Foreign cricket teams vow to help Pakistani flood victims
The beleaguered victims of a devastating flood that has ravaged Pakistan have found support from international cricket community, who have vowed to raise funds by playing special games in the course of the next twelve months.
Following the offer made by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760 have decided to approach the Pakistan Cricket Board and organise matches that would act as fund-raisers for the victims of one of the most devastating tragedies in history.
The floods have affected one-third of the country with nearly 20 million people rendered homeless from the catastrophe that has engulfed all four provinces in the country.
Massive rehabilitation efforts are underway in the country, yet the real work will only start once the water level recedes, even now there is a threat of more damage from the flood that refuses to die down.
The raging waters have caused massive destruction, besides an infrastructure collapse, and billions of dollars are needed to repair the damage; a task that is expected to last for many years.
The Chief Executive of Cricket South Africa Gerald Majola expressed his grief at the situation and vowed to support the people of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/United-Arab-Emirates-c3033 later in the year. Majola added that the match was likely to take place a day or two before the commencement of the international program on the tour.
"The floods have been a real tragedy and this is our own way of trying to help out the victims in the country," claimed Majola, he added “It will be an extra game, probably two days before the first T20 that starts the series and all proceeds will go to victims of the floods."
Similar sentiments were expressed by the President of the West Indian Cricket Board Julian Hunte who claimed that both WICB and PCB enjoy great relations that have been built over last many decades; hence his Board was obliged to help Pakistan in these difficult times.
Hunte expressed hope of organizing a fund-raiser during Pakistan’s Caribbean tour next year, where the team will play a full test, ODI and T20 series in various islands.
"We feel hurt as we have watched on television and followed on the Internet, the magnitude of the destruction and devastation caused to the people of Pakistan by the recent floods," commented Hunte, while adding that "The WICB and the PCB have had a long and fruitful relationship for many years and we want to assure them that they have our full support in this dark time.
He also touched upon the plans that he intends to share with the PCB regarding a possible match next year.
"In an effort to see how best we can assist, the WICB will contact the PCB hierarchy to examine how we can work together," he said. "The Pakistani cricketers are due to visit the West Indies next year for a full tour, under the ICC Future Tours Programme, so this visit will offer an opportunity to assist in a meaningful way."
On the other hand the Chief Executive of the New Zealand Cricket Board Justin Vaughan observed that “the game of cricket was a passion in Pakistan and as such a fund raiser could play a part in alleviating some of the suffering that is going on there."
The former international disclosed that he was keen on having a word with Pakistani authorities about the possibilities of the two boards arranging a game for the cause during Pakistan’s tour of New Zealand at the end of the year.
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