Indian players among participants in US double wicket tourney

Some of the leading cricketers from India, Pakistan, West Indies, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have confirmed participation in the Zee international double wicket cricket championship which will be played from July 13 to 15 at Lincoln Park West, Jersey City, according to a press release from the organisers CinéMaya media, Inc.

The players confirmed to participate include: Pakistan: Wasim Akram, Shahid Afridi, Abdur Razzaq and Ijaz Ahmed. India: Robin Singh, Vinod Kambli, Sunil Joshi and Hrishikesh Kanitkar. Bangladesh: Aminul Islam and Akram Khan. Sri Lanka: Arjuna Ranatunga and Arvinda De Silva. West Indies: Jimmy Adams and Phil Simmons.

The wicket keepers are Rashid Latif and Humayun Farhat of Pakistan. Former West Indian batsman Larry Gomes will be the tournament referee and TV umpire.

The international umpires who will officiate are SK Bansal from India and Mian M. Aslam from Pakistan. Many top officials and former Test stars are also expected to attend.

A double wicket competition is thrilling and fast-paced. This version of the game, which has been growing in popularity for some time now, is different from traditional cricket in many ways.

Each team consists of two players. When a player gets out, runs are deducted and he remains on the crease. The innings is of eight overs. Both players have to bowl four overs each. Stock players are used as fielders and wicket keepers.

Since the game requires both the players to bowl as well, it necessitates the use of all-rounders. Since there is no fear of going back to the pavilion, players try to hit as many boundaries they can. There are 10 overs in the semi-finals, and 12 overs in the final round.

Tickets to the competition have gone on sale at over 90 South Asian stores in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Washington, DC. Tickets are also available online exclusively at the premiere shopping site IndiaPlaza.com. Group and association discounts are available.

The event is marketed by CinéMaya media, Inc. the fastest growing South Asian media house. Tickets have been priced to make this event affordable for the whole family. Ticket for each day is priced at only $15 for the general enclosure, and $25 for the special enclosure, and three-day season passes are available for only $35 (general enclosure) and $60 (special enclosure). VIP tickets and passes for the Players Gala Dinner at Royal Albert Palace are available.

Lincoln Park West, located 20 minutes from New York City, is the ideal venue to bring together cricket lovers from all parts of the region. The promoters of the event, Arif Afzal Usmani and Hasan Jalil are delighted with the encouragement and support of all the City, State, Federal and Parks agencies involved. Usmani states "an event of this scale would not be possible without proper cooperation between government bodies and promoters like us to bring the beloved sport of cricket to New Jersey, and for a worldwide television audience."

Here are some quotes from the star cricketers who have this to say about the event:

Wasim Akram - "I am really excited about the prospect of playing in USA. I am sure it will be a wonderful tournament."

Shahid Afridi - "Watch my sixes you'll remember for ever!"

Vinod Kambli - "I am very keen to play especially with stars like Wasim Akram participating."

SCHEDULE:

Group A: Pakistan Blues, India Reds, West Indies and England. Group B: Pakistan Greens, India Blues, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Play will be held from 9am - 6:30 pm each day.