Latest Press Release
India and Pakistan to meet in charity cricket match to mark their 60th anniversary of Independence
16th May 2007
The Prince of Wales has invited India and Pakistan to play a one day international cricket match in Glasgow this July.The match, known as The Friendship Cup, is expected to raise over $5 million (£2.5 million) for charities in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka as well as in the United Kingdom. The match is being organised by the British Asian Trust, a new subsidiary of the Prince’s Charities Foundation, set up to fund community projects in these areas. The proceeds from the match will be distributed by the Trust.
The match will be played at the Citylets Titwood, Beaton Road, Glasgow on Tuesday 3rd July. Up to 5,000 seats will be available for the match, with an on-line ballot for tickets opening today at www.britishasiantrust.com, at a price of £44 each.
The original idea behind this match came from HRH The Prince of Wales, who hopes that the match will serve to mark the 60th Anniversary of Indian and Pakistan’s Independence and help to foster on-going relations between the UK and South Asia. His Royal Highness has visited India and Pakistan on official tours in the past 18 months.
Lalit Modi, Vice President of the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) said: “We are very pleased to confirm that the Indian National Cricket Team will be playing this one day international against Pakistan under the banner of The Friendship Cup benefiting The Prince’s Charities.
“This will be an amazing occasion as both our nations have not met outside the World Cup or the ICC Trophy in the United Kingdom. With such large Indian and Pakistani origin populations it will be a fantastic opportunity to play such a match in aid of such a wonderful cause. The game was His Royal Highness’s idea and we are pleased that together with Cricket Scotland we have been able to put this into our tour of the United Kingdom.”
Zakir Khan, Director of Cricket Operations for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said: “Pakistan Cricket Board is very pleased to declare that the Pakistani National Cricket Team will be playing a one day international against India under the banner of The Friendship Cup in Glasgow, Scotland on Tuesday 3rd July, benefiting The Prince of Wales’s Charities.
“The match was The Prince of Wales’s concept and we are very pleased that we have been able to make this game happen with the help of Cricket Scotland and the BCCI. Glasgow will be a great venue as there is a great passion for cricket across the UK which will make it a fantastic match, collecting funds for a most worthy cause.”
Roddy Smith, Chief Executive of Cricket Scotland, organisers of the match, said: “Hosting one of, if not the biggest game in world cricket is a hugely exciting event for the game in Scotland. Cricket Scotland is delighted and honoured that India and Pakistan have chosen our country as the venue for this game and we look forward to working with the two countries, Glasgow City Council and The Prince’s Charities to deliver a great day. I am sure the match will assist greatly in the promotion of the game in Scotland as well as raising a significant sum for charity.”
Leader of Glasgow City Council, Steven Purcell, added: “Hosting the Friendship Cup is a great honour for the city and further cements Glasgow's reputation as a vibrant city which is welcoming to all.
“I very much look forward to a year of sporting triumph for the city and nation, as we continue in our bid to bring the 2014 Commonwealth Games to Glasgow and Scotland.”
Click here to visit the Cricket Scotland website.
Click here to visit the British Asian Trust website.
Notes to editors
- A ballot will be held for tickets for The Friendship Cup. The ballot will be open from Thursday 17 May to midnight GMT on Sunday 27 May 2007. Participation in the ballot is limited to one entry per person. Each person applying can apply for a maximum of four tickets. The draw will be done by random selection and successful applicants will be notified by 4 June 2007. The ticket price is £44.
- The match day will begin at 10:45 hrs on Tuesday 3rd July 2007.
- The match will be broadcast live on Zee TV
Contacts
For further information regarding The Friendship Cup match contact Sam Oxley or Dan Cooper, Henry’s House 020 7291 3000