SNGPL and ZTBL were only able to play a 36.3-overs match on day one. PHOTO: NABEEL HASHMI/EXPRESS
LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to stage a Departmental T20 Tournament this month instead of the originally planned event for regional teams.
The board had planned to host a regional T20 event while the departmental tournament was scheduled to be staged next year in February-March.
The departmental tournament will be staged at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi.
When concerned PCB officials were contacted about the issue, they confirmed that the change has been made.
“The Departmental T20 tournament will be played this month instead of the regional competition,” a senior PCB official told The Express Tribune.
“It was originally planned that a regional T20 tournament will be played in the three-week gap starting from November 15-December 1. We’ve chosen Rawalpindi as the venue in line with the board’s policy of promoting cricket in different centres of Pakistan.”
The PCB forbore to mention the reason for changing the programme.
PQA makes strong start
A 143-run partnership by the left-handed duo of Mohammad Waqas and Faraz Ali for the fourth wicket helped Port Qasim Authority (PQA) end day one on 292 for nine against PTV in their President’s Trophy round two match at the Gaddafi Stadium.
PTV won the toss and opted to field first. PQA had a good opening stand of 64 runs but they lost three quick wickets. Thereafter, the young guns rose to the occasion to guide their team out of trouble.
Waqas scored 88 runs off 182 balls, while Faraz contributed 69 runs off 130 balls with 11 fours. Mohammad Ali claimed four wickets while Yasin Murtaza and Rizwan Akbar snapped two wickets apiece for PTV.
Imran claims third five-for in a row
Seamer Imran Ali claimed his third five-wicket haul in a row as he helped SNGPL restrict ZTBL to 123 for five in 36.3 overs on a rain-affected day at the National Ground in Islamabad.
Meanwhile, Abid Ali’s 76-run knock propelled UBL to 263 for six in 82.2 overs against Wapda at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad. Tariq Haroon made 47 while Asif Raza was unbeaten on 40. Hafiz Saad bagged two wickets.
Arshad scores ton against KRL
Usman Arshad scored a century to help SBP end day one on 263 for five in 81 overs against hosts KRL at the KRL Stadium. Arshad faced 191 balls for his 133, hitting 21 boundaries while Umaid Asif snared two wickets for the hosts.
Meanwhile, the tie between old rivals HBL and PIA did not get underway at the Marghazar Ground in the capital due to rain and bad weather.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 1st, 2013.
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