Five new teams in Karachi Gymkhana Festival T20

KARACHI: As many as five new outfits will make their debut in the 31st edition of Omar Associates Karachi Gymkhana Festival Twenty20 which will begin at the Karachi Gymkhana on the first day of Ramazan.

The draws for the four-week event were taken out by the tournament committee in the presence of the officials of the participating teams at a ceremony in the KG dressing room on Monday.

Tournament Director Riazuddin, an international umpire, conducted the draws in the company of Altaf Hussain Agha, a former Karachi Gymkhana president, and fellow cricket committee members.

Anees Hussain Cricket Club, Dawood Sports, Sojhula Cricket Club (Dera Ghazi Khan), Atiq Estate and Shahmil Associates will be playing the tournament for the first time.

The tournament will be contested by a total of 16 teams, divided in four groups for the preliminary rounds. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the knockout phase, starting with quarter-finals.

Omar CC have been drawn in the Group A alongwith Medicam, Mohammad Hussain CC and K-Electric.

The Group B comprises Karachi Gymkhana Whites, Sojhula CC, Atiq Estate and Eaton CC.

The Group C has Omar Colts, Heroes CC, Shahmil Associates and Anis Hussain CC.

The Group D features Karachi Gymkhana Blues, Dubai Islamic Bank, Dawood Sports and Tapal CC.