The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has unfurled venue schedules and names of teams and officials for the ABN Amro Pentangular Cup 2008 set to be played from February 10 to March 14 at a launching ceremony held here on Wednesday.
The super first class competition designed on the pattern of the Ranji Trophy and carrying handsome prizes worth Rs 1.7 million and a 1600cc car, for the participating teams and players. The tournament will be competed by five teams. These are Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, NWFP and Federal Areas. Country's top players picked up for their form and fitness showed during domestic season.
Cricket Operations Director Zakir Khan told reporters that the elite competition would be spread all over Pakistan to reach all major cricket centres. He announced the composition of teams which are respectively led by Shoaib Malik (Punjab), Younas Khan (NWFP), Shahid Afridi (Sindh), Naseem Khan (Balochistan) and Shoaib Akhtar (Federal Areas).
The two ace bowlers namely Muhammad Asif (Punjab) and Umer Gul (NWFP) are, however, on the reserve list to be included subject to their fitness. Zakir said due to construction work in progress at some venues the allotment for matches are four to be played at National Stadium Karachi, 2 at Gadaffi Stadium Lahore, and one each at Bugti Stadium Quetta, Diamond Ground Islamabad, Jinnah Stadium Sialkot and Arbab Niaz Stadium Peshawar.
The winning team, he said would be recipient of Rs one million cash prize, with Rs half a million will go to the runner-up. Best batsman, best bowler, best wicket keeper, and best fielder of the tournament, would be entitled to a cash prize of Rs 50,000 each. The "player of the tournament" will get a 1600cc car. All participating players, both playing and non-playing be entitled to match fees of Rs 25,000 and Rs 10,000 per match.
Also, PCB Chief Operating Officer Shafqat Naghmi, said the new competition was meant to be one notch higher then other tournaments and just short of international matches. This was meant to complete a cycle to give national cricket more depth. Its spread to all centres and provincial level identity would give a new appeal and attraction for the cricket lovers, he hoped.
Salman Butt, head of Consumer Banking, ABN Amro, speaking on behalf of the sponsors assured wholehearted support to the game and hoped this new feature would provide the needed impetus to the game reaching out to all corners of Pakistan.