John Cudmore

Canada should have a definite edge in one area when a quadrangular Twenty20 cricket tournament swings into action Friday in King City.

After all, climate conditions at this time of year are usually more conducive to football or hockey than world class cricket.

That may be where the advantage ends, however, as Canada tackles some of the world’s premier cricket nations starting when play gets under way in the four-country event.

Cricket powers Pakistan and Sri Lanka, along with Zimbabwe, will join the Canadian entry at the Maple Leaf Cricket Grounds as all four countries will play each day of the event.

Matches are scheduled for 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. each day.

Canada opens play Friday against Pakistan. Game time is 1:30 p.m.

The hosts face Zimbabwe Saturday and finish round-robin play Sunday against Sri Lanka.

Zimbabwe replaces the West Indies, which was forced to withdraw due to a scheduling conflict.

The national team squads will compete for $100,000 in prize money, including $60,000 for the winner.

The four-day event, which concludes Monday, was initially scheduled for August, but had to be rescheduled.

Bangladesh was also in the original lineup of teams in August, but also had to pull out due to a scheduling conflict.

It is the first major international event on Canadian soil since the Sahara Cup involving Pakistan and India was abandoned in the late 1990s.

Twenty20 cricket is a popular 20-overs-per-side game that is gaining footing against the traditional 50-over, one-day international format.

Pakistan has not played a test match this year after the ICC Champions Trophy was cancelled earlier this year in that country due to security issues.

The grounds are on Dufferin Street at Bloomington Road.

Go to cricinfo.com for further information.

Schedule

Friday
Zimbabwe vs. Sri Lanka, 9:30 a.m.,
Pakistan vs. Canada, 1 p.m.
Saturday
Zimbabwe vs. Canada, 9:30 a.m.,
Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka, 1 p.m.
Sunday
Pakistan vs. Zimbabwe, 9:30 a.m.,
Sri Lanka vs. Canada, 1 p.m.
Monday
3rd vs. 4th playoff, 9:30 a.m.,
Championship match, 1 p.m.