ISLAMABAD: Cricket enthusiasts are focused on Karachi’s National Bank Stadium, where the Pakistan Super League (PSL) reignites its fiercest rivalry between Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings on Saturday, with both teams experiencing a challenging tournament and languishing at the bottom of the points table.
With their backs against the wall, Karachi must triumph in this battle and their subsequent league match against Peshawar Zalmi on March 11 to keep their playoff dreams alive. Their fate also hinges on the outcomes of Islamabad United and Quetta Gladiators’ remaining matches.
While Karachi navigates this precarious path, Islamabad and Quetta stand on the cusp of playoff qualification, needing just one victory to secure their spots. Multan Sultans and Peshawar Zalmi have already clinched their places, adding to the intense playoff race.
Defending champions Lahore Qalandars have already been ruled out of the next tournament stage after securing only one match in the contest.
Despite their lackluster performance in the ongoing PSL season, the intense rivalry between the two franchises has been compared to the India-Pakistan, and Australia-England cricket rivalry, with many also using the phrase “El-Clasico of cricket” whenever the two teams compete.
Karachi Kings and Lahore Qalandars face off in PSL battle at bottom of points table
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Karachi Kings and Lahore Qalandars face off in PSL battle at bottom of points table
- With their backs against the wall, Karachi must win the match to keep their playoff dreams alive
- Defending champions Lahore Qalandars have already been ruled out of the next tournament stage
Pakistan PM speaks to UAE president, calls for enhanced cooperation
- Shehbaz Sharif lauds UAE’s economic support in challenging times
- Both leaders discuss a range of issues, agree to stay in close contact
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday praised the United Arab Emirates for what he described as steadfast financial and political support during Islamabad’s recent economic crisis, as both sides signaled plans to deepen bilateral cooperation.
In a statement issued after Sharif spoke with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Prime Minister’s Office said the two leaders discussed matters of mutual interest and agreed to stay in close contact.
“The Prime Minister lauded the UAE’s consistent and unwavering support to Pakistan, that had helped the country navigate through difficult challenges,” the statement said, adding the two leaders “reaffirmed their shared desire to further enhance mutually beneficial cooperation between Pakistan and the UAE.”
The UAE, along with other friendly nations in the region, provided critical financial assistance to the South Asian country during a balance-of-payments crisis that strained Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves and pressured its currency. Islamabad subsequently secured an International Monetary Fund program as part of broader stabilization efforts.
Sharif, in a post on X, described the exchange as positive.
“We fondly recalled our recent meetings and reaffirmed our shared resolve to further strengthen the historic, fraternal ties between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates, and to expand mutually beneficial cooperation,” he wrote.
Millions of Pakistanis live and work in the UAE, forming one of the largest expatriate communities in the Gulf state.
Remittances from the UAE rank among Pakistan’s top sources of foreign currency inflows and play a significant role in supporting the country’s external accounts.
UAE-based companies are also investing in Pakistan, helping Islamabad develop its seaports to facilitate regional trade.
