Dubai: Pakistan cricket stalwarts Inzamam-ul Haq and Saeed Anwar may have long retired from the game, but they still have a meaty job. At a press meet in Dubai on Wednesday, the batting legends announced the launch of their concept meat store, Meat One, in the UAE. And they made no bones about it.
"For years Inzy and I butchered bowlers. So we know what it takes to run a meat business," said Anwar. Beefy Inzamam, 41, nodded in approval.
"One would have thought we would do something associated with cricket but we ended up opening a specialised chain of meat stores in Pakistan.
"There was a lack of good quality halal meat in our country. The most pressing concern was hygiene because of issues related with water-borne diseases. Meat One filled that void perfectly," said Inzamam, who played a key role in Pakistan's 1992 World Cup triumph. He also led the country in 30 Tests before his retirement in 2007.
Elaborating on their ‘cleaver' idea, Inzamam said: "In 2008, we opened our first store in Karachi. The response was overwhelming. So much so that by the following year we had nine stores. Now we are bringing the same concept of fresh ‘zabiha halal' meat to the UAE."
Two outlets of Meat One are opening in Dubai on September 22 — one at Al Nahda near NMC Hospital and other at Motor City. Inzamam and Anwar will be present at their inauguration.