ICC donates Rs30m to Earthquake Relief Fund

LAHORE—International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided to donate Rs 30 million in the President’s Earthquake Relief Fund in a bid to help Pakistan in the time of crisis.
This was stated by Director Media, PCB, at a press conference here Tuesday at Gadaffi Stadium.
“It is a very kind gesture shown by ICC and we believe it would contribute in a noble cause,” said Zaidi.
He said, the Games Ruling Body has taken this decision in its recent meeting held in Australia.
He said ICC assured that it would extend all out support to Pakistan to overcome the aftermath of the calamity, which left thousand of people dead.
“ICC has also decided that the second day (October 15) proceeds of the 6-day test being played World XI and Australia will also go to the President’s Relief Fund “,he said adding “ we are thankful to ICC for helping us in the need of the hour”.
PCB official said Cricket Australia will also hold a live telethon on the same day to raise funds, which will also be contributed to the same relief fund.
“All these gestures show that we are not left alone at a time when we need resources to carry out rescue operations in the affected areas”, he said.
He said in the wake of a humanitarian disaster caused by the recent earthquake, the England and Wales Cricket Board and PCB have agreed to dedicate the first one day international in December at Lahore for the victims of the calamity.
“The entire gate receipts for this match will be given to the President’s Relief Fund,” he said adding, “The English and Wales Cricket Board will shortly announce its own contribution to the relief fund”.
Zaidi said all the employees of PCB have decided to donate their four-day salary towards the same fund to help the needy.
PCB official said the tickets of Pak-England test series will go on sale from October 15 at internet and the one-day tickets will be put on sale on the same medium afterwards.
“Besides, the tickets would also be available at the designated branches of the banks”, he said.
He said in order to attract crowd during the three test series, bulk of tickets would be given free for certain enclosures, barring VVIP and VIP enclosures.
For the first test at Multan 16600, for the second test at Faisalabad 9356 and for the third test at Lahore 12937 tickets would be given free of charge.
“Besides, separate enclosures would be set up for the special children in all the three test venues”, he added.
“We believe these measures would help bring back the crowd during the test as in the past people took less interest in test matches and most of the enclosures were empty”, he asserted.
He said PCB has curtailed the prices of tickets during the test as well as one-day matches in another attempt to attract crowd.
Zaidi said PCB would be arranging provision of free tickets which can be obtained from the PCB instead of the banks.—APP