Afzal Khalid elected president, Muhammad Muzammil secretary of Hyderabad Region Cricket Association

MIRPURKHAS: The Khalid Rustamani group has won the Hyderabad Region Cricket Association elections, held under the Pakistan Cricket Board. Afzal Khalid was elected president and Muhammad Muzammil secretary.

In the elections held at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi, Afzal Khalid defeated former president Mir Suleman Talpur by 14 votes to 7. For the post of secretary, Muhammad Muzammil received 14 votes, while his rival Jan Muhammad Wassan got 7.

Electoral process and voters

A total of 21 registered voters took part in the elections. The region comprises the districts of Hyderabad, Thatta, Jamshoro, Mirpurkhas, Sukkur, Badin and Shaheed Benazirabad. The president, secretary and treasurer of each district cricket association have the right to vote. With three office-bearers from each of the seven districts, the number of voters comes to 21.

The elections are being described as an important change in the administrative structure of the region’s cricket. For a long time, the region’s leadership remained with people from one family. This time, however, the Khalid Rustamani group succeeded after a three-year struggle, constant contacts, mutual unity and the joint efforts of its colleagues.

Mir Suleman Talpur has twice served as president of the Hyderabad Region Cricket Association and was a candidate for the presidency for the third time.

Celebrations and expectations

After the victory, the newly elected office-bearers and their colleagues expressed joy at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi. They congratulated one another, put garlands on each other and distributed sweets. Karachi Region Cricket Association coordinator Azam Khan was also present on the occasion.

Khalid Rustamani, Dr Abdul Sattar Rahopoto, Wahid Hussain Pehlwani, Karim Wassan, Ahmed Ali Baloch, Rajab Ali, Naeem Ghouri, Zulfiqar Wassan, Najaf Ali, Dawood Khan, Saleem Ghouri, Shoaib Bhatti, Ramiz Arain, Shabbir Rind and other colleagues congratulated Afzal Khalid and Muhammad Muzammil. They described the success as the fruit of a three-year struggle, mutual trust, unity and joint effort.

Cricket circles expect the newly elected leadership to take effective steps to promote cricket in the region, give opportunities to young and talented players, strengthen club cricket and improve administrative matters.