Six departmental sides and an equal number of regions will feature in Division-I while the remaining seven regional and three departmental sides are placed in Division-II with both events running simultaneously at all centres in the country. One departmental and one regional side finishing bottom of Division-I will be relegated to Division-II while the top two Division-II sides will take part in the premier competition next season. The team ending bottom of Division-II will be relegated to Patron’s Trophy Grade-II next season.
‘PCB to be more vigilant’
The PCB has promised to monitor the competition closely to avoid any embarrassment amid the crisis being faced by the board due to the spot-fixing controversy.
“It’s a usual practice but this time around we would be more vigilant to ensure that the competition takes place in good spirit,” PCB spokesperson Nadeem Sarwar told The Express Tribune. “This would be the first major tournament after the ICC’s guidelines and we will do our best to hold the tournament in a befitting manner like the recently-concluded Twenty20 Cup.
“Any player found guilty would be dealt with strictly as the board will maintain a zero-tolerance policy. We will also implement more ICC guidelines if received during the tourna
ment.”
Sami vows to defend title
Defending champions Karachi Blues’ captain Mohammad Sami is confident of retaining the title while adding that his team, minus international stars, was ready for the competition.
“We’re a balanced side and the players are fit and ready for the tournament,” said Sami.
Karachi Blues trounced Habib Bank Limited by 141 runs in the final to clinch the title last year and the captain, along with opening ball partner Tanvir Ahmed, claimed the joint man-of-the-final award due to his fiery six-wicket haul in the final innings.
“We gave our best in the last edition and will repeat our performance. A good performance will also give me enough match practice for the Test series against South Africa. This tournament is also a good chance for me to prove my worth.”
Postponement lamented by officials
The Karachi City Cricket Association (KCCA) has lamented the postponement of the opening round of matches to take place in Karachi.
Two matches - one in each division - have been indefinitely postponed due to the law-and-order situation in the city, an act drawing severe criticism from the KCCA officials due to various reasons.
“There was no need of postponement as the competing teams are already here in Karachi and the security situation has also improved,” said KCCA Secretary Sirajul Islam Bukhari.
“Even our colts are playing in the city so I see no point in the decision.”
Kamran to miss opening round
While the national team players will be flying out to the UAE for the series against South Africa, injured wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, who was omitted from the squad on fitness grounds, was not cleared to play the opening round of the Trophy.
Qaiser Abbas would lead the National Bank of Pakistan outfit in Akmal’s absence with the keeper hopeful of returning to the squad in the second round. Meanwhile, left-handed opener Nasir Jamshed, reportedly suffering from Dengue fever, will also miss the first round.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 23rd, 2010.
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