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KARACHI: Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Chief Air Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu on Wednesday discussed joint air exercises, exchange training programs and expanding bilateral defense ties with his Romanian counterpart, Lt Gen Leonard-Gabriel Baraboi, during his visit to the European country, the Pakistani military said.

Sidhu was given a guard-of-honor at the Romanian Air Force Headquarters in Bucharest upon his arrival, the Pakistani military’s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said. Later, he and Baraboi discussed regional security dynamics and reaffirmed the importance of bilateral cooperation to strengthen regional and global security, according to the ISPR.

The meeting in Romania follows Pakistan’s military confrontation with India in May, when the PAF claimed it downed six Indian fighter jets. India’s defense chief acknowledged that it lost fighter jets to Pakistan but rejected the claim that six had been shot down by Pakistan. Several countries have sought closer ties and collaboration with the PAF since then. 

“The Air Chief held detailed discussions with Lt. Gen. Baraboi centered on advancing operational cooperation, including joint air exercises, exchange programs and training of air and ground crew,” the ISPR said. 

“During the meeting, the two air chiefs discussed expanding air force cooperation and strengthening defense-industrial partnerships in advanced aerospace technologies.”

The ISPR highlighted that the PAF chief’s visit to Romania marked a milestone in the military relations between the countries and their enduring commitment to peace and development in a rapidly evolving security environment.

Pakistan has also attempted to enhance defense ties and initiate air force training programs and exercises since its skirmishes with India in May. 

In June, the PAF committed to providing basic and tactical-level training to Belarusian fighter pilots, followed by Sidhu’s visit to the US, the first by a serving PAF chief in more than ten years.

Senior PAF and Turkiye air force officials also agreed in September to enhance cooperation in joint training, mutual exercises and multi-domain operations.

In September, the PAF and Iraq resolved to enhance training initiatives and joint exercises between the two countries to improve interoperability.

Rawalpindi: Senuran Muthusamy and Kagiso Rabada hit fighting half-centuries as South Africa took a crucial 71-run lead over Pakistan on day three of the second Test in Rawalpindi on Wednesday.

Muthusamy made a career-best 89 not out and Rabada struck his highest score of 71 as the visitors added 169 for the last two wickets.

Veteran Pakistan spinner Asif Afridi ended the innings on 404 at the stroke of tea.
The 38-year-old Asif finished with figures of 6-79 and is the oldest man to take five wickets on a Test debut.

The afternoon session though belonged to South Africa as the World Test champions bid to square the two-match series, after losing the first Test by 93 runs in Lahore.

Muthusamy defied the Pakistan spinners, hitting eight fours to improve on his previous highest of 68 not out against Bangladesh at Chattogram last year.

Muthusamy added an invaluable 71 runs for the ninth wicket with Keshav Maharaj (30) and then increased the lead with a last-wicket stand worth 98.

Rabada smashed four sixes and as many fours, improving on the 47 he made against New Zealand at Christchurch in 2022.

The morning belonged to Asif, who at 38 years and 301 days overtook England’s Charles Marriott as oldest debutant to take five wickets.

Marriott did so against the West Indies at The Oval in 1933 aged 37 years and 332 days.
Like fellow left-armer Maharaj — who took seven wickets for the visitors in Pakistan’s 333 all out — Asif used the dry conditions to maximum effect.

South Africa resumed on 185-4 and added 100 runs in the morning session.

With the turn on the Rawalpindi stadium pitch increasing considerably, Asif dismissed Kyle Verreynne caught behind by wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan for 10 with the fourth ball of the day.

Tristan Stubbs defied Pakistan’s spinners for 256 minutes before a fastish delivery from Asif trapped him leg-before for 76. 

His knock was studded with six fours and a six.

Asif completed his five-wicket haul by trapping Simon Harmer leg-before for two while Noman Ali dismissed Marco Jansen in the same manner for 12.