Sri Lanka lifts PANZ Annual Cricket Tournament Cup

                                   PANZ President Naveed Hamid presenting the Winner’s Trophy to Sri Lankan Team Captain

Pakistan Association of New Zealand (PANZ) held a multiethnic Tape Ball Cricket Tournament on Sunday, December 6, 2020.

Tape Ball Cricket is a very fast-paced short overs Cricket format where plastic tape layers are put on the tennis ball for extra pace and speed.

This form of Cricket is indigenous to Pakistan and played throughout the country as a national past time. It is increasingly getting popular in the Cricketing world.

The Tournament, 13^th in an annual series of PANZ, was played at Glover Park in St Heliers from 7am to 7pm.

PANZ Principal Advisor Gul Qaisrani presents Runner Up Trophy to Pakistan Team Captain

Sixteen teams of various ethnic backgrounds participated in the event. Among them were players of Pakistani, Indian, Sri Lanka, Afghani, Bangladeshi and New Zealand origin.

Semi-finals were played between Pashtun United (Pakistan) and Epson Lightening (Sri Lankan) and Nengyalees (Afghanistan) and Loaded 8 (Pakistan).

Epson Lightening and Loaded 8 qualified to enter the final match.

Epsom Lightening representing Sri Lanka won the Tournament, taking home the Winner’s Trophy,  Loaded 8 representing Pakistan were runner up and hence called the Second Position trophy.

PANZ President Naveed Hamid with the Sri Lankan Team and PANZ officials

Three main honours

Man of the Match in the Final was M Masand for taking three wickets.

PW Amaradiwakara was declared the Best Bowler for taking nine wickets, while the honour of being the Best Batsman went to Osama Khalid.

The Tournament provided fun and entertainment for the players and families throughout the day.

More than 300 men, women and children representing various ethnicities attended the event. Teams and families travelled from Hamilton and other cities to participate in the Tournament, relaxing and catching up with families and friends.

There were many activities, including fun and games organised as part of the event for children and families such as kite flying, face painting, cartoon characters, bouncing castle.

Pakistani cuisine was available throughout the day alongside other ethnic fusion food options.

Apna TV and PANZ streamed the event live.

About the Pakistan Association

Established in 1989, Pakistan Association of New Zealand is committed to providing communities with opportunities ane enable them to celebrate the culture and where communities can engage with other ethnic and local communities.

The Association encourages the Pakistani Diaspora to be proud of their culture, language, values and the achievements of our youth.

“We take opportunities such as the Cricket Tournament to show our true identity of a dignified and peace-loving Nation through our diverse culture, rich history, arts, food, songs, unity, zeal and enthusiasm to other communities living in New Zealand.

As the Quid-e-Azam said, “With Faith, Discipline and Selfless Devotion to Duty, there is nothing worthwhile that you cannot achieve.”

“We also aim to promote better communication, liaison and understanding between the association and government departments, local bodies, ethnic and cultural associations.

Naveed Hamid is President of Pakistan Association of New Zealand. The above story has been sponsored by