LAHORE, April 7: A 10-year-old Pakistani girl suffering from cancer has been offered free treatment in India following an appeal by the touring Indian cricketers. Three leading Indian hospitals in Vellore, Bangalore and Mumbai responded to an appeal by the players to treat Huba Shahid, the daughter of a Lahore-based journalist Shahid Chhina.

The girl suffers from rabdomy sarcoma (facial cancer), the treatment for which is available at these three Indian hospitals. Journalist met the players ahead of the second Test here and the appeal by the cricketers for help was published in Indian newspapers two days ago.

"We have already been approached by the Christian Medical College in Vellore, Manipal Hospital in Bangalore and the Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai to provide free treatment," team manager Ratnakar Shetty said. "The offer has been forwarded to the girl's father and we have been assured by the Indian High Commission in Pakistan that it will make the necessary travel arrangements."

The girl's father said he could not thank the Indian cricketers enough for their gesture. "I was quite desperate for help because the girl was dying," Chhina said. I was told the necessary treatment was available in India, so I approached the team for help. "They immediately agreed to make an appeal. I will always be grateful to them. God bless them." -AFP