Despite losing the services of key international players Mohammad Asif and Abdul Razzaq, the Sialkot Stallions are in bullish mood, with Rana Naved ul Hasan confident that the Stallions can once again go all the way, this time in Lahore.

by Saj Sadiq

5 October 2010

Reigning domestic Twenty20 champions the Sialkot Stallions go into next week's Faysal Bank Twenty20 competition confident of retaining the trophy that they have become so accustomed to winning.

Despite losing the services of key international players Mohammad Asif and Abdul Razzaq, the Sialkot Stallions are in bullish mood, with Rana Naved ul Hasan confident that the Stallions can once again go all the way, this time in Lahore.

Speaking to PakPassion.net ; Naved ul Hasan, who has represented Pakistan on 87 occasions, is happy with the balance of the Stallions squad and is certain that he and his team mates will put on a good show.

"Losing Mohammad Asif is a huge blow, no doubt about that, but the rest of the squad is predominantly the same as last year when we won the trophy in Karachi. Asif's a world class bowler in any form of the game and he will be difficult to replace, but it's up to the other boys to come into the side and prove they are worthy replacements. Regarding Abdul Razzaq, he played for Sialkot last season, but that was down to a disagreement with the Lahore setup, but we more or less knew that he would be back at the Lahore Lions this time around, so not having him (Razzaq) in our squad is not a surprise. I believe in our boys and I'm sure we can overcome the loss of both Asif and Razzaq".

The thirteen team competition commences on 10th October, with all matches being played at the Gaddaffi Stadium in Lahore. An examination of the squads reveals four standout teams;the Sialkot Stallions, Faisalabad Wolves, Karachi Dolphins and the Lahore Lions, and it would be a huge upset if the eventual winners did not come from one of the four aformentioned teams.

Rana Naved has also played Twenty20 cricket in the domestic leagues of England for both Yorkshire and Sussex, and has also represented Tasmania in the Australian KFC Big Bash and is one of the most experienced Twenty20 performers in the world. He spoke of who he thought could be Sialkot's main rivals in this years Faysal Cup.

"You can never write off any team with Shahid Afridi in the lineup, therefore the Karachi Dolphins will be one of our main competitors. The Faisalabad Wolves also look a very well balanced unit, and the Lahore Lions squad also has a very fine array of talent and with home advantage, could prove to be a tough team to beat. It's going to be a close competition and a great spectacle for the fans and we are going to have to work very hard to retain our title."

Full houses, loud music, live television feeds was the order of the day in Karachi last time around, and an equally vibrant atmosphere is expected in Lahore this time, as the locals make the most of what is expected to be a hugely entertaining and colourful spectacle.

"The tournament is being held in Punjab this time, so we are likely to get more support from the fans. It should be a great few days and a tournament that I am really looking forward to playing in. All of the players who are due to play in the competition are really looking forward it, especially given that the atmosphere will once again be fantastic. Despite the fact that I have been playing for so long, I still look forward to such competitions."

Preparations have been in full swing and some of the squads have assembled for several days in local training camps. Rana confirmed that the Stallions training camp commenced today in Sialkot and the mood in the camp is a very positive one.

"Our training camp started today (Tuesday) and there was a very positive mood there, with all of the boys eager to impress the coaching staff. There's a lot of confidence and self-belief in this squad and morale is very high. The bulk of the squad is the same as the last Twenty20 competition, with a couple of additions from the Pakistan Under 19 squad. It's vital to have a strong squad, as you never know when you will be needed, especially given that there are a number of matches in such a short space of time and injuries are a possibility."

Naved who recently met PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt to plead his case against the one-year ban imposed on him by the board, last represented Pakistan in February of this year in a Twenty over encounter against Australia, spoke of his hopes of a return to international cricket and also confirmed that he had been in training for several weeks ahead of the Faysal Bank competition.

"I'm feeling in very good shape. I started my pre-season training schedule a few weeks ago and am feeling confident and fully fit. I want to put on a good show in the forthcoming tournament and I'm hopeful that if I give a good performance in Lahore for the Stallions, I can return to the Pakistan squad for the series versus South Africa."