ISLAMABAD: A team from the Italian National Rugby League will play an exhibition match against the Pakis­tan national team at the Jinnah Stadium here on Saturday.

The announcement was made at a press conference at the Pakistan Sports Complex on Thursday, addressed by Farid Niazi of the Pakistan Rugby League and Pierluigi Gentile, president of the Lega Italia Rugby Football League.

Farid said the match will be open to the public free of cost, adding that both the Pakistani and Italian leagues wanted to promote the game, which has not yet captured the imagination of people in the country.

When asked about security concerns, Mr Gentile said he felt very secure in Islamabad and was confident that subsequent teams could visit other cities to play as well.

“Our team is formed from four club teams, and a couple of players have been chosen from the army as well,” Pakistan team coach Yahya Bhatti told Dawn.

Team captain Kashif Khwaja also appeared optimistic about his team’s chances, but said his boys lacked the experience and exposure that their opponents already had.

Published in Dawn, November 17th, 2017