ICC pitches in towards Bangla relief efforts

Dubai, Dec 23 (UNI) The International Cricket Council (ICC) today donated 250,000 dollars to the Bangladesh Relief Fund to help the impoverished South Asian country recover from the devastation caused by a cyclone last month.

ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed presented the cheque to Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful before the start of the charity Twenty20 match between a Bangladesh XI and a New Zealand XI at Hamilton yesterday. All proceeds from the match are will be utilised to help the victims of the cyclone.

''I am glad that the ICC has this opportunity to make a contribution to the relief effort and I applaud the generosity of the people here in New Zealand, who have made their own personal contributions to ease the suffering in Bangladesh,'' Speed said.

''More than a month on and a huge challenge still faces those tasked with assisting in the rebuilding process. When one of our members is so badly affected in this way, and when we see the great work done by the various relief organisations, it puts what we do into perspective,'' he added.

''The devastation caused in Bangladesh by Cyclone Sidr last month shocked us all.'' On 11 November Cyclone Sidr formed in the Bay of Bengal and during the next few days it wreaked havoc as it tore across Bangladesh leaving behind a trail of devastation. More than 3,500 people were killed and many thousands more were left homeless by the cyclone.

The Twenty20 match is the highlight of the fundraising activity for Cyclone Sidr relief efforts featuring top cricketers including former Kiwi skipper Stephen Fleming, and current players Scott Styris, Peter Fulton and Ross Taylor.

UNI