Wasim Bari awarded benefit match

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to pay tribute to their former Test captain Wasim Bari by awarding the first one-day international between Pakistan and South Africa as his benefit match.

"Wasim Bari is being honoured for his meritorious services to the game of cricket and the country," said the PCB's chief executive Rameez Raja. "He has been and is still one of the greatest ambassadors of the country. A certain percentage of the income from the proceeds will be awarded to Wasim as his benefit."

Wasim had originally been allocated a match on October 26, but this had to be rearranged after South Africa's security fears ahead of the tour. Lt Gen Tauqir Zia, the PCB chairman, is expected to present him a memento in recognition of his services to Pakistan cricket.

"I grateful to the PCB Chairman for making the match as my benefit," said Wasim, who also served as chairman of selectors between 2000 and 2003.