Top players to feature in Pentagular Cup
The cream of the country’s talent will take part in the Pentangular Cup, due to begin in cities around Pakistan, from February 10.** For the first time in its 34-year-old history, only provincial teams will be competing for the prize, which includes Pakistan’s four provinces as well as a team representing the Federal Areas. **
Unusually for a domestic competition, the country’s top players are taking part, a result of the board’s policy to make it a tournament of the top 75 performers from the Quaid-e-Azam trophy. Additionally, 25 of the most promising young players from around the country have been called up to the squads.
Shoaib Malik, Pakistan’s captain, will lead Punjab, Shahid Afridi is Sindh’s captain, while Younis Khan leads the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP). Shoaib Akhtar, who is playing in a bid to prove his fitness before Australia tour Pakistan, will lead the Federal Areas, which includes players from Islamabad and surrounding regions. Balochistan, historically Pakistan’s weakest cricket province, will include guest players from around the country in a bid to strengthen the side and will be led by Naseem Khan.
The tournament has undergone a number of format changes, often including departments and not always restricted to - as the name suggests - five teams. This year’s tournament, however, is a return to how the tournament was originally intended and is among the most financially rewarding: not only do the winners claim a Rs 1 million prize (approx US$16,000), each member of the playing XI will be paid Rs 25,000 (approx US$400) per match. Non-playing members of the squad will get Rs 10,000 (approx US$160). The tournament will also be televised on a local sports channel.
There will be a short break after the first round of matches as general elections will be held in the country on February 18, but the four-day matches resume from February 22. The tournament, which kicks off with Sindh taking on NWFP in Karachi and Punjab playing the Federal Areas in Lahore, will be played on a single-league basis.
SOURCE: http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/pakistandomestic/content/story/335286.html
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