PCB planning T20 fundraiser for displaced people

[Mohsin]

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is making efforts to stage an exhibition Twenty20 match against India or Sri Lanka on the sidelines of next month’s Twenty20 World Cup in England to raise funds for the thousands of displaced people in Swat. According to a spokesman for the PCB, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has been approached to confirm a fund-raiser for the northern Pakistan people who have been displaced due to the ongoing military operation against Taliban militants. PCB governing board member Mohammad Ali Shah, who is also the president of Karachi City Cricket Association (KCCA), said on Monday that the PCB was trying to fix a match against India or Sri Lanka in England to raise funds for the hundreds of thousands of refugees who were forced to flee their homes because of the ongoing operation. The United Nations has warned of a long-term humanitarian crisis and called for massive aid for those displaced. “I hope the ICC will support our efforts to raise funds for the refugees in England,” said Shah, who is also the provincial sports minister in Sindh. The PCB is hoping to set up a match against India as such a game would help raise substantial funds because of the huge Asian population in England. Pakistan and India have suspended sporting ties following last November’s terrorist attack in Mumbai. India refused to send its cricket team to Pakistan last year while Pakistan decided against clearing their cricketers’ visit to India to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) which was later shifted to South Africa. Pakistan also decided against sending its hockey team to India to play in a four-nation event earlier this year. http://dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...6-5-2009_pg2_8

I was beginning to become very worried that they would do nothing for these people, but a T20 in England = big money!

[Mohsin]

Oh put it in time-pass by accident. Move to cricket section please

[azfar wali]

Thats a great idea, PCB should go away ahead with it and arrange the match.

[azfar wali]

A match with India obviously will raise more money than a match against Sri Lanka so Pakistan should try arranging a match against India rather than Sri Lanka

[12thMan]

I would prefer PCB to donate all the daily allowances from Dubai trip and no one from PCB or their guests (except coach/manager and playing XI) goes to UK for T20, instead the saved money goes to charity. I don't really like this idea of getting in someone elses' business and saying donate please. look at yourself first spending $100K on trips and allowances

[Oxy]

Organising another T20 - in the midst ofthe World T20 & T20 warm up games is probably not good timing.

I'll be honest, I am maxed out regarding spending for tickets & travelling.

I wont be able to afford another game - and I imagine many others will be in the same situation.

[Sufian84]

arrange a test series instead

[kingusama92]

They should do it after the cup... after we win it that is (Inshallah).

Pakistan vs India will rake in a ton of dough if it was possible to arrange a match.

[observer1]

Originally Posted by Sufian84 arrange a test series instead

Nah, i'd say a T20 one of game, such as Asia XI v World XI like they did for the Tsunami would be a better idea (or was it ODI)

[Oxy]

Originally Posted by observer1 Nah, i'd say a T20 one of game, such as Asia XI v World XI like they did for the Tsunami would be a better idea (or was it ODI)

That would be a better idea. More inclusive & likely to draw interest from all fans.

[Ali888]

But there is T20 overkill ! IPL just finished, English Domestic T20 is being ignored !

The only thing which will put bums on seats in my opinion is either a World XI (Gilchrist/Hayden/Warne/Lara/Inzi) etc vs Pak XI

OR.... if the PCB have the balls a game which would be very popular IN Pakistan

Lahore Badshahs/ICL Pakistan vs Pak XI

[Kashi786]

pakistan vs india will be a great match to watch on tv

[olamba1]

Originally Posted by observer1 Nah, i'd say a T20 one of game, such as Asia XI v World XI like they did for the Tsunami would be a better idea (or was it ODI)

i agree with you but im not sure if teams would want to get involved in such pakistani matters...im sure srilanka would want to get involved in raising money and india aswell but aus,nz,sa? im fully supportive of raising money in any way possible for the displaced community though and tink atleast a t20 game should take place

[Wicked Fast Bowler]

Lest we forget this, this is a crisis not due a natural disaster (ergo, Tsunami, earthquake, etc). It is due to our own government's pathetic handling of its own people. It's a shame that we insist on causing chaos in our own house and then beg other people to send monetary aide.

[observer1]

Originally Posted by Wicked Fast Bowler Lest we forget this, this is a crisis not due a natural disaster (ergo, Tsunami, earthquake, etc). It is due to our own government's pathetic handling of its own people. It's a shame that we insist on causing chaos in our own house and then beg other people to send monetary aide.

Well it should be for political means.

Like in Natural disasters, it's for those in need. Hence the thread title

[12thMan]

They could have first annouced the semis and finals of RBS as charity matches, if they couldn't arrange a better one at home last weekend like an all star game. Maybe there would have been a lot more people then at the matches in heat now. This is an embarassing situation as they won't try anything at home and go out and ask others instead.

Let me hear about the PCB squad that will go to UK to organize this and the one to have a vacation and watch T20 WC. Just Butt not flying there will provide $5000 (not sure if it includes daily allowance but probably doesn't and surely not the wife) atleast and I really hope he and other 10 redundant people are not going there

[siccric]

Can we stop being typical and criticizing this move when it's for a good cause? Whatever it is, at least they are helping out. I'm sure most people on this forum can't say the same about themselves.

[Mohsin]

Originally Posted by siccric Can we stop being typical and criticizing this move when it's for a good cause? Whatever it is, at least they are helping out. I'm sure most people on this forum can't say the same about themselves.

Thank you!

They can't play a test match, i doubt they'll be able to organise the stadia and everything so quickly.
A quick, smooth T20 game against your arch-rivals should do the job and raise a lot of money Insh'Allah.