Sialkot Stallions favourites yet again

ISLAMABAD: Sialkot Stallions again have the favourites tag going into the Bahria Town Champions Cup T20 cricket as they hold the record for eight titles (six National T20 Cup and two Super Eight T20 Cup titles) and for the most consecutive wins (25) in T20 cricket all over the world.

The omnipresent character in these wins was former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik who led his hometown team with admirable tenacity and recognition. One of the most fit players at the international circuit in his heyday, Malik was one of the most successful cricketers in the shorter format, scoring 13,360 runs, behind only West Indies’ Chris Gayle.

Malik’s remarkable experience and acuity will be at hand for the youngsters as he mentors the side in the five-team Bahria Town Champions T20 Cup which begins at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from 7 December. Besides ABL Stallions, Engro Dolphins, Lake City Panthers, Nurpur Lions and UMT Markhors will feature in the event. The final is scheduled for 25 December.

Malik asserts the prime task for him is to increase game awareness and the ability to learn steadily. “My target as a mentor is to make these players mature enough to deal with the crunch situations and that is one of the keys to T20 cricket. I want to take these players to a stage where they are ready to play as per the situation. The batters should also know about the demands of the shorter format.

“The goal is to play like T20 cricket is played at the world level, modern style and with momentum. We have players who are future prospects and I am sure they will be hungry to show their skills at this level. We have a very good combination for the shorter format, so I am hopeful of some good showings.

“We have good stroke players in the squad. They too need to play their strokes as per the situation. If they see a weak bowler struggling for momentum they should attack him.

“Game awareness is also important in when to hit and when not to hit.” ABL Stallions have young players who have been excelling at the domestic level recently.

Left-handed opener Maaz Sadaqat is fresh from scoring 557 runs in five Quaid-e-Azam trophy matches - second behind Imam-ul-Haq’s 635. But this will be 19-year-old’s debut in T20 cricket. Also oozing with talent is pacer Ubaid Shah, younger brother of Pakistan international Naseem Shah.

The 18-year-old took eight for 79 in a Quaid Trophy match last month. Mehran Mumtaz and Ahmed Safi Abdullah are fast-rising spinning all-rounders, while Abdul Faseeh is a solid top-order batsman who along with Yasir Khan can give impetus to batting.

Besides Ubaid, Mohammad Amir Khan has made a name for himself as a fast bowler. Pakistan international Zaman Khan will spearhead the attack with Hussain Talat also turning his arm over as an effective medium pacer besides stabilising the batting.