For the second consecutive year the International Bank of Qatar (IBQ) hosts Qatar's Annual Masters Cricket Tournament, organized by the Qatar Veteran Cricket League. With thirty-two teams participating this year, the overly popular sport event will kick off on Friday 29th December 2006 at the West Bay QCA Cricket Complex, and the finals, scheduled for Friday 23rd March 2007, will be held at the Ideal Indian School Boys' Wing Ground.
Having hosted the tournament last year, and experienced its popularity amongst sports fans in Qatar, IBQ fulfilled its promise and very eagerly decided to host the tournament for a second year. "The 1st IBQ Masters Cricket Tournament was such a success, that we had our minds set and decided to host the 2nd tournament prior to the first one concluding." said Michael H. Williams, General Manager at IBQ. "We are extremely delighted to be hosting this tournament. And with the eminent success that cricket witnesses here in Qatar, we're looking forward to being a big part of, its development, intensifying its popularity and eventually taking it onto an entirely new level", Williams continued.
This year's tournament will be separated into two divisions; with 20 teams divided into 4 pools in Division I and 12 teams divided into 2 pools in Division II. With both divisions playing on a straight league basis, the 2 top teams of each pool from Division I will qualify to play in the quarter-finals whilst the 2 top teams of each pool from Division II will qualify to play in the semi-finals.
All the league matches, quarter-finals, semi-finals and the finals, will be of 20 overs duration per side.
"The veterans’ cricket has gained immense popularity and we are indeed grateful to our annual sponsors for their unstinted support" said Mohammed Ikhlas Farid, League organizer of the Qatar Veteran Cricket League.
Eight matches will be conducted every week after the completion of the existing tournament. Four matches are scheduled to begin this Friday 29th December, with the morning matches commencing at 07:00 hrs and the afternoon matches at 13:00 hrs.
