ISLAMABAD - All the arrangements have been finalised for holding Pakistan-Afghanistan Handicapped cricket teams three-match Twenty20 series to commence from July 13 at Shalimar cricket ground, said Ch Nasir, chief organiser of the series on Tuesday.
He said that negotiations with the series title sponsors Nadra-e-sahulat are going well and they hope that the deal will be finalised by today. They have had very constructive meeting with NTL CEO Tariq Malik, Saleem Rafique, GM Operations and Saad-ud-din DGM, NTL on Tuesday. He said pick and drop facility and provision of security had also been finalised. The PCAPH Chairman Abbas Hashmi along with Naveed Malik and Saeed Bhatti had a meeting with local administration and they have promised to provide the visiting Afghan team same kind of security that was provided to Indian team.
Nasir said they have also written a letter to Pakistan Cricket Board and informed them about our recent activities. He said that he was sure that PCB Chairman Ch Zaka Ashraf will look in to this matter and grant us the due affiliation.
Meanwhile talking with this correspondent manager of Pakistan team, Ajmal Sabir said they have learnt from our past mistakes against India as they have given special lectures to players and finds two spinners. Kashif Nawaz and Shaujaat Ali Muzaffar, two batsmen Saqib Inayat and Altaf Ahmed and a wicket-keeper batsman Abdul Wahid. Against Indians our top order performed well but middle order failure costs us the series. They are giving full attention to this particular area he hoped that team will perform well against Afghanistan and will win the series easily.
The series will start on Friday, with the first T20 will start at 1:00pm, Elite umpires Mirdar, Ch Saeed and Azhar Ayub would supervise the series, he said adding negotiations are also underway with prominent umpire Kokab Butt, who has promised to stand as umpire if his health allowed him.