KARACHI: South Africa captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and opted to bat in the Champions Trophy Group B match against debutants Afghanistan in Karachi on Friday.
South Africa entered their opening match of the ODI tournament with three frontline pacers and a spinner in Keshav Maharaj.
They left out batsman Heinrich Klaasen in a precautionary measure as he recovers from an elbow injury.
This is Afghanistan’s first appearance ever in the Champions Trophy.
They named one frontline fast bowler in Fazalhaq Farooqi with two seaming all-rounders and three spinners, led by Rashid Khan.
Australia and England, who clash in Lahore on Saturday, are the other two teams in Group B.
Arch-rivals India and Pakistan — meeting in Dubai on Sunday — are in Group A alongside New Zealand and Bangladesh.
The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semifinals.
TEAMS
South Africa: Temba Bavuma (captain), Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Rassie van der Dussen
Afghanistan: Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi
South Africa win toss, bat against Afghanistan in Pakistan-hosted Champions Trophy
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South Africa win toss, bat against Afghanistan in Pakistan-hosted Champions Trophy
- South Africa entered their opening match of the tournament with three frontline pacers and a spinner
- They left out batsman Heinrich Klaasen in a precautionary measure as he recovers from an elbow injury
Gigi Hadid marks launch of Havaianas line with new campaign
DUBAI: US Palestinian Dutch supermodel Gigi Hadid has unveiled a new campaign with Brazilian footwear brand Havaianas.
The model, who launched a line with the flip flop label, stars in a vintage-inspired series of photographs. In the shots, she shows off slippers from her collection with the brand and is seen wearing retro outfits on a beach.
Hadid celebrated the launch at a party in Altro Paradiso in New York last week. At the event, she wore flip flops paired with a white tweed Marc Jacobs minidress, featuring vibrant scattered crystals.
The model is no stranger to making creative decisions and is also the founder of her own cashmere brand, Guest in Residence.
She launched her clothing label, which features soft, colorful knitwear, in September 2022.
“Over the last handful of years, I didn’t want to be backed into starting my own line just because there was an offer on the table or a deal to be made,” she wrote to her followers on Instagram at the time.
“The earliest days of Guest in Residence came about when I started to question the cashmere market, and those answers gave me a path,” she wrote.
“I believe that because of its sustainable qualities — natural and made to cherish and to pass down — cashmere is a luxury that should be more accessible.”
Earlier this year, Hadid celebrated her birthday party at Le Chalet in New York City.
Hadid entered the venue with her partner, Oscar nominee Bradley Cooper on April 25, and met up with her sister Bella Hadid, mother Yolanda Hadid, father Mohamed Hadid, Russian media personality Keni Silva and US actress Anne Hathaway, among others.
Gigi’s birthday was on April 23, and the internet was abuzz with celebrities, designers, family and friends who sent birthday wishes to the supermodel as she turned 30.
Saudi GO Telecom signs deal to rebuild Syria’s telecom sector
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s GO Telecom has signed an agreement with the Syrian government to help modernize the country’s digital infrastructure, marking one of the first major private sector initiatives following the recent easing of Western sanctions.
The agreement was signed by Syrian Minister of Telecommunications Abdul Salam Haykal and GO Telecom CEO Yahya bin Saleh Al-Mansour. The deal aims to revamp Syria’s aging communications network, a critical step in the nation’s long path toward recovery. Riyadh-based GO Telecom is expanding its presence in post-conflict markets through strategic infrastructure investments.
The move follows a significant policy shift by Western powers. Just weeks ago, the US and the EU began lifting long-standing sanctions on Syria — a decision widely seen as a turning point in international engagement with the war-torn country.
On May 13, President Donald Trump announced the sanctions relief during a visit to Riyadh, calling it a “historic opportunity” for Syria’s recovery. The EU quickly followed suit, adopting legal measures to ease economic restrictions while maintaining those tied to security.
“This decision is simply the right thing to do,” said EU High Representative Kaja Kallas, underscoring the bloc’s support for Syria’s reconstruction and political transition. The EU’s move removed 24 entities, including the Central Bank of Syria, from its sanctions list.
“Today the EU reaffirms its commitment as a partner for the transition, one that helps the Syrian people to reunite and rebuild a new, inclusive, peaceful Syria,” Kallas added.
Syrian officials have welcomed the easing of sanctions as a pivotal moment. Speaking to the Associated Press on May 30, Syria’s Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, Hind Kabawat, said the changes would aid anti-corruption efforts and help pave the way for the return of millions of refugees.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar have also pledged joint financial support for Syrian state employees. A high-level Saudi economic delegation has visited Damascus to explore investments across key sectors, including energy, agriculture, and infrastructure.
“The Kingdom will provide, with Qatar, joint financial support to state employees in Syria,” said Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan during a visit to Damascus on May 31. He reaffirmed Riyadh’s commitment to Syria’s reconstruction and emphasized the Kingdom’s involvement in the sanctions relief process.
Prince Faisal added that Saudi Arabia remains one of Syria’s key backers as it works toward economic recovery and long-term stability.
The GO Telecom agreement is seen as a signal of growing regional cooperation, as international and Gulf partners begin to re-engage in efforts to rebuild Syria’s shattered economy and infrastructure after over a decade of conflict.
Pakistan, Afghanistan agree to establish ‘mutual trust’ amid improving bilateral ties
- Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar speaks to Afghan counterpart Amir Khan Muttaqi on the telephone
- Both agree to work to finalize framework agreement for Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) railway project
ISLAMABAD: The foreign ministers of Pakistan and Afghanistan on Sunday agreed to continue working to establish “mutual trust” between the two nations, Pakistan’s foreign office said in a statement, amid recent improvement in ties between Kabul and Islamabad.
Pakistan and Afghanistan this week agreed to upgrade diplomatic relations, with Islamabad announcing it would elevate its chargé d’affaires in Kabul to ambassadorial rank. Kabul said it would reciprocate the move.
Ties between the two countries have been tense in recent years, with Pakistan accusing Afghanistan’s Taliban administration of harboring militants involved in cross-border attacks, leading to a deportation drive against undocumented Afghan nationals. Kabul has criticized Pakistan’s deportation drive and denied its nationals are involved in crimes on Pakistani soil.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke to Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi on the phone to discuss diplomatic relations between the two countries on Sunday. Muttaqi, according to Pakistan’s foreign office, informed Dar that Afghanistan has decided to reciprocate Islamabad’s gesture to upgrade diplomatic relations to the ambassador level, terming it a “very positive development.”
“Both leaders also reviewed the implementation of decisions taken during DPM/FM’s visit to Kabul on 19 April 2025 and vowed to continue working together to establish mutual trust between the two brotherly nations,” the Pakistani foreign office said.
Efforts to ease tensions between the two countries also gained momentum in recent months. During a trilateral meeting with Chinese officials in Beijing in May, Pakistan and Afghanistan had announced plans to exchange ambassadors.
Afghan authorities said this week Muttaqi is due to visit Pakistan “in the coming days.”
The two officials also spoke about the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) Railway Line Project. Dar spoke to his Uzbek counterpart on Saturday to discuss the UAP, including the framework agreement and its signing mechanism.
“Emphasizing the importance of the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) Railway Line Project for regional connectivity, both leaders agreed to work closely for an early finalization of the framework agreement,” the foreign office said.
The UAP railway is a trilateral initiative aimed at enhancing regional connectivity by linking Central Asia with Pakistan’s southern ports of Gwadar and Karachi through Afghanistan.
Envisioned in 2021, the project is expected to improve trade access for landlocked countries and bolster economic integration in the region.
Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah Co., Kakao Mobility sign deal to boost smart mobility
RIYADH: Diriyah Co., backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, has signed a memorandum of understanding with South Korea-based Kakao Mobility to enhance smart mobility infrastructure across the historic city of Diriyah.
Announced in a post on X, the agreement is designed to develop integrated transportation solutions to accommodate the 50 million annual visitors projected during the first phase of the Diriyah project.
The partnership will see Kakao Mobility contribute to the implementation of digital transport systems, seamless transit services, and smart parking infrastructure. The initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader push to diversify its economy and reduce its dependence on oil, as outlined in Vision 2030.
“Mobility to shape the future of urban mobility. This collaboration brings smart, sustainable solutions to life, enhancing the digital movement experience for over 50 million annual visits by 2030,” Diriyah Co. stated in its post on X.
The agreement marks the beginning of a phased rollout, starting with a smart parking pilot. The project also includes plans for a fully integrated prototype for smart parking and the deployment of advanced digital systems to streamline urban movement within Diriyah.
In addition to enhancing visitor mobility, the collaboration supports Saudi Arabia’s National Tourism Strategy, which aims to attract 150 million visitors annually by 2030.
The company emphasized that the digital platform under development will connect key destinations within Diriyah, contributing to sustainable urban mobility and reinforcing the Kingdom’s commitment to innovation and smart city solutions.
Once completed, the Diriyah development is expected to contribute SR18.6 billion ($4.96 billion) to the Kingdom’s gross domestic product and create approximately 178,000 jobs.
In April, Diriyah Co. awarded a contract worth SR5.1 billion for the construction of the Royal Diriyah Opera House — a major cultural project. The contract was granted to El-Seif Engineering Contracting, Midmac Contracting Co. W.L.L., and China State Construction Engineering Corp.
Pakistan says Makkah Route Initiative to be extended to other cities for next year’s Hajj
- Pakistani religious affairs minister meets Saudi minister for Hajj to discuss pilgrimage arrangements
- Makkah Route Initiative enables pilgrims to complete travel formalities at their departure airports
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf announced on Sunday that the Makkah Route Initiative facility will be extended to other cities of the country for next year’s Hajj pilgrimage.
The Makkah Route Initiative is designed to streamline immigration processes by enabling pilgrims to complete official travel formalities at their departure airports. Initially tested in Islamabad in 2019, the program was later expanded to Karachi, benefitting tens of thousands of Pakistani travelers. This saves pilgrims several hours upon arrival in the Kingdom, as they can simply enter the country without having to go through immigration again.
Yousaf met Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, Pakistan’s religion ministry said on Sunday, to discuss Hajj 2025 arrangements in the Kingdom.
“The scope of the Road to Makkah project will be extended to other cities of Pakistan for the next (2026) Hajj,” Yousaf was quoted as saying by the ministry.
He thanked the Saudi government for introducing “innovations and new facilities” every year for the convenience of Hajj pilgrims, including those from Pakistan.
“The best facilities of food, transport and accommodation are being provided to Pakistani pilgrims,” Yousaf said.
As per the Pakistani religion ministry, Al-Rabiah said the Kingdom would provide the best possible facilities to Pakistani pilgrims at Mina and Arafah.
“A large number of pilgrims come from Pakistan, it is an honor to serve them,” the Saudi minister was quoted as saying.
This year, the Hajj rituals will commence on June 4, with the Day of Arafah on June 5, and Eid Al-Adha observed on June 6 in Saudi Arabia.
Pakistan on Saturday successfully concluded its 33-day pre-Hajj flight operation, with more than 115,000 pilgrims transported to Saudi Arabia ahead of this year’s pilgrimage.
