Defending champions Federal Areas will be joined by the four provincial sides in the Pakistan Cup 2019 one-day tournament, which will be held at the Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi, from April 2-12. The opening fixture will be between Punjab and Balochistan, who will be captained by Kamran Akmal and Asad Shafiq, respectively. Mohammad Rizwan-led Federal Areas will open their title defence on Wednesday (April 3), against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, who will be captained by Salman Butt. Sindh is the other side in the tournament, who will be led by former Test fast bowler Umar Gul. General Manager Domestic Cricket PCB Shafiq Ahmed said that Pakistan Cup was a great opportunity for players and fans of cricket in Rawalpindi, “The players who do well can come into consideration for a World Cup spot, I also request the people of Rawalpindi and Islamabad to turn up in big numbers and support a top-class tournament.”
Mohammad Nawaz, who represented Federal Areas in the trophy launch in place of Mohammad Rizwan (who will join the squad on April 3 after his return from UAE where he represented Pakistan in the ODI series against Australia), said that his team were equipped to complete a hat-trick of titles. “Federal Areas have done very well in the tournament. This time around, we again have a formidable line-up led by our inform captain Mohammad Rizwan, I am confident that our team can win another title,” Nawaz said.
Balochistan captain Asad Shafiq expressed his excitement at the opportunity of leading the Balochistan side, saying his team were well-balanced and had a good combination for the 50-over format. “We have a very good team, especially for the 50 overs format. The tournament is a big opportunity for all the players to prove their worth at a big stage.” Asad said.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa captain Salman Butt spoke about the pride of leading his side in the tournament. “It’s an honour to lead the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa team in what is a prestigious tournament. Pakistan Cup is a very competitive event and I am looking forward to gelling-in with my players. We are hoping to give our best and eyeing a win,” he said. Punjab captain Kamran Akmal backed his squad’s potential of lifting the trophy. Sindh captain Umar Gul was hopeful of creating history and leading his side to their maiden title.
The five sides for the 2019 tournament have been chosen by the national selection committee, which is headed by Inzamam-ul-Haq. Players who have been playing regular and consistent cricket for the Pakistan cricket team have not been included as part of the selectors’ policy of providing them sufficient rest prior to the tour of England, which will immediately be followed by the all-important ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. The tournament carries a total prize money of PRK3.5 million with the winner collecting PKR2 million. The losing finalist will get PKR1 million, while player of the league matches will get PKR25,000 each. The best batsman, bowler, all-rounder and player of the final will receive PKR100,000 each. The PCB, as part of its strategy to further give incentives in domestic cricket, has enhanced the match fee of each player from PKR33,000 to PKR 35,000.
Squads:
Balochistan
Asad Shafiq (captain); Ali Imran; Ammad Butt; Awais Zia; Bismillah Khan (WK); Fawad Alam; Ghulam Mudassar; Haris Rauf; Mohammad Irfan Sr; Qaiser Ashraf; Taj Wali; Umar Khan; Umer Akmal; Waqar Hussain (WK) and Zeeshan Ashraf
Federal Areas
Mohammad Rizwan (WK, captain); Ahmed Shehzad; Asad Afridi; Bilal Asif; Israrullah; Khurram Shahzad; Mohammad Nawaz; Nihal Mansoor; Ramiz Raja Jr; Sadaf Hussain; Sameen Gul; Saud Shakil; Sohaib Maqsood; Waqas Maqsood and Zia-ul-Haq
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Salman Butt (captain); Abid Ali; Adil Amin; Adnan Akmal (WK); Faizan Riaz; Khushdil Shah; Mohammad Irfan; Mohammad Irfan Jr; Mohammad Saad; Sohail Khan; Musa Khan; Umaid Asif; Wahab Riaz; Zeeshan Malik and Zohaib Khan
Punjab squad
Kamran Akmal (WK, captain); Bilawal Bhatti; Ehsan Adil; Fahad Iqbal; Hussain Talat; Iftikhar Ahmed; Kashif Bhatti; Khurram Manzoor; Mohammad Asghar; Mohammad Sami; Ramiz Aziz; Saad Ali; Sami Aslam; Sohail Tanveer and Waleed Ahmed
Sindh
Umar Gul (captain); Ahsan Ali; Aamer Yamin; Ashiq Ali; Asif Ali; Hammad Azam; Imran Rafiq; Junaid Khan, Mohammad Hassan (WK); Mohammad Ilyas; Nauman Ali; Rahat Ali; Sahibzada Farhan; Umar Amin and Umar Siddiq (WK).