LAHORE, Oct 7: Nine cyclists were picked after the first phase of trials at the Lahore Canal for finalising the Pakistan team for the second Saarc cycling championship.

The competition is scheduled to be held in New Delhi from Dec 3 to 8.

The selection committee headed by Idrees Haider Khawaja picked Haroon Rashid, Dilsher Ali, Amjad Ali, Zulifqar Ali, Azmat Ali, Malik Muhammad Bashir, Sakhwaat Ali, Abid Husain and Mohammad Afzal.

The final team of 12 cyclists which comprises six males as well as six females would be finalised at the conclusion of the national cycling championship to be held here from Nov 5. The nine selected cyclists will be shortlisted to six  while all the six women will be picked from the national championship.

He said that the federation had written a letter to the PSB to grant permission for the participation in the event but the clearance was yet to be received.

Tour de Pakistan postponed.

The PCF secretary said that the Tour de Pakistan race which was to be held from Oct 22 to Nov 3 has been postponed because no foreign country team was taking part.