Karachi: A star-studded team going to the US to play cricket as part of a Pak-US goodwill tour, demanded support and appreciation from the Pakistani government at a press conference here on Monday.

Speaking at the Karachi Press Club (KPC), prominent actor, Sajid Hasan, who is also heading the team, said that they needed acknowledgement from the government as they were going for the sole purpose to portray a positive side in the western world.

The team will play four 20/20 matches against the US national and regional cricket teams in July comprises of famous television and film actors such as Humayun Saeed, Adnan Siddiqui, Javed Sheikh, Saud, Aijaz Aslam, Faisal Qureshi, Behroze Sabzwari, and cricketer Shoaib Mohammad.

Hasan said that the Pakistani celebrities had been playing cricket since the last 15 years and had played at international venues such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi. However, this is the first time that the team is going to the US in order to strengthen ties between the two countries.

The organiser, Arif Khan, CEO of a US-based entertainment company; Musik World said that along with the US, the team would also be taken to play the gentlemen’s game in European and Middle Eastern countries. The matches will be followed by cultural events such as red carpet dinners and musical evenings.

The team also has aimed to bring back donations and charity for the flood-affected people. Hasan said that the team would be part of the 30-member delegation and he was approaching sportsman Jahangir Khan and Inzamam Ul Haq along with women celebrities, Atiqa Odho, Marina Khan and Sania Saeed to support the team.

Cricketer Shoaib Mohammad termed it a good incentive and said that in future, world cricketers would be inducted in the team. Actor Adnan Siddiqui said that the showbiz industry was not being paid due recognition it deserved, and hoped that for this tour, they were encouraged.
Source: Dawn
Date:2/22/2011