LAHORE,Jan 8: A pairs of the eight Test-playing countries will participate in the second International Floodlit Double-wicket Cricket Tournament, to be held at the Qadhafi Stadium from April 26 to 29. In a Press conference, addressed jointly by Akbar Saeed and Abbas Kazim, it was revealed that prize-money for the competition had been increased from US $ 15,000 to $ 30,000. Teams from Australia, India, South Africa, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, England and host Pakistan will take part in the four-day competition.
While replying to a question, Abbas Kazim said that the West Indies Cricket Control Board (WICCB), had showed inability to send its pair of cricketers for the prestigious contest due to pre-occupation of all the national players in domestic cricket.
``Of course, players in Britain will also be busy in the All-England County Cricket Championship and other competitions like the Natwest Trophy and Sunday League during that period, but I have been assured that a pair of reputed players will be sent to Pakistan to take part in the International Double-Wicket Cricket Tournament.'' said Abbas Kazim. Akbar Saeed said that success of the first tournament held in 1997, had encouraged his organisation to organise the second one in a befitting manner. He promised to provide adequate facilities to spectators and better terms to the participating players so that every one should take pleasure from it just as one enjoys the ``carnivals''.
It has been decided to have a panel of top Pakistani umpires for the four-day competition. The organisers will be more choosy in picking fielders for the matches from all over the country.
``The fielders will also be encouraged by giving handsome cash awards to the best fielder of every match and also the best fielder of the tournament,'' said Abbas Kazim while replying to another.
This year, matches will begin daily at 5:30 pm. Playing time of matches, change-over time for batting of each pair and time between matches will be enhanced. Each match will start 10 minutes after conclusion of previous match. Everyday, total playing time is being increased to five-and-a-half hours. Every evening the dinner-break will be of half-an-hour. Every care will be taken for entertainment of spectators. The eight pairs of the eight Test-playing nations will be divided into two groups. The tournament will again be played on around-robin league system. The top two teams of each pool will qualify for the semi-finals to be played in a criss-cross fashion.
Six matches will be played in both the pools. Twelve matches will be organised on the first three days. Every day four matches will be held. In both semi-finals, each pair will bowl eight overs, while during the final both the pairs will bowl 10 overs each. `` The Man-of-the-Match'' awards will be given at the conclusion of two matches daily. The final will be followed by a colourful closing ceremony in which the ``Man-of-the-Final'' award will be given. The champion pair will get a beautiful trophy and handsome cash award.
Last year, Pakistan's aggressive stroke-player Aaqib Javed had won the first International Double-Wicket Cricket Tournament. This year, in all probability, Shahid Afridi will pair with promising all-rounder Azhar Mahmood to represent Pakistan.