Panthers, Lions eye title triumph as T20 Cup begins tomorrow

RAWALPINDI: As the Bahria Town Champions T20 Cup set to get underway from tomorrow (Saturday) here at the Pindi Stadium, Lake City Panthers and Nurpur Lions want to make the best use of coming opportunities.

Both the teams not only want to achieve the ultimate goal of title triumph but also want to develop players for the higher grades. “We know the formats are different and we are coming from 50-over format to this shorter one but I am sure that if given the defined roles my players will play an exciting brand of cricket and if we play to our potential best results will come,” said Saqlain Mushtaq, who also coached Pakistan to semi-final and runners-up finish in the 2021 and 2022 ICC T20 World Cups, respectively.

Shadab Khan leads a strong batting line-up with dashing Sharjeel Khan on the top of the order, but subject to his fitness. Abdul Wahid Bangalzai and Umar Siddiq are two aggressive batters who can give a rollicking start to Lake City Panthers.

Pakistan stars Haider Ali, Danish Aziz, Shadab and spin-bowling all-rounder Mubasir Khan can give impetus to batting in the slog overs. Sajid Khan, after his series-winning performance against England in the Test series and 27 wickets in Quaid-e-Azam trophy, is also eager to make his name in white-ball cricket.

The pace bowling looks slightly inexperienced but Ahmed Bashir, Mohammad Ibtisam and Irfanullah Shah can overcome that through their enormous talent. Schedule of Lake City Panthers matches (All matches at Pindi Stadium): December 7: vs ABL Stallions (3.30pm).

Dec 8: vs Engro Dolphins (12 noon)

Dec 11: vs Nurpur Lions (12 noon)

Dec 13: UMT Markhors (3.30pm)

Dec 15: ABL Stallions (11am)

Dec 16: Engro Dolphins (12 noon)

Dec 19: Nurpur Lions (12 noon)

Dec 21: vs UMT Markhors (11am).

Nurpur Lions have several ambitions to fulfill from the Bahria Town Champions T20 Cup. Mentor Waqar Younis admits a lot of work needed to be done to make Pakistan’s national teams of all three formats more competitive and in turn get the much-needed fillip.

“There is no doubt that Pakistan lag behind when it comes to match the T20 style of play which other teams exhibit,” said Waqar.

“When it comes to hitting in the slog overs by middle and lower order batters we need huge improvement. The top order is doing well but I am sure we mentors will target this tournament to improve that and this problem will be solved.

“Tournaments like Champions Cup can help produce players for Pakistan as we all endeavours to give a big fillip to our cricket.” Some of the young fast bowlers like Musa Khan, fresh from being the highest wicket-taker in the Quaid-e-Azam trophy with 38 in five matches, Shahid Aziz and Mohammad Salman will be part of the Lions pace battery. Hunain Shah, brother of Pakistan international Naseem Shah, is also in the ranks to shine after missing the Champions One-Day Cup due to injury. These pacers cannot wish for a more illustrious teacher than Waqar.

The batting will be bolstered by hard-hitting Hasan Nawaz and Mohammad Taha, sedate customer in Imam-ul-Haq and the wily hitters in Mohammad Basit, Khushdil Shah, Rohail Nazir and Mohammad Faiq.

All-rounder Aamer Yamin will lend experience and guile while Arif Yaqoob will further make his mark in the shortest format of the game after being touted for his wicket taking ability in the National T20 Cup last year and the Pakistan Super League earlier this year.

Lake City Panthers and Nurpur Lions final squads and player support personnel list will be announced in due course. Schedule of Nurpur Lions matches (All matches at Pindi Stadium): Dec 7: vs UMT Markhors (11am)

Dec 9– vs ABL Stallions (12 noon)

Dec 11: Lake City Panthers (12 noon)

Dec 12: Engro Dolphins (3.30pm)

Dec 15: UMT Markhors (3.30pm)

Dec 17: ABL Stallions (12 noon)

Dec 19: Lake City Panthers (12 noon)

Dec 20: Engro Dolphins (3.30pm).