KARACHI, July 22 The management of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) gave its approval to their sports department to feature in the Pakistan Premier Football League that kicks off from July 25.

Dawn learned about the latest development by Deputy General Manager Sports Shoaib Mohammad soon after his meeting with PIA's Director Administration Hanif Pathan on Wednesday morning.

“Yes, PIA will be playing in the tournament,” he said.

When asked if failing to hold the preparatory camp whereas the other 13 teams have been practising for the past month would affect the players' performances in the marathon event, he said “Well, I don't think it will be a problem. Having played in some six tournaments over the year, our players are in good practice.”

PIA play their first match against the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) on July 28.

Dawn had earlier been informed by reliable sources within the airline that they may have to forego the tournament due to budgetary problems.

Meanwhile, team manager Tariq Lutfi announced a 25-member squad for the event.

Squad

Nasarullah Khan (captain), Haji Mohammad (vice captain), Ali Ahsan, Nazir Ahmed, Saeed Ahmed, Shakir Lashari, Syed Sultan Ali, Zubair Moazam, Mohammad Irfan, Nadeem Tariq, Ali Adeem Shahzad, Bilal Ahmed, Abdul Jabbar, Mohammad Hanif, Waseemullah, Zeeshan Ali, Imran Khan, Abdul Ghaffar, Imran Abdullah, Abu Bakar, Adnan Abbasi.

Officials Tariq Lutfi (manager); Shamim Khan (coach); Naushad Baloch (assistant coach); Mohammad Khalid (kit man).