Super-Eight T20 Cup: Chance for unknowns to impress the selectors

Super-Eight T20 Cup starts in Rawalpindi today.

KARACHI:

The Faysal Bank “Super-Eight T20 Cup, starting today, will give the Rawalpindi Rams a chance to defend the title on home soil.

Rams defeated Karachi Dolphins in the last Super-Eight event after a dramatic final which went into a Super Over where Raza Hasan, who will represent Sialkot Stallions, kept his nerves to guide his side to the title under the leadership of Sohail Tanvir.

This year, the Rams are pitted in a tough Group B against Stallions, Dolphins and Lahore Eagles while Faisalabad Wolves, Peshawar Panthers, Lahore Lions and Karachi Zebras complete Group A. Wolves will take on Panthers in the opening match while Lions will lock horns with Zebras in the second match of the day.

This is the first time that a Twenty20 event will be staged outside Lahore, Karachi or Faisalabad.

Afridi opts out

Dolphins, and fans of aggressive cricket, were dealt a major blow when Shahid Afridi, who was named as Dolphins’ skipper, decided to skip the event due to personal reasons. Mohammad Sami will lead in his absence and admitted that it is a huge loss for his side.

“Afridi will be a massive loss because he’s a star player and even if he doesn’t perform, his presence matters a lot as the opposition fears him,” Sami told The Express Tribune. “He can change the game in a matter of seconds. But I am hoping players like Shahzaib Hasan, Asad Shafiq, Khalid Latif and Ramiz Raja Jr can step up as they have done in the past as well.”

Sami has vowed that his side will enter the event to claim the title.

“We are heading into the event to win it because we have not been able to do so despite having a star-studded squad throughout the years and that is really frustrating.”

Rams optimistic about 2nd triumph

Meanwhile, Rams coach Sabih Azhar is optimistic that his squad will be able to defend their title.

“We have several good players in the squad – including Awais Zia, Hammad Azam and Umar Amin – and we will definitely be able to defend our crown,” said Azhar.

“With the World Twenty20 so close, it’s a chance for them to perform and press claims for selection too. Hammad is an excellent player who performs under pressure which is a great quality to have and he will become an important player for Pakistan while Umar posses the same skill.”

Kamran wants a lucrative T20 league

Pakistan’s out-of-favour wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal believes that the board should launch its own lucrative T20 league.

“Pakistan should start its own league as well because several countries have been successfully hosting it and it will be great for the fans, franchises, board and the players,” said Akmal.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 25^th, 2012.