SWABI: Night cricket tournaments have been a feature since the start of Ramazan across the Swabi district, attracting large number of spectators.

The organisers of the events said since it was difficult to play during daytime in Ramazan they had decided to arrange the tournaments at nighttime.

They said organising cricket tournaments in Ramazan had become routine for last few years because of hot summer.

A ground situated in front of Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology has been renovated and Twenty20 cricket matches are played here regularly during the night.

A total 50 teams from different regions of the district are participating in the T20 tournament organised by Jaal cricket association, Topi.

A large number of spectators are also seen watching the matches till Sehri.

A member of the cricket association said the ground was in dilapidated condition and they carried out the leveling work before the commencing of the holy month.

“We have been continuously organising cricket tournaments here for last few years, especially in Ramazan,” he said.

The organisers said there was need to build more playgrounds to involve youth in healthy activities.

Another tournament is underway under floodlights at the playground of government high school, Tordher, where a total 45 teams are participating.

The organisers said veteran cricketers of the area were supervising the tournament.

Similar tournaments are continuing in various other regions.

Aamir Nawab Khan, former member of governing body of Pakistan Cricket Board, rejected the complaints of some people that the night cricket tournaments perturbed the religious activities of the youngsters in Ramazan. He said the matches began well after Taraweeh prayers and continued till Sehri.

Meanwhile, badminton competitions are also being organised in the hujras (common guest houses).

The players said they made lighting arrangements and the good news was that there was no electricity loadshedding at nighttime in Ramazan.

Published in Dawn, May 18th, 2019