Sports Board Punjab (SBP) cricket team outplayed Sports Journalists XI by a huge margin of eight wickets in an exhibition cricket match played in connection with Independence Day celebrations at LCCA cricket ground here on Tuesday.
Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh, who was the chief guest on this occasion, unveiled the trophy before the match. He was also introduced to all the players and officials of both the cricket teams on this occasion. He also distributed prizes among top performers.
Director Sports Hafeez Bhatti, Deputy Director Chand Perveen, Tariq Wattoo, Zahoor Ahmed, Assistant Director Raees ur Rehman, Sports Journalists Association of Lahore (SJAL) President Aqeel Ahmed, Secretary Ashraf Ch and a large number of print and electronic media personnel were also present on this occasion.
While talking to media, Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh lauded the positive role of media for the promotion of sports culture across the province. “No sports can grow without the active participation of print and electronic media. We have given special significance to the media in Punjab’s first ever Sports Policy as a major stakeholder,” he added.
Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh said its media which conveyed every aspect of an event to the masses. “The excellent coordination of Sports Board Punjab and Sports Journalists Association of Lahore (SJAL) will continue in future as well,” he added.
Replying to a query, Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh said Sports Board Punjab is organising competitions of nine outdoor games to celebrate Independence Day of the country in a befitting manner. “A couple of days ago we organized a 2-day Independence Day Archery Championship in Murree, a gymnastic competition outside Nishtar Park Sports Complex. We are also planning to hold hockey and football events in the coming days''.
Sports Journalists XI led by skipper Aqeel Ahmed, elected to bat first after winning the toss. Hafiz Shahbaz and Abdul Qadir Kh opened the innings but they could not contribute big scores owing to some outstanding catches of SBP XI fielders. However, Umer Farooq and Zahid Shafee provided much needed support to Sports Journalists XI innings with knocks of 26 and 11 runs respectively and took the total of their team to 70 in 12 overs. Abu Bakar scored six and Arslan five for Sports Journalists XI.
Faisal Hashmi, who remained top wicket-taker for Sports Board Punjab with the figures of 2/11, sent two Sports Journalists XI batsmen back to pavilion through his fiery bowling. Ajmal Niazi, Kashif and Latif got one wicket apiece. In reply, SBP XI achieved the target without much trouble for the loss of just two wickets. Ajmal Niazi was the top scorer for SBP XI. He struck some attractive shots in his innings of 37 runs. M Imran scored 14 and skipper Zahoor Ahmed made five runs for the victorious team. Umer Farooq took one wicket for eight runs for Sports Journalists XI. Ajmal Niazi was adjudged Man of The Match for his all-round performance.