Pakistan Flood Relief Tournament

The Indoor Cricket Centre at Lord’s hosted an 8-a-side cricket tournament on Sunday 25 September, to raise money for the Pakistan Flood Appeal.

Six teams of eight players took part, with each team donating £1,000 to play in the tournament.  A number of sponsors also donated or provided services to help with the day that resulted in £25,000 being raised in total, with all proceeds going directly to the Flood Appeal.

The tournament was the result of a collaboration between the National Asian Cricket Council (NACC) and Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), following an approach by Gulfraz Riaz, the NACC Chairman.

MCC were delighted to be part of the project and provided exclusive use of the Lord's Indoor Cricket Centre for the tournament to take place (the same day as the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy final was played at the Ground). MCC’s catering team provided a hot lunch for all players, officials and sponsors.

The cricket itself was played to a high standard, with some past and present professional players in attendance. Worcestershire batter, Kashif Ali, a former MCC Young Cricketer, and ex-England and Lancashire fast bowler Sajid Mahmood both took part, with Mahmood’s Lord’s Lions team reaching the final after progressing from the round-robin group stage and winning their semi-final.

However, in the end, Slough Super Spartans won the tournament, with the final going down to the last ball.

The scenes from Pakistan of the devastating impact of the floods have no doubt touched everyone and MCC was very keen to do what it could to assist

Fraser Stewart, Lord’s Indoor Cricket Centre Manager said: “MCC was delighted to host this event in the Indoor Cricket Centre.

"The scenes from Pakistan of the devastating impact of the floods have no doubt touched everyone and MCC was very keen to do what it could to assist.

“That the tournament went on to raise £25,000 was staggering and went beyond all expectations.  A big word of thanks to Gulfraz at the NACC for putting in so much work to arrange the tournament and to the players and sponsors who made it such an enjoyable day for a truly great cause.”

Gulfraz Riaz, Chair of the NACC said: “I am extremely grateful to MCC and offer my sincere appreciation for their incredibly generous support in making this indoor tournament a reality.

“In just nine days, and through a phenomenal effort, £25,000 was raised for the Pakistan Flood Appeal. Everyone who took part in the tournament and supported the event in person had a truly wonderful experience. From when we all set foot in Lord’s to when we left the welcome and genuine warmth towards us was very evident.

“I would also like to thank all the sponsors, players, officials and supporters who helped raise this amount which will now go a long way in offering much needed relief to those affected by the devastating floods.”

You can still donate to the Pakistan Flood Appeal via this link. Please use the reference code “MCC Pak Floods A”.