SAHIWAL: Eleven groundsmen and a dozen of ground staff are working day and night to prepare two international pitches and a lush green outfield for the three-match Pakistan-West Indies ODI series at the Multan Cricket Stadium (MCS) on June 8, 10 and 12.

The stadium will host matches after 14 years as the last match was played between Bangladesh and Pakistan in 2008.

Khwaja Muhammad Anees, chairman of the South Punjab Cricket Association (SPCA), told Dawn it would be a great opportunity for cricket fans of south Punjab to see matches here. The stadium has a seating capacity of 22,000 with more than 12 enclosures. It hosted the 2019 PSL matches.

Head Groundsman Muhammad Riaz said they had to get the ground and pitches ready by June 6 because both teams would hold a two-day practice session at the venue.

The SPCA has identified six fast bowlers and as many spinners who will give net practice to both Pakistan and West Indies players.

CCTV screens will be installed both inside and outside the venue and a central security room will be established.

Sources say security arrangements will be done by police, law enforcement agencies and the Pakistan Army.

Locals say there is a lot of enthusiasm for cricket in south Punjab, which will attract spectators to watch day and night matches at the stadium.

feared drowned: It is being feared that two women drowned in the Lower Bari Doab Canal (LBDC) while washing clothes near Sharif Colony.

According to Rescue 1122 officials, Uzma Bibi (26) and Shahnaz Bibi (28), both residents of Sharif Colony came to the LBDC for washing clothes.

As they were washing clothes on the left bank of the LBDC, Uzma lost her balance and fell into the canal. When Shehnaz tried to rescue her, she too fell into the canal, they said. Some passersby rushed to save the women, but they failed to find them in the fast current of canal water.

On being informed of the incident, a team of Rescue 1122 divers reached to the spot and started a search operation that continued for around seven hours, but of no avail.

District Emergency Officer Dr Khalid Abdullah told Dawn that the operation would be continued on Wednesday (tomorrow).

Published in Dawn, June 1st, 2022