A month after the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 tour was launched in Dubai, the trophy arrived at the Edhi home in Karachi on Thursday.

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, who attended the launch ceremony in Dubai, was present at the event at Edhi Home where the trophy was displayed to honour the services of Abdul Sattar Edhi.

The event was held to honour the services of Abdul Sattar Edhi. —DawnNews screengrab
The event was held to honour the services of Abdul Sattar Edhi. —DawnNews screengrab

Bilquis Edhi, wife of Abdul Sattar Edhi, and Faisal Edhi, his son, were also present at the occasion.

Also read: Coin commemorating Edhi to be issued by State Bank of Pakistan

Afridi was accompanied by officials of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and ICC at the event in which the trophy was presented before the media.

Speaking at the occasion, Afridi praised the work of Abdul Sattar Edhi and said "his [Edhi's] mission should continue".

Bilquis Edhi and Faisal Edhi were also present at the occasion. —DawnNews screengrab
Bilquis Edhi and Faisal Edhi were also present at the occasion. —DawnNews screengrab

"Edhi Sahab has served humanity," Afridi said, adding that "it feels really good to be here".

Pak-India matches are always 'very tense'

Responding to reports that the Board of Control for Cricket in India had approached the Indian government seeking permission to play a series with Pakistan, Afridi said that if such a series takes place he would definitely go to watch it.

He added that matches between Pakistan and India are always “very tense” and only those who are able to handle the pressure can win.

Afridi also said he looked forward to international cricket returning to the country, though it may take some time.

Later in the day, test batsman Younis Khan took the trophy to Karachi University where it was presented before the media.

Speaking at the occasion, Khan thanked both the PCB and ICC for their efforts.

“Our team has all the abilities which any top cadre team needs to have,” he said.

He asked the audience to pray that he completes his 10,000 runs in Test cricket and said that it would be an achievement for the whole country.

The record-holding batsman expressed his desire to do humanitarian work in future like Edhi.

Khan was in favour of holding series between India and Pakistan, saying “it will help improve bilateral ties between the two countries”.

The global tour of the Champions Trophy was launched in the backyard of the International Cricket Council headquarters at the ICC Academy in Dubai in February.

The trophy has already visited cities in India, including Mumbai, Bengaluru and Delhi in March. On the tour, the trophy has also been presented in Dhaka and Colombo.

The following is the schedule for the remainder of the global tour:

  • 4-12 April – Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town
  • 15-18 April – Auckland
  • 19-27 April – Melbourne and Sydney
  • 2 May onward – United Kingdom

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