The Asian Cricket Foundation is organizing a three-country cricket series to raise money for the victims of last week's devastating earthquake in India's western Gujarat state,
Jag Mohin Dalimya, foundation president said Friday.
The series, involving India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, will be held Feb. 8 to 11
in Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.
Both Pakistan and Bangladesh have said they will participate.
It was decided to arrange the charity series at a foundation meeting Thursday in
the eastern Punjab capital of Lahore.
Previously India has refused to allow its cricketers to play against Pakistan,
because of tensions between the two countries over the disputed Kashmir region.
Both India and Pakistan lay claim to the divided territory in its entirety.
"We haven't heard from India yet, but I am optimistic we will get a positive
response," Dalimya told The Associated Press in an interview.
He said India was asked to give an answer within 48 hours to allow the planning
to begin.
In Calcutta, Jaywant Lele, secretary of India's cricket board, said he expected
the government would allow the Indian cricket team to participate because the
cause was a worthy one.
"I hope we get the permission quickly," he said.
According to Lele, the series organizers said they expected to raise more than
dlrs 4 million.
In Dhaka, Bangladesh said it was ready to play in the charity cricket series.
"We have permission from our government to participate in the charity series,"
Syed Ashraful Haq, general secretary of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, told The
Associated Press.
Pakistan's Cricket Board chairman, Gen. Tauqir Zia called the cause "noble" and
said Pakistan would participate, but only if India also played.
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Remains to be seen whether politics matters more to the Indian government or the welfare fo their own citizens.
Jag Mohin Dalimya, foundation president said Friday.
The series, involving India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, will be held Feb. 8 to 11
in Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.
Both Pakistan and Bangladesh have said they will participate.
It was decided to arrange the charity series at a foundation meeting Thursday in
the eastern Punjab capital of Lahore.
Previously India has refused to allow its cricketers to play against Pakistan,
because of tensions between the two countries over the disputed Kashmir region.
Both India and Pakistan lay claim to the divided territory in its entirety.
"We haven't heard from India yet, but I am optimistic we will get a positive
response," Dalimya told The Associated Press in an interview.
He said India was asked to give an answer within 48 hours to allow the planning
to begin.
In Calcutta, Jaywant Lele, secretary of India's cricket board, said he expected
the government would allow the Indian cricket team to participate because the
cause was a worthy one.
"I hope we get the permission quickly," he said.
According to Lele, the series organizers said they expected to raise more than
dlrs 4 million.
In Dhaka, Bangladesh said it was ready to play in the charity cricket series.
"We have permission from our government to participate in the charity series,"
Syed Ashraful Haq, general secretary of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, told The
Associated Press.
Pakistan's Cricket Board chairman, Gen. Tauqir Zia called the cause "noble" and
said Pakistan would participate, but only if India also played.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Remains to be seen whether politics matters more to the Indian government or the welfare fo their own citizens.
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