Stallions hope to make it to seventh heaven

Six-time winners Sialkot the team to beat once again.

KARACHI: Shoaib Malik’s Sialkot Stallions will only have one thing in mind on the opening day of the ninth edition of the National Twenty20 Cup – to add a seventh title.

The nine-day event kicks off in Lahore today with the 45 matches taking place across three venues – LCCA ground, Bagh-e-Jinnah and Gaddafi Stadium. With an added team and a revamped format – each team will get atleast six matches – consistency will be key as the teams vie for a place in the semi-finals.

In addition to the strict penalties awaiting captains for slow over-rates, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has also decided to implement random dope tests during the event which could prove significant as many players in domestic cricket are in a habit of taking recreational drugs even during matches.

The star-studded Karachi Dolphins and Lahore Lions have continuously been overshadowed by the Stallions who made it to the Champions League qualifiers but were knocked out after losing to Auckland Aces. Sialkot’s 25-match unbeaten run is still a record in domestic Twenty20s all around the world but Dolphins will be looking to go one better after losing the final on four occasions.

With Shahid Afridi hoping to get back into form ahead of the tour of India, an improved show cannot be ruled out from the Dolphins. Lions will be boosted by the inclusion of Pakistan’s Twenty20 captain Mohammad Hafeez who has hopped across from Faisalabad Wolves. Lions will be led by Mohammad Yousuf who will have Nasir Jamshed, Ahmed Shehzad, Kamran Akmal, Umar Akmal, Abdur Razzaq, Wahab Riaz and Aizaz Cheema playing under him.

Selectors to hunt for
pacers and keeper

Meanwhile, a selection committee member said that they will be looking at the performances of fast-bowlers and wicket-keepers as these two departments have been an area of concern for Pakistan.

“Kamran isn’t an automatic choice in the One-Day International team anymore so we’ll be keeping an eye on how the keepers do with the bat and gloves,” the selector told The Express Tribune. “We’ll also be looking to find a good fast-bowler who can give tough competition to Sohail Tanvir, Mohammad Sami and Umar Gul.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 1^st, 2012.