KARACHI: Europe-based Pakistani footballers will be seen in action in an exhibition match between Pakistan International XI and Bradford Park Avenue FC on July 7, which is being organised by a group of England-based Pakistani football promoters.
The game will be held at the Bradford Avenue FC’s Ground. The organiser Shah Nawaz told ‘The News’ from England on Wednesday that their aim was to give exposure to the Pakistani footballers living in Europe. He said that Denmark-based Pakistani players Mohammad Ali, Hasan Bashir, Yousuf Ejaz Butt, Yaqoob Butt, France-based Naiman Khan and England-based Adnan Ahmed and Shabbir Khan would be part of Pakistan International XI.
He said that Hong Kong-based defender Zeeshan Rehman was not available for the match. He revealed that Aneel Azeem, the cousin of British boxer Aamir Khan, is also expected to be part of the team.
About sponsors, Shah Nawaz said that a couple of local companies and British Pakistani Foundation are expected to support them for the cause.
He also hoped that Aamir Khan would also sponsor the game. He said that the head coach of the Pakistan International XI would be a foreigner. He said that they had held a similar game three years ago.
He said that Pakistan’s Serbian coach Zavisa Milosavljevic would also be invited to watch the match. It will help Zavisa pick up a few new faces for the Pakistan team ahead of the SAFF Cup to be held in Nepal in September, he said.Ikram Butt, a former Pakistan rugby player, is also in the organising committee.