November 2, 2001	Friday	Shaba’an 15, 1422

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KARACHI, Nov 1: A new departmental cricket team Baqai Dolphins was formed Thursday but its constitution will certain raise several eyebrows.

The team, which has hired at least four Test cricketers and have attracted them by offering free education and medical facilities in Baqai Foundation, will play city level tournaments.

However, the interesting point is that besides the four Test players — Faisal Iqbal, Hasan Raza, Shadab Kabir and Danish Kaneria — some other boys are also employed in other departmental teams.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said it was a breach. “The boys cannot join another departmental team if they are already hired by an institution.

“The PCB will further probe the issue and take approperiate action,” Zakir Khan, manager operations, said from Lahore.

Faisal Iqbal is employed at PIA, Shadab is associated with Customs, Hasan and Danish are representing Habib Bank in the ongoing Patron’s Trophy. Barring Shadab, the rest are drawing attractive salaries.

A KCCA spokesman said Baqai Dolphins was not affiliated with the association and cannot participate in regular events. He, however, said Baqai Dolphins can only participate in unauthorized tournaments which are only held in Ramazan.

Squad: Dr Talha Siddique (captain), Hasan Raza (vice-captain), Shadab Kabir, Faisal Iqbal, Danish Kaneria, Aftab Ahmed, Dr Adeel Riaz, Faisal Mirza, Talha Khan, Javed Khan, Naveed Khan, Atif Maqbool, Mohammad Imran, Imranullah, Asad Bashir, Danish Kaleem, Amin Khatri, Rameez Ahmed, Faisal Waqar, Fazal Hussain, Faraz Ahmed, Tauqir Murtaza, Imran Farooq, Amjad Aman, Dr Khawja Atyab Arshad, Farhan Adil, Saeed bin Nasir and Asad Ahmed.