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Five year contract to organise T20 tournaments in Canada
TORONTO, Oct 12 2008- The organsiers of Toronto T-20 cricket tournament has signed a five year contract with Cricket Canada (CC) to organise high profile cricket tournaments here in summer season.
“ It is a step forward to promote cricket in Canada and we will be having such cricket events in which world best teams including Pakistan, India, South Africa or other teams are playing depending on their availability “,said Imran Khan, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai based Al-Barakah Properties at a news conference on Sunday along with Nauman Nabi Ahmad, Chairman, Sports Marketing International (SIM) here on Sunday.
Imran Khan said Canada has a good potential of development of cricket and in recent years cricket has taken tremendous boost here with the holding of international matches among teams like West Indies, Bermuda and Canada.
“ After five regular editions of Twnety20 cricket tournament cricket will be at its peak here in North America and we just don’t want to restrict the span of our activities here, we have some plans in pipe line to have similar events in other parts of the world including Dubai and America “,he asserted.
CEO of Al-Barakah said it is a matter of pride that two former world champions Pak and Lanka are playing in a T20 tournament and people are taking keen interest in it despite that fact that it is being played in the beginning of winters.
“ International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved our future activity plan and we are in hands with hands with (CC) to promote cricket here under a long term plan through such events “,he added.
“ From May till August we have ideal weather for international cricket tournaments and we will be organising our events in these months to attract crowd from all over the world “, he said.
He said former chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board, Dr Nasim Ashraf conceived the idea of having this tournament in Canada and they are thankful to him and the PCB for their endeavour to help promote cricket in Canada.
“ Changes take place every where in every cricket board and we look to similar cooperation to PCB to guide us in the development of cricket “, he said.
Imran Khan said the presence of Pakistan cricket team is a big encouragement for (CC) and he anticipates a better future of the game in North America. “ Its not only Canada , cricket is being liked and loved in America as well and we will like to organise T20 tournaments in different parts of America in future “.
Nauman Nabi Ahmad speaking on the occasion said efforts would be made to built a permanent stadium in Toronto as make shift stadium are difficult to erect and hopefully in next few years a stadium catering the needs of spectators and modern day cricket will be built to have a platform for the holding of international competitions.
“ We were just handed over a ground and we created all necessary ICC approved facilities to turn this dream into reality and today we are watching thrilling cricket here “,he said.
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Butt holds Pakistan together
TORONTO 10 Oct 2008:Pakistan were thankful for the efforts of Salman Butt as his 74 off 56 balls lifted them to 137 for 7 in their opening match of the T20 Canada event, against the hosts, at King City. Pakistan struggled for momentum on a tricky pitch, however Butt bided his time and gave the innings a late kick. But three wickets apiece for Umar Bhatti and Harvir Baidwan mean a major upset isn't out of the question.
Canada were far from disgraced as they held the innings under control. At the halfway mark Pakistan were barely scoring at a run-a-ball and shortly after captain Shoaib Malik was bowled as he gave himself room, leaving Pakistan 63 for 3.
Runs were hard to come by after a brisk start from Butt. Shoaib Khan, making his debut, fell in the fourth over to Bhatti and Younis Khan couldn't find the boundary in his 19-ball effort. Younis eventually pulled a catch to deep square-leg as Canada's tight bowling brought rewards.
With the innings stuttering, Butt took over and was the commanding presence in a fourth-wicket stand of 64 in seven overs with Misbah-ul-Haq. With overs running out Butt began to play his shots, passing fifty off 48 balls with a six off Balaji Rao and taking 17 off an over from Sunil Dhaniram.
Baidwan prevented further late damage, removing Butt and Misbah with consecutive balls of the 19th over, as Canada finished with a late surge of wickets to boost their confidence heading into the run chase.
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