National Twenty20: Karachi ready despite late move

Detailed schedule and teams to be announced shortly.

KARACHI:

Following the instructions of President Asif Ali Zardari, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has shifted the upcoming Faysal Bank National Twenty20 from dengue-hit Lahore to Karachi that has assured a ‘fantastic’ tournament despite the late change.

The board made the decision after directives from the President who asked the PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt to reconsider the decision of the tournament that starts from Sunday and involves 14 teams, including Afghanistan.

The PCB has also formed a four-member committee led by its governing board member Wazir Ali Khoja to supervise arrangements for the event.

Karachi ready to play host

With the change in venue confirmed just four days before its scheduled start, there were doubts over Karachi’s ability to finalise arrangements in a short space of time.

“We are sure that National Stadium will host the event in a befitting manner,” Wasim Bari, PCB’s Director Education & Training and part of the latest committee, told The Express Tribune. “The stadium was already ready because the domestic season starts early next month. I also spoke to curators who have assured us that the pitch will be ready in time.”

With Lahore missing out due to the dengue outbreak, Karachi’s law-and-order situation, with eight casualties in the latest blast on Monday, raising further concerns. Bari, acknowledging the situation, confirmed that a meeting is due to be held today which will finalise all arrangements.

“Security measures are on the agenda. We will have to ensure quick implementation of our plans,” said Bari before adding that measures to control dengue will also be arranged.

Lahore express security concerns

Meanwhile, unhappy following the late shit, the Lahore City Cricket Association (LCCA), which will send two teams, has expressed security concerns over playing in Karachi.

“If there is a dengue threat in Lahore, Karachi also does not guarantee safety due to the security situation there,” President Lahore Region Khwaja Nadeem Ahmed told The Express Tribune. “We have recorded a verbal protest but will send our teams. A change at the eleventh hour will always create issues.”

Chief of the Islamabad region Shakeel Ahmed, however, gave his thumbs up to the decision.

“We are more than happy at the shift,” he said. “We don’t have any security concerns and we’re planning to make special contribution for the flood victims.”

Afghanistan happy after venue shift

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), which recorded concerns due to the dengue threat in Lahore, has confirmed that a team will be sent after the decision.

“We are happy with the PCB’s decision,” said ACB’s Chief Executive Naseemullah Danish. “The situation in Lahore was a concern and our players are also delighted with the shift.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 22^nd,  2011.