KARACHI: Vital Five, one of Pakistan’s most efficient and successful cricket clubs, will be competing in the inaugural KL Titans International Champions Trophy T20 cricket tournament which is being held in Kuala Lumpur from Dec 16-31, their management announced in a press conference at Karachi Gymkhana on Wednesday.

Besides V5, a number of club teams from Pakistan, India, hosts Malaysia and other Asian nations are also participating in the tournament.

Former Test cricketer and one of country’s most qualified coaches, Jalaluddin, who has been the main force behind the grooming of Vital Five club teams, will be accompanying the outfit as head coach.

Elaborating on the tour Jalal said: “It has been our endeavour to set high benchmark at the Vital Five club and this tour to Malaysia has been arranged to give exposure to the club players who are talented enough to win it.”

Former captain and Pakistan’s most prolific Test batsman Younis Khan, who was the guest of honour, said he himself had started his cricket from club level and is delighted to see the club sending their team to KL Titans events. “I have always admired and supported Vital Five for their hardwork and this tour is proof of that,” he said.

Club chairman Javed Reza said V5 boasts top class facilities and has four teams including the seniors, the women’s team, under-15 outfit and the Colts team in its ranks within a short span of just three years.

Khalil Masood, the club’s founder, said he had established it with the sole aim that youngster will benefit from it and will represent the country one day. Also present on the occasion were current Test middle-order batsman Asad Shafiq, former first-class players Haris Khan, Saghir Abbas, Anwar-ul-Haq and others.

Squad: Faheem Ahmed (captain), Hasan Mahmood (vice-captain), Saad Alam, Ali Imran Zaidi, Akber Baber, Shaharyar Rizvi, Yasir Hussain, Waqar Anwer, Hamza Ansari, Ansar Mushtaq, Huzaifa Hussain, Arsalan Hussain, Sheharyar Tanveer, Ammar Khan, Khurram Shahzad.

Published in Dawn, December 21st, 2017