PCB shifts Departmental Twenty20 to Lahore

Uncertain situation in Rawalpindi forced re-location of the event

KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has moved the Departmental T20 Tournament from Rawalpindi to Lahore owing to the prevailing tense situation in Rawalpindi.

The departments were earlier notified that the event will be staged in Rawalpindi, with matches being played at the Pindi Cricket Stadium, Diamond and National Grounds in Islamabad.

However, the PCB was forced to take a decision keeping in mind the security of the players in the aftermath of the clashes last Friday.

“We’ve moved the Departmental T20 tournament from Rawalpindi to Lahore because of security reasons,” a senior PCB official told The Express Tribune.

The event will start from November 27.

SNGPL surges ahead with emphatic win

Reigning champions SNGPL increased the gap between them and the rest of the teams after registering an outright win by an innings and 46 runs against PIA in their President’s Trophy fourth round match at the National Ground in Islamabad.

SNGPL started day three on 344 for eight and were all out for 362 in 102 overs. Naeemuddin remained the top-scorer with 180 while Aizaz Cheema ended up with six wickets to his name.

Trailing by 293 runs, PIA succumbed to the pressure and were bowled out for 147 in 41.4 overs. Asad Ali and Yasir Shah got three wickets apiece.

Meanwhile, Abid Ali scored an unbeaten 205 to put UBL in a winning position against HBL at the Marghazar Ground in Islamabad.

UBL were all out for 386 after resuming the day on 124 for three. Abid took 295 balls for his knock laced with 32 boundaries as Sarmad Anwar claimed four wickets. Set a target of 424, HBL were 60 for two at close of play.

In another match, ZTBL will start day four today needing 181 runs to win after SBP were all out for 272 following an 88-run knock from Jalat Khan at the KRL Stadium. Mohammad Khalil took four wickets while Usman Shinwari chipped in with two scalps.