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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Omar Cricket Club to take on Y J XI in Vital Five title clash after Eid

By Syed Khalid Mahmood
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The all-conquering Omar Cricket Club have created an unusual and unexpected situation. By qualifying for the finals of all the major cricket tournaments being held in Karachi during the month of Ramazan they have put the organizers in a spot of bother. 

Since all the finals of the month-long events were scheduled to be held around same dates, it became practically impossible for them to make an appearance in all of them simultaneously. It has led to the postponement of the final of the 3rd Vital Five T-20 Ramazan Festival Tournament 2014 which will now be staged at the DHA Vital Five Cricket Academy Ground soon after Eid holidays. Omar CC’s opponents in the final will be Y J XI. 

“We have been prompted to reschedule the final, originally planned to be held on July 27, due to the engagement of one of our finalists as well as the defending champions, Omar CC, in other tournament finals. They won’t be available even on July 28, apparently the last available day of Ramazan, which has prompted us to postpone our final for a few days. New date will be announced with mutual consent of both of the finalists,” Tournament Director, Jalaluddin, a former Test fast bowler, announced. 

Meanwhile Rameez Raja’s scintillating knock powered defending champions Omar CC into the final as they overwhelmed Tapal Cricket Club by six wickets in the semifinal. 

Rameez, who picked up Advance Telecom Man of the Match award, blasted three sixes and seven fours in his stroke-filled 53 off 24 balls while Mohammad Sami (34 off 29 balls) and Saad Nasim (32 off 20 balls) also batted freely to enable Omar CC to reach the target in 18.1 overs despite fine spell from left-arm spinner Rashid Hanif (2-29). 

Tapal CC was restricted to 157 for six in 20 overs. Left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar (3-26) and leg-spinner Nadeem Javed (2-27) pulled it back after fighting knocks from Mubashir Ahmed (55 off 49 balls), Daniyal Ahsan (32off 21 balls) and Ali Sarfaraz (24 off 22 balls). 

Y J XI had sneaked into the final by taming Vital Five Academy by 18 runs in a low-scoring semifinal. Useful contributions from Ashraf Ali (38 off 32 balls), Wajid Ali (32 off 24 balls), Gohar Ali (25 off 18 balls) and Mohammad Irfan (20 off 15 balls) plus a breezy 15 off seven balls from Fahim Ahmed, declared Man of the Match, enabled Y J XI to reach a competitive total of 155 for seven in 20 overs despite fine bowling by left-arm spinner Mustafa Iqbal (2-33) and medium-pacer Waqar Anwar (2-37). 

Vital Five Academy lost wickets at regular intervals against the quintet of left-arm spinners, led by Yaqzan Rajput (3-36) and Osama Basharat (2-19). Even a defiant knock from Faisal Mubashir (48 off 41 balls) could not revive them and they were restricted to 137 for nine in 20 overs to get eliminated from the competition.

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Omar Cricket Club retain KG Festival tourney

By Syed Khalid Mahmood
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Omar Cricket Club retained the title by edging out K-Electric by nine runs in the low-scoring final of the 29th edition of the Karachi Gymkhana Omar Associates Ramazan Festival Twenty20 Cricket Tournament 2014 at the KG Cricket Ground on July 27. 

Batting first, Omar CC recovered to post a total of 145 for six in the allotted 20 overs with Sarfaraz Ahmed’s unbeaten 33 off 22 balls being the highest contribution. Anwar Ali played a little cameo of 25 off 15 balls while Hafiz Saad Nasim remaining undefeated on 23 off 10 balls and Khurram Manzoor making 21 off 20 balls. 

K-Electric was restricted to 136 for nine after an absorbing contest between bat and ball. Shahid Khan (31 off 24 balls), Faraz Ali (25 off 26 balls) and Tariq Haroon (20 off 20 balls) got a start but neither of them could finish the game as Omar CC fought back through medium-pacer Asif Raza (3-22) and the spin duo of Zulfiqar Babar (2-25) and Adnan Kalim (2-31). 

Nadeem Omar, Managing Director, Omar Associates (Pvt) Ltd, who was the chief guest in the prize distribution ceremony held immediately after the conclusion of the final, presented a cheque of Rs five lacs to the winning captain, Adnan Kalim, while total cash awards of Rupees one million were disbursed on the occasion. 

Asif Raza’s fine all-round performance had enabled the defending champions to storm into the final when outwitted Eaton Cricket Club by 32 runs in the rain-curtailed semifinal on July 25. 

Batting first, Omar CC managed 125 for nine in the allotted 17 overs with Hafiz Saad Nasim (26 off 23 balls), Anwar Ali (21 off 15 balls), Asif Raza (21 off 8 balls), presented Man of the Match award by chief guest Jahangir Moghul, and Omar Siddiq (21 off 27 balls) chipped in with crucial knocks as the batsmen were tested by the spin duo of Saadat Munir (4-33) and Fahad Anjum (2-29). 

Eaton CC could not get on top of the penetrative bowling to be skittled for 93 in 16.3 overs with only Ali Jawwad (27 off 30 balls), Nadeem Javed (17 off 15 balls) and Fahad Anjum (14 off 10 balls) offering some resistance as the innings was wrecked by the quartet of Zulfiqar Babar (3-29), Anwar Ali (2-8), Faraz Ahmed (2-9) and Asif Raza (2-22). 

K-Electric had cruised into the final by having overwhelmed Advance Telecom by seven wickets in the other semifinal on July 26. 

Put into bat, Advance Telecom struggled against the slow bowlers to reach a total of 133 for nine in 20 overs in which Sohail Khan (22 off 14 balls), Mohammad Yasin (21 off 20 balls) and Asif Ali (18 off 19 balls) contributed anything of note. 

Off-spinners Shahid Khan (2-11) and Misbah Khan (2-30) were well supported by the quartet of Fawad Khan, Osama Basharat, Rizwan Khan and Saud Shakil, all of whom got a wicket each. 

Opener Faraz Ali, adjudged Man of the Match, smashed a couple of sixes and seven boundaries in his 70 off 51 balls which allowed K-Electric to reach the target comfortably with 2.1 overs to spare. Off-spinner Nasir Owais (2-14) was the pick of the Advance Telecom bowlers.

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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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Omar Associates sponsor Karachi Gymkhana’s Ramazan Cricket Festival 2014

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

Pakistan News &; Features Services

Omar Associates, Karachi, won the 16^th 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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Golden Eagles edge out Chaudhary Sports in National Seniors regional final

Pakistan News &; Features Services

Golden Eagles emerged as the Punjab champions by edging out Chaudhary Sports by one wicket in the regional final of the 16th PVCA National Seniors Cup Cricket Tournament 2014 at the Shah Faisal Ground, Lahore, on June 10.

It turned out to be a very thrilling encounter which went to the wire. Put into bat, Chaudhary Sports scored 193 for nine in the allotted 30 overs. Golden Eagles overcame tense moments to as the last pair scored the winning run with just a couple of deliveries remaining.

Golden Eagles will now be making their maiden appearance in the national final, due to be held at Lahore later this month, in which they will be taking on the southern region champions, Omar Associates.

A breezy knock of 61, containing five sixes and two fours, from skipper Chaudhary Shafqat Hussain allowed Chaudhary Sports to reach a fighting total of 193 for nine in 30 overs. Mohammad Sami (24), Mohammad Naeem (22), Kashif Latif (18) and Raza Khan (15) also contributed their bit as the wickets were shared between Akbar Khan (2-30), Shahid Anwar (2-40), Sajjad Akbar (1-39), Javed Hayat (1-44) and Tajamul Chaudhary (1-47)

In reply, Golden Ealges made 194 for nine in 29.4 overs with Nadeem Farooqi (46), Bukhtiar Hussain (33), Akbar Khan (28 not out), Naseer-ur-Hassan (17), Shahid Anwar (16), Javed Hayat (16) and Sajjad Akbar (16) making substantial contributions as the bowling honours were shared by Khalid Habib (2-19), Mohammad Asif (2-23), Raza Khan (2-34) and Mohammad Khan (2-38).

The prize distribution ceremony was held soon after the conclusion of the final in which former Pakistan captain and Director Domestic Cricket, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Intikhab Alam, was the chief guest. Nawab Ashiq Hussain Qureshi, Chief Executive Officer, Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA) was also present on the occasion.

Intikhab Alam presented the winners’ trophy alongwith a purse of Rupees one lac to the Golden Eagles skipper, Mohammad Salman Khan, while the runner-up trophy, alongwith a cheque of Rs 50,000 was collected by the Chaudhary Sports captain, Chaudhary Shafqat Hussain. The CEO of Golden Banaspati, Mian Tassadaq Rasool, announced a special award of Rs one lac for the victorious Golden Eagles team.

Individual prizes were also given away to the outstanding performers. Shahid Anwar, adjudged Player of the Tournament, was presented a cheque of Rs 10,000 with trophy while Man of the Match, Akbar Khan, received Rs 7,500 with a trophy. Best Batsman, Kamran Badar, Best Bowler, Javed Hayat, Best Wicketkeeper, Abdul Waheed, Best Fielders Imtiaz Tarar and Muhammad Shafiq, got Rs 7,500 rupees each with their awards.

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