Zimbabwean cricket team has arrived in Mangalore for the charity twenty-20 cricket match organised by Heath Streak Foundation.
The ‘Zimbabwe Africans’ will take the ‘Karnataka Indians’ in the micro version of the game at NMPT Ground in City on Sunday afternoon.
Addressing a press meet here on Saturday, Zimbabwe Africans captain and former Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak said that team members are excited about the match and the city is wonderful. “We are hoping this will not be the last time we are coming here. We would like to have a long term relationship with this coastal city,” he said.
Heath Streak also launched his charity initiative ‘Heath Streak Foundation,’ which aims at supporting underprivileged children deprived of basic education and health care during the occasion. The dignitaries unveiled the trophy known as the ‘Heath Streak Corporation Bank Mohtisham T20 International Cricket Cup’ on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Mangalore MLA U T Khader said that world is looking at the Mangalore youth now and they should make use of every opportunity. He urged the city cricketers to fight well against the international side.
Dakshina Kannada Cricket Association President Dr Srikanth Rai said that, such initiatives in cricket would definitely help to improve the cricket infrastructure in the city. He said that soon Mangaloreans could expect a full-fledged cricket stadium in Mangalore, which helps the city to host IPL and International cricket matches. Heath Streak introduces the team members to the press. The team jersey of both teams was also launched at the venue.
Karnataka Indians Captain T Janardhan, Corporation Bank Chairman and Managing Director Ajai Kumar, Executive Directors Ashwani Kumar, Amarlal Daultani, Westyern Institute of Technology President Stephen Mendes, Property Infratech India LimitedCEO Rudolph D’Souza and Mohtisham Complexes Managing Director S M Arshad were also present.
Team: Zimbabwe: Heath Streak (Captain), Alistair Cambell, Grant Flower, Raymond Price, Brendon Taylor, Elton Chigumbura, Terry Duffin, Douglass Marillier, Charles Coventry, Mpumelelo Mbangwa and Dirk Viljoen.
Karnataka India XI (from): Janardhan (Captain), Naushad H, Divesh, Jayaprakash, M Sadiq, Gurudeep Madhyastha, Rahul Kotian, Nihal Ullal, Sampath Kumar, M Shahir, Vinay G K, Sampath A, Sumeeth, Rithesh Bhatkal, Sacin Kumar, Suhail Semitha, Rohith Shetty, Pavan Ghokhale. Coaches: Rajarathna Karkera, Sudhakar.