The Pakistani domestic cricket season starts with a bang this year with the nation's premier domestic Twenty20 tournament, the Faysal Bank T20, to be the first signature event on the calender

by Ahmed Zulfiqar

6th October 2010

 

 

Once again ladies and gents, the time is upon us. The Pakistani domestic cricket season starts with a bang this year with the nation's premier domestic Twenty20 tournament, the Faysal Bank T20, to be the first signature event on the calendar. The cricket carnival will spring into action on the 10th of October, and PakPassion.net will be your home for all the news, previews and reviews, with exclusive interviews and match reports. So break out the hard hats people, and get ready for the ride!

The tournament is in its regular format, with 13 teams divided into 4 groups, the winners of which will move on to the semi-final stage. All matches will be held at the home of Pakistani cricket, the Gaddafi stadium in Lahore.
 

 

 

 

 

 

Peshawar Panthers

The Panthers will not be expected to cause too many upsets in Group A, but that is not to say that they are a team devoid of talent. Under the watchful eye of World Cup-winning skipper Younus Khan, the Panthers will be expected to be the side that is hard to beat, and will fight till the very end. Younus, along with wicketkeeper Rifatullah Mohmand will be expected to hold the batting together, while the bowling responsibilities will be shouldered by none other than Pakistan's ace fast bowler and Twenty20 titan, Umar Gul.

The Matchwinner: Much will be expected from Umar Gul if the Panthers are to have a strong run this year.

 

 

 

 

 Abbottabad Falcons (used to be Rhinos)

The Falcons' strength lies in their bowling, with the likes of leg-spinner and captain Yasir Shah, and upcoming left-arm quick Junaid Khan in their ranks. Both players are in superb form, and were the outstanding performers in the recent Pakistan A tour of Sri Lanka. Left-hander Adnan Raees will be expected to show responsibility with the bat.

The Matchwinner: Junaid Khan will be expected to further enhance his case for national team selection. His opening spells with the new ball will be key.

 

 

 

 

 Lahore Lions

The strongest team in the group, and indeed the hometown favourites, much is expected from the Lions this year. A batting lineup that would put most internationl teams to shame, it is their bowling which will have to step up if the Lions are finally to go all the way this year. With the likes of Kamran and Umar Akmal, Nasir Jamshed, and hard-hitting youngster Ahmed Shehzad in the top order, Lions matches promise to be a boombastic encounter. And with the return of prodigal sons Mohammad Yousuf and Abdul Razzaq, the Lions know now that anything other than the title itself will be considered a failure. The bowling lineup will have the sheer pace of Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Irshad and Aizaz Cheema, with Imran Ali providing vital support.

The Matchwinner: Even amongst all their stars, it will have to be the experience, hard-hitting batting and deceptive bowling of Abdul Razzaq that must lead the Lions to the glory they have been destined for.

 

 

 

 

 Multan Tigers

The Tigers are the one side that can be expected to fully challenge the Lions in Group A. They boast a balanced and varied bowling attack with the likes of Abdur Rauf, Mohammad Irfan and Rizwan Haider, and the bewitching left-arm spin of Zulfiqar Babar to turn the screws in the middle overs. The batting is a little lightweight, and much will depend on the contributions of Naveed Yasin. Fielding also needs to be significantly improved from last year, when the Tigers were roundly lambasted for their shambolic displays.

The Matchwinner: The subtle variations and guile of Zulfiqar Babar will be key, as the Tigers batting lineup will struggle to chase the bigger scores.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Rawalpindi Rams

A side that has historically underperformed. The Rams boast many exciting young talents, and are the side that most neutrals are hoping can create an upset. The absence of superstar Mohammad Amir will be heavily missed, but with the likes of Sohail Tanvir, Yasir Arafat, Mohammad Rameez, Raza Hassan and Hammad Azam in their ranks, the bowling will be in capable hands. In the batting department, all eyes will be on stylish left-hander Umar Amin to show the form that lead to his call-up to the national side earlier this year. U19 stars Hassan and Azam's performances will also be keenly followed.

The Matchwinner: On his comeback to top-level cricket, Sohail Tanvir's performances will be key if the Rams are to progress to the semi-finals.

 

 

 

 

 Karachi Zebras

The Zebras, as always, boast a talented unit, but whose collective effort often lets them down. The batting is in the capable hands of Khurram Manzoor, Faisal Iqbal and Hasan Raza, but it is getting them clicking at the same time that is crucial. Bowling responsibility will be shared by Anwar Ali and Pakistan ace leg-spinner Danish Kaneria, with Tabish Khan expected to provide support.

The Matchwinner:  Khurram Manzoor will be expected to get the Zebras off to a good start, and to make an impression on national team selectors as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Islamabad Leopards

An aging lineup, the Leopards' success will depend heavily on their bowling. The skipper is none other than Pakistan speed demon and champion fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, his bowling and leadership will be instrumental if the Leopards are to go past the group stage. That is not to say that he is alone, experienced campaigners like Rao Iftikhar, Azhar Mahmood and Kamran Hussain will be expected to provide a control over proceedings as well. Raheel Majeed will be expected to hold the batting together, though one feels that the absence of Bazid Khan could be crucial.

The Matchwinner: None other than the showstopper himself, Shoaib Akhtar. His dynamic personality, and sheer ability with the ball will be a sight to behold.

 

 

 

 

 Quetta Bears

The whipping boys of the group, the Bears will have their task cut out for them against 2 quality bowling lineups. A team devoid of stars, and heavily reliant on the collective effort, one feels that the knockout stages will be beyond them. The batting efforts will be lead by left-hand opener Shoaib Khan, whilst the bowling will be at the opposition's mercy.

The Matchwinner: Shoaib Khan will have to lead the batting, his contributions will be vital if the Bears are to make sizeable totals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lahore Eagles

The Eagles, altough lacking the illustrious and celebrated names of its city rivals the Lions, still pack quite a punch and are known as the 'Giant Killers' of the Pakistani T20 circuit. The batting lineup has some serious quality, with the likes of Taufeeq Umar, Imran Farhat, Azhar Ali and all-rounder Kashif Siddiq amongst its ranks. The bowling attack will be lead by left-armers Mohammad Khalil and Jamshed Ahmed, along with Junaid Zia, although the absence of Mohammad Irshad and burly medium pacer Fahad Masood may be a telling one. Edgbaston Test hero Zulqarnain Haider will be donning the gloves, and the fan favorite will be expected to re-stake his claim for the wicket-keeping spot in the national team.

The Matchwinner: The Eagles' success will depend largely on the performance of maverick left-hand opener Imran Farhat, who has shown in the past his big-hitting ability against even the most skilled quick bowlers.

 

 

 

 

 Hyderabad Hawks

The Hawks may not be title contenders, but writing them off completely would be a grave error. The batting lineup boasts some talented youngsters such as captain Azeem Ghumman, hard-hitting opener Sharjeel Khan and Aqeel Anjum. Faisal Athar will be the experienced senior pro expected to hold it all together. The bowling lineup is a bit suspect, with only Mir Ali Talpur and Lal Kumar who can be relied upon to take the pressure. A tall order for the Hawks in group D, but if the batting lineup performs, we may be in for a shock result or two.

The Matchwinner: Opener Sharjeel Khan can be relied upon to take on all comers. On his day, the youngster will tear any bowling lineup to shreds, and could make the telling difference.