Invitation 20-20 Cricket attracts galaxy of stars

Chandigarh, Apr 25 (UNI) The first edition of the Prize Money All India Invitation Twenty20 Cricket Tournament from April 29 to May 5, has attracted star-studded eight top teams of the country.

The tournament will be conducted by the Chandigarh Twenty20 Cricket Association under the aegis of Indian Twenty20 Cricket Federation and the Chandigarh Olympic Association.

In the non-stop three-hour entertaining cricket tournament to be played on league-cum-knockout basis, the teams which have staked their claim are seasoned campaigner Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, mighty All India Electricity Power Board, strong contenders Himachal Cricket Club, fancied Moody ICL Certifications Limited, powerful Professional Cricket Club, unpretentious Minerva Cricket Academy, title aspirants JJ's Cricket Club and never-say-die Chandigarh Lawyers Sports Association.

Addressing a press conference, CTTCA president I D Kamboj said players to be seen in action are: Gautam Gambhir, Amit Bhandari, Ajay Ratra, Gagan Khoda, Sarandeep Singh, Mithun Manhas, Sandeep Sharma, Joginder Sharma, Ishant Sharma, Sumit Narwal,Rahul Sanghvi (all from ONGC), Manoj Tiwari, A. Jhunjhunwala, Amol Majumdar, Ahijeet Ganguly, Asoke Dinda, Nilesh Kulkarni, Wridhiman Saha (all from All India Electricity Sports Control Board), Rajeev Nayyar, Jatinder Billa, Vishal Shani (of Moody ICL Certifications Ltd), Sanjay Mahajan, Bhageshwar Bisht and Babloo Kumar (from Professional Cricket Club).

The teams have been divided into two pools. ONGC, Himachal XI, Minerva Cricket Academy and Chandigarh Lawyers have been placed in Pool A. JJ's XI, Professional Cricket Club, Moody ICL XI and All India Electricity Sports Control Board will form Pool B.

The inaugural match will be played between All India Electricity Sports Control Board and Professional Cricket Club at the local Sector 16 Cricket Stadium. The second match of the day will be contested between Minerva Cricket Academy and Chandigarh Lawyers Sports Association.

The semi-finals will be played on May 3. After a day's rest, the final will be held on May 5.

The CTTCA has requested Punjab Governor and Administrator Chandigarh Lt Gen (Retd) S F Rodrigues to distribute the prizes.

An upgraded Sector 16 Cricket Stadium of Chandigarh and Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex Cricket Stadium in Panchkula will be the venues of the competitions. Kamboj said that the CTTCA was trying its best to provide top class playing conditions and other facilities to the players to make the first edition a resounding success. Qualified umpires and referees will be deputed to supervise the matches.

UNI