Red-hot Azam to struggling Kohli: five to watch at Asia Cup 2022 in UAE
Red-hot Azam to struggling Kohli: five to watch at Asia Cup 2022 in UAE/node/2149861/pakistan
Red-hot Azam to struggling Kohli: five to watch at Asia Cup 2022 in UAE
Five players to watch at Asia Cup 2022 in UAE, (from left to right) Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga, India's Virat Kohli, Pakistan's Babar Azam, Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan and Afghanistan's Rashid Khan. (AFP)
Red-hot Azam to struggling Kohli: five to watch at Asia Cup 2022 in UAE
Asia Cup begins Saturday with top cricketers including Pakistan skipper Babar Azam and India superstar Virat Kohli
With key pace bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi out injured, Pakistan will depend heavily on Azam’s blazing batting
Updated 25 August 2022
AFP
DUBAI: The Asia Cup begins on Saturday with top cricketers including Pakistan skipper Babar Azam and India superstar Virat Kohli in action in the United Arab Emirates.
AFP Sport picks five players to watch in the six-nation tournament, which is an important warm-up for the T20 World Cup in Australia in October.
With key pace bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi out injured, Pakistan will depend heavily on Azam’s blazing batting.
Pakistan's captain Babar Azam plays a shot during the second one-day international (ODI) cricket match between Pakistan and West Indies at the Multan International Cricket Stadium in Multan on June 10, 2022. (AFP/File)
The 27-year-old leads the T20 and one-day batting rankings and comes into the tournament on the back of two big half-centuries in Pakistan’s 3-0 ODI sweep of the Netherlands.
He scored an unbeaten 68 as his side demolished India by 10 wickets in the last meeting between the arch-rivals in the 2021 T20 World Cup — at the same venue where they meet this Sunday.
In this photo taken on July 17, 2022 India's Virat Kohli walks back to the pavilion after losing his wicket during the final one-day international (ODI) cricket match between England and India at Old Trafford in Manchester. (AFP/File)
Star batsman Virat Kohli will play in his 100th T20 international when India face Pakistan in their opener, having been rested from the recent tour of the West Indies and Zimbabwe.
The 33-year-old badly needs a big score. He last hit an international century in November 2019 and is going through the worst phase of his otherwise stellar career.
Kohli, who has struck 27 centuries in 102 Tests since making his debut in 2011, has endured a torrid 12 months that also saw him replaced as national captain.
“He gets a fifty in the very first game, mouths will be shut for the rest of the tournament,” said Ravi Shastri, the former India coach.
Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga celebrates after taking the wicket of Australia's Alex Carey during the fourth one-day international between Sri Lanka and Australia in Colombo on June 21, 2022. (AFP/File)
Wanindu Hasaranga made a strong impact with his leg-spin in this year’s Indian Premier League, taking 26 wickets in 16 matches to raise his stock as an impact bowler.
Alongside fellow spinners Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffery Vandersay and Praveen Jayawickrama he will lead Sri Lanka’s bowling charge on the UAE’s spin-friendly slow pitches.
Hasaranga, 25, who did not play in The Hundred in England because Sri Lanka wanted him fresh for the Asia Cup and T20 World Cup, is also a handy lower-middle-order batsman.
Shakib Al Hasan (R), of Bangladesh, hits 6 and watches during the first T20I between West Indies and Bangladesh at Windsor Park in Roseau, Dominica, on July 02, 2022. (AFP/File)
Shakib Al Hasan has often courted controversy on and off the field but he remains Bangladesh’s most consistent performer and returns to lead the team.
The star all-rounder was told to cut ties with a gambling portal to get back the captaincy of Bangladesh, who have won just two of their last 15 Twenty20 matches.
The 35-year-old, a left-handed batsman and spinner, will play his 100th T20 international when Bangladesh open their Asia Cup campaign against Afghanistan on Tuesday.
Afghanistan's Rashid Khan (2L) celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket during the first Twenty20 international cricket match in Dhaka on March 3, 2022. (AFP/File)
Rashid Khan will be Afghanistan’s go-to bowler in the battle for the Asian crown with the leg-spinner going strong with 112 wickets in 66 T20 internationals.
The 23-year-old has been a big hit in global Twenty20 leagues, including the IPL and The Hundred, with his wicket-taking ability and attacking lower-order batting.
Rashid will be prime among the team’s key players alongside skipper Mohammad Nabi and will share the spin duties with Mujeeb ur Rahman and Noor Ahmad.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi held talks on counterterrorism cooperation and bilateral investment with a United States (US) congressional delegation in Islamabad on Sunday, as both countries attempt to forge closer ties to battle surging regional militancy.
Military cooperation between Pakistan and the US spans over six decades, but it underwent a tactical renaissance since the militant attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
During the US ‘War on Terror’ against the Taliban in Afghanistan, US-Pakistan relations were largely prompted by Washington’s short-term need for Islamabad’s cooperation to serve its security and strategic interests in Kabul.
A US congressional delegation in Pakistan comprising congressmen Jack Bergman, Tom Suozzi and Jonathan Jackson called on the Pakistani interior minister in Islamabad. Pakistan’s Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudry, Acting US Ambassador Natalie Baker and Federal Interior Secretary Khurram Agha were also present.
“Discussions on advancing cooperation in the fields of economy, trade and investment were held,” the interior ministry said. “Discussions were also held on security, counterterrorism and border security areas.”
Naqvi described Pakistan as a “wall” between “terrorism” and the world, the ministry said.
“Terrorism is a global challenge and the international community urgently needs to cooperate fully with Pakistan,” he was quoted as saying by the ministry.
The Pakistani minister stressed the importance of sharing intelligence and technology counterterrorism.
Pakistan and the US will hold a counter-terrorism dialogue in June this year. Cooperation between Islamabad and Washington in the field of counterterrorism is particularly important given the increase in militant attacks in Pakistan’s western provinces bordering Afghanistan.
Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of sheltering militants that launch attacks on its soil, allegations that have been repeatedly denied by the Taliban government in Kabul.
ISLAMABAD: Thousands of supporters of prominent Pakistani religiopolitical party Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) are expected to take part in a “Gaza Solidarity March” in the southern port city of Karachi against Israel’s military offensives in the Palestinian territory.
The protest will take place days after the JI held demonstrations in Lahore and other major cities on Friday to protest Israel’s bombardment of Gaza and urge Muslim nations to stop the bloodshed.
Gaza’s Health Ministry says at least 1,560 people have been killed since the fragile truce between Hamas and Israel broke down on Mar. 18. According to Palestinian Civil Defense spokesperson Mahmoud Basal, at least 500 children are among the dead since Israel resumed the offensive last month.
“A Solidarity with Gaza March will be held on Sunday, Apr. 13 at 4:00 p.m. on Shahrah-e-Faisal in Karachi,” the JI said in a post on social media platform X on Saturday.
— Jamaat e Islami Pakistan (@JIPOfficial) April 12, 2025
The JI has already announced it will lead a protest march to the US Embassy in Islamabad on Apr. 20.
Pakistan, which does not have diplomatic relations with Israel, has frequently criticized the Jewish state for its military operations in Gaza. Islamabad has also called for the resumption of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian territory and the need for a revival of negotiations leading to a two-state solution.
Islamabad consistently calls for an independent Palestinian state along the pre-1967 borders and with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Since Oct. 7, 2023, Israel’s military offensives in Gaza have killed over 50,000 people and wounded over 116,000, as per the Gaza Health Ministry.
Pakistani fintech Haball raises $52 million to scale Shariah-compliant supply chain finance and payment solutions
Founded to address credit gap in Pakistan’s SME ecosystem, Haball enables businesses to access Islamic finance products
Updated 13 April 2025
Nour El-Shaeri
RIYADH: Startups across the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia are securing fresh capital and expanding into new markets, signaling strong investor confidence.
Saudi-based business-to-business marketplace Sary has announced it will merge with Bangladesh’s commerce platform ShopUp to create the SILQ Group, a newly formed entity aiming to transform cross-border trade across South Asia and the Gulf.
The merger is supported by a $110 million funding package comprising an equity investment and a financing facility dedicated to SILQ Financial, the group’s financial services arm.
The funding round includes participation from a broad investor base, led by Sanabil Investments, and joined by Valar Ventures, Flourish Ventures and STV, as well as MSA Capital, VSQ and Rocketship VC. Wafra Investment, Peak XV and Prosus were also involved, along with Tiger Global, Endeavor Catalyst and Raed Ventures.
Qatar Development Bank also participated as a new investor, as SILQ sets its sights on establishing a significant presence in the Qatari market.
This strategic alliance signals a significant step toward deeper commercial integration between the two regions, aiming to serve micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises with improved access to global supply chains and embedded financial tools.
Founded in 2018 by Mohammed Al-Dossary and Khaled Al-Siari, Sary connects small retailers and merchants with manufacturers and lenders across Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region.
ShopUp, founded in 2016 by Afeef Zaman, offers similar services in Bangladesh, acting as a crucial link between mills, brands, and neighborhood retailers.
The newly formed SILQ Group combines these complementary regional networks, technology stacks, and market expertise.
Saudi-based business-to-business marketplace Sary has announced it will merge with Bangladesh’s commerce platform ShopUp to create the SILQ Group. (Supplied)
“Through this merger, we’re entering what’s set to become one of the world’s largest trade corridors — projected to reach $682 billion,” said Zaman, now CEO of SILQ Group.
“We’re in the front seat to serve some of the most exciting, fast-growing economies that are set to shape global consumption in the coming decades, giving them greater access to products from around the world.” He added SILQ will focus on eliminating friction in the B2B supply chain and enabling MSMEs with better technology and financial inclusion.
Al-Dossary, now CEO of SILQ Financial, said: “By merging our strengths, we’re not just expanding our reach — we’re revolutionizing how digital commerce serves Gulf’s merchants and South Asia manufacturers.”
He added: “This alliance brings together the best of both worlds — deep regional expertise and world-class technology to empower every business in our ecosystem where financial services are a cornerstone.”
Language AI platform STUCK? secures six-figure pre-seed round
Saudi-based artificial intelligence startup STUCK?, which offers real-time language support for English and Arabic content, has raised a six-figure pre-seed investment round to advance its product and market reach.
The funding was led by the UK-based Mena Tech Fund, with participation from the KAUST Innovation Fund and several angel investors from Saudi Arabia.
Founded in 2022 by Asmaa Naga, STUCK? delivers AI-powered language assistance to content teams, offering contextual help in writing, editing and translation.
The company aims to remove language barriers for both native and non-native speakers operating in bilingual business environments.
STUCK? provides services via an AI-first platform that combines natural language processing with generative tools optimized for business communication and brand tone consistency.
With this latest round, STUCK? plans to scale its engineering capabilities.
Rabbit launches in Saudi Arabia with Riyadh regional HQ
Cairo-born quick commerce startup Rabbit has expanded its operations to Saudi Arabia by opening a regional headquarters in Riyadh.
The move marks Rabbit’s first major international market entry, as it looks to replicate its rapid delivery model — offering grocery and everyday essentials in under 20 minutes — within the Kingdom’s growing e-commerce landscape.
Founded in 2021 by Ahmed Yousry, Walid Shabana, Ismail Hafezz and Tarek El-Geresy, Rabbit leverages a network of dark stores and a proprietary logistics platform to optimize ultra-fast last-mile delivery.
In Egypt, Rabbit has positioned itself as a leader in q-commerce with its tech-driven approach, and it now seeks to replicate this success in the Gulf by localizing its services for Saudi consumers.
We pride ourselves on being a hyperlocal company, bringing our cutting-edge tech and experience to transform the grocery shopping experience for Saudi households.
Ahmad Yousry, Rabbit co-founder and CEO
Rabbit’s expansion is supported by funding from investors including Lorax Capital Partners, Global Ventures, Raed Ventures, and Beltone Venture Capital.
Existing backers Global Founders Capital, Goodwater Capital, Hub71, Simple Capital and Foundation Ventures have also reaffirmed their commitment to the company’s growth strategy.
“We are delighted to announce Rabbit’s expansion into the Kingdom,” said co-founder and CEO Ahmad Yousry.
“We pride ourselves on being a hyperlocal company, bringing our cutting-edge tech and experience to transform the grocery shopping experience for Saudi households and delivering the best products — especially local favorites — in just 20 minutes. We’re building Rabbit Saudi for Saudis by Saudi hands.”
Sellou raises seed funding round at $3m valuation
Bahrain-based social commerce startup Sellou has closed a seed funding round at a $3 million valuation, aimed at scaling its video-powered marketplace platform across the MENA region.
Founded by Salman Al-Khalifa, Sellou allows users to create short, interactive videos to showcase and sell a wide range of products — ranging from handmade goods to general merchandise.
The platform is part of a rising wave of social commerce innovation, particularly in the Middle East, where mobile-first consumer behavior is driving the adoption of new retail formats.
Sellou’s app enables sellers to build storefronts with personalized video content and engage buyers through direct messaging, streamlining the e-commerce experience for both sides.
With fresh capital, Sellou intends to invest in expanding its engineering team, enhancing creator tools and entering new markets across the region.
Rentify raises $500k to grow rental payment platform
UAE-based proptech and fintech company Rentify has raised $500,000 in seed funding to accelerate the development of its rental payment and management platform.
The startup was founded in 2025 by Rashed Hareb and Rajneel Kumar with a vision to digitize rental transactions and improve transparency between tenants and landlords.
Rentify enables tenants to manage rental installments through a secure platform.
The company reports that over $408 million worth of property rentals have already been registered on the platform.
The seed funding will be used to further scale operations, integrate more properties across the Emirates, and introduce new fintech features including credit scoring and embedded finance solutions for tenants.
PayTic raises $4m to expand African operations
Morocco-based fintech startup PayTic has secured $4 million in funding to support its expansion into new African markets.
The round was led by AfricInvest, with participation from Build Ventures, Axian Group, Mistral, Island Capital Partner, and Concrete.
Founded in 2020 by Imad Boumahdi, PayTic focuses on automating operational processes for card issuers and banks, such as reconciliation, chargeback management, and regulatory reporting.
The capital injection will enable PayTic to grow its presence in both North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa.
Haball raises $52m to grow Shariah-compliant supply chain financing
Pakistan-based fintech firm Haball has raised $52 million to scale its Shariah-compliant supply chain finance and payment solutions.
The round includes $5 million in equity and $47 million in strategic financing.
Zayn VC and Meezan Bank led the investment, with the capital earmarked for growth in Pakistan and expansion into the Middle East, starting with Saudi Arabia later this year.
Founded to address the credit gap in Pakistan’s SME ecosystem, Haball enables businesses to access Islamic finance products for inventory and procurement needs.
“Supply chain finance in Pakistan is nascent but is expected to be worth over $9 billion; driven by the severe financing gap faced by the country’s SMEs — less than 5 percent can access financing from commercial banks,” the company said in a statement.
The funding will allow Haball to introduce new services tailored to Islamic finance users, integrate further with enterprise resource planning systems, and partner with banks to onboard new business clients.
ISLAMABAD: Veteran Pakistani stage and television comedian Muhammad Javed, popularly known as “Javed Kodu,” passed away in the eastern city of Lahore on Sunday after suffering from prolonged illness, state-run media reported.
Javed, who as per media reports was 50 years old, was widely recognized for his comedic talent and distinctive short stature.
He passed away during the wee hours of Sunday after a long battle with illness. The comedian’s funeral prayers will be held at the marquee behind his residence in Lahore’s Singhpura area, state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said.
“The veteran performer, who dedicated more than four decades to the entertainment industry, leaves behind a legacy of laughter, resilience, and heartfelt performances,” APP reported.
Born with dwarfism, Javed faced numerous societal and professional challenges throughout his life, APP said.
It added that his stage name “Kodu” was affectionately given to him by legendary comedian Akhtar Hussain Albela.
Javed began acting in 1981 with the play “Sode Baaz” and went on to star in over 150 Punjabi and Urdu films, along with several stage productions.
His TV drama “Ashiyana” was a hit with fans and is arguably the most popular television project Javed was associated with.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief at Javed’s passing, praising his talent as a comedian.
“Javed Kodu, who was famous for his short stature and towering talent, leaves behind a void in the media industry that is likely never to be filled,” Sharif was quoted as saying by his office.
The late comedian is survived by his wife and two sons. One of his sons, Shera, is a popular performer on the comedy show “Mazaaq Raat.
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has asked Iran to arrest the culprits responsible for killing eight Pakistani nationals this week in its Sistan-Baluchestan province, calling on regional states to adopt a coordinated strategy to defeat the menace of “terrorism.”
The news of the killings first emerged in local media on Saturday evening, though Pakistan’s foreign ministry and federal authorities did not issue immediate statements.
However, the foreign office later confirmed the development in response to media queries. It said that Islamabad was in contact with Iranian authorities and would comment once the details were confirmed.
In a separate statement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the killing of the eight Pakistani nationals and voiced concern over the attack on Iranian soil.
“The Iranian government must bring those responsible to justice and share the reasons behind this heinous act with the public,” Sharif said in a statement released by his office on Saturday.
The Pakistani premier expressed grief at the loss of lives in the incident.
“Terrorism is a scourge that is devastating for all countries in the region,” he added. “All regional states must implement a coordinated strategy to root out terrorism.”
The prime minister also directed Pakistan’s foreign ministry to remain in contact with the victims’ families and instructed the embassy in Tehran to ensure the safe repatriation of the bodies.
Meanwhile, Iran’s embassy in Pakistan condemned the attack as a “cowardly one,” calling for joint efforts to eradicate “terrorism.”
“Combating this ominous phenomenon requires collective and joint efforts by all countries to eradicate all forms of terrorism and extremism that have claimed the lives of thousands of innocent people in recent decades,” the embassy said.
On Saturday, Afghanistan’s Khaama Press News Agency reported the attack took place in the early hours of the day in a village in Mehrestan district, located near the Iran-Pakistan border. The outlet said the victims were auto mechanics.
However, the separatist Balochistan National Army (BNA) claimed responsibility for the attack later in the day, alleging that the slain workers were members of Pakistan’s premier spy agency.
Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province, which borders Iran and Afghanistan, has faced a low-level insurgency for nearly two decades. Baloch separatist groups accuse the central government of exploiting the region’s natural resources, such as gold and copper, without benefiting the local population.
Islamabad denies the allegations, saying it is committed to improving the lives of Baloch residents through various development projects.
Thousands of Pakistanis, mostly from economically disadvantaged regions, frequently cross into Iran to take up informal work in sectors such as vehicle repair, construction and agriculture.
In January last year, nine Pakistani laborers were killed and three critically injured in a similar attack in Saravan city, also located in Iran’s southeastern border region.
The victims in that case had also been working at an auto repair shop.
Last year’s killings took place at a time when Pakistan and Iran were trying to mend diplomatic ties following tit-for-tat missile and drone strikes.
