HOUSTON, May 4: Leading cricketers from eight nations will feature in the Second International Double Wicket to be staged in July this year in the Astrodome.

This was stated by Nizar Damani, CEO Sports World Wide Inc. at a press conference here.

Speaking on the occasion, Badar Rifaie, Secretary, USA Cricket Association lauded the efforts of the organizers and assured the USACA’s full support for the promotion of cricket in this region.

He hoped that with the participation of so many superstars cricket would get a great boost.

The winner would receive US$ 25,000 and the runners up would get $10,000. Semifinalists would be awarded $3000 each.

Some of the players who have confirmed their participation, are Wasim Akram, Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzak, Azhar Mahmood and Rashid Latif (Pakistan), Robin Singh and Nayan Mongia (India), Arvinda De Silva and Russel Arnold (Sri Lanka), Aminul Islam and Akram Khan (Bangladesh), S. Chanderpaul and R. Powell (West Indies).

The teams have been divided into two groups with pool A comprising Pakistan Blues, India Reds, West Indies, England and Canada while Pakistan Greens, India Blues, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and USA have been included in pool B.

During the tournament, 16 matches will be played in the qualifying rounds with each pair batting and bowling for eight overs.

The Semifinal will be of 20 overs with each pair bowling and batting for 10 overs. The final will be of 24 overs.