KARACHI, Sept 30: Pakistan cricket team which finished runners-up in the recently concludedTwenty20 World Cup in South Africa, was awarded with hefty cash prizes amounting to approximately Rs 130 million at a glittering ceremony at a posh hotel here on Sunday evening.

Each member of Pakistan team was awarded with cash prizes of Rs 6 million while a similar sum was announced as bonus for 20 centrally contracted “A” category players by the PCB chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf.

Ace batsman Mohammad Yousuf was presented another cheque of Rs six million for bagging the prestigious honour of the best Test batsman of year the year 2006 by the International Cricket Council earlier this month.

Dr. Ashraf, while announcing these awards and commending the performance of the team, said it was great commitment by Shoaib Malik’s young side which took them to the final and the whole nation was proud of their performance.

“It was their self-belief which took them into the final and a lot of credit goes to captain Shoaib Malik for the way he kept unity in the ranks of players and lefd them from the front,” Dr. Ashraf said.

He also complimented new Aussie coach Geoff Lawson for taking Pakistan team to the top. “He (Lawson) burst into tears after Pakistan went down fighting in the final and that shows how committed he already is to Pakistan cricket.”

Shoaib Malik, speaking on the occasion, said reaching the Twenty20 final was a great team effort and superb fighting spirit was shown by the team.

The role of the selection committee comprising Salahuddin Ahmed, Salim Jaffar and Shafqat Rana was also lauded by the chairman PCB and the three selectors were also given awards on the occasion.

The ceremony was conducted by famous compere Anwar Maqsood and was attended by the a large number of former Test cricketers, the KCCA officials and media persons.—APP