KARACHI: The NBP Blind Cricket Trophy T20 Grade-II leg will be held in the metropolis from Monday Feb 8-12 at Dr. Muhammad Ali Shah Sports Complex, Karsaz and Afzaal Cricket Ground, Nagan Chowrangi. Eight teams will participate in the Grade II event.

Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) and NBP officials on Saturday announced the schedule of the trophy during a joint press conference held at the Karachi Press Club Karachi.

The Captains of all eight participating teams namely Karachi, Abbottabd, Hyderabad, Faisalabad, Multan, Quetta, Sargodha and Sheikhopura were also present there along with officials of NBP and PBCC as the trophy was unveiled.

Syed Sultan Shah (Chairman PBCC), Syed Salman Bokhari Director Cricket Operations PBCC, Mirza Babur Baig (EVP CSR & SDD NBP), Salman Bukhari and Imran Ahmad Sheikh, Director Information and Co-ordination PBCC addressed the media.

Syed Sultan Shah, Chairman PBCC thanked NBP for its long standing support for blind cricket. “Their initiative help us promote blind cricket all over the the country. We started this event with four teams and this edition starting on Monday has 16 teams participating in the event.,” he said.

Mirza Babur Baig, speaking on the ocassion, said: “Cricket is venerated as passion in Pakistan, played far and widely. NBP appreciates the phenomenal achievements of the Pakistan Blind Cricket team on winning numerous International bilateral series and being two times world champions,” said Mirza Babur Baig. “Our support to blind cricket council will continue in future too.”

Junaid Iqbal Officer (CSRD) NBP and Asif Azeem, Media Advisor, Pakistan Olympics, were also present on the occasion.

Imran Ahmad Sheikh, Director Information and Co-ordination PBCC briefed the media about the tournament qualifying. “NBP T-20 Blind Cricket trophy Grade-2 leg of the event will begin first in Karachi from Feb 8-12 in which eight teams will compete for the trophy. Whereas, the Grade-1 will take place in Attock from Feb 27 to March 3, 2021 comprising eight teams.

Published in Dawn, February 7th, 2021