UNODC starts World Drug Day activities with a T20 Match of the Pakistan National Team starring UNODC Goodwill Ambassador Shahid Afridi

26 May 2012, Gaddafi Cricket Stadium, Lahore: UNODC Goodwill Ambassador Shahid Afridi was enthusiastic when dedicating the T20 practice match of Pakistan National Team to UNODCs mandates at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore on 26 May 2012 as part of the building to World Drug Day on 26 June.

Gaddafi Stadium is the largest cricket stadium in Pakistan was almost packed to capacity to witness the T20 match.

The Practice match was between Pakistan 11 (Pakistan National Team) and PCB 11 (Pakistan Cricket Board). The PCB 11 won the toss and decided to bat first, scoring 75  runs with the loss of all wickets and a hat trick by Goodwill Ambassador Shahid Afridi. The required score was doubled to make the match more exciting and give the Pakistan 11 more solid target. Pakistan 11 won the match very easily with 8 wickets in hand.

Afridi's message "drugs, no, never, ever" in both English and Urdu languages was displayed on banners and was picked up by electronic media. The match was televised live on Pakistan Television Sports.

There was a short joint press briefing before the start of match with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), where PCB announced awards to the team on winning the Bangladesh Series. After that GWA Shahid introduced Representative UNODC Jeremy Douglas and informed press about his role to encourage young people to live positive lives and indulge in healthy activities and sports, and that the match is dedicated to UNODC and countering drugs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geRcfi_TKY0

Whereas Representative UNODC Jeremy Douglas replied to press thanking PCB and Shahid Afridi for promoting such important causes.

UNODC also invited high level officials from the Government of Pakistan, colleagues from the Australian and Canadian High Commissions.