KARACHI: Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq, wicket-keeper/batsman Sarfraz Ahmed and middle-order batsman Asad Shafiq, were honoured for their outstanding performances against Australia and New Zealand in United Arab Emirates (UAE) in a grand function organised by Dollar East here on Monday evening at a local hotel.

PCB Chairman Shaharyar M. Khan who was the chief guest at the ceremony, praised the performance of the Misbah and others in the recent series and lauded the efforts of the hosts for felicitating the national heroes and patronizing and promoting cricket at the club and domestic level.

Awards and cash prizes were presented to the national heroes in the impressive function while off-spinner Saeed Ajmal and former ‘keeper Kamran Akmal were also honoured for their services to the game.

Shaharyar praised former HBL wicketkeeper-batsman Zaheer Ahmed for launching the Dollar East cricket team in the PCB domestic circuit and added that more private organisations should come forward to support the talented cricketers in the country.

Speaking on the occasion Zaheer who played alongside great cricketers like former captain Javed Miandad, Mohin Khan and Abdul Qadir during his first class cricket stint, gave his suggestions for the improvement of Pakistan cricket and to prepare the best Pakistan cricket team for the upcoming World Cup.

He called upon the PCB to back honest and dedicated people in the game as well as in the board.

Chief Executive Asmatullah Butt said his organisation will continue to support and promote sports and the sportsmen.

The cricket team manager Zubair Ahmed Shaikh said their team enjoyed a good year bywinning 46 of their 60 matches, losing only 14 besides winning Haji Zaman Memorial T20 Cricket Tournament, Bob Woolmer Ramzan Trophy and FC Cup Night Cricket Tournament.

Later, Ejaz Ali Shah was declared best batsman, Amjad Manzoor best bowler, Taha Mamsa the best all-rounder and Furqan Khalil the best wicket-keeper.

The ceremony was also attended by KCCA Secretary Shafiq Kazmi, Test opener Khurram Manzoor, former Test cricketers Liaquat Ali, Anwar Khan, Qasier Abbas, former and current first class cricketers,

KCCA officials, cricket and sports organisers.

Published in Dawn December 24th , 2014