qualifiers earlier this year.

Topics: Asia Cup 2023 India Sri Lanka

Women’s World Cup: Pakistan braces for Kiwi challenge as S. Africa, NZ enjoy wins

Updated 4 sec ago
AP
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Women’s World Cup: Pakistan braces for Kiwi challenge as S. Africa, NZ enjoy wins

  • New Zealand take on Pakistan in last group match on Monday
  • Pakistan lost to Australia by 9 wickets earlier this week
Updated 4 sec ago
AP

DUBAI: South Africa and New Zealand enjoyed easy wins at the Women’s T20 World Cup on Saturday to boost their bids for semifinal spots.
South Africa beat Bangladesh by seven wickets in Dubai and finished with six points from three wins and a loss in Group B. England and West Indies have four points each in the same group. England has two games left, West Indies one.
Earlier, New Zealand had an emphatic eight-wicket win over already-eliminated Sri Lanka in Group A at Sharjah.
Two teams advance from each group.
Opening batter Tazmin Brits top-scored with 42 runs off 41 balls as South Africa cruised to 107-3 with 16 balls to spare.
Bangladesh spinner Fahima Khatun (2-19) had skipper Laura Wolvaardt (7) stumped in the third over but Brits was well supported by Anneke Bosch, who scored a run-a-ball 25 as they put on a key second-wicket partnership of 53 runs.
Earlier, Marizanne Kapp (1-10) and the tournament’s leading wicket-taker Nonkululeko Mlaba(1-11), both in four overs, set up South Africa’s victory by restricting Bangladesh, which won the toss, to 106-3 on a slow surface of Dubai International Stadium.
Bangladesh batters couldn’t score freely against fast bowlers Kapp and Ayabonga Khaka and were restricted to 21-1 in the first six overs. Sobhana Mostary (38) and captain Nigar Sultana (32 not out) tried to push the scoring rate, but South African bowlers always looked in control in the latter half of the innings. Mostary hit four boundaries before she was bowled by Mlaba in the 18th over.
Bangladesh, which beat first-timer Scotland in the opening match of the tournament, lost three matches in a row and bowed out of the event with two points.
PLIMMER LEADS NZ CHASE
New Zealand opener Georgia Plimmer led the chase with 53 and Amelia Kerr was brilliant with an unbeaten 34 and two wickets. New Zealand reached 118-2 with 15 balls remaining after limiting Sri Lanka to 115-5.
Asian champion Sri Lanka crossed the 100-run mark for the first time in the tournament but rounded off its below-par campaign with four straight losses in Group A.
Unbeaten group leader and defending champion Australia has all but secured one semifinal berth. The other spot depends on if India beats Australia on Sunday then New Zealand’s last group match against contending Pakistan on Monday.
In an intense heat of 38 degrees, Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu made 35 off 41 balls with five fours, but once Kerr bowled her in the 14th over, Sri Lanka struggled to hit boundaries in the death overs.
New Zealand struck through spinners Kerr (2-13) and Leigh Kasperek (2-27).
Plimmer’s second T20 fifty came off 44 balls. Her and Suzie Bates (17) shared a 49-run opening stand. Plimmer holed out in the outfield and gave Athapaththu a consolation wicket.
Kerr scored better than a run-a-ball 34 with three boundaries, and captain Sophie Devine knocked off the winning runs with the only six of the game.

Topics: Pakistan women cricket team Women's world cup

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Pakistan deputy PM discusses Gaza and Lebanon conflicts with Saudi foreign minister

Updated 4 min 52 sec ago
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Pakistan deputy PM discusses Gaza and Lebanon conflicts with Saudi foreign minister

  • The conversation between both leaders come at a time when Israel’s war in Gaza has lasted over a year
  • Both countries support each other on international forums and regularly consult on global developments
Updated 4 min 52 sec ago
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday discussed the regional situation with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan over the phone, with special focus on the conflict in Gaza and Lebanon, according to official statements released by both countries.
The conversation between both leaders come at a time when Israel’s war in Gaza has lasted over a year, leading to nearly 43,000 Palestinian deaths, mostly of women and children.
Israel also opened another front in Lebanon more recently, with the stated objective of destroying Hezbollah targets, raising fears of a wider war in the region, potentially involving Iran.
“Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 today held a telephone call with the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud @faisalBinFarhan,” Pakistan’s foreign office informed in a social media post.
“They discussed the situation in Palestine and Lebanon and expressed their deep commitment and support for the people of Palestine and Lebanon,” it added.

 
The Saudi Press Agency also shared a brief statement mentioning the development, saying that both leaders reviewed bilateral relations and discussed regional and international developments.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy close defense, diplomatic and economic relations, with both nations maintaining strong collaborative efforts across these sectors.
The two countries have consistently supported each other on international platforms and regularly consult on significant regional and global developments.

Topics: War on Gaza Pakistan Saudi Ties Ishaq Dar

Pakistan says will launch ‘smart kinetic operations’ against separatist groups in southwest

Updated 12 October 2024
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Pakistan says will launch ‘smart kinetic operations’ against separatist groups in southwest

  • Announcement follows the killing of 20 coal miners with heavy weapons by unidentified militants
  • Balochistan’s chief minister says he has full support from the federation to deal with the situation
Updated 12 October 2024
SAADULLAH AKHTER

QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti on Saturday announced plans for “smart kinetic operations” against separatist militants operating in the southwestern Pakistani province after unidentified assailants killed at least 20 coal miners with heavy weapons in Duki, located in the Loralai Division.

The incident, which occurred on Friday, sparked protests from labor organizations, with miners halting operations to demand better protection for workers. The attack was widely condemned, including by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who directed authorities to provide urgent medical treatment to the seven people injured.

Bugti reiterated the government’s resolve to tackle militants during a media interaction after visiting the trauma center in Quetta to meet the injured.

“We are going to launch smart kinetic operations against terrorist groups,” he told the reporters. “Terrorists have an advanced communication system. We have to think whether we have provided advanced technologies to our security agencies [as well].”

He said the security forces had launched a search operation in Duki after the attack and were pursuing the militants.

In response to a question, the chief minister said the province had full support from the federal authorities to deal with the situation.

“I am saying again there isn’t any need for a full-scale military operation in Balochistan, but we have to rethink our strategies,” he continued.

Balochistan, which shares its border with Iran and Afghanistan, has been the scene of a low-level insurgency by separatist militants who blame the government for exploiting the province’s mineral resources without benefiting its residents. The charge is denied by the state which says it has launched several high-profile projects for the development of the region.

Last August, ethnic nationalist militants hit several civil and military targets in a string of coordinated attacks in the province, killing more than 50 people.

A majority of the assaults were claimed by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), the most prominent among a number of separatist groups operating in the province that is home to key China-led infrastructure projects, including a port and a gold-copper mine.

The government refused to launch a full-scale military operation after the attacks, but the military has stepped up intelligence-based operations to quell the rising tide of the separatist insurgency in Balochistan.

Topics: Balochistan separatist groups

Pakistani general reaffirms support at Riyadh forum to strengthen Saudi Defense Forces

Updated 12 October 2024
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Pakistani general reaffirms support at Riyadh forum to strengthen Saudi Defense Forces

  • The forum aims to enhance bilateral security cooperation, particularly in defense production and technology
  • Both sides agree modern technological advancements necessitate increased defense industrial cooperation
Updated 12 October 2024
NAIMAT KHAN

KARACHI: A top Pakistani general reaffirmed his country’s commitment to building the capacity of the Royal Saudi Defense Forces this week while attending a bilateral forum in Riyadh, according to a statement by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of Pakistan’s military, on Saturday.

The Pakistan-KSA Bilateral Defense Industrial Forum is a platform aimed at enhancing security cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the areas of defense production and technology.

The 7th meeting of the forum took place in Riyadh on Thursday, during which Pakistan’s tri-services delegation, led by Chief of General Staff (CGS) Lt.-Gen. Muhammad Avais Dastgir, discussed a wide range of security-related issues.

“During the meeting, the CGS affirmed Pakistan’s continuing support towards capacity building of Royal Saudi Defence Forces,” the ISPR said.

Pakistan has regularly trained Saudi military officials and shared its professional expertise with the kingdom in various defense-related areas.

The official statement said that Saudi officials also “acknowledged Pakistan’s achievements and sacrifices in war against terrorism and its valuable contributions towards regional peace and stability.”

The bilateral forum also focused on challenges to global and regional security and their implications for the defence forces.

Both sides noted that rapid advancements in modern technologies necessitated further enhancing defense industrial cooperation in critical capabilities between the two states.

“In this context, progress of ongoing areas of collaboration was reviewed while new areas of collaboration were also agreed,” the ISPR said.

 

15 dead, seven injured in renewed tribal clashes in Pakistan’s Kurram district

Updated 12 October 2024
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15 dead, seven injured in renewed tribal clashes in Pakistan’s Kurram district

  • Police say the incident was triggered after unidentified gunmen opened fire on an influential tribal elder
  • Previously, relatively small incidents have led to deadly tribal conflicts and sectarian violence in Kurram
Updated 12 October 2024
REHMAT MEHSUD

DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Tension gripped Pakistan’s northwestern Kurram district as clashes broke out between two rival tribes, leaving 15 people dead and injuring another seven amid sporadic gunfire in parts of the region, officials said Saturday.

Kurram, formerly a semi-autonomous tribal area, has a history of bloody conflicts that have claimed hundreds of lives over the years. A major conflict in the district, triggered in 2007, lasted for years before being resolved by a jirga, a council of tribal elders, in 2011. However, clashes erupted again over a property dispute in July this year, leaving 38 dead and 158 injured in the region.

Speaking to Arab News over the phone, Kurram Deputy Commissioner Javed Ullah Mehsud said the recent round of violence began after unidentified gunmen opened fire on an influential tribal elder, Ijaz Hussain, who sustained serious injuries in the attack.

“Subsequently, a passenger convoy came under attack in the Kunj Alizai area of the district, in which 15 people were killed and six others injured,” he said.

Mehsud informed the district administration was working to control the situation with the help of local leaders and law enforcement officials, trying to prevent the conflict from spreading to other parts of the area.

He described these efforts as crucial, as relatively small incidents in Kurram have previously escalated into deadly tribal conflicts and sectarian violence. The region is also prone to militancy.

“For a permanent solution to such problems, an inclusive tribal committee should be formed to keep the situation in constant check,” Brigadier (retired) Said Nazir Mohmand, a security analyst familiar with the area, told Arab News.

“Secondly, the writ of the state must be ensured in the district for swift action against troublemakers,” he added.

Dr. Mir Hassan Jan, Medical Superintendent at the District Headquarters Hospital in Upper Kurram, said the authorities had put health facilities in the area on high alert to deal with emergency situations.

“We have received nine bodies and another six injured from the clashes in Kurram,” he said. “The rest of the casualties might have been taken to other health facilities in the district.”

Topics: kurram district militancy in Pakistan

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