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

Who bears the cost?

Who bears the cost?

This small window of low inflation should compel a rethink of how the authorities and employers understand the average household’s

Editorial

Internet restrictions
Updated 23 Dec, 2024

Internet restrictions

Notion that Pakistan enjoys unprecedented freedom of expression difficult to reconcile with the reality of restrictions.
Bangladesh reset
23 Dec, 2024

Bangladesh reset

THE vibes were positive during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent meeting with Bangladesh interim leader Dr...
Leaving home
23 Dec, 2024

Leaving home

FROM asylum seekers to economic migrants, the continuing exodus from Pakistan shows mass disillusionment with the...
Military convictions
Updated 22 Dec, 2024

Military convictions

Pakistan’s democracy, still finding its feet, cannot afford such compromises on core democratic values.
Need for talks
22 Dec, 2024

Need for talks

FOR a long time now, the country has been in the grip of relentless political uncertainty, featuring the...
Vulnerable vaccinators
22 Dec, 2024

Vulnerable vaccinators

THE campaign to eradicate polio from Pakistan cannot succeed unless the safety of vaccinators and security personnel...