Pakistan braces for biggest football tournament

Pakistan is all set to host the biggest football event of the year, as Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho and friends arrive in Pakistan.

The World Cup champions will be accompanied by fellow teammate, Roberto Carlos, former French midfielder Robert Pires, France’s Nicolas Anelka, Portugal’s Luis Boa Morte, Holland’s George Boateng, England’s David James and former Manchester United player Ryan Giggs.

The two match series with the first game slated, tomorrow, Saturday at Karachi has been named as "Leisure Leagues Pakistan" and the tour has been arranged by World Group led by Mahmood Trunkwala

The match, which will be seven or six a side will be played at Hockey Club of Pakistan in Karachi and second on Sunday in Lahore.

Ronaldinho will lead one team and Ryan Giggs will captain the other side. Both the teams will be a mix-up of foreign and local players.

"After the PSL final here in March it is going to be another top level international sports activity and we are glad that Pakistan is hosting world's best known footballers," said a group of former and present international football players, quoted APP.

The players said that the successful holding of the two match series will re-establish Pakistan’s soft image sending a positive message, as a safe haven of international sports event.