Salman Ali, Adnan Khan smash centuries in 17th National Seniors Cup

Pakistan News & Features Services

Textile Tigers, Apollo Sports, Turk Plast, Muslim Eagles, Amar Cables and Aftab Qarshi registered victories over their respective rivals in the Northern Zone matches of the 17th National Seniors Cup Cricket Tournament 2015, being organized by the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA). 

A record number of 109 teams from all over the country have entered the tournament being sponsored by IMI Omar (Pvt) Ltd and Arif Habib Group. 

In the matches held in Lahore, Textile Tigers defeated Shah Jamal Greens by 43 runs at the Stag Ground, Apollo Sports outwitted Kot Khwaja Saeed Cricket Club by five wickets at the Allama Iqbal Institute Ground, Amar Cables whipped Muridke Tigers by seven wickets at the Shah Faisal Ground, Aftab Qarshi overcame Chaudhary Sports by 18 runs at the Stag Ground and Turk Plast hammered Hajveri Sports by 75 runs while Muslim Eagles outplayed Bahawalpur Greens by nine wickets at the Sports Ground in Multan. 

Textile Tigers scored 219 for seven in the allotted 30 overs with Rizwan Nisar (63), Mujahid Jamshed (53) and Tauseef Mughal (44 not out) scoring substantially while Sohail Ahmed (3-45) and Alamgir Ahmed (2-32) bowled well. In reply Shah Jamal Greens was routed for 176 in 26.3 overs despite fine knocks from Mahmood Ahmed (46) and Salman Khalid (36). The innings was wrecked by Mujahid Jamshed (6-26). 

Batting first, Apollo Sports scored 272 for nine in 40 overs with Ayub Khan (52), Bilal Ali (40) and Salman Ahmed (35) being leading scorers. The wickets were shared between Bilal Aslam (3-50), Ali Raza (2-49) and Owais Tariq (2-24). Salman Ali scored 101 to steer Kot Khwaja Saeed CC to victory as they reached the target of 278 in 36.4 overs with five wickets in hand. Sherbaz Khan (55) and Owais Tariq (30 not out) also batted well. 

Muridke Tigers was bowled out for 146 in 29.4 overs by Amar Cables for whom Shakeel Malik returned figures of five for 30 after Wasim Fazil (32), Haider Ali (26) and Sarfaraz Hussain (25) laid foundation for a bigger total. Afzal Shah (53 not out), Jamshed Sulaiman (43) and Saleem Malik (36 not out) scored briskly as Amar Cables raced to the target of 147 in 23.3 overs losing only three wickets, all of them captured by Mohsin Javed. 

Rasheed Akhtar (49), Abdul Waheed (43) and Moshin Aftab Qarshi (42) enabled Aftab Qarshi to reach a total of 196 for nine in 30 overs with Naveed Sufi (3-17) and Fayyaz Bhatti (2-30) being the pick of the bowlers. In reply, Chaudhary Sports was all out for 181 in 29.2 overs with Abid Shaikh (41) being the top scorer. The main wicket-takers were Tariq Hussain (3-24), Abdul Ghafoor (3-42) and Moshin Aftab Qarshi (2-29). 

Javed Hafeez took five wickets for 23 runs to power Turk Plast to a convincing victory over Hajveri Sports, who was restricted to 159 for nine in 30 overs despite Saleem Malik’s 48.Earlier Turk Plast amassed 234 for four in 30 overs with major contributions coming from Abdul waheed (93), Dastagir Ahmed (67) and Hammad Maqbool (44). 

Adnan Khan’s unbeaten 118 powered Muslim Eagles to crushing nine-wicket win over Bahawalpur Greens, who had been contained to 197 for six in 25 overs despite fine knocks from Fawad Anwar (67), Khurshid Ahmed (43) and Mohammad Javed (39). Muslim Eagles reached the target in 22.2 overs with Iftikhar Afzal (38 not out) and Nasir Khan (34) also contributing their bit.

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Karachi CDC edge out Quetta in 17th National Seniors Cup

Pakistan News & Features Services

Karachi CDC registered a thrilling five-run victory over Quetta Seniors in the latest encounter of the 17th National Seniors Cup Cricket Tournament 2015, being organized by the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA). 

Nadeem Shaikh’s century enabled Karachi CDC to post a competitive total of 180 for five in the stipulated 22 overs. Brilliant knocks from Naseem Khan and Ziauddin put Quetta Seniors in winning position but a dramatic collapse saw them lose five wickets for only three runs and they fell six runs short of the target. 

A record number of 109 teams from all over the country have entered the tournament, which got underway on January 18. The annual event, which will be played over three months, is being sponsored by IMI Omar (Pvt) Ltd and Arif Habib Group. Electing to bat, after winning the toss, Karachi CDC lost a couple of early wickets. 

Opener Nadeem Shaikh, who hammered 16 boundaries in his 106 off 68 balls, took charge by adding exactly one hundred for the third wicket with Fayyaz whose contribution was 36 off 29 balls with the help of one six and two fours. Left-arm spinner Aziz Tunio grabbed a couple of wickets for 21 runs which prevented quick runs in the death overs and the local side had to settle with a score of 180. 

Chasing a target of 181 in 22 overs, Quetta Seniors moved in the driving seat with the wonderful 134-run second wicket stand between opener Ziauddin and number three Naseem Khan. While Ziauddin was content in playing second fiddle, Naseem blasted the bowling attack. 

Ziauddin contributed a sedate 57 off 50 balls with the aid of four boundaries and Naseem hammered one six and 14 fours in his rapid 90 off 46 balls. Their dismissal changed the complexion of the game. Left-arm spinners Kamran Umar (3-24) and Fariduddin (3-38) caused the slump and bowled Karachi CDC to victory which had looked unlikely until few moments ago. The Man of the Match award, however, was clinched by their teammate Nadeem Shaikh for his fluent century.

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Holders Karachi Omar Associates begin campaign on winning note

Pakistan News & Features Services

Defending champions Karachi Omar Associates began on a winning note in the 17th National Seniors Cup Cricket Tournament 2015, being organized by the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA). 

Karachi Omar Associates registered a comprehensive eight-wicket victory over Quetta Seniors at the RLCA Ground while Karachi Rashid Latif overwhelmed Quetta Seniors by seven wickets at the Hussain Lawai Naya Nazimabad Stadium. 

A record number of 109 teams from all over the country have entered the tournament, which got underway on January 18. The annual event, to be spread over three months, is being sponsored by IMI Omar (Pvt) Ltd and Arif Habib Group. 

Fine bowling from Karachi Omar Associates limited Quetta Seniors to a total of 93 for three in the allotted 15 overs with Shakeel Ahmed remaining unbeaten on 25 off 30 balls and Raja Gulfam left undefeated on 19 off 15 balls. Mohammad Maqbool chipped in with 23 off 16 balls while the wickets were shared between off-spinners Mahmood Khan (2-30) and Iqbal Shaikh (1-15). 

After the early exit of both the openers, Karachi Omar Associates regained control through the pair of Azhar Khan and Iqbal Shaikh who took them over the line with more than four overs to spare. They added 77 for the third wicket without being separated. 

Azhar smashed three sixes and as many fours in his 47 off 28 balls while Iqbal, who was adjudged Man of the Match, whacked three sixes and two fours in his 37 off 25 balls. 

Quetta Seniors lost their way after a solid start against Karachi Rashid Latif to be restricted to 142 for seven in the allotted 25 overs. They appeared poised for a bigger total after reaching 80 for the loss of only one wicket but they were derailed by the spin duo of Habib Rahman (3-22) and Saif Khan (2-32). 

Opener Zia Kansi struck one six and two fours in his 42 off 52 balls, Raja Gulfam hit a six and a four in his 30 off 22 balls while Naseem Khan (18 off 25 balls) and Raj Hans (17 off 23 balls) also reached double figures. 

Karachi Rashid Latif chased down the target of 143 in just 13.3 overs with opener Asif Siddiqui, who was declared Man of the Match, hammering 80 off 37 balls with the help of a six and 15 fours. He added 92 for the second wicket with Omar Masood, who remained undefeated with 36 off 38 balls. Off-spinner Raj Hans took two of the three wickets to fall during the innings.

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17th National Seniors Cup off to a cracking start

Pakistan News & Features Services

On a day when South Africa’s skipper A B de Villiers smashed the fastest century in One-day International at Johannesburg there were a few blazing knocks also on the opening day of the 17th National Seniors Cup Cricket Tournament 2015, being organized by the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA).

A record number of 109 teams from all over the country have entered the tournament which was inaugurated by Nadeem Omar, Managing Director, Omar Associates (Pvt) Ltd, at the Karachi Gymkhana Cricket Ground on January 18. 

In the Southern Zone matches held on the opening day, Karachi Gymkhana overwhelmed Karachi A A Pakwan by 65 runs at Karachi Gymkhana Cricket Ground, Karachi Gold Bridge defeated Karachi Airport by 32 runs at the TMC Ground and Combined XI outsmarted Quetta Veterans by 72 runs at the Hussain Lawai Naya Nazimabad Stadium. 

Kamran Hussain’s sensational 36-ball 65, containing one six and seven fours allowed Karachi Gymkhana to post a commanding total of 205 for five in 22 overs after the foundation was laid by Mazhar Ali (50 off 36 balls) and Fayyaz Abbas (41 off 34 balls). Medium-pacer Javed Ali (3-39) was the pick of the bowlers. 

Karachi A A Pakwan, in reply, crashed to 55 for six before being bowled out for 140 in 19.3 overs despite fighting knocks from Irfanullah (46 off 41 balls) and Mairaj-ul-Haq (40 off 30 balls). The top-order was rocked by medium-pacers Shakeel Ahmed (3-23) and Kamran Hussain (2-15) while leg-spinner Murtaza Habib (2-8) finished the job. Kamran Hussain of Karachi Gymkhana was declared Man of the Match for his fine all-round performance. 

It was another Kamran Hussain who played the pivotal role in guiding Karachi Gold Bridge to victory over Karachi Airport. He earned the distinction of scoring the first century of the competition and he blasted 114 off 66 balls with the help of 21 boundaries which enabled Karachi Gold Bridge to reach a total of 222 for six in 22 overs. Medium-pacer Sagheer Abbas (2-41) and left-arm spinner Ali Akbar (2-50) were the most successful bowlers in their innings.

Karachi Airport got off to a flying start through openers Athar Laeeq (69 off 38 balls) and Raees Ahmed (41 off 23 balls) but lost the momentum against the spin duo of Zafar Ali (4-29) and Abdul Waheed (3-5) to be bowled out for 194 in 21 overs. 

Opener Nazim Wahab, adjudged Man of the Match, blasted four sixes and fours in his blazing knock of 78 from only 58 balls while Ashar Ali whacked seven sixes and two four in his rollicking 69 off 36 balls which powered Combined XI to an impressive total of 213 for four in the stipulated 22 overs. 

Chasing a formidable total, Quetta Veterans could not recover after losing early wickets and they were later tormented by leg-spinner Sohail Ahsan (4-33). They finished at 141 for six with Raju Gulfam (45 off 45 balls) being their top scorer.

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Record participation in 17th National Seniors Cup Cricket Tournament 2015

Pakistan News & Features Services 

A record number of 109 teams from every nook and corner of the country will be participating in the 17th National Seniors Cup Cricket Tournament 2015 which gets underway on January 18.

The inaugural Match of the Southern Zone will be played between Karachi Gymkhana and Karachi A A Pakwan at the Karachi Gymkhana Cricket Ground in which Nadeem Omar, Managing Director, Omar Associates (Pvt) Ltd, will be the chief guest. The Northern Zone matches will also be starting simultaneously at the upcountry venues.

The salient features of the tournament, being sponsored by IMI Omar (Pvt) Ltd with Arif Habib Group being the co-sponsors, were unveiled by Fawad Ijaz Khan, Chairman, Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA), in a well-attended media briefing here at the Karachi Gymkhana Banquet Hall on January 17. 

He revealed that the total cost on the tournament, during which a record 218 matches will be held, was estimated to be in the region Rupees five million which includes the prizemoney of Rs 609,000. He explained that the operational costs were on the higher side while organizing the Northern Zone matches. 

It was disclosed that the 109 participating teams from 61 cities have been divided in 29 Groups. There will be 72 outfits from Punjab, 18 from Khyber Pakhtunkwa and Islamabad , 10 from Karachi and Balochistan and nine from the interior of Sindh. The national final, to be telecast live, will be played between the champions of North Zone and South Zone here at the National Stadium on April 19. 

Corrado Fabi, Chief Executive Officer, IMI Omar (Pvt) Ltd, spoke about his growing love for the game of cricket and right away offered to double the sponsorship amount for the tournament. 

“Football is the most popular sport in Italy where I live with motor racing being next on the list. I have been introduced to cricket by Nadeem Omar and I have found the game quite thrilling one. Watching the passion which everyone has for cricket here, I am sure the sport has a firm foothold in Pakistan,” Corrado Fabi, himself a former Formula One driver, observed. 

The owner of one of the most famous talc producing companies, IMI Fabi, expressed his delight at the success of the National Seniors Cup Cricket Tournament which has been organized by the PVCA annually for the past 17 years. 

Nadeem Omar, Managing Director, Omar Associates (Pvt) Ltd, in his brief speech, paid glowing tribute to the PVCA Chairman, Fawad Ijaz Khan, and his team, for having organized the National Seniors Cup every year. 

“It’s an uphill task managing such an event in which teams from every part of the country is encouraged to take part. It’s really a phenomenal achievement to have been able to do regularly for so long,” he commended. 

The Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA), established in 1998 at Karachi , is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) since 2001 as the sole representative cricket organization for Seniors/Veterans Cricket in Pakistan. 

Having attained international recognition, besides proving its organizational mettle at the national level, the PVCA has been actively promoting schools cricket alongside the seniors, veterans and also the super veterans cricket. 

The National Seniors Cup, played annually amongst the selected teams of various cities, has become the flagship event of the PVCA since 1998. Omar Associates are the defending champions this year.

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Naya Nazimabad Peace Cup scales greater heights in second edition

By Syed Khalid Mahmood
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The recently held second edition of the Naya Nazimabad Peace Cup 2014 turned out to be a standout event of Karachi. The picturesque Lawai Stadium, illuminated with stunning floodlights, remained the talk of the town with the live telecast of the knockout games for seven nights running. 

Everything about the tournament, spread over a month or so, was near perfect. The facilities at the ground were truly exceptional. It was quite extraordinary how they managed to save the pitch when it rained heavily before the start of the one of the semifinals. 

There were fears that the match might have to be postponed because the rain was so heavy. But the pitch had been so nicely protected that it remained dry when the covers were taken off much to the amusement of the players and the officials. It was nothing short of a miracle that 12-overs-a-side contest was still made possible shortly at the end of the heavy downpour. 

There were apprehensions in some minds about the location of the ground but, as Arif Habib, Chairman, Arif Habib Group, had so emphatically stated during the media launch of the event at the Karachi Gymkhana a couple of days before the start of the tournament, there was nothing to worry about when approaching the ground or leaving it. 

The event progressed very smoothly indeed and not a single untoward incident was reported during 31 nights of cricket action. There was no issue of law and order situation in the area during the entire length of the tournament. 

All the matches were played under floodlights and there was tremendous excitement at the ground which built an atmosphere that’s rarely found at other venues of Karachi these days. The dream of establishing the Lawai Stadium in Naya Nazimabad as a model cricket ground is very much on the way to fulfillment. 

It has already created waves in a short span of time and it seems a matter of time when high-profile matches will be taking place at this marvellous venue. The 2nd Naya Nazimabad Peace Cup was yet another feather in the cap of the promoters of the massive housing scheme, who consider cricket as the paramount source of binding the various sections of the society. 

It went to the credit of the management of the corporation to have arranged for the live telecast of the knockout matches of the 2nd Peace Cup which was a great value addition for the tournament itself. It was quite a remarkable achievement to have done it so quickly. Other local tournaments have also been televised in the recent past but it had taken ages for them to do so. 

The Naya Nazimabad Peace Cup, launched only last year, was on air in only its second edition. The presence of the high-ranking government officials, including Commissioner Karachi, Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui, and Advisor on Sports to Sindh Chief Minister, Adil Siddiqui, besides some top businessmen of the country was a testimonial to the success of the tournament. 

Mohammad Iqbal, Director Sports, Naya Nazimabad, played the pivotal role in making the tournament a resounding success. The former first-class cricketer, who also has vast experience of cricket administration, worked with missionary zeal almost round the clock to ensure that everything remained in order. 

The success of the 2nd Peace Cup should pave the way for further glories for the Lawai Stadium which is expected to host matches of the national cricket tournaments, organized by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), as early as the upcoming season. The Lawai Stadium, named after Hussain Lawai, a famous banker, seems set to become one of the most sought-after cricket grounds of the country.

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Naya Nazimabad Peace Cup scales greater heights in its second edition

By Syed Khalid Mahmood
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The dream of Arif Habib, Chairman, Arif Habib Group, of establishing the Lawai Stadium in Naya Nazimabad as a model cricket ground is on way to fulfillment. It has already created waves in a short span of time and it seems a matter of time when high-profile matches will be taking place at this marvellous venue. 

The recently concluded second edition of the Naya Nazimabad Peace Cup, held under fllodlights, was another feather in the cap of the Javedan Corporation Limited, the promoters of the massive housing scheme, who consider cricket as the paramount source of binding the various sections of the society. 

It went to the credit of the management of the corporation to have arranged for the live telecast of the knockout matches of the 2nd Peace Cup which was a great value addition for the tournament itself. It was quite a remarkable achievement to have done it so quickly. 

Other local tournaments have also been televised in the recent past but it had taken ages for them to do so. The Naya Nazimabad Peace Cup, launched only last year, was on air in only its second edition. 

There were apprehensions in some minds about the location of the ground but, as Arif Habib had so emphatically stated during the media launch of the event at the Karachi Gymkhana a couple of days before the start of the tournament, there was nothing to worry about when approaching the ground or leaving it. 

The event progressed very smoothly indeed and not a single untoward incident was reported during 31 nights of cricket action. There was no issue of law and order situation in the area during the entire length of the tournament. 

All the matches were played under floodlights and there was tremendous excitement at the ground which built an atmosphere that’s rarely found at other venues of Karachi these days. 

The presence of the high-ranking government officials, including Commissioner Karachi, Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui, and Advisor on Sports to Sindh Chief Minister, Adil Siddiqui, besides some top businessmen of the country was a testimonial to the success of the tournament. 

While the support of the Arif Habib Group and the proactive involvement of the top management of the Javedan Corporation played its role in the smashing success of the tournament, one person who played the pivotal role in making it possible was none other than Mohammad Iqbal, a former cricketer, whose vast experience of cricket administration allowed him to do it in an organized manner. 

The resounding success of the 2nd Peace Cup should pave the way for further glories for the Lawai Stadium which is expected to host matches of the national cricket tournaments, organized by the Pakistan Cricket Boarb (PCB), as early as the upcoming season. 

The Lawai Stadium, named after Hussain Lawai, a famous banker, seems set to become one of the most sought-after cricket grounds of the country.

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Omar Cricket Club clinch Naya Nazimabad Peace Cup for second year running

By Syed Khalid Mahmood
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Omar Cricket Club extended its sensational form to retain the title by edging out Advance Telecom by two runs in thrilling final of the 2nd Peace Cup T-20 Night Cricket Tournament 2014 at the picturesque Naya Nazimabad Lawai Stadium on July 27.

So it has become two in two for the rampaging Omar CC side as they had also emerged triumphant in the inaugural edition of the tournament held at the same venue last year.

Set a daunting target of 172 in 20 overs, Advance Telecom needed eight off the last six deliveries. Off-spinner Misbah Khan kept his cool and delivered a fantastic final over which yielded only five runs. He finished with the excellent figures of two for 28 in the high-scoring game. 

Advance Telecom was restricted to 171 for eight despite Babar Agha, who hammered two sixes and half a dozen fours in brilliant knock of 59 off 47 balls and Asif Ali, who made 55 off 26 balls with the help of six sixes and four fours. 

Omar CC was indebted to former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Sami who first boosted the total by blasting an unbeaten 59 off 34 balls with three sixes and two fours and later chipped in with two wickets for 17 runs to clinch the Man of the Match award. 

Omar CC installed a big total of 173 for seven in the allotted 20 overs. Prolific opener Rameez Raja gave the innings head start by striking seven sixes and eight boundaries in his splendid innings of 80 off just 44 balls. Fast bowler Sohail Khan (2-38) and leg-spinner Faizan Riaz (2-28) pulled it pack for Advance Telecom before the final onslaught from Mohammad Sami. 

The prize distribution ceremony was held soon after the conclusion of the final in which trophies and cash awards were given away by Adil Siddiqui, Advisor to Sindh Chief Minster, Arif Habib, Chairman Arif Habib Group, Nadeem Omar, Managing Director, Omar Associates, and Mohammad Iqbal, Director Sports, Naya Nazimabad. 

The Omar CC skipper, Javed Mansoor, collected the winners trophy with a purse of Rs four lacs while the Advance Telecom captain, Rehan Sheikh, received the runners-up trophy with a cash award of Rs two lacs. 

Among the individual prizes, Saud Shakil of Alamgir Gymkhana was declared Man of the Tournament while Rameez Raja, Fawad Khan and Javed Mansoor, all of them from Omar CC, were adjudged the best batsman, the best bowler and the best wicketkeeper of the tournament respectively.

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Naya Nazimabad Peace Cup to offer bigger cash rewards

By Syed Khalid Mahmood
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The prizemoney of the 2nd Peace Cup Ramazan Festival Cricket Tournament 2014, due to get underway under floodlights at the Lawai Cricket Stadium in Naya Nazimabad, Karachi, later in the week, has been enhanced substantially.

It was announced that the total prize money of the Peace Cup has now been raised to Rs 700,000 with the winners to collect a purse of Rs 400,000 and the runners-up to receive Rs 200,000. 

Arif Habib, Chairman, Arif Habib Group, having masterminded the development of a cricket stadium of international standard in the massive 2,100-acre housing scheme in the northern area of the city, shared the details of the mega project during a media briefing at the Karachi Gymkhana on June 23. 

He dispelled the impression that security was an issue while playing or commuting at the Lawai Stadium which will now be playing host to the second edition of the Peace Cup, after a successful launch last year. 

“Security is not area-specific issue. Living in DHA, I visit the ground almost every Sunday to play cricket matches. The management and staff of the Naya Nazimabad go there on a daily basis. The area is as safe as any other locality of Karachi ,” he reckoned. 

Arif Habib, himself an enthusiastic cricketer, disclosed that following the completion of the cricket stadium, now construction work has commenced on the development of grounds for hockey and football besides a club house, which will have facilities for indoor games. 

“The participants of the 2nd Peace Cup will find many new features at the Lawai Stadium which houses dressing rooms besides dugouts. The third-umpire room, sightscreens, auto rollers and auto cutting machines are now also there while the pitches have recently been re-laid,” he added. 

Responding to a question, Mohammad Iqbal, Director Sports, Naya Nazimabad, informed the media that they were awaiting action from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) who have been requested to allocate them some matches during the upcoming 2014-15 cricket season at the Lawai Stadium. 

“The PCB committee had visited the Lawai Stadium and they agreed that it’s equipped with the modern paraphernalia amd merited consideration for being used as a venue for the national tournaments in the coming season,” he added. 

“Located in the vicinity of the populous North Nazimabad, our stadium seems to be having all the ingredients of becoming a venue for first-class matches as well as limited overs games under floodlights,” Iqbal felt. 

Test umpire Mr Riazuddin unveiled the technical aspects of the tournament while Samad A Habib, CEO, Javedan Corporation Ltd, Ali Rahim, President, Karachi Gymkhana, and Nadeem Omar, Managing Director, Omar Associates, and former cricketers, Anwar-ul-Haq, Babar Basharat, Sajid Abbasi and Zaheer Ahmed were prominent among those present on the occasion. 

As many as seven teams, United Sports Club, Faisalabad Wolves Star Cricket Club, Bank Islami, Vital Five Academy, Haidery Traders, Azad Pak Ltd and Royal Cricket Club will be making their debut in the 2nd Peace Cup. 

Defending champions Omar Associates, last year’s runners-up Qasmi Cricket Club, Alamgir Gymkhana, Travels Cricket Club Afghanistan, Sony Associates, Eaton Cricket Club, BYI Cricket Club, Advance Telecom and Brothers Cricket Club Dadu will be the other participating outfits in the tournament due to commence a couple of days before the start of the holy month.

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Naya Nazimabad’s Lawai Stadium ready to stage first-class cricket

By Syed Khalid Mahmood  
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The magnificent Lawai Stadium, located in Naya Nazimabad, Karachi, seems to be having all the ingredients of becoming a world-class venue in future. No wonder it’s ready to host first-class cricket matches as well as limited overs games under floodlights. 

Mohammad Iqbal, Director Sports, Naya Nazimabad, has informed that they would shortly be writing to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to allocate them some matches during the upcoming 2014-15 cricket season. 

“Having acquired all the necessary equipments after developing a stadium of the highest class we are ready to host the matches of the national competitions. We would be writing to the PCB Chairman, Najam Sethi, to let us stage the matches in the coming season,” Iqbal, who headed the MCB Bank’s Sports Division with distinction for a number of years, revealed. 

“The Lawai Stadium houses dressing rooms besides dugouts for participating teams. We have third-umpire room as well as brand new sightscreens. We have got hold of auto roller as well as the auto grass cutting machine. We have re-laid our pitches having a lot of grassy stuff. The floodlights are already there. So we have adequate facilities to hold day games as well as day-nighters,” he remarked. 

“We are confident about the PCB including our stadium in its list of venues for national tournaments next season because we fulfill nearly every condition needed to host first-class games,” Iqbal, himself a former cricketer, added. 

The Lawai Stadium is an initiative of Arif Habib, one of the leading entrepreneurs of the country, who was instrumental in developing a cricket ground of international standard in Naya Nazimabad City, a 2,100-acre housing scheme in the northern area of Karachi. He is credited to have masterminded the development of the cricket stadium on a fast track, earning huge goodwill to the mega project. 

The picturesque cricket stadium has been named after Hussain Lawai, President, Summit Bank Limited, in recognition and honour of his support and passion for cricket. Besides being a seasoned banker, he has remained a great promoter of sports over the years. 

The Lawai Stadium is first thing one comes across after entering the main gate of the Naya Nazimabad project. 

With hills on one side and the Manghopir Lake on the other, the scheme is well guarded and gated. It’s just a few minutes drive from the Sakhi Hasan roundabout in North Nazimabad. 

The construction work in the housing scheme is in full flow, much to the delight and satisfaction of the allottees, and the developed cricket stadium has ensured plenty of life in the arena much before people start residing there upon the completion of the project by the end of 2015. 

The credit for turning Arif Habib’s dream of the Naya Nazimabad Lawai Stadium into reality goes to Mohammad Iqbal, whose expertise and skills for sports administration are well known. 

He had represented the organization in the various committees as well as the Council of the Board of Control for Cricket in Pakistan (BCCP), now the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). 

The Naya Nazimabad Lawai Stadium has already hosted a major tournament recently in which Omar Cricket Club emerged triumphant in the final of the Peace Cup Twenty20 Cricket Tournament 2013 at as they overpowered Qasmi Cricket Club in the final.

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