ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has decided to hire a professional coach and select new players for its cricket team.

The CDA has a cricket team which takes part in PCB organised Patron Trophy Grade-11. However, the performance of the team is not up to the mark.

In 2015, the civic agency was the runner-up in the Patron Trophy-II as it lost the final to SSGPL in Faisalabad.

For getting the status of first class cricket, CDA will have to win Patron Trophy, which is going to be held in March-April next year.

CDA Chairman Mohammad Ali Randahwa has directed the concerned officers to bring improvement to the team’s performance and hire a professional coach to train the team. He also directed for induction of young professional players to make the team a blend of experienced and young players.

Speaking to Dawn, the CDA chairman said, “We expect good results from the team in Patron Trophy matches. I have tasked my staff to bring improvement. I directed them for hiring a professional coach through competitive process, whereas we will also hire young talented players,” he said.

“I have given team management a target of qualify for first class cricket after winning Patron Trophy Grade II. We will provide our team best facilities to achieve this target,” he said.

The CDA has also hockey and football teams, but they too are not performing well as many of the professional players have become overage.

Published in Dawn, December 30th, 2024