Qatar and Pakistan A teams will play International Cricket Match in PYF

Lahore: Provincial Minister for Sports Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan has said that the International Cricket Match to be played between Qatar and Pakistan A teams on 24^th March, at the Gaddafi Stadium will prove to be a significant step towards the revival of International Cricket in the country.

Speaking at the Press Conference held here at the National Hockey Stadium Conference Hall on Saturday, Minister Rana Mashhood, flanked by Director General, Sports Board Punjab, Usman Anwar and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) General Manager Domestic Cricket, Shafiq Ahmad Papa, said: “We are holding this Cricketing activity as an effort  to bring International Cricket back to Pakistan and it will be for the first time after 2009 Sri Lankan team visit, that the Sports Board Punjab, in collaboration with the PCB, is going to host any International Cricket Activity. The guest team will be provided every facility along with foolproof security.”He said that after the visit of  Qatar team, the teams of Test Playing Nations would also visit the Country which would provide the Cricket lover  Nation , opportunities to enjoy the skill of  their players in home grounds. “The entry for public to the stadium will be free which will provide chance to maximum people to witness highly-entertaining match between Qatar and Pakistan A team.

“Various Cultural Programmes will also be performed during the Match. People are invited to gather at the stadium in a great number so to convey the world a message that Pakistan is a safe country to host any International sporting activity,” the Minister added. He further said: “Successful holding of the Punjab Youth Festival has portrayed a softer image of the country to the entire world for which they have been admiring us.  The positive role of Sports Board Punjab also can’t be ignored which left no stone unturned in making the festival a success.”

He said the Punjab Youth Festival was the Largest And Economical Event of the world which engaged 4.8 million people in healthy activities and broke the world record of maximum participation of 3.2 million individuals. “Due to sincere efforts of the incumbent Government, we have been entering the new horizon and strengthening our relations with China and other countries which is a pragmatic step towards prosperous Pakistan,” Mr. Minister concluded.

Speaking on the occasion, PCB GM Domestic  Shafiq Ahmad said: “All the arrangements regarding holding the International Match between Qatar and Pakistan A teams have been completed. The PCB will provide all the basic and modern assistance and facilities to the players.” “The selectors will announce Pakistan A team after the consensus. Pakistan A team will be consisted of top players of the country and try their best to provide entertainment to local crowd and earn laurels for the country,” he concluded.