Peshawar, Pakistan is gearing up to host the country’s top cricketers for a charity match. It’s before the Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE next month. Pakistan is also playing a T20I Tri-Series with Afghanistan and the UAE before the Asia Cup 2025.
Last month, Pakistani selectors surprised everyone by not picking former captain Babar Azam for the Asia Cup 2025 which starts on September 9 in the UAE. They said his T20 style wasn’t up to the mark. He hasn’t been in the T20I team since the South Africa tour in 2024.
But, Babar Azam is putting aside his disappointment to play for a good cause. He’ll be joined by cricket legends like Shahid Afridi, Younis Khan and Kamran Akmal. This is while the Pakistani team is playing in the T20I Tri-Series.
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According to Cricket Pakistan, Babar Azam, Shahid Afridi, Younis Khan and Kamran Akmal will play in a Flood Relief Exhibition Match at the Imran Khan Cricket Stadium on August 30. The match is Khel Se Khidmat, which means service through sports.
Peshawar Zalmi will play against the Legends Eleven. About 17,000 fans are expected at the Imran Khan Cricket Stadium. Regular tickets are Rs 1,000, with limited VVIP and VIP tickets available.
Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other officials have bought VVIP tickets for Rs 50,000 each to support the cause. The stadium which was completed after 8 years has everything, dressing rooms and VVIP area and is ready for the charity match.
The Flood Relief Exhibition Match between the Legends Eleven and Peshawar Zalmi will start at 1 pm local time. All ticket money will go to the people of Pakistan affected by the floods. Babar Azam will want to play well after being dropped from the T20I team.
Meanwhile, Punjab in Pakistan is facing big floods. Over 200,000 people have been evacuated as the Ravi, Sutlej and Chenab rivers have overflowed, according to the BBC. Rescue teams are using boats to move people to safety.Army is also helping in the affected areas. Flooding got worse after India released water from the Chenab dam making it tougher for Pakistan. These monsoon rains have taken over 800 lives in Pakistan since June.
NDMA is advising people to stay away from rivers, drains and low lying areas. Cities like Gujarat, Sialkot and Lahore are still at high risk. Sialkot broke 49 year old record of 24 hours rainfall. Water has flooded streets, cars and homes.
