Media Release - 24 October 2007

The 5th ODI between Pakistan and South Africa will now be played at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore on 29th October 2007. The venue was changed from Karachi to Lahore on the request of South African team management.

On the request of Pakistan Cricket Board, the South African team management sent one of their security officers to Karachi yesterday who held meetings with various offices of Government of Sind. Despite all assurances given to the security officer, he felt that playing in Karachi was not feasible at this moment.

The SA team manager, Dr Logan Naidoo said, "We deeply regret this decision especially for the people of Karachi for having deprived them of this opportunity but unfortunately the members of the South African contingent are not comfortable travelling to Karachi. The SA team management, after consulting with Cricket South Africa back home, would like the venue to be shifted to some other city. We have already played 2 matches in Karachi during the current tour and hope to play there on our next tour as well".

The PCB spokesman said that we are disappointed and feel that Karachi is safe to hold any international event but had no choice to accept the decision of South African team management.

Note by Editor:

Tickets for 5th One-Day International

• Tickets will go on sale at the ticketing booths at Gaddafi Stadium beginning 12:00 PM (Noon) on 25 October 2007
• Thereafter tickets will be available on 26, 27, 28 October 2007 from 09:00AM to 6:00PM at the booths
• On match day, 29 October 2007, tickets will be available from the PCB Container at the Liberty Market Entrance and the Ferozepur Road Entrance to Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
• Online tickets will be available beginning 1:00AM 25 October 2007 via the PCB Website Click Here
• Those holding confirmed online tickets for the 5th ODI which was to be played at National Stadium Karachi are informed that their credit card payments will be duly reimbursed to their Credit Card Account used to book the tickets.

Media Department

(Article: Copyright © 2007 Pakistan Cricket Board)