Sahara plans joint Indo-Pak cricket team

KOLKATA: Sahara India is planning an India-Pakistan joint cricket team that can create a positive impact in these stressful times, the concerned boards willing. Sponsors of the Indian team have agreed to support the ‘Peace Cup,’ an exhibition match conceived by Percept Group between a joint Indo-Pak team and a Rest of the World XI. It is scheduled for August 15 at a venue in UK.
Confirming that they have agreed to be part of this much-hyped project, Abhijit Sarkar, head of communications of the Sahara Group told TNN in a communique: “Our full support lies behind the project which would promote the cause of global peace through cricket.� Both the sponsors and event managers are now eagerly waiting for a no-objection from the BCCI for the six players who have been shortlisted for the event.
Outlining the plans, Shailendra Singh, joint managing director of the Percept Group said the proceeds from the match would be handed over to the widows of the Kargil victims. “We’re awaiting a green signal from the England and Wales Cricket Board too,� said Singh. The six Indian players who have informally confirmed are skipper Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Virender Sehwag, Mohammed Kaif, Zaheer Khan and Parthiv Patel. Since Pakistan will be busy with international commitments in August, the event managers have sounded out seniors like Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Moin Khan and Saqlain Mushtaq who are not part of the team.
“Regarding the Rest of the World team, we have been already assured of the availability of Ricky Ponting, Carl Hooper and Andy Flower -- all of whom will be in England around that time,� said the Percept spokesperson.