Pakistan-Dutch community, under the patronage of Pakistan Ambassador, organized 19th Pakistan Ambassador Cricket Cup on 18th August 2009 at Voorburg Cricket Club (VCC). The tournament was played between the teams of Dutch Cricket Board (KNCB) and the Pakistan Community. Dutch XI comprised several players from Hoofdklasse (first class) as well as some from the Dutch National team. The Pakistan Community XI also comprised first class players representing various clubs.

 

Pakistan-Dutch community was pleased at the revival of this glorious tradition, which had started in 1987 and had been sustained over the years, with the help of its main organizer, Late Mr. Shamsi. 

 

President of the Netherlands Cricket Board (KNCB) Mr. Marc Asselbergs sent a supportive message noting that event has successfully promoted the goodwill and understanding between the Pakistan community and the Dutch people. Mr. Marc Asselbergs not only opened the match with Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry but also witnessed the entire match and attended the dinner hosted by Ambassador Chaudhry. The Vice President of KNCB, the Dutch national coach and the Presidents of various Cricket Clubs also attended the match.

 

This year’s tournament was won by Pakistan community XI. M. Hussain was declared Man of the Tournament and won a return ticket to Islamabad provided by PIA. Mr. Marc Young of the KNCB XI won the Special Shamsi Award of a return ticket to Istanbul. 

 

The event was organized by Mr. Abid Ghaznav, Mrs. Shahzadi Shamsi Baig and Mr. Atif Sharif with support from several sponsors, including PIA (Mr Feyaz Shah), Local boys (Abid Ghaznavi), Habib Bank Limited Rotterdam (Mr. Nawaz Cheema), Super Toko (Mr Firdausi), Komfort Tours (Mr Osman Celik), Lasani restaurant (Malik Riaz), Siemens Nederland, Mr Bob de Lange, Chaudhry Amir (Perla Nera Ladies Mode), Mr Jameel Ahmad (Royal Textile), Mr Nisar Ahmad (Sohail Cosmetics), Malik Ghaffar (Malik Eastern Food BV), Haji Rukhsar (Pakistan Welfare Association), and Raja Javed Iqbal (Autorijschool Mani). 

 

Pakistan Dutch community was thrilled to see that this tournament has been revived and glorious tradition continues. 

 

Such events bring Pakistani and Dutch communities closer and promote the positive image of Pakistan. Pakistani ambassador, Mr. Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry addressed all players and spectators who had gathered in large number in the lush green Voorburg Cricket Club. All players and invitees to the match attended the dinner hosted at Pakistan House.