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Twenty20 cricket fever catches Pakistan

Pakistan has caught the Twenty20 cricket bug and will hold its first domestic tournament featuring the game's rapid one-day version later this month.

Pakistan has caught the Twenty20 cricket bug and will hold its first domestic tournament featuring the game's rapid one-day version later this month, an official said Friday.

"We are pleased to announce the first ever Twenty20 tournament in which teams from 11 regions will be competing from April 25-30," Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyra Khan said.

Twenty20, in which sides play 20 overs each, was introduced in England two years ago and has proved a huge success, attracting more crowds than some normal matches.

Khan said he hoped Pakistan's experiment with the new form would be entertaining and win a big audience.

"The holding of the event will mark a new era of cricket in Pakistan and it will generate interest," said Khan.

The 11 teams are divided in two pools of four and a third pool with three teams. The top teams from each pool will play a triangular series on April 29 followed by the final on April 30.

The winners of the inaugural Twenty20 tournament will pocket 5,000 dollars and the runners-up will get 2,500 dollars.

Pakistan is also considering whether to hold a Twenty20 side game when England tours here from October-December this year.

A Twenty20 cricket match was part of Pakistan's tour to Australia and Australia will also play England in a Twenty20 game in this summer's Ashes series.

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