Sanath Jayasuriya urges world to resume cricket in Pakistan

By Ubaid Awan

KARACHI, Pakistan (TheSportsNEXT) October 18, 2012: Former Sri Lanka skipper Sanath Jayasuriya urged the cricketing world on Thursday to resume international cricket activities in the terrorism-hit Pakistan.

Talking to reporters at Karachi Airport upon his arrival for the two festival Twenty20 matches against Pakistan Stars XI, Sanath Jayasuriya who is leading the International World XI said, “In my opinion Pakistan is a safe country for international cricket and teams should show big heart and start playing cricket in this country”.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are not part of these two exhibition Twenty20 matches but Sindh Sports Minister Dr. Mohammad Ali Shah has done a great job by inviting foreign cricketers for the country’s first cricket activity on home soil since terrorist attack on Sri Lankan cricket team in Mary 2009 in Lahore.

Since those deadly attacks, none of the Test playing nations visited Pakistan for a bilateral cricket series and Pakistan had to be stripped of its right to co-host the last year’s ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

Pakistan Stars XI, led by Shahid Afridi, will take on International World XI, led by Sanath Jayasuriya, on Saturday and Sunday at National Stadium Karachi and final renovation work is going on at the stadium these days while the sale of tickets is already in full swing.

Read More

Six foreign cricketers land in Karachi for festival matches

By Ubaid Awan

Cricketers were received by Sindh Sports Minister Dr. Mohammad Ali Shah

KARACHI, Pakistan (TheSportsNEXT) October 18, 2012: Six international players arrived at Karachi Airport on Thursday morning to participate in the two Twenty20 exhibition matches between International World XI and Pakistan Stars XI at National Stadium Karachi on Saturday and Sunday.

Four West Indian and two South African players reached at Jinnah International Airport via Flight Number EK604 including Ricardo Powell, Steven Taylor, Jermaine Lawson, and Adam Sanford from West Indies and Justin Kemp and Andre Seymore from South Africa.

Sindh Sports Minister Dr. Syed Mohammad Ali Shah was present at the airport to welcome the international cricketers at Karachi airport where these players were received with roses showering upon them.

The two Twenty20s mark return of international cricket to Pakistan and this would be the first time since March 2009 that foreign players will participate in any cricket match on Pakistani soil.

Earlier, four South African cricketers including fast bowlers Andre Nel and Nantie Hayward as well as Loots Bosman and Tshababa landed at Karachi airport.

Afghani cricketers as well as captain of International World XI Sanath Jayasuriya will arrive here later on Thursday.

Read More

Andre Nel feels Pakistan is safe to play cricket

By Ubaid Awan

Andre Nel, three other South African cricketers land in Karachi

KARACHI, Pakistan (TheSportsNEXT) October 18, 2012: Four South African cricketers landed at the Karachi International Airport on early Thursday to take part in the two exhibition matches against Pakistan Stars XI.

The four South African cricketers included fast bowlers Andre Nel and Nantie Hayward as well as Loots Bosman and Tshababa.

Talking to media persons on the occasion, fast bowler Andre Nel said, “Karachi is one of my favorite places in the world. I still remember bowling at the National Stadium Karachi. I have always loved the crowd here”.

When asked about his feelings about Pakistan as a safe cricket destination, Andre Nel said, "I feel that Pakistan is safe for international cricket and we are here to convey this message to the world”.

Six more cricketers including Justin Kemp, Andre Seymore, Ricardo Powell, Steven Taylor, Jermaine Lawson and Adam Sanford are also arriving in Karachi on Thursday morning.

Read More

Foreign cricketers start landing in Karachi tonight

By Ubaid Awan

Jinnah International Airport all set to receive foreign cricketers

KARACHI, Pakistan (TheSportsNEXT) October 18, 2012: Arrival of foreign cricketers in Pakistan for the upcoming two Twenty20 matches between International World XI and Pakistan Stars XI will commence tonight.

As per the arrival schedule that the event organizers shared with TheSportsNEXT.com, the South African cricketers including Justin Kemp, Loots Bosman, Andre Nel, Andre Seymore, and Nantie Hayward will arrive at Jinnah International Airport Karachi at 02:30am Pakistan Standard Time.

West Indian cricketers including Ricardo Powell, Steven Taylor, Jermaine Lawson, and Adam Sanford will land at Jinnah International Airport at 04:30am Pakistan Standard Time.

Afghanistan cricketers will arrive in Karachi at 1:15pm on Thursday while International World XI skipper Sanath Jayasuriya will join the team at 03:30pm on Thursday.

The two Twenty20 matches between Pakistan Stars XI and International World XI will be played at National Stadium Karachi on coming Saturday and Sunday.

Read More

Dr Shah renames WorldXI for exhibition matches

By Ubaid Awan

ICC Objection results in renaming of World XI as International World XI

KARACHI, Pakistan (TheSportsNEXT) October 17, 2012: Sindh Sports Minister, Dr. Syed Mohammad Ali Shah, on Wednesday, changed the name of World XI to International World XI after the International Cricket Council objected on the name.

The ICC spokesman, Samiul Hasan told local media, “The ICC doesn't permit the names World or World XI for exhibition matches”.

A letter has been sent to the Pakistan Cricket Board in this regard, he added.

A Pakistan Stars XI led by Shahid Khan Afridi will take on International World XI led by former Sri Lankan legendary captain Sanath Jayasuriya in two Twenty20 matches to be played at National Stadium Karachi on October 20 and 21.

Cricketers from West Indies, South Africa and Afghanistan are participating in the two Twenty20 matches which would be the first time since March 2009 that international cricketers would tour any part of Pakistan.

In the first major international cricket event in Pakistan in more than three years, the Pakistan Cricket Board has already allowed the event organizers to use National Stadium Karachi and also let its centrally contracted players to participate in the matches.

Read More