Islamabad, November 26, 2025 – Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are set to enhance sports cooperation, particularly in cricket, as a means to promote friendship and regional harmony.
Federal Minister for Interior, Narcotics Control, and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi highlighted this vision during a high-level meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Sports, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, in Riyadh on Wednesday.
During the discussions, both leaders explored wide-ranging plans to strengthen bilateral collaboration in sports. Key focus areas included promoting cricket in Saudi Arabia, encouraging youth participation in sports, and developing joint programs to enhance athletic skills and infrastructure. Naqvi emphasized that cricket can serve as a bridge for cultural exchange and youth engagement between the two countries.
Naqvi also lauded Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal for his proactive role in transforming Saudi Arabia’s sports sector under Vision 2030. The minister congratulated the Kingdom for successfully securing hosting rights for major international tournaments, including the AFC Asian Cup 2027, Asian Winter Games 2029, Asian Games 2034, and FIFA World Cup 2034.
Both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia agreed on collaborative initiatives such as cricket infrastructure projects, joint training programs, bilateral tours, and youth-level tournaments to foster talent development. Practical planning is underway, and relevant institutions in both countries will expedite coordination to implement these programs efficiently.
Officials emphasized that these initiatives aim to provide maximum opportunities for youth in both nations, strengthen bilateral sports relations, and contribute to broader regional cooperation and harmony through athletics.