Cricket: Asian XI v Rest of World match planned to raise tsunami funds

KARACHI - A fund-raising match between an Asian 11 and a Rest of the World side to help survivors of the Indian Ocean tsunami is being considered, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan said today.

Khan said he had spoken to International Cricket Council (ICC) president Ehsan Mani and details could be completed in the next few days.

"Initially we had proposed a match involving Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka. But the ICC has taken our formal proposal a step forward and is looking at a relief fund match between an Asian 11 and World 11 involving the test playing nations," Khan said.

"Although the logistics behind this effort are complicated the ICC is trying to get the cricket nations to rally and raise funds for a major humanitarian cause."

The ICC would not confirm the proposal but said it was discussing a range of initiatives with member countries and players in a bid to help the stricken region.

Global aid organisations have launched urgent appeals for donations to help the victims of the tsunami which has killed more than 120,000 people and left millions homeless.

Sri Lanka was one of the worst hit nations and their cricket team's tour of New Zealand has already been postponed because of the disaster.

India, another major test playing country, has also been affected.

"India today confirmed to us they were in favour of such an effort on the part of the cricket community," Khan added.

The PCB head said the idea was to have the fund-raising matches in Asia.

"I think the ICC is speaking to the cricket boards and should be able to get some results in two or three days time," he said.

- REUTERS