KARACHI: The official inauguration of the Faysal Bank T-20 Cup was held in an Islamabad hotel on Tuesday during which players of some of the 18 competing teams participated.

The tournament begins in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad from Thursday with five matches scheduled.

Islamabad’s Diamond Club Ground, Marghazar Cricket Ground and the National Cricket Ground would host one match daily while two matches to be telecast live on PTV Sports are scheduled at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi.

During Tuesday’s opening ceremony the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was represented by Intikhab Alam, director of domestic cricket, while the sponsor’s representative was Aarij Ali, a senior official of Faysal Bank.

In a message at the inaugural ceremony, PCB’s chief operating officer Subhan Ahmed had this to say: “The National Twenty20 events have proved to be immensely popular amongst the very large section of cricket-passionate public in this country.

One benchmark has been that our T20 events have all been full-house affairs. Yet another satisfying aspect, amply reflected from the stands, is that the families throng the matches.

“The quality and organisation of PCB’s T20 events are very high. I am sure this year’s Faysal Bank T-20 Cup too shall be of a very high standard. Along with the PCB’s management putting in excellent work, it is also reflective of the corporate and financial support that Faysal Bank has provided in organisation.

“The PCB enjoys very cordial relations with all the sponsors, especially with the Faysal Bank that have backed our first class cricket.”

Speaking on the occasion, Aarij reiterated Faysal Bank’s commitment to the promotion of cricket on the domestic front in Pakistan.

“Our commitment to the promotion of cricket at the grassroots level in Pakistan is manifested in this T20 tournament. For the first time there are 17 regional teams playing in this format, and for the first time smaller and remote places like Larkana, Dera Murad Jamali and Fata are being represented,” Aarij told a media conference.

“It is gratifying that our partnership with PCB continues to showcase talent from all corners of the country; many of these discovered players go on to represent Pakistan in the international arena.

“We look forward to seeing some exciting cricket in the next 10 days and are pleased to bring quality entertainment to all those who will be following these matches in the stadium, on television and on the social media.”

The tournament, which will see a record 17 regions competing for the first time, begins on Thursday with three games starting simultaneously at 11:00am in Islamabad where Bahawalpur Stags face debutants Dera Murad Jamal Ibexes at the Diamond Club Ground, Multan Tigers take on first-timers Fata Cheetahs at the Marghazar Cricket Ground and Karachi Dolphins, tipped as one of the favourites, play Hyderabad Hawks at the National Cricket Ground.

Larkana Bulls will make their debut against Quetta Bears at the Pindi Cricket Stadium at 12:00 noon while Faisalabad Wolves, led by Pakistan Test and one-day skipper Misbah-ul-Haq, prepare to meet Peshawar Panthers at the same venue at 4:00pm.