LAHORE: For years, this event was played under the title of Col (retd) Fateh Sher Khan Memorial T20 Cup but this year it has been given a new title, said Nabeel Ahmad, patron and sponsor of the competition while talking to APP on Saturday.
He said the tournament is a step forward and a part of his years’ long efforts to revive cricket at grassroots level and to engage upcoming cricketers in a competitive action packed cricket activity.
“In recent years, we’ve seen that club cricket is dying because of insufficient high profile club cricket tournaments. Lahore which is a hub of club cricket and known for producing international cricketers is gradually losing its role and status as a nursery of early level cricket, said Nabeel who also runs and owns Michigan Cricket Stars professional franchise in USA.
He said being a former cricketer he has special passion for the game and that’s why he always sponsors this cricket event to play his role in the development of cricket at early level and to contribute in the overall development of the game in Pakistan while living in America.
Nabeel, a Pakistani American and former chief executive officer (CEO) of the United States Of America Cricket Association said his late beloved father, Col Fateh Sher Khan rendered meritorious services for his motherland.
He said altogether 20 teams will showcase their talent in the event which aims at promoting cricket at grass-roots level and to revive the club cricket. “The competition carries a total cash prize of rupees over one million with winner pocketing Rs500,000 and runners up walking away with Rs, 250,000”, he added.
The other cash awards are: MOM Rs3000; Best Bowler Rs25,000; Best Batsman Rs25,000; MOM semi final Rs10,000; MOM Final Rs20,000 and Most Sixes Rs20,000.
The participating teams are , Ali Garh cricket Club, Apollo Cricket Club, City Gymkhana Cricket Club, Cricket Centre Club, Golden Star Cricket Club, Ludhiana Gymkhana Cricket Club, Lucky Star Cricket Club, Model Town Cricket Club, Model Town Greens Cricket Club, Model Town Whites Cricket Club, PakLions Cricket Club, Pindi Gymkhana Cricket Club, Prince Cricket Club, P & T Cricket Club, Shah Faisal Cricket Club, Shah Kamal Cricket Club, Shinning Cricket Club, Township Whites cricket Club, Valencia Cricket Club and Yu Slim Cricket Club.
The opening match will be played between Model town greens and Pindi Gymkhana at Model town greens ground.
