KARACHI  - The second edition of Pakistan Champions Cricket League explodes into action at different grounds of the city today (Monday) with 40 teams in the fray.
Besides 33 clubs from across the country, seven foreign clubs including national teams of Kuwait, Qatar and Afghan Youth team with clubs from Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Dragon Club Hong Kong are contesting in the 12-day cricket gala.
A lucrative purse of Rs 3.5 million will be at stake in the event. The winners of the event will grab Rs 1.8 million while runners-up will collect Rs 900, 000.
Matches are played at Rashid Latif Cricket Academy (RLCA) floodlight equipped grounds in Korangi, Gulberg. After league activity top two teams from each group will qualify for the last 16 rounds.
“This league will strengthen club cricket in Pakistan and create competitiveness, Rashid Latif said.     “This will be a major boost for the club cricketers from across Pakistan,” he said. We have taken the lead by staging some handsome prize money event.
He said top cricketers like Abdul Razzak, Yasir Hameed, Tanvir Ahmed and host of available international cricketers will be in action. “Matches under lights will provide good entertainment to the spectators,” he stated. He said dashing opener Imran Nazir may miss some matches because of the death of his father.
T&T Gymkhana Lahore, Pakistan Cricket Club, Khan Sports Hyderabad, Peshawar, Malir Gymkhana and Afghan Youth and Dragon Club Hong Kong are good teams and are front runners for the title.
The event is being staged with joint collaboration with Landhi/Korangi  Town administrations and Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI). MNA Syed Asif Hasnain is the Chief of the Organizing Committee.
The local administration is already made elaborate security arrangements for the team. Except for Kuwait and Qatar all the foreign teams have arrived in the city.
The Organizing Committee is providing, boarding, lodging and transport to all the foreign and outstation clubs.
Today’s fixtures:  Hong Kong vs National CC Lahore Aga Khan Gymkhana 10 am;. United Sports vs Landhi Friends Landhi Gymkhana Ground 10 am; Muslim CC Lahore vs Vital CC RLCA Gulberg 10 am; Korangi Al-Fateh vs Al-Noor Gymkhana 10 am. SST Dammam vs  Aga Gymkhana at AKG 2.00 pm; Ghori CC Hyderabad vs Tigers CC Tando Adam at RCLA Gulberg 4 pm;
Khan Sports Hyderabad vs M Hussain CC at RLCA UP 4 pm.
Afghan Youth CC vs Crescent CC Multan RLCA Korangi 8 pm;
Combined CC Faisalabad vs Dawood Sports RLCA UP 8 pm;
P&T Gymkhana Lahore vs CA Sports Sialkot 2 pm;  Riyadh CA vs Peshawar Club RLCA Korangi 4 pm; Phoenix CC UEA vs  Khyber Greens FATA RCLA Gulberg 8 pm.