Legends of Pakistan cricket begin UAE business innings

Dubai: Two legendary Pakistan cricketers, Inzamam Ul Haq and Saeed Anwar, have commenced another innings as businessmen and are here to launch Meat One — a business venture they set up in Pakistan.

The former batsmen are now hoping to spread the outlets of their venture all over the UAE and the Gulf.

Speaking at the launch organised by Alif Investments, a Dubai-based company which has won the exclusive rights for setting up Meat One in the UAE and GCC countries, Haq said: "Lack of good meat was the cause of many diseases in Pakistan. So Anwar and I decided to launch this venture which will provide excellent hygienic meat. We have ten outlets in Pakistan and now we have decided to launch it in Dubai too."

Alif Investment also announced their expansion plans with the opening of three more outlets of their flagship food brand Emly & Chilli, a chain of restaurants. They are also opening a branch of "J." boutique — an outlet of Pakistani ethnic fashion house Junaid Jamshed, in Abu Dhabi.

While Meat One and Emly & Chilli will open today, the J. boutique will open its doors tomorrow.

Elaborating on his plans and the tie-up with the two great cricketers, Mohammad Arif Abdul Aziz, chairman Alif Investments, said: "Meat One will supply fresh halal meat airlifted daily from its source, combining the goodness of freshness and quality with the convenience of a variety of cuts and marinated products. It will be located at Al Nadha and Motor City.

"Sahara Centre will be the place from where Emly & Chilli restaurant's food items like Bun Kebab, Kebab Roll and Biryani can be tasted."

Haq, who led the Pakistan cricket team with many match-winning knocks, is hoping to steer his venture into countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar too.

"First we want to set up in different parts of Dubai and then move on to other countries. In Karachi we opened nine Meat One outlets in one year and it has been widely accepted," he said.

Backing his plans is Alif Investments whose brands also include B &B cricket bar, Britannia Pakistan and Baked Snacks Company, apart from Junaid Jamshed and Emly & Chilli.