June 21, 2014

Omar Associates sponsor Karachi Gymkhana’s Ramazan Cricket Festival 2014

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By Syed Khalid Mahmoof
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

A record prizemoney of over Rupees one million will be disbursed in the 29th edition of the Karachi Gymkhana Omar Associates Ramazan Festival Twenty20 Cricket Tournament 2014 which will be getting underway on the first day of the holy month.

The details about the tournament, having pioneered the concept of T20 cricket in the country, was unveiled in a media briefing by Nadeem Omar, Managing Director, Omar Associates, and Ali Rahim, President, Karachi Gymkhana, here at the Gymkhana’s Banquet Hall on June 21.

The winners will be receiving a purse of Rs five lacs while the runners-up will be collecting Rs two and a half lacs and the semifinalists will be getting Rs 50,000 each. There will be individual cash awards of more than Rs two lacs on offer as well.

Nadeem Omar, in his brief speech, pointed out that the Ramazan cricket tournaments of the city have led to the revival of international career of quite a few fringe players like fast bowler Mohammad Irfan and opening batsman Nasir Jamshed, both of whom came back in the reckoning with strong performances.

Mian Shaukat Hussain, who conducted the proceedings, remarked that the Karachi Gymkhana Ramazan tourney has set very high standards to be recognized as the most prestigious of all such events held in the metropolis.

Test umpire Riazuddin spoke about the technical aspects of the tournament, emphasizing that points will be shared in case of non-completion of league matches although the organizing committee reserved the right to amend the rule.

The family of Shabbir Hussain, the deceased former cricketer who coached the Gymkhana members for a long time, will be presented a handsome purse at the end of the tournament. A fund for this purpose has been created and substantial donations were pledged on the spot by Nadeem Omar, Altaf Agha and Iqbal Umar.

Meanwhile, a total of 16 teams, divided equally in four groups, will be entering the competition. Top two teams from each of the four groups will qualify for the knockout phase starting with quarter-finals.

For the first time in its 29-year-old history the sponsors of the tournament, Omar Associates, will also be the defending champions.

The draws of the tournament, having been taken out in the presence of the officials of the participating teams and the tournament officials at the Gymkhana’s cricket ground a few days ago, were also released on the occasion.

Holders and sponsors Omar Associates have been drawn in the Group A alongwith Qasmi Cricket Club, Karachi Gymkhana Academy and Brothers Cricket Club Dadu while the Group B comprises of Mohammad Hussain Cricket Club, Karachi Gymkhana, Sony Associates and Eaton Cricket Club.

The Group C contains Tapal Cricket Club, Bank Islami, K-Electric and Vital Five Cricket Club while the Group F features Heroes Cricket Club, Dubai Islamic Bank, Advance Telecom and Shabo Stars Cricket Club.

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Jaffer Qureshi’s century makes Omar Associates national senior champions

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Pakistan News &; Features Services

Omar Associates, Karachi, won the 16th PVCA National Seniors Cup tournament by overpowering Golden Eagles, Lahore, by five wickets in the day/night final staged at the EME DHA Cricket Ground in Lahore.

This was the first triumph of Omar Associates in this tournament as they had earlier lost the national final in 2012. The Pakistan Veterans Crickets Association (PVCA) has now successfully organized 16 editions of the National Senior Cup in as many years.

Put into bat, Golden Eagles posted a respectable total of 218 runs for loss of nine wickets in the allotted 30 overs. Former Test batsman Shahid Anwar (48 off 46 balls), Bakhtiar Hussain (36 off 37 balls) and Nadeem Farooqi (30 off 24 balls) were their leading scorers as the wickets were shared between off-spinner Iqbal Shaikh (3-36) and left-arm spinner Jaffar Qureshi (2-48).

Omar Associates batting second under floodlights reached the winning target of 219 runs in 28 overs for the loss of five wickets. Skipper Jaffer Qureshi and former Pakistan opener Sajid Ali put an opening partnership of 82 runs.

Sajid perished after scoring (27 off 27 balls) but the left-handed Jaffer scored a brilliant match-winning hundred. His sensational knock of 118 came from 78 balls and it contained eight towering sixes and as many fours. He was given a standing ovation by the sizeable crowd upon reaching his century.

Nadeem Sheikh scored 40 off 28 balls as Omar Associates romped home comfortably. For Golden Eagles, former Pakistan off-spinner, Sajjid Akbar, took a couple of wickets for 42 runs.

The prize distribution ceremony was held soon after the conclusion of the final. Fawad Ijaz Khan, Chairman, PVCA, and Ashiq Hussain Qureshi, Chief Executive, PVCA informed the gathering about the activities of the association.

Test Cricketer Mohammad Hafeez, who was the chief guest, presented the winners trophy and cash prize of Rs 150,000 to skipper Jaffer Qureshi of Omar Associates while the runners-up trophy and cash award of Rs 75,000 was collected by Mohammad Salman of Golden Eagles. Jaffer Qureshi was also adjudged named Man of the Match in the final.

Nadeem Omar, Managing Director, Omar Associates, announced a bonus of Rs 100,000 for his team on winning the tournament. Among those present in the prize distribution ceremony were Intikhab Alam, former Pakistan captain, and Col (Rtd) Rafi Nasim, ex-Secretary, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). 

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