RIYADH: Indian cricket legend Irfan Pathan has lauded the rapid progress of the game in 萝莉视频 after meeting with the Kingdom鈥檚 top officials.
In a meeting in Jeddah with Chairman of the 萝莉视频n Cricket Federation (SACF) Prince Saud bin Mishal, the former allrounder discussed the progress and development of the sport in 萝莉视频.
The SACF on Sunday tweeted: 鈥淧rince Saud together with SACF Executive Director Tariq Sagga received the retired legendary Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan and presented him with an inscribed cricket bat in honor of his visit.
鈥淧athan expressed his happiness at the rapid progress of his sport in 萝莉视频 and the many steps the federation is taking to expand its appeal and involvement 鈥 especially among female and youth players, both boys and girls,鈥 the SACF added.
Hailing from Baroda, a city in western Indian state of Gujarat, Pathan was considered India鈥檚 next best allrounder after Kapil Dev during his playing days.
Pathan, who made his Team India debut at the age of 19 in 2003, announced his retirement from professional cricket in January 2020.
He played 29 Tests, 120 One-Day Internationals and and 24 T20s for India, and was part of the Indian team that won the T20 World Cup in 2007. He was given the man of the match award for his performance in the final.
The SACF said that there was a 鈥渇irm and positive agreement鈥 about the future of cricket in the Kingdom, under the umbrella of the Ministry of Sports and the Kingdom鈥檚 Vision 2030 initiative, which seeks to make sport a part of everyday life in the Kingdom.
Under Vision 2030鈥檚 Quality of Life program, the SACF, supported by the Ministry of Sports and 萝莉视频n Olympic Committee, is mandated to increase physical activity levels by 40 percent over the next decade.
Cricket has taken major strides in the Kingdom in recent years, with the game鈥檚 ruling body introducing a series of programs to encourage the nation鈥檚 youth to take up one of the world鈥檚 oldest and most popular sports.
