Karachiites expected to turn up in droves for T20 Cup

Muneeb ur Rehman posted

National Cricket Stadium

KARACHI: The Faysal Bank T20 Cup 2011 is expected to draw large crowds despite being shifted from Lahore to Karachi at the eleventh hour because of the outbreak of the dengue epidemic in the Punjab capital, according to representatives of the event’s title sponsor.

The tournament was officially launched with the senior officials of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) conspicuous by their absence at the trophy’s unveiling ceremony which was held at a hotel here on Friday.

According to a senior PCB media representative, some board officials were unable to arrive on time after their flight from Lahore was delayed.

The Karachi-based Wazir Ali Khoja, a member of the cricket board’s governing body who is also the chairman of the competition’s organising committee, and PCB’s director training and education Wasim Bari — a member of the organising committee — were preoccupied with all stakeholders in a meeting and hence could not attend the launching.

Instead the ceremony was conducted by representatives of the sponsor. Speaking briefly on the occasion, Tauqir Muhajir, the bank’s public relations consultant, expressed the hope that the enthusiasts of the sport will flock in big numbers to see their favourite cricketers in action once the eighth edition of the tournament begins from Sunday at the National Stadium.

“I take this opportunity to invite the people of Karachi to enjoy the occasion by coming to the ground with their families to savour exciting cricket throughout the eight days of action-packed drama,” Tauqir said.

“Despite the fact that the change of venue is at such a short notice, I think we have done a reasonable job to make the tournament as successful as possible. We have definitely got support in terms of participation.”

Subhan Ahmed, the PCB’s chief operating officer, in a statement said the staging of the 14-team competition, including Afghan Cheetahs who are national T20 champions of Afghanistan, would prove that despite the law and order situation in Karachi and people being marooned by floods in Sindh, the city deserves to hold such an event after a gap of almost 19 months.

“We hope that the Karachiites come out in huge numbers to witness what promises to be another thrilling event,” Subhan remarked. “Because each year cricket fans across Pakistan wait for the tournament with a tremendous sense of excitement and anticipation.”

The unveiling ceremony was also attended by Zafar Bashir, bank’s head of quality service and marketing, and Awais Maqsood, chief of general services.

Meanwhile, the PCB has announced that a nominal gate fee will be charged from the general public on each day of the tournament.

Tickets in the denominations of Rs50, 30 and 20 will be available for the preliminary round matches, while on the last two days of the event, when the knockout ties will be played, the rates have been fixed at Rs100, 70 and 50, respectively