We have our eyes set on Champions League T20: Zohaib Khan

The ‘invincibles’ won the National T20 title on Sep 28 despite the underdog status.

PESHAWAR: Before the Peshawar Panthers left for the National T20 tournament in Karachi, no one in the team was hoping for a standout performance, let alone winning the domestic title and emerging at the fore of the most celebrated national sporting event.

Their doubts were not unfounded considering the stiff competition expected from other teams, and their own dearth of known stalwarts at the top-level. However, with only two games into the tournament, the underdogs were declared—even by rivals—as the favourites.

The level of commitment and unity in this team from Arbab Niaz Stadium outshone defending champions Lahore Lions through a convincing final performance.

Peshawar Panthers won the Haier Cup on September 28, at National Stadium, Karachi.

Batting first, the Lions were cut off at 133-9. Only four of their batsmen managed to reach double figures with Imamul Haq completing a half-century and Abid Ali scoring 22 runs.

Panthers’ Taj Wali and Imran Khan Junior took three and two wickets respectively. The Peshawar team was able to comfortably reach the target at a loss of only three wickets, with Iftikhar Ahmed scoring an anchoring half-century.

A right earned

“The team that wins the National T20 participates in the Champions League, the one which is in progress in India at the moment. Peshawar Panthers deserve to be readied and sent to represent Pakistan next year,” Zohaib Khan, Peshawar Panthers captain told The Express Tribune.

Champions League T20 is an international tournament introduced in 2008 along the lines of UEFA Champions League. It is jointly owned by the Indian, Australian and South African cricket boards. Top T20 teams from all seven Test-playing nations compete in the tournament for hefty prize money.

When asked about the level of competition in the Champions League and how will they cope with the pressure, the hopeful captain said his team is ready to play against any top T20 side in the world,” said the skipper. “Our team was the only one that remained undefeated throughout the tournament. Not only that, but the best bowler of the tournament, Imran Khan Junior, and the best fielder of the tournament, Muhammad Fayyaz, are also from Peshawar Panthers.”

Zohaib said they have not started lobbying for the Champions League spot next year but it would be injustice on part of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) if it chooses to send another team.

“We have proved ourselves. PTI Chairman Imran Khan has to support our players now and help us make it to the national team because he has many a times said he wants more players from K-P to represent Pakistan on the international level,” said Zohaib.

The skipper

Zohaib Khan attended Edwardes College, Peshawar and completed his master’s in social work from University of Peshawar (UoP). He has been playing the first-class circuit for the past six years, representing Zarai Taraqiati Bank. He is also under contract with Benwell Hill Cricket Club in the United Kingdom. Zohaib leads the Institute of Computer and Management Sciences Cricket Club.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 6^th, 2014.