The England cricket team, lead by Ben Stokes, is now in Pakistan to compete in a historic test series. It has been seventeen years since England last toured Pakistan, and this year’s World Test Championship will include all three matches that will take place during England’s visit.
On Monday, Ben Stokes made the announcement that he would be giving his match fees from the entire series to the Pakistan flood appeal. The first game of the series is scheduled to take place on December 1.
On his Twitter account, Stokes said, “I’m donating my match money from this Test series to the Pakistan Flood appeal.” (I’m donating my match fees from this Test series.)
The England Test skipper said the following throughout his entire statement: “It is an honour to be participating in this historic series for the very first time in Pakistan. It is quite wonderful to be back here as a Test side after an absence of 17 years.
Being a part of the playing and support group, where there is a sense of responsibility, is a unique experience in and of itself.”
“The floods that destroyed Pakistan earlier this year were very sad to behold and have had a big impact on the country and the people,” he continued. “The floods that devastated Pakistan earlier this year was really heartbreaking to see.”
Ben Stokes continued his statement by saying the following: “Because the game has been so good to me throughout my life, I believe it is only fitting that I give something back, and not just in the context of cricket. In order to help those affected by the recent flooding in Pakistan, I will be giving my match fees from this Test series.”
“It is my hope that this donation would be able to go toward the reconstruction of areas of Pakistan that were most severely hit by the flooding,” he continued.
The England national cricket team landed in Pakistan early on Sunday morning to begin preparations for the first series of three Test matches they have played in Pakistan since 2005.
Two months ago, England competed in a Twenty20 series in Pakistan, which was a success, but due to the unstable security situation in Pakistan, England has not played a Test match there in the past 17 years.
The trip to Pakistan had been planned for the previous year, but they cancelled it after New Zealand called off their tour of the country only minutes before the first one-day international, citing security concerns.
The first match of the three-match series, which is a part of the World Test championship, will take place in Rawalpindi on December 1. The second Test will take place in Multan from December 9-13, while the final match will take place in Karachi (December 17-21).
Ben Stokes is the captain of the England squad, which also includes James Anderson, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ben Foakes, Will Jacks, Keaton Jennings, Jack Leach, Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Mark Wood, and Rehan Ahmed. Rehan Ahmed is the only wicketkeeper in the squad.