Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday announced title, presenting and other sponsors and also unveiled the logo for the home series against Australia commencing in the first week of October 2014 in the UAE. The title sponsors for the series are: Haier Pakistan while Schon Properties are the presenting sponsors and the series shall be called: Schon Properties Presents Haier Cup 2014. The co-sponsors also include leading corporate entities, Zong China Mobile and Brighto Paints.
This was revealed in a press conference here at the National Cricket Academy today. Subhan Ahmad, COO PCB, Zakir Khan, Director International Cricket PCB, Badar Rafaie, Director Marketing PCB were present along with the sponsors representatives including Javed Afridi, CEO Haier Pakistan, Danial H. Schon, Director Schon Properties, Barkat Ullah, Regional Director S&D, Zong China Mobile Pakistan, Khawaja Ejaz Ahmed Sikka,Chairman Brighto Paints and Asher H Schon, Director Schon Properties. Speaking on the Occasion, PCB COO Subhan Ahmad said, "Sponsors are an integral part of any sport and vital in terms of providing momentum for achieving growth and attaining excellence. I am delighted that leading corporate entities of the country, like Haier Pakistan, Schon Properties, Zong China Mobile and Brighto Paints have hitched their corporate identity with PCB and Pakistan Cricket. I am positive that this shall yield dividend for everyone involved".
Answering a question, the PCB COO said: "Since 2009 all our series have been held at a neutral venue with the UAE being our home base. Despite that owing to sponsors' sustained interest in Pakistan Cricket, all our series have either yielded profits or were at worst break even."
Javed Afridi, CEO Haier Pakistan, once again reassured its group's continuous support to Pakistan cricket at every level, be it Domestic or International cricket or Pakistan Super League. "Haier Pakistan is standing hand in hand with the PCB and extends every support for the betterment of the game in the country", said Afridi. Afridi also announced a purse of $10,000 apiece for former legends, Hanif Mohammad, Nasimul Ghani and Ehteshamuddin on the occasion of the rubber. Danial H Schon, Director Schon Properties, said, his group was most happy to be part of the title sponsorship for the Team Pakistan's major home series against Australia.
Barkat Ullah, Regional Director S&D, Zong China Mobile Pakistan, said, "Zong is the network of every Pakistani while cricket is the passion of every Pakistani. Zong China Mobile Pakistan is supporting and sponsoring Cricket Pakistan at every level and connecting with the nation by sponsoring the most loved sport in the country." He thanked PCB for providing Zong the opportunity to sponsor the most exciting contest of cricket between three cricketing giants, Pakistan versus Australia.
Khawaja Ejaz Ahmed Sikka, Chairman, Brighto Paints, said, the leading paint manufacturers in Pakistan having there operational networks in Afghanistan, UAE, Saudi Arabia and South Africa, has always played a vital role in promoting our national heroes and local talent. "Brighto Paints has always sponsored good causes, including educations and sports. To promote Pakistan cricket, Brighto Paints has now joined hands with PCB and sponsored Lahore Lions".