Whooping cash bonanza for Twenty20 squad
Bureau Report

KARACHI—Pakistan cricket team which finished runners-up in Twenty20 World Cup was honoured and rewarded with hefty cash prizes of Rs 130 million on Sunday evening at a glittering ceremony at a posh hotel here on Sunday evening.
Each member of Pakistan team was awarded with cash incentives of Rs six million while equal amount was also announced as bonus for 20 central contracted “A” category players of Pakistan.
An additional amount of Rs ten million was presented by Muhammad Ali Fortunes Group for Pakistan Twenty20 squad. Ace batting star Muhammad Yousuf was presented Rs six million for being declared as the best test batsman of year 2006 by International Cricket Council.
Beaming Chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Dr. Nasim Ashraf while announcing the awards and commending the performance of the team, said it was a great commitment by Shoaib Malik’s young team which took them to the final. He said despite defeat against arch-rival India by narrow 5 runs the whole nation was proud of their performance. “It was their self- belief which took them into the final,” he added.
“The whole credit for the performance goes to captain Shoaib Malik,” Dr. Nasim said. He also complimented new coach Geoff Lawson for taking Pakistan team to the top. “He (Lawson) went into tears after Pakistan went down fighting in the final,” Dr. Nasim stated .He lauded the patriotism shown by batting supremo Muhammad Yousuf for preferring to play for Pakistan instead of joining breakaway Indian Cricket League.
PCB Chairman said the Board will take every care of the players for bringing best out of them but reminded that no comprise will be made as far as discipline was concerned. He said these players are an asset of the country and will serve the country with honour and dignity for the next five to seven years.
Shoaib Malik described reaching the final a great team effort and fighting spirit of the team. Cheques were presented to Shoaib Malik, Salman Butt, Muhammad Hafeez, Imran Nazir, Younus Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Shahid Khan Afridi, Kamran Akmal, Umar Gul, Sohail Tanvir, Muhammad Asif, Yasir Arafat, Rao Iftikhar Anjum and Abdur.
Cheques were also distributed among team officials Talat Ali Malik, Geoff Lawson, batting coach Haroon Rasheed, trainer Bob Dwyer Rehman, Media Manager Dr. Ahsan Hameed Malik, Physiotherapist and Massuer Malang Ali.
Selection committee comprising Salahuddin Ahmed, Salim Jaffar and Shafqat Rana was also honoured on the occasion. The ceremony was conducted by famous compere Anwar Maqsood and it was attended by the whole hierarchy of PCB besides a large number of former test cricketers, KCCA officials and elite of the city.