By Intikhab Ali
Karachi: Night cricket has been one of the most thrilling and exiting activity in Karachi during the holy month of Ramadan for a long time.
A number of cricket tournaments are organized by various organizations. One of them is Dr Muhammad Ali Shah T20 cricket trophy, whose 22nd edition is going to be held from the second of Ramadan.
Dr Junaid Ali Shah, the son of great sports organizer Dr. Muhammad Ali Shah, informed the www.scoreline.org that this year the event would have some uniqueness.
He said that this time besides the handsome amount of prize money Justice Asghar Ali Shah Sports Foundation has decided to give cash awards to batsmen who scores maximum sixes and fours in the event.
The decision to this effect was taken keeping in mind Pakistan’s chief coach Mickey Arthur’s concern that Pakistan lacks a brave batsman who has the ability of scoring fast in both ODIs and T20Is.
Arthur has pointed out that Pakistan cricket team is still playing 20thcentury cricket and its batsmen do not have hard-hitting ability, which is a must in today’s cricket.
Dr Junaid said that right now he is Karachi Hockey Association’s (KHA) president but his love with cricket will not diminish. He is himself a former first class cricketer. He said his father’s contribution to cricket would always keep him attached to cricket
For competing in 21st century cricket Pakistan needs daring batsmen who can use the long handle and hit boundaries.
Dr Junaid endorsed Arthur’s concern and said that he truly highlighted Pakistan’s batting weakness which was not addressed.
“Through our event we would like to start this trend so that new batsmen have the courage to score maximum boundaries. Other cricket organisers should follow this trend. I hope that during the next one to two years we will have such batsmen.
Ours is a fertile land as far as cricket talent is concerned. Everybody knows this,” he said.
Late Dr. Muhammad Ali Shah is considered one of the greatest sports organisers in the country. He pioneered T20 cricket in the world more than 25 years ago.
He was one of the few who regularly organised T20 cricket at the grassroots level, spending his own money.
Only Karachi Gymkhana’s Ramazan festival is older than his cricket tournament. ICC has also recognized his services and in 2010 gave him an award for the promotion of T20 cricket.
When the country was passing through its most sensitive period because of war on terror and no foreign team was ready to visit Pakistan, it was Dr Muhammad Ali Shah who brought a World Eleven consisting of world renowned cricketers to Pakistan in October 2012.
Dr Junaid Ali Shah respond Mickey Arthur concern on power hitter.
Dr Junaid said that right now he is Karachi Hockey Association’s (KHA) president but his love with cricket will not diminish. He is himself a former first class cricketer. He said his father’s contribution to cricket would always keep him attached to cricket.
“We will organize a press conference next month to inform the cricket fraternity about the details of the event,” said Dr Junaid.
He said that rules and regulations have been sent to participating teams. As many as 16 prominent departmental and regional teams would participate in the event, he added.
He further said the event would be organized in a family festival manner with colourful cultural activities. Prominent people of the country would be invited to provide the best entertainment to cricket lovers and their families during the event, he added.