A flood relief charity cricket match was staged at the Imran Khan Cricket Stadium in Peshawar, drawing hundreds of fans eager to watch Pakistan’s biggest cricket stars in action.
The match, organised by the Directorate General of Sports Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in collaboration with Peshawar Zalmi, was aimed at supporting victims of the recent floods that devastated the province.
According to official assessments, heavy rains and flash floods earlier this month left entire villages submerged, destroyed crops, and caused an estimated loss of more than $15bn to country’s fragile economy. Thousands of families in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were forced to leave their homes, many of which were washed away.
Against this backdrop, cricket returned to Peshawar in spectacular fashion. In a closely fought contest, Peshawar Zalmi 11 defeated Legends 11 by eight runs. The crowd roared as icons such as Babar Azam, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Akhtar, Younis Khan and Inzamam-ul-Haq took the field. Many spectators rushed to the boundary fences for selfies, with Babar Azam and Afridi drawing the loudest cheers.
After Legends 11 won the toss and opted to field, Peshawar Zalmi 11 posted 145, Babar Azam scoring 41 and Yasir Hameed 35. Legends 11 fought hard in reply, with Inzamam-ul-Haq remaining unbeaten on 47 and Humayun contributing 27, but they fell short at 137. Babar Azam, who also took two wickets, was named player of the match.
But the cricket was only part of the story. For many in attendance, the match symbolised hope.
Peshawar Zalmi chairman Javed Afridi thanked the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, cricket stars and fans for their support. “Because of them, today’s match was a success,” he said. Provincial Sports Minister Fakhar Jahan added that the exhibition game was “a positive step towards the revival of cricket in Peshawar and a reminder that sport can bring people together in difficult times.”
Officials from the Pakistan Super League, including CEO Salman Naseer, also attended, underscoring the role of sport in mobilising aid for communities in crisis.
As the province continues to rebuild, the flood relief match showed that cricket still holds the power to heal, offering not just entertainment but solidarity for those who have lost the most.
also read: Peshawar Zalmi Vs Legends Xi to Raise Funds For Flood Victims
Provincial minister for sports Fakhar Jahan addressed the crowd. He said today’s day was of immense importance because it marked both a successful effort of solidarity and rehabilitation for flood-affected brothers and sisters. On one hand, this match sent a powerful message of unity with flood victims; on the other, it gave Peshawar’s citizens the long-awaited chance to watch live cricket in their stadium after 19 years.
