KARACHI, June 29 The inaugural NBP Inter-Academy Under-16 and U-19 Cricket Tournament will commence at the NBP Sports Complex Ground from Wednesday.

Teams from Customs, Karachi Gymkhana, NBP and UBL academies will be taking part in the event, Chief Organizers and former Test cricketer Jalaluddin told a joint news conference alongwith NBP Sports Chief Iqbal Qasim here on Tuesday.

NBP Academy U-16 will take on Karachi Gymkhana in the opening match of the competition on Wednesday, conducted by Customs Cricket Academy (CCA).

“The basic aim of holding these two age group events is to prepare quality and sound cricketers for the future,” Jalal, one of the most qualified coaches in the country, said. He said the matches will be played on double league basis at home and away basis. “Creating competitiveness is our main mission,” said Jalauddin.

Former Pakistan left-arm spinner Iqbal Qasim appreciated the efforts of Jalaluddin and the Customs Cricket Academy in initiating this kind of a tournament.

An organizing committee headed by Jalaluddin and six members including Mansoor Akhtar (UBL), Anwar Khan and Anwar Farooqi (NBP), Khurram Munoo (KG), Ataullah (Vital-V Club) and Waqar Hussain (CCA) has been put in place to conduct the event in a smooth manner.

Former Test umpire Mahboob Shah, Jalaluddin, Anwar Khan and Test umpire Riazuddin are the members of technical committee.—APP