England to tour quake-hit Pakistan by AFP

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Event:

England in Pakistan 2005/06

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DateLine: 11th October 2005

 

England will go ahead with their tour of Pakistan despite the earthquake which has killed around 30,000 people in the south Asian country.

 

The quake struck the Kashmir region of northern Pakistan, India and Afghanistan on Saturday and has left many homeless with houses, public buildings and communication links badly affected.

 

However, the England and Wales Cricket Board are satisfied that on the advice they have as things stand, the team will tour as planned.

 

"Our position is that we take our lead from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Pakistani government and the Pakistan Cricket Board," ECB director of communications Colin Gibson said.

 

"At the moment unless we hear something or unless we are advised otherwise the tour goes ahead as scheduled."

 

PCB director Abbas Zaidi has made it clear his organisation is determined that the tour - which will stop off in Rawalpindi, Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad and Karachi - should go ahead, with Rawalpindi the most northerly port of call.

 

The PCB and ECB are discussing ways in which the tour can contribute to the relief effort which is already underway.

 

"We have sent our condolences via our chairman (David Morgan), who is with the PCB chairman in Australia for the Super Series," added Gibson.

 

"We have sent our condolences to the people of Pakistan and we are looking at ways of helping Pakistan's relief funds as well."

(Article: Copyright © 2005 AFP)