KARACHI, July 20: For the first time in the long history of the Karachi Gymkhana Ramazan Cricket Festival the knockout matches will be telecast live by Pakistan Television (PTV), who this year are the main sponsor of the 27th edition of the popular tournament.

The quarter-finals, semi-finals and the finals will be shown by PTV Sports after the end of the preliminary round matches on Aug 10.

The announcement of the event was delayed until Friday because the organisers were waiting for the NOC from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) before unveiling the details of the forthcoming tournament at the press briefing at the Karachi Gymkhana premises.

Omar CC will be defending their title in the 16-team event which will be played for the New Clear Trophy this time with Advance Telecom taking on Group ‘D’ rivals United Bank Limited (UBL) in the opening match on Saturday.

According to the organisers, the total prize money has been raised by about 10 per cent as compared to last year when Rs 820,000 were given away. This time the teams will be competing for a total purse of Rs 949,000 with the winners set to earn Rs 450,000, the runners-up Rs 250,000 and Rs 90,000 each to the two losing semi-finalists.

The rest of the sum will be disbursed in the shape of individual cash awards, including Rs 25,000 set aside for the Man-of-the-Tournament and Rs 15,000 apiece for the Man-of-the-Final, the best batsman, bowler, wicket-keeper and fielder.

Ali A. Rahim, the Karachi Gymkhana president, expressed the hope that the tournament will be free of any controversy and conducted in a cordial atmosphere.

On this occasion, a message from PTV managing director, Yousuf Baig Mirza, was read by a representative from the state-run organization.

The programme was conducted by Dr Mumtaz A. Khan, the KG convener sports and the chairman of tournament committee, while Mian Shaukat Hussain offered vote of thanks. Also present were international umpire Riazuddin, Altaf H. Agha and Dr Asjad Iqbal.

Following are the pools:

Group ‘A’: Karachi Gymkhana, Mohammad Hussain CC, Medicam CC, Eaton CC. Group ‘B’: Omar CC, Tapal CC, Faisal Gymkhana, Southend Club. Group ‘C’: KESC, Karachi Stars, Dollar East, Mulaqatiyar CC. Group ‘D’: Vital Five CC, AO CC, United Bank, Advance Telecom.