KARACHI: Omar Associates women’s team, which shared the Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto T20 Cricket Trophy with Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL), was honoured with cash prizes by the management at reception here on Tuesday night.

Omar Associates and ZTBL were declared the joint winners of the championship after the final, played earlier this month at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, was abandoned midway through the match due to rains.

Speaking on the occasion, former PCB chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed complimented the girls for their excellent performances in the national event.

“Omar Associates women’s team is good addition on the national circuit and they deserved all the credit for reaching the final on their debut,” he said.

He expressed the hope in coming years, many women players from Omar Associates will be representing the national team and bring honour and glory to the country.

He praised the contribution of Nadeem Omar, managing director of Omar Associates, for promoting and sponsoring cricket at all levels.

Salahuddin said it was big step in patronising and promoting women’s cricket at the national level.

Each member of 17-player squad was presented a cash purse of Rs10,000 each, including captain Kainat Imtiaz.

A local cricket organiser Haji Ashraf also announced Rs5,000 for every member of the team.

Nadeem Omar also announced that the team would be touring Sri Lanka shortly for series of matches and training.

The reception was also attended by ex-Test paceman Jalaluddin, former first-class cricketers, KCCA zonal officials and cricket organisers.

Published in Dawn, May 22nd, 2014