Champions League T20: Wolves disappointed but content with exposure

Misbah’s men aim to get consolation win to end campaign on high note.

KARACHI: Faisalabad Wolves may have suffered an early exit from the Champions League, but Pakistan’s domestic Twenty20 champions will return with a bagful of valuable experience, according to coach Naved Anjum.     

The Misbahul Haq-led team failed to enter the main stage after losing both of its opening games. The side that also has the experienced Saeed Ajmal lost to Otago Volts by eight wickets before going down to Sunrisers Hyderabad by seven wickets in another one-sided encounter.

Wolves remained determined to do well in the event even when their participation wasn’t confirmed and started preparations weeks before the qualifying stage.



However, they failed to leave a mark on their debut and will be playing for pride today when they take on Sri Lanka’s Kandurata Maroons in their last qualifying match.

Anjum, while speaking to The Express Tribune from Mohali ahead of the clash, said that he did not expect his side to go down like they did in the first two encounters.

“The players failed to deliver to their potential,” said Anjum, a former Test cricketer. “They didn’t perform like they usually play at home.

“We made the best preparations and trained the players to face different pressure situations. But we failed in execution, especially in batting where we could not rotate the strike enough. It was only Misbah who delivered.

“Maybe they failed to handle the pressure as many of our players haven’t played at that level previously. Anjum said he was disappointed but not dejected over the early exit.

“The team will be returning with valuable experience. It is a competitive tournament and players have learned a lot that will help them in the future.

“Our participation is also a positive step towards good relations between Pakistan and India which is also crucial.”

The coach said his team wants to end its campaign on a high note against Kandurata.

“We definitely want to go back home with a victory for which we will give our best effort.”

CLT20 exposure a plus for players: Misbah

Misbah said the event was a good experience for the youngsters of his team who have never played at the international level.

“By playing in a tournament such as this, they come to know of the demands at the international level,” said Misbah, according to ESPNcricinfo.

“It’s a big ask for them to come straightaway and perform here. Any player who plays at this level needs a little bit more exposure and experience, which we don’t have. They can learn how to improve, how they are going to perform, how they are going to get ready for this.

“There is a mental barrier, when you have not played at the international level. When you play at the highest level, you cross that barrier and break through.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 20^th, 2013.

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