Islamabad – As the ICC Cricket World Cup preparations enter its final stages in the hosting countries Australia and New Zealand, the excitement is building up among millions of cricket fans around the world including Pakistan.
Fans in Islamabad had all the more reasons to rejoice the game of cricket with the cricket tournament held in Islamabad.
The two-day sporting event, organized by Serena Hotel in collaboration with the Australian High Commission as part of the World Cup Cricket Campaign, offered a chance to diplomats and others professionals to show off their cricketing skills.
The participants included teams of Indian, Australian, British, Sri Lankan and Bangladesh high commissions and the Afghan embassy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and Serena Hotels.
Following the qualifying matches at the Marghazar Cricket Ground, Saidpur, the first 12-over semi-finals was played between Serena Hotels and the PAF which was won by the PAF team who gave a strong 145 to chase and eventually qualified for the finals. The second semi-final was played between the Afghan Embassy and the Indian High Commission team. The young Afghan team outplayed Indian players, and won by 36 runs.
In the final match, PAF scored 106 runs in the 15-over match which saw a nail biting chase by Afghanistan team who brilliantly won the tournament with three wickets.
Speaking about the passion of the game, Afghan Ambassador Janan Mosazai said that sports play a vital role in creating harmony in society by bringing communities together.
Australian High Commission in Pakistan, Mr. Peter Heyward, appreciating the sports initiative said that such sporting events can bring people together and create a sense of global community.
“This tournament reiterates our objective of establishing the Serena Hotels Sports Diplomacy Initiative which encourages and promotes healthy activities between various segments of society to enhance social well-being and cultural development” Serena Hotels CEO Aziz Boolani said.
Ambassadors and high commissioners of England, Australia, Argentina, the European Union, Austria, France, Czech Republic, Morocco, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Tajikistan, Bosnia, Spain, Poland and Hungary were also present to watch.
Photo Courtesy: Serena Hotels Sports Diplomacy Initiative
