President’s Trophy: Revamped domestic season gets underway today

PIA confident of defending title; Rehman’s participation unconfirmed.

KARACHI: As the World Twenty20 continues to grab all the headlines, Pakistan’s yet-again revamped domestic season kicks off with the President’s Trophy today.

The country’s cricket board strives to implement that perfect domestic structure almost every year but nothing of great substance has emerged this year either despite Zaka Ashraf forming a committee to find a better structure.

The President’s Trophy which has also been known as Ayub Khan Trophy, BCCP Trophy BCCP Patron’s Trophy and Patron’s Trophy in the past, now includes just departments.

The tournament does get underway today but the board is yet to decide on prize-money. Regions, though, have been part of the tournament in the past with Karachi being the best while HBL has won the event eight times.

PIA confident of defending crown

Meanwhile, PIA captain Kamran Sajid is quite confident that his side will be able to defend its crown despite the fact that other teams getting stronger this season.

“We’ve got a perfect blend of youth and experience which makes us dangerous,” Sajid told The Express Tribune before pointing out left-hand batsman Faraz Ali and leg-spinner Akhtar Waheed Kayani as his two important players.

“Despite having big names in our squad, I think Ali and Kayani could play an important role for not only us but for the national side in the future as well.”

PQA are contenders: Latif

Port Qasim Authority (PQA), coached by former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif, will be making their debut in the top-flight after being formed in 2008.

The team qualified for the top-tier in their maiden season but the Pakistan Cricket Board’s late change in the rules meant the team was forced to stay in Grade-II.

But Latif said that the injustice only made his side stronger and they will look to go out to win the event.

“We’re here to win the title and not go home with the newcomers’ tag,” vowed Latif. “But for that, we need a good start.”

PQA have 12 international players in their 20-man squad after their capture of Khurram Manzoor, Umar Amin and Mohammad Talha from NBP but Latif said that he does not believe in star names and everyone will have to put up a fight to transform their ability into reality.

‘We will miss Kaneria’

Meanwhile, HBL, who were saved the embarrassment of relegation by the change in format, have always been contenders but manager Abdur Raqib has said that this season will be a big challenge for his side without Danish Kaneria who is banned after being proven guilty of spot-fixing in county cricket.

“We will miss Kaneria and it’s not easy to find a replacement for a bowler of his quality,” said Raqib.

HBL also risk missing left-arm Pakistan spinner Abdul Rehman who failed a dope test in England and risks being banned for two years.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 3^rd, 2012.