“The Sports Board of Punjab (SBP) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are trying to convince international cricket teams to play in Pakistan,” Provincial Minister for Sports and Education Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan said on Wednesday.
He was talking to the media before a T20 match between a Pakistan-A cricket team and a team from Qatar at the Gaddafi Stadium.
Khan, who was the chief guest on the occasion, said he hoped other cricket teams would also visit the country following the Qatari team’s visit.
He said more than 40 countries including India had shown willingness to take part in an international youth festival. “The teams will participate in football, hockey and cricket fixtures,” he said.
SBP Director General Usman Anwar said by successfully organising the T20 match.
“We are spreading a message of peace in the world through the Punjab Youth Festival and we will continue to do so in the future.”
An aerobics show was organised as part of an opening ceremony of the match. Students from the Islamia College for Women, Lahore Cantt and the Lahore Gymnastic Association’s players took part in the show.
Singers Waris Baig, Arishma and Ali Shafqat also sang on the occasion.
The Pakistan Cricket Board officials Intikhab Alam and Shafiq Ahmad Papa were also present on the occasion.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 27th, 2014.