October 27, 2003	Monday	Sha’aban 30, 1424

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KARACHI, Oct 26: A record prize-money of Rs350,000 has been put for the 18th edition of Karachi Gymkhana (KG) Ramazan Cricket Festival despite the absence of renowned teams this year.

Prominent outfits like last year’s runners-up KESC and DHA will be bidding to play first-class cricket in the month-long inter-departmental qualifiers that begins on Monday.

Tapal CC, the reigning champions, are however likely to make their presence felt in the 16-team four-pool tournament, being sponsored by Habib Bank AG Zurich, beginning from Tuesday at the Karachi Gymkhana Ground. The event is slated to conclude on the 28th of Ramazan with the grand final.

Unveiling the details at a media briefing on Sunday, Dr Mumtaz A. Khan, honorary secretary cricket of the Karachi Gymkhana, said the winners of the 18th Karachi Gymkhana Habib Bank AG Zurich Ramazan Cricket Festival stands to gain Rs170,000 with the runners-up pocketing Rs85,000 and the losing semifinalists Rs10,000 each.

There are attractive individual cash awards on offer. Man-of-the-match in pool games will get Rs1,000 each, Rs2,000 in the semifinals and Rs3,000 in the final. The best batsman, bowler and wicket-keeper will earn Rs5,000 apiece while man-of-the-tournament stands to win Rs10,000.

Another salient feature this Ramazan is the presence of Talpur Sports, a side which hails from Hyderabad.

Pak Gymkhana meet Bed & Bath CC in the 25-overs-per-side opener on the Tuesday, the first of Ramazan, at 1.00pm. Matches on Friday will be curtailed to 22 overs per side, starting at 2.00pm.

The teams have been divided into the following groups:

Pool ‘A’: Baqai Dolphins, Pak Gymkhana, Bed & Bath CC, Asghar Ali Shah CC.

Pool ‘B’: Sui Southern Gas, A.O. Cricket Club, Sindh Police, Mohammad Hussain CC.

Pool ‘C’: Tapal CC, Godhra Sports, Al-Noor Gymkhana, Omar CC.

Pool ‘D’: Karachi Gymkhana Whites, Karachi Gymkhana Blues, Wheel & Wheel CC, Talpur Sports.