Daily Times

LAHORE: Pakistan cricket team will don Edhi Foundation’s logo on their official jerseys during the tour of England that kicks off from July 14. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made the move to associate itself with the country’s greatest philanthropist and humanitarian Abdul Sattar Edhi. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has granted the PCB the permission to use the Edhi Foundation’s logo on Pakistan’s official kits. The national side will travel to England on Saturday (today) for four-Tests, five One-day Internationals (ODIs) and a Twenty20 International. The announcement in this regard was made by PCB chairman Shaharyar Mohammad Khan at a press conference here on Friday. Also present on the occasion were Pakistan Super League chairman Najam Sethi, PCB chief operating officer Subhan Ahmad, Trustee Edhi Foundation Saad Edhi, who is also grandson of Abdul Sattar Edhi, Pepsi Cola International vice president and general manager Jahanzeb Khan, Pakistan Test captain Misbahul Haq, Pakistan ODI captain Azhar Ali and Pakistan T20 captain Sarfaraz Ahmad.

“As part of the arrangement, the Pakistan cricket team will be seen sporting Edhi Foundation’s logo on their playing shirts for the ODI and T20 leg of their upcoming tour of England and Ireland. This partnership honours the services of the great humanitarian Abdul Sattar Edhi, arguably one of the world’s most selfless philanthropists,” said Shaharyar.

Sharing his thoughts on this partnership, Shaharyar added: “We feel honoured to associate ourselves with the work of such a great human being. The PCB is cognisant of its responsibility to give back to the society and this is a continuation of our policy to support and promote such initiatives.” PCB executive committee chairman Sethi also spoke on the occasion. “In the past one year, the PCB has tried to be more aware of its social responsibility. We started with the labour camp activities during the Pakistan-England series in the UAE where we reached out to over 100,000 Pakistani labourers working in testing conditions. Today, we are proud of our association with the Edhi Foundation,” stated Sethi. Saad, on behalf of the Edhi Foundation, said he would like to thank the Pakistan Cricket Board for its support to their cause. “Seeing our cricketers sporting the Edhi Foundation logo on their kits will raise great awareness on a global platform,” he added.

Shaharyar, on behalf of the PCB, presented a cheque for Rs.500,000, while on behalf of the PSL, Sethi presented a cheque for Rs.500,000 to Edhi Foundation. Acknowledging the services of Edhi Foundation for the welfare of humanity, Jahanzaib, on behalf of Pepsi Cola International, presented a cheque for Rs one million. As a mark of respect for Abdul Sattar Edhi, Misbah, Azhar and Sarfaraz presented the official Pakistan ODI and T20 jersey to Saad Edhi on behalf of the Pakistan team. The team also donated a signed bat to be sold in an auction for the benefit of the Edhi Foundation.