Chief Minister Punjab Summer Cricket League will come into action here from Saturday (today) at 10 grounds of the city. The League is a step forward to revive club cricket and infuse in it a new life at the grass root level to re-establish Lahore's status as a nursery of the game, said President, Lahore City Cricket Association, Khawaja Nadim on Friday.
He said that introduction of Summer League will engage youth in cricket activities throughout the summer season on the pattern of Wazir Ali League. Clubs play a paramount role in the overall development of the game, especially at early level and there was a dire need to have a long-term league which could cater the needs of clubs for engaging them in regular match activity, he observed. "All affiliated units of LCCA's three zones have welcomed the introduction of this league and they are confident that their players will be able to get ample match practice, temperament and experience eventually helping them to perform to a high level in the domestic tournaments," remarked Nadim.
He said that in all, 550 matches will be played in the league, which will come to an end in October. To a question, he said the PCB inter-district tournament being played later this month will not be making an impact on the league because lesser number of players will feature in inter district compared to hundred of players taking part in the league. "We require around rupees three million to organise this six-month event and efforts are underway to seek sponsorship from Pakistan Cricket Board, Punjab Government and private business houses in this regard," he said.
Answering another question, LCCA President said the most outstanding players of the league will be considered for their direct induction in LCCA teams to feature in top class domestic tournaments including Quaid-e-Azam Trophy grade one tournament. He informed that it has been made mandatory that umpires of a respective zone will not be deputed to supervise the matches of their own zone to evolve a system of transparency and avoid controversies.