Former Pakistan coach Richard Pybus talks to PakPassion.net as he leads his Cape Cobras team into the Champions League T20 tournament full of optimism and confidence.

By Saj Sadiq (September 17, 2011)

Former Pakistan coach Richard Pybus leads his Cape Cobras team into the Champions League T20 tournament full of optimism and confidence.

The Cobras boast talents such as JP Duminy, Herschelle Gibbs, Robin Peterson, Owais Shah and Dale Steyn and will undoubtedly present a stiff challenge to their opponents.

The Cobras have been drawn in what is seen as the toughest group in the competition alongside the Mumbai Indians, New South Wales, Chennai Superkings and a qualifier and start their campaign on 24th September versus New South Wales.

Speaking to PakPassion.net prior to the Cobras' departure to India, Pybus expressed relief that the South African international players were available to the Cobras this time around.

"We are in a tough group. All the sides in our group are highly rated, but I am really pleased that all of our international players such as Dale Steyn, Robin Petersen and JP Duminy are available to us. In addition we have some excellent talent like Herschelle Gibbs and Owais Shah in our ranks."

"New South Wales are always going to be very competitive. They are previous champions and will be very well prepared. They have included quite a number of young players so it's difficult to know what their history is and to plan for those players."

"Chennai will have their World Cup winners available and are IPL champions. They are a very serious cricket team with a very strong squad and will no doubt go into the competition full of confidence. They look like the team to beat and are favourites to me, purely because of what they have achieved recently."

"And then there are the Mumbai Indians with the likes of Sachin (Tendulkar), Lasith Malinga and Kieron Pollard. The group is a fantastic group to be in. It’s a great group to be in because it's about as tough as it gets. In addition there will be the qualifier team who will have done well in their domestic competition and will be a tough challenge."

Pybus stated further that "It's going to be a hell of a contest. The quality of the cricket is going to be fantastic due to the overall strength of the squads. Chennai as I mentioned earlier look like the favourites but after them, I think it's a pretty level playing field and from what we've seen in previous Champions League tournaments, it's all about hitting the ground running and getting off to a good start. Focus and temperament are key also especially in the latter stages of the tournament that is once you have got through to the latter stages - which is of course our aim."