England Test captain Ben Stokes announced on Monday that he will donate his entire match fee for the upcoming series against Pakistan to the victims of flood and rebuilding the affected areas.

Earlier this year, rain-induced floods had inflicted an estimated loss of $3 billion on the country, caused over 1,700 deaths and displaced eight million people.

Stokes, in a tweet on Monday, announced to donate his match fees for the floods cause, adding that the game had given him a lot in his life and he feels its only right to give something back that goes far beyond cricket.

“Hopefully this donation can go towards the rebuilding of areas of Pakistan most affected by the flooding,” Stokes said. “It was sad to see how floods had devastated Pakistan earlier this year that had significant impact on the country and the people.”

Commenting on the upcoming matches against Pakistan, he said it was great to be in the country for the first time to play the historic series.

“To be back here after 17 years as a Test side is very exciting,” Stokes said. “There is a sense of responsibility amongst the playing and support group and to be here is special.”

In August, the Pakistan cricket team donated win bonuses worth Rs4,625,000 ($54,400) to the floods relief effort in the country.

The Pakistan Cricket Board had said in a statement that all players and officials had agreed to pledge half of their personal bonuses from the victory over England in the third Test last week.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appreciated Stokes’ gesture of donating his fees.

The premier, in a tweet, said that the cricketer’s gesture “epitomises the great British tradition of philanthropy” and that the “empathy for suffering humanity is the greatest of all virtues.”

Opinion

Editorial

Genocide resumes
Updated 19 Mar, 2025

Genocide resumes

It appears that Palestinian people will again be left defenceless in the face of merciless brutality.
Strength in unity
19 Mar, 2025

Strength in unity

WILL it count as an opportunity lost? Given the sharp escalation in militant violence in recent weeks, some had ...
NFC weightage
19 Mar, 2025

NFC weightage

THE NFC Award has long been in need of an overhaul. The government’s proposal to bring down the weightage of...
A new direction
Updated 18 Mar, 2025

A new direction

While kinetic response may temporarily disable violent actors, it will not address underlying factors providing ideological fuel to insurgencies.
BTK settlement
18 Mar, 2025

BTK settlement

WHEREVER the money goes, controversy follows. The PMLN-led federal government, which recently announced that it will...
Sugar crisis
18 Mar, 2025

Sugar crisis

GREED knows no bounds. But the avarice of those involved in the sugar business — from manufacturers to retailers...