Cricket fever to light up Ramazan in Karachi

Different tournaments offer an increase in prize money.

KARACHI: Ramazan fever hits Karachi’s cricket clubs as five different Ramazan tournaments are scheduled to take place in the metropolis, while the cash money for each tournament has also been raised as compared to previous years.

Omar Associates President Nadeem Omar, who is sponsoring the 29th edition of the 2014 Karachi Gymkhana Ramazan Festival Twenty20 Cricket Tournament, said that the event will start on the first day of the holy month and will carry a record prize pool of over Rs1 million. The winners will receive a purse of Rs500,000, while the runners-up will collect Rs250,000. The losing semi-finalists are to bag Rs50,000 each.

Another tournament, the 27th edition of Aga Khan Gymkhana (AKG) Ramazan Festival, began on Sunday at the Aga Khan Gymkhana (AKG) cricket ground with hosts AKG taking on Royal Cricket Club in the opener. Twelve teams will be seen in action during the tournament for the enhanced prize money of Rs300,000 for the winners and Rs200,000 for the runners-up.

Meanwhile, at Lawai Stadium, Naya Nazimabad, the 2nd Peace Cup Ramazan Floodlight Cricket Tournament came into action on Friday evening in which 16 top clubs of the city are contesting for the prize pool of Rs700,000.

The 20-team Rashid Latif Cricket Academy Ramzan T20 tournament had started already on June 25 at the Korangi and Gulberg academies. On day four, Malir Gym defeated Al-Noor Gym by 110 runs.

Another event titled 19th Dr Syed Muhammad Ali Shah Night Trophy T20 Cricket Tournament, carrying a prize pool of Rs815,000, will also begin on the first of Ramazan at the Asghar Ali Shah Stadium.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 30^th, 2014.

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