LAHORE – President Lahore City Cricket Association Khawaja Nadeem Ahmad inaugurated the Punjab Chief Minister’s Summer Cricket League today. Nadeem was of the view that the league will help in identifying talented player besides formulating performance-based criteria for the selection of Lahore’s team to take part in PCB’s domestic tournaments. “We have picked 15 grounds for the event in order to revive club cricket on the pattern of summer leagues of yester years,” said Nadeem. He said a total of 550 matches will be played during three to five month’s time in the league.
The affiliated zones of LCCA have different pools to accommodate their respective teams in the league. East Zone teams have been placed in six pools, West in six pools and North in five. “From each zone, six top teams will qualify for the super league of the event and forty players will be selected to form two teams for Lahore and will get LCCA central contracts. PCB will extend financial assistance for the three categories of Rs 20 thousand, Rs 15 thousand and Rs 10 thousand,” said Nadeem.
The LCCA chief said Rs three million were required to organise the summer league and they will be approaching the Punjab government to request financial assistance besides seeking sponsorship from private sector. He observed that Lahore’s club cricket was badly neglected in the past owing to various reasons and vowed to lift it out of the present gloom. “In our one year performance, we have done a lot to put Lahore’s cricket back on the track and due to sheer hard work and planning, Lahore has made an impression by winning three national level tournaments.”
He added that the league was an ideal opportunity for youngsters to show their talent and potential. “Our sole objective is to launch collective efforts for the betterment of Lahore cricket and I am delighted that all the three zones are extending full support and cooperation in this regard,” said Nadeem.
