KARACHI - Some part of the income generated from the two Twenty20 matches at Karachi between Sanath Jayasuria led World XI and Shahid Afridi captained Pakistan Star XI will be donated to the flood relief fund in Sindh.
Sindh Sports Minister Dr MA Shah, the chief organiser of the series, revealed during a media briefing here at the National stadium on Tuesday.
The matches will be played on October 20 and 21 under floodlights. World XI is due to arrive here October 18 and both the teams will have nets on October 19 at Karachi Gymkhana.
Dr Shah said as much as thirty percent of the income will be given to the flood relief fund. He said October 20 and 21 will be red letter days for Pakistan cricket. On those days international cricket would be restored in Pakistan.
Dr Shah admitted that when he dreamt about holding the series initially some problems cropped up but those were sorted out and now the organisers were receiving full cooperation from the PCB and from all other concerned departments. Sindh governor Dr Isharatul Ebad was in constant touch and getting daily report about the progress of the arrangements for holding the series which is important from the cricketing reasons.
He said holding the series successfully would send positive signals to sporting persons all around the world .He said he was looking forward to breaking sporting isolation of Pakistan through holding this event.
He said Sanath Jayasuriya of Sri Lanka was eagerly waiting to reach Pakistan and play here. He said when recently a reporter asked him was he not concerned in going to Pakistan in view of the security situation there, the Sri Lankan batting legend said he had treated Pakistan as his second home and he was counting his days to go to Pakistan.
In the meantime the KMC has announced providing all municipal facilities in National Stadium on the occasion of upcoming cricket matches between World XI and Pakistan all Star XI.
Metropolitan Commissioner Matanat Ali Khan said this while chairing a meeting held on arrangements of cricket matches. The meeting was attended by Senior Director Municipal Services Dr. Shaukat Zaman, Senior Director Medical Services A.D Sajnani, Additional Commissioner Karachi Kamran Shamshad, Chief Town Officer Gulshan Iqbal Shafiq-ur-Rehman, Chief fire Officer Muhammad Ehtisham-ud-din, Noman Arshad Director Machinery Pool, Director Advertisement Akhtar Shaikh, Chief City Warden Tehseen-ur-Rehman, Manager National Stadium Arshad Khan and other officers.
Matanat Ali Khan said that all concerned departments have been directed about municipal matters in connection with upcoming matches between World Eleven and Pakistan Eleven in National Stadium and KMC will make arrangements of cleanliness, light, fumigation, fire brigade and ambulance service.
He said two ambulances during match will be standby in the stadium for dealing any kind of emergency whereas 2 ambulances along with staff will be provided. KMC Administrator M Hussain Syed will give a reception in honour of guest team and Pakistan team. Fumigation will be done inside and outside the stadium along with availability of street lights and banners will also be installed on important locations in the city. This T-20 competition was being represented by renowned players of the world and national players from Pakistani team were also taking part in the match.
Metropolitan Commissioner said that World XI visit was very important for the restoration of international cricket in Pakistan therefore all possible efforts will be made to make this visit successful so that the good image of Karachi will arise and international teams would also come to Pakistan for playing cricket matches. He said that KMC will play its vital role in this regard and provide all necessary facilities on this occasion.