Ben Stokes will donate his match fees – around £40,000 – from England’s three-match Test series in Pakistan to the country’s flood appeal as captain looks forward to ‘historic’ first red ball visit in 17 years
- England are in Pakistan for their first Test tour of the country since 2005
- Captain Ben Stokes has said he will donate match fees to the flood appeal
- Devastating floods hit Pakistan earlier this year, causing billions in damage
- England players receive around £14,000 in fees for every Test they play in
- The first Test between the two countries in Rawalpindi starts on Thursday
England captain Ben Stokes will donate his match fees from the upcoming Pakistan series to the Asian county’s flood appeal.
Devastating floods swept across Pakistan over the summer, killing around 1,700 people and causing damage estimated at around $15billion [£12.4bn].
England have arrived in the country for preparations ahead of the opening Test in Rawalpindi, which gets underway on Thursday.
England captain Ben Stokes will make a donation to the Pakistan Flood appeal as he prepares to lead his team in a three-match series there
A flooded highway in Sehwan, Pakistan during the devastating monsoon that struck this year
Further matches will follow in Multan and Karachi on their first Test tour of Pakistan since 2005.
England’s players receive a match fee in the region of £14,000 on top of their contracts and Stokes has announced he will donate the estimated £42,000 to rebuilding efforts.
He wrote on Twitter: ‘It is great to be in Pakistan for the first time for this historic series.
‘To be back here after 17 years as a Test side is very exciting. There is a sense of responsibility amongst the playing and support group and to be here is special.
‘The floods that devastated Pakistan earlier this year were very sad to see and has had significant impact on the country and the people.
Stokes announced his donation on Twitter and said he is relishing the ‘historic’ series there
‘The game has given me a lot in my life and I feel it’s only right to give something back that goes far beyond cricket.
‘I will be donating my match fees from this Test series to the Pakistan Flood appeal.
‘Hopefully this donation can go towards the rebuilding of areas of Pakistan most affected by the flooding.’
Stokes pictured in the nets in Rawalpindi as England gear up for their three-Test series
England have enjoyed considerable success since Stokes took over as captain ahead of the Test summer and was teamed up with coach Brendon McCullum to adopt an aggressive style of cricket.
Stokes didn’t take part in the T20 series England played in Pakistan ahead of their successful World Cup campaign in Australia.
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