MEDIA RELEASE

PAKISTAN TOP SEEDS FOR 2003 CATHAY PACIFIC/STANDARD CHARTERED HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL CRICKET SIXES

HONG KONG, September 23: Pakistan will tackle arch-rivals India and hosts Hong Kong in the pool stage as they embark on their bid for an unprecedented third successive triumph in the 2003 Cathay Pacific/Standard Chartered Hong Kong International Cricket Sixes.

The defending champions and raging pre-tournament favourites have been drawn in Pool 1 in the ninth edition of the world's premier Sixes tournament that will be hosted by the Kowloon Cricket Club on November 1-2 and boasts a prize fund of US$260,000.

Pakistan, who defeated India in the Cup semi-final last year, will commence their 2003 campaign with a match against New Zealand, who are making their first appearance in the tournament since 1996.

Assuming they emerge unscathed from that encounter they will be able to ensure their place in the last four of the Cup competition by overcoming India on Saturday afternoon. (November 1). They complete the first stage with a contest against Hong Kong on Sunday morning (November).

Meanwhile, England, last year's runners-up, have been drawn in Pool 2 where they will face strong opposition from South Africa, Sri Lanka and tournament debutants Kenya.

"With Pakistan taking on India and England facing South Africa in the pool stage, it offers a mouth-watering prospect for the opening day of the 2003 Cathay Pacific/Standard Chartered Hong Kong International Cricket Sixes," said Sunil Gavaskar, the great Indian batsman, reacting to the draw.

"Given their recent record in the tournament, you would have to say that Pakistan will be the team to beat, but in this exciting form of cricket it's quite possible that there could be an upset," said Gavaskar.

Mike Walsh, chairman of the Hong Kong Cricket Association (HKCA), said that the draw was based on seedings from the last two editions of the Sixes. For Kenya and New Zealand, who have not participated during that time, their performances at the last World Cup were taken into consideration.

As expected, Pakistan are top seeds with two-time Sixes champions England seeded second, followed by South Africa, India, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Kenya and New Zealand.

"The Cathay Pacific/Standard Chartered Hong Kong International Cricket Sixes is firmly established as the leading event of its kind in the world and we're confident that the 2003 edition will prove to be the best yet," said Walsh.

Sunil Gavaskar announces the draw for the 2003 Cathay Pacific/Standard Chartered Hong Kong Cricket Sixes. Copyright © CCIL

All smiles at the draw for the 2003 Cathay Pacific/Standard Chartered Hong Kong Cricket Sixes. Copyright © CCIL

Tickets for the 2003 Cathay Pacific/Standard Chartered Hong Kong International Cricket Sixes are selling fast. 'Early bird' two-day ticket prices have been set at HK$300 for adults and HK$150 for children aged 15 years and younger. After October 17, the prices will increase to HK$380 for adults and HK$200 for children.

Games are played in five-over innings, with each team member, other than the wicket-keeper, bowling one over. The eight competing teams are split into two groups of four and play each other on a round-robin basis on day one.

The top two teams in each pool progress to the Cup competition knockout stages, while the bottom two teams in each of the pools compete for the Plate.The 2003 Cathay Pacific/Standard Chartered Hong Kong International Cricket Sixes will take place at Kowloon Cricket Club, 10 Cox's Road, Kowloon on November 1-2. Early bird two-day passes cost HK$300 for adults and HK$150 for children aged 15 years and younger, and are on sale through Cityline (www.cityline.com.hk) as well as at the following outlets:

• Hong Kong Cricket Club (137 Wong Nai Chung Gap Road, Happy Valley, 2574 6266);
• Kowloon Cricket Club (10 Cox's Road, Jordan, 2367 4141);
• Dot Cod Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar (Prince's Building, Central 2810 6988);
• Hong Kong Cricket Association (Room 1019 Sports House, 1 Stadium Path, So Kon Po, 2504 8102).

Provided by CCIL/Hong Kong Cricket Association. For further information, please contact Danny Lai at (852) 2504-8102.