The British Asian Trust is launched with The Friendship Cup

HRH The Prince of Wales invited India and Pakistan to play a one day international cricket match in Glasgow in July,2007 to raise funds for charities in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka as well as in the United Kingdom. The match marked the establishment of The British Asian Trust, a charity established within The Prince’s Charities group on the suggestion of The Prince of Wales, to fund community projects in these areas.

The match was due to be played at the Citylets Titwood, Beaton Road, Glasgow. The original idea behind this match came from HRH The Prince of Wales, who felt that the match will help serve to mark the 60th Anniversary of Indian and Pakistan’s Independence and help to foster on-going relations between the UK and South Asia.

Unfortunately the match had to be cancelled due to the wet weather. Before the game, the sun came out briefly as The Prince met the team captains, Rahul Dravid of India and Shoaib Malik of Pakistan. The Prince was also greeted on his arrival by several dignitaries including the Pakistan High Commissioner, Maleeha Lodhi and the Indian Consul General, Ramesh Chander. After visiting both teams’ dressing rooms, The Prince of Wales posed for photographs with the rival sides.

A spokeswoman for the Prince said: “He is disappointed not to be able to see the cricket but very grateful to everybody for all the efforts to pull the match together.”

The Chairman of The British Asian Trust, Manoj Badale said:
“Obviously we are very disappointed that the match was not able to take place today but I am delighted that both cricket boards have committed to playing the match in the future although it is too early to say where and when. I am also pleased to say that the primary objective of raising significant funds of over £1m has been guaranteed as the whole event was insured against adverse weather conditions. I would like to thank the fans for supporting the match and hoping the rain would stay away today. I would also like to thank the teams, the media and the organisations behind the match including Cricket Scotland, Culture & Sport Glasgow and Clydesdale Cricket Club.”