National T20 kicks off today

18 teams taking part in major domestic tournament.

KARACHI:
The Haier National T20 Tournament will begin at the National Stadium in Karachi, on Wednesday without defending champions Lahore Lions’ core team, which is currently busy in the Champions League T20 in India.

A total of 18 teams are participating in the tournament and have been divided into two groups of five and two pools of four. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the quarter-finals.

Group A consists of Sialkot Stallions, Karachi Dolphins, Hyderabad Hawks, Quetta Bears and Larkana Bulls, while Rawalpindi Rams, Karachi Zebras, Multan Tigers and Fata Cheetahs complete Group B.

Group C comprises Faisalabad Wolves, Islamabad Leopards, Lahore Eagles and Peshawar Panthers, while Lahore Lions, Abbottabad Falcons, Bahawalpur Stags and DM Jamali Ibexes form Group D.


The Pakistan Cricket Board had shifted the tournament – originally meant to be staged in Multan – to Karachi on an urgent basis due to torrential rains and flooding in Punjab.

There is a chance that suspended off-spinner Saeed Ajmal may play in the event, as he has been named by Faisalabad Wolves in their squad, although he is all set to undergo modification on his bowling action at the National Cricket Academy.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 17th, 2014.

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