Cricket Pulse

International cricket will return to Toronto next month when Pakistan, the West Indies, Bangladesh and hosts Canada play in a four-day Twenty20 competition.

A Pakistan Cricket Board official said the organisers of the tournament have got permission from the ICC and Pakistan will submit a provisional squad of 20 in the next three days for the August 14 to 17 quadrangular event.

“The event is on and the organisers of the tournament have informed us they have got permission from the ICC and the host country. We are though waiting for a final clearance letter from the Canadian cricket body,” the official said.

“The event will allow the players to get into rhythm for the home series against New Zealand in late August and the Champions Trophy,” he added.

The organizers of the tournament have managed to find the sponsorship and have finalised financial details with the winning team getting USD 60,000 dollars and the runners-up pocketing $30,000.

Noted Pakistani commentator Hasan Jalil who had earlier organized international events in the United States, said that the final details would be worked out in a few days though some advance payments had already been paid to Pakistan and Bangladesh Cricket Boards.

“We have paid 25 per cent of the appearance money to the PCB,” Jalil said.

“The tournament will have eight matches with two being held every day. We will also have a third place playoff on the day the final is held,” he added.

Toronto became a major cricket center in the 1990s when Pakistan and India played the Sahara Cup One-day series annually.