Chandigarh, September 2 :All preparations have been completed to professionally host the mega International T20 Cricket Tournament for the JCD ICL Trophy to be played from September 5 to 15 at the JCD Vidyapeeth in Sirsa.
Pakistan cricketerer Waqar Younis, Pakistan industrialist, Shahjaad Al Khan and former Haryana Chief Minister Om Parkash Chautala would inaugurate the JCD International Cricket League on Friday. A number of international and national cricketers would participate in the function. Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal will be chief guest on the closing ceremony and distribute prizes to the winner teams.
Addressing a press conference here today, JCDNCA president Digvijay Singh disclosed that all preparations have been completed and special laser show would be organised apart from the international level fireworks. Doordarshan Sports has already conveyed its consent to cover the inaugural match, the semi-finals and final live.
Digvijay Singh said that the tournament would be played on round robin league basis and all the eight teams have been divided into two groups. Group ‘A’ would have Lahore Badshah Pakistan, Air India, Indian Air Force and JCDNCA whereas Sharjah Tigers Dubai, Sri Lanka, LIC Cricket Club and Indian Navy would be in group ‘B’. The best two teams from each group would qualify for semi-finalswhich would be played on September 12 and 13. Thefinal will be played on September 15.
Many Indian international cricketers have already confirmed their participation.
Four cricket pitches as per international standards have been prepared, whereas three practice grounds have also been prepared separately. He said that Punjab Electricity Board and JVM Club are the reserve teams.
Digvijay Singh said that the JCDICL would be an international level annual cricket event and the winners and runners-up would get Rs 5 lakh and 2.5 lakh, respectively.
Man of the Series would get Rs one lakh wheres as the Man of the Match would get Rs 21,000 each. The best batsman and the best bowler would also be honoured with the trophies, he added.
The seating capacity of the floodlit stadium is 10,000. Price of the ticket is Rs 200.
A state-of-the-art cricket stadium has been set up on the premises of the JCD Vidyapeeth, where day night matches would also be organised. The stadium has been prepared as per the specifications of the Punjab Cricket Association’s Stadium in Mohali. The stadium has air-conditioned pavilion and change rooms for players.
The JCD Stadium also has VIP enclosures and press enclosures and provision of day and night matches, he added.
JCDNCA was set up in April this year. Around 700 players in the age group of 12 to 19 years from Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Chandigarh, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh participated in the trials. Out of these, 40 were selected for admission to the academy, who are being trained by able coaches, Digvijay Singh added.