ISLAMABAD, May 18: A record 72 teams are to compete in the Inter-City cricket championship which opens on May 23 at venues in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

The tournament offers Rs 120,000 in prize money with the winning team picking up Rs 25,000 and the runners-up getting Rs 15,000.

Shakil Shaikh, president of Islamabad Cricket Association giving details of the tournament said that there will be 37 clubs from Islamabad on show and another 35 from Rawalpindi.

The teams have been divided into four pools with the champion team of Islamabad to face off the Rawalpindi winner that will decide the overall champions.

On the opening day Mehran and Classic Clubs of Islamabad will set the championship

rolling while in Rawalpindi

Aks County are to take on Shaheen.

The pools: A-Diamond, National, Model Town, Muslim, P&T, Millat, Majid Memorial, Islamabad Greeners and Young Capital.

B-Eleven Star, Lucky Star, Azam, Imran Memorial, Evan, Junoon, Asif Memorial, Lashings and Islamabad Hawks.

C-CDA, Mehran, Classic, Shaheen, Rawal Town, CRA, Hassan Memorial, King's Gymkhana and All Youngstars

D-Punjab, Ghouri, Al-Fateh, Islamabad Gymkhana, All Luckystars, Al-Muslim, Essco, Quaid-e-Azam and Margalla.