ISLAMABAD: With the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 9 starting from Feb 17, UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, announced on Monday a partnership with Peshawar Zalmi to promote the refugee cause through cricket in Pakistan.

Peshawar Zalmi, one of the leading PSL franchises, will work together to highlight refugee issues during the cricketing contests.

Peshawar Zalmi will also showcase the emblem of UNHCR on their jerseys, marking a visible commitment to the cause.

The chief operating officer of Peshawar Zalmi, Mian Abbas, and cricketer Mohammad Haris, presented the official jersey of Peshawar Zalmi to the UNHCR’s representative in Pakistan, Philippa Candler.

On behalf of Javed Afridi, owner of the Peshawar Zalmi, Mr Abbas said that war and conflict force millions of people to become refugees worldwide .

He added that Peshawar Zalmi and UNHCR will jointly run an awareness campaign during the PSL.

“Teaming up with humanitarian organisation such as UNHCR will allow us to use our platform to highlight global challenges and help mobilise our people for a greater humanitarian impact,” Mr Abbas said, while quoting the Peshawar Zalmi owner Javed Afridi.

Published in Dawn, February 6th, 2024