IMRAN RETURNS TO BOOST PAKISTAN HOPES IN CATHAY PACIFIC/STANDARD CHARTERED HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL CRICKET SIXES
|
| Imran Nazir returns to lead a powerful Pakistan team at the Cathay Pacific / Standard Chartered Hong Kong International Cricket Sixes © Pakistan Cricket Board |
|
Hong Kong, October 12: Pakistan are going back to the future in an attempt to reassert their dominance at the Cathay Pacific/Standard Chartered Hong Kong International Cricket Sixes.
The four-time winners have confirmed a power-packed seven-man squad for the 12th edition of the world’s richest and most prestigious Sixes tournament at the Kowloon Cricket Club (KCC) on November 11-12.
Leading the team in the chase for the US$100,000 first prize will be Imran Nazir, an integral member of the triumphant Pakistan teams in 2001 and 2002 but absent last year when the Pakistanis failed to qualify for the Cup competition.
Also returning to the Hong Kong stage will be Naved Latif, the hero of the 2002 final defeat of England when he crashed 31, including a remarkable straight six off the back foot from a Chris Silverwood delivery.
Naved will be participating for the fifth year in succession and joins a squad that includes two others survivors from last year – young paceman Riaz Afridi and experienced all-rounder Yasir Arafat.
For the first time, Hong Kong Sixes crowds will also be able to marvel at the strokeplay of Hasan Raza, who made his Test debut in his mid-teens in 1996 and was a member of the Pakistan team that thrashed England by an innings in Lahore last December.
Completing the squad will be highly-rated 20-year-old wicket-keeper Zulqarnain Haider and fast-bowling all-rounder Tahir Mughal.
Given the strength of their squad, the Pakistanis are sure to be among the favourites in the nine-nation tournament that also includes Australia, England, Hong Kong, defending champions India, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka and West Indies.
Pakistan have been drawn in Pool 3 alongside Sri Lanka and Hong Kong. They will commence their fixtures against the hosts in the opening match of the tournament at 8.45 am on Saturday, November 11 and will take on Sri Lanka at 1.15 pm.
Clive Howard, Chairman of the Hong Kong Cricket Association (HKCA), said: "It's a formidable squad that Pakistan will be sending. They have an exceptional record in the Cathay Pacific/Standard Chartered Hong Kong International Cricket Sixes and I know they want to atone for last year when they were relegated to the Plate tournament.
"I'm sure they'll be a very difficult team to beat and that they'll provide tremendous entertainment for the fans."
Pakistan Squad: Hasan Raza; Imran Nazir (captain); Naved Latif; Riaz Afridi; Tahir Mughal; Yasir Arafat; Zulqarnain Haider.
Related Link:
The 2006 Cathay Pacific/Standard Chartered Hong Kong International Cricket Sixes will take place at Kowloon Cricket Club, 10 Cox's Road, Kowloon on November 11-12. Special tickets are priced at HK$550 and include reserved seating, a lunch box for both days of the event and an Official Programme. Two-day passes cost HK$300 for adults and HK$150 for children aged 14 and under, went on sale from Monday, October 9 at the following outlets: Hong Kong Cricket Association (Tel: 2504-8102); Kowloon Cricket Club (10 Cox's Road, Jordan, 2367-4141); Hong Kong Cricket Club (137 Wong Nai Chung Gap Road, Happy Valley, 2574-6266); Dot Cod Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar (Prince's Building, Central 2810-6988); The Viceroy (Wanchai 2827-7777); Gaylord Restaurant (Tsim Sha Tsui 2376-1001) and Bayside Brasserie (Stanley 2899-0818) . For further inquiries please visit www.hksixes.com or call 2504-8103.
Provided by the Hong Kong Cricket Association. For further information, please contact Charles Lau or Novan Tang at (852) 2504-8101. |
