Pakistan to make Twenty-20 Cup regular domestic feature by AFP

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Ground:	Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Scorecard:	Karachi Dolphins v Faisalabad Wolves
Player:	Inzamam-ul-Haq
Event:	ABN-AMRO Twenty-20 Cup 2004/05

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DateLine: 1st May 2005

 

Pakistan Cricket Board said it would turn the limited overs Twenty-20 tournament into a regular feature on the domestic calendar following the tremendous response from fans.

 

The first-ever twenty20 tournament in the country that ended late Saturday attracted a record crowd of some 30,000 at the Qaddafi stadium in Lahore.

 

Faisalabad won the tournament beating Karachi team by a narrow two-wicket margin.

 

Faisalabad, runners-up in Pakistans premier first class tournament earlier this year, won the final with a ball to spare after Karachi set them a target of 159 runs to win.

 

Twenty-20, the rapid version of the limited overs cricket in which both teams play 20 overs, was pioneered in England two years ago and proved a huge success in Pakistan with record crowds on the last two days.

 

"It was heartening to see such huge crowds. We would make the event a regular feature in Pakistan," PCB chief Shaharyar Khan said on Sunday.

 

Faisalabad received a trophy and a cash prize of 300,000 rupees (around 5,000 dollars) and runners-up Karachi pocketed 150,000 rupees.

 

Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, who did not play in the event due to back trouble, said the Twnety-20 event would make headway in future.

 

The event also tuned up some of the Pakistan players for their tour of the West Indies later this month where they play three one-day internationals and two Tests.

 

Pakistan's squad for the West Indian tour is likely to be announced on Monday.

(Article: Copyright © 2005 AFP)