LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has not named top umpire Aleem Dar to supervise matches of the Pakistan Cup, starting at the Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad on April 19.
The name of Ahmed Shahab is also not included in the panel of umpires.
Aleem, who has officiated 100 Test matches, is in the country but the PCB does not want the services of the top umpire for the prestigious event.
Each of the five teams will play four league matches before two top teams qualify for the final, to be played on May 1.
While the PCB has raised remunerations for the players, it has so far not shown generosity towards match officials like umpires, referees and scorers.
Recently appointed Pakistan T20 captain Sarfraz Ahmad, who will lead the Sindh team, said, “We have a great chance to polish our 50-over skills before the start of a long season ahead.”
National ODI captain Azhar Ali, who is leading the Balochistan side, also threw his weight behind the tournament.
“Pakistan Cup is going to provide quality entertainment to cricket fans. All five squads are evenly balanced and this will ensure competitive cricket,” stated Azhar.
Fixtures (field umpires, TV Umpires, referees):
April 19: Punjab vs Balochistan (Ahsan Raza, Khalid Mehmood, Asif Yaqoob, Mussadaq Rasool).
April 20: KP vs Islamabad (Shozab Raza, Rashid Riaz, M. Sajid, Aziz-ur-Rehman).
April 21: Sindh vs Balochistan (Ghaffar Kazmi, Khalid Mehmood, Ahsan Raza, Aziz-ur-Rehman).
April 22: Punjab vs KP (Riazuddin, M. Sajid, Shozab Raza, Aziz-ur-Rehman).
April 23: Sindh vs Islamabad (Ahsan Raza, Asif Yaqoob, Khalid Mehmood, Aziz-ur-Rehman).
April 24: KP vs Balochistan (Shozab Raza, Rashid Riaz, Riazuddin, Mussadaq Rasool).
April 25: Punjab vs Islamabad (Ghaffar Kazmi, Khalid Mehmood, Asif Yaqoob, Mussadaq Rasool).
April 27: Sindh vs KP (Shozab Raza, Asif Yaqoob, Riazuddin, M. Anees).
April 28: Balochistan vs Islamabad (Ahsan Raza, Ghaffar Kazmi, Shozab Raza, M. Anees).
April 29: Punjab vs Sindh (Rashid Riaz, Riazuddin, M. Sajid, M. Anees).
May 1: Final (Ahsan Raza, Shozab Raza, Asif Yaqoob, Mussadaq Rasool).
Published in Dawn, April 16th, 2016