KHAR: A cricket match in connection with the 142nd birth anniversary of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah was played between the teams led by local PTI lawmakers here on Tuesday, attracting a huge crowd.

The match was arranged by party workers at the Bajaur Sports Complex. Thousands of spectators gathered at the stadium to enjoy the match.

Tribal elders, senior officials of the local administration and line departments, including deputy commissioner Usman Mehsud, were also present. PTI MNA from Mianwali Amjad Ali Khan Niazi was the chief guest.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, he said he was pleased to see a large number of people gathered in the ground to enjoy the match.

He said he had heard that people of tribal districts took keen interest in sports activities, especially in cricket, which was shown by their huge participation in the cricket match.He said the impression that people of tribal districts were less civilised and rigid was baseless as he found the people polite, peaceful and decent.

He, however, expressed concern over lack of sports facilities in the district. `I promise with you that I will inform Prime Minister Imran Khan and federal ministers about the lack of sports facilities in the district and I hope that Bajaur would soon get modern sports facilities,` he added.

The ceremony was also addressed by PTI lawmakers Gul Dad Khan and Gul Zafar Khan, who led their respective teams, and deputy commissioner Usman Mehsud. They appreciated the organisers for holding the historic cricl(et match on the birth anniversary of father of the nation, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.

They said the people of tribal districts were the most peaceful and civilised citizens of the country, who had always played great role in fighting against militants and other anti-state elements.

Earlier, the match was won by Gul Dad Khan`s team by 30 runs.