Quetta to host first-class cricket match after 11 years

Home side Balochistan will take on Southern Punjab in a much-anticipated encounter today

LAHORE: The first-class cricket will return to Quetta after a gap of 11 years with the second round of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy that will begin in Balochistan’s provincial capital on Saturday (today).

Home side Balochistan will take on Southern Punjab in a much-anticipated match, which will start at 10 am.  This will be the first of the four first-class matches the picturesque Bugti Stadium will stage this season, said a statement issued by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PBC).

To create opportunities for fans in Quetta to witness top quality cricket and promote the game in the region, the PCB will open the gates of the Bugti Stadium.  The event trophy also landed in Quetta on Thursday to provide fans with an up-close and personal experience with the prestigious silverware.

Upon arrival in Quetta, captains of both teams expressed their happiness and termed it a huge breakthrough for region cricket. “It is great to be in Quetta, hopefully, the experience here will be pleasing,” test cricketer Shan Masood said, who is captaining Southern Punjab.

He also denied the rumours of being considered as captain of the national team and said a tour of Sri Lanka to Pakistan will help restore cricket in the country.

Balochistan Captain Imran Farhat said many players hailing from the province are part of the team.  “We will give the opportunity to players of Balochistan. I feel great to be captaining the Balochistan team, “ Farhat said, adding that the PCB is working on promoting cricket in Balochistan.

(With additional input from our correspondent at Quetta) 

Published in The Express Tribune, September 21^st, 2019.