Head coaches, managers laud National T20 Cup arrangements
Last updated on: 19 October,2020 02:41 pm
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa beat Southern Punjab by 10 runs in the National T20 Cup final.
RAWALPINDI (Dunya News) – The first major event of the 2020-21 domestic season concluded on Sunday as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recorded a 10-run win against Southern Punjab in the final of the National T20 Cup for First XI teams at the Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi.
The tournament was played in a bio-secure bubble and the Pakistan Cricket Board has robust plans in place to continue to host cricket this season in it to ensure health and safety of all the major stakeholders in these challenging and unprecedented times.
Read also: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa crowned National T20 champions
Over the course of the double-league tournament, the participating teams and match officials were lodged in Pakistan’s top-rated hotels where they availed top-notch food and gym facilities. The players were also provided indoor games to keep them entertained during their stay in the bio-secure bubble.
Officials of all six teams expressed their satisfaction at the arrangements while lauding PCB’s and the hotel staff’s tireless efforts of making their stay a pleasant one.
Balochistan assistant coach, Wasim Haider: “It was indeed a very difficult task to organise a tournament in the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic and the uncertainty it has caused around the world. PCB did a commendable job by ensuring a top-class tournament with the best possible facilities while keeping the health and safety of all participants paramount.”
Central Punjab team manager, Azhar Zaidi: “PCB needs to be credited for a wonderful effort in arranging a bio-secure bubble and ensuring a quality tournament. PCB management was also present at various stages during the tournament, which provided a real assurance to the players, coaches and all concerned. The arrangements in these unprecedented and tough times were indeed a big challenge and the PCB succeeded in pulling it off.”
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa head coach, Abdul Razzaq: “I have been involved in domestic cricket for nearly 25 years and have played all across Pakistan. The arrangements for this season have been terrific; I have not seen such quality arrangements for domestic cricket ever. We were lodged in quality hotels, provided quality food and good training facilities. In the prevailing situation, we have managed to produce an exciting tournament in a real comfortable environment.”
Northern head coach, Mohammad Wasim: “PCB has provided top-class facilities to all the participants of the tournament. The accommodation and gym facilities were indeed of the highest quality, which made our stay a real pleasant one. PCB went all out to support us and I am thankful to them for making it a memorable experience for us.”
Sindh head coach, Basit Ali: “The first two to three days in the lead-up to the tournament were a bit difficult for us but soon we realised that all the arrangements in place were for our safety and health and that gave us immense comfort. I am grateful and want to thank Director – High Performance, Nadeem Khan, his team and the PCB management for making it a thoroughly enjoyable experience for all of us. We stayed like a family during the tournament which really helped us concentrate on the actual competition.”
Southern Punjab head coach, Abdur Rehman: “The quality arrangements we have been provided by PCB for this tournament are indeed praiseworthy. The standard of cricket and the competitiveness between the six teams was great to watch. We were provided quality playing and training kits, good food, training facilities and entertainment options at the hotel which helped the players stay fresh in their minds while focusing on performing during the tournament.”
Southern Punjab assistant coach, Aizaz Cheema: “Health and safety is a top priority and without a doubt PCB has kept that as a top priority. We were provided excellent arrangements which kept the players focused on the job at hand while providing them the comforts of the highest quality, the bio-secure arrangements were indeed top-class too. We have thoroughly enjoyed our stay and run in the tournament.”