UBL back in business

Bank to take part in the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy after 15 years.

LAHORE:

Three-time champions United Bank Limited (UBL) will feature in the 2011-12 Quaid-i-Azam Trophy after an absence of 15 years from Pakistan’s premier domestic tournament.

UBL, who won the Pakistan Cricket Board Patron’s Trophy Grade II final on first-innings lead against Medicam, qualified for the tournament’s division II for the upcoming season.

Formerly known as United Bank of Pakistan, UBL were forced to withdraw from the domestic circuit due to the bank’s privatisation before a management change in 1997 shut down the sports department due to lack of finances.

Akhtar makes a comeback to domestic circuit

However, former Pakistan opener Mansoor Akhtar, who currently head UBL’s sports department, is now thrilled that the team will make a comeback to the domestic circuit.

“Naturally it’s a big boost for the bank,” Akhtar told The Express Tribune.

“It was unfortunate that we had to pull out due to the financial crunch but things have now changed and the management wants to regain past glory.”

The bank was one of the top teams in Pakistan domestic cricket and employed various circuits who went on to play for the country. Players like Saqid Mohammad, Haroon Rasheed, Sikandar Bakht, Basit Ali, Inzamamul Haq, Waqar Younis and Azhar Mahmood played for the bank during the time.

Managements mulls hiring big names

Akhtar added that the management is encouraging sports activities and is intending to hire big names in a bid to be promoted to the top division.

“We have eight players in our side from our academy and they have been exceptional this season.

“Along with the youngsters, we are really looking forward to recruiting some big names in order to increase our chances of being promoted to the first division.”

Published in The Express Tribune, April 21^st, 2011.