Pakistan’s Lahore Lions became the first ever side from the country to compete in the group stages of the lucrative CLT20.
Pakistan’s Lahore Lions became the first ever side from the country to compete in the group stages of the lucrative CLT20. The Lahore Lions skipper Mohammad Hafeez will have his task cut out against the biggies of the game like the Chennai Super Kings, Cape Cobras and the Kolkata Knight Riders.
Besides the other teams in the tourney, Mohammed Hafeez, who also leads the national T20 team has called for calmness. He predicted that this experience in India could be a great ‘big learning curve’ for his boys and Pakistan cricket as well.
Lahore Lions are currently competing in the main round of the Champions League and Hafeez said even though his team lacks in many areas his young side will try to produce a lion-hearted performance.
With that said, the Lahore Lions could spring a surprise or to against some of the top contenders in the CLT20. We list below 5 reasons as to why Hafeez’s determined men could be one of the surprise packages of the tournament so far:
Well versed with conditions
As we saw in the qualifiers, the Lahore Lions might be quite familiar with the Indian sub-continent conditions. The pitches here are conducive to spin and pace with the evenings assisting the batsmen because of the dew factor. Mohammed Hafeez’s side have some batting talent up the order as well bowling line-up that could spring a surprise.
Batting is power-packed
With Nasir Jamshed, Ahmed Shezhad, Mohammed Hafeez and Umar Akmal could terrorise the opposition bowlers on any given day. These batsmen are born for T20 cricket and with flat tracks waiting in the CLT20, expect the Pakistani superstars to hit some huge sixes.
Bowlers’ unknown quality a boon
Besides Wahab Riaz and Aizaz Cheema, the rest of the bowling talent is new to the international cricket rigours. The likes of Adnan Rasool, Ali Manzoor and Imran Ali could be one of the shining stars for the Lahore Lions in the T20 tournament.
Hafeez’s duty for country could come handy
All know that Mohammed Hafeez is leading Pakistan in the T20 format and has been quite successful of late. But here, the batsman cum spinner has a difficult task at hand but with an experience behind it, could come in handy especially in match winning situations.
Umar Akmal could be the difference
Pakistan’s wicket-keeper batsman Umar Akmal is a talented, young batsman in the world of cricket. Besides the ODIs and Tests, Akmal’s strength lies in the T20 format and once set in; the Pakistani could unleash a range of shots that could send the opposition in a tizzy. If Umar makes merry in CLT20, Lahore Lions could go a long way in this tournament.
The only worrying factor for Hafeez could be the fielding and the catching part, where the Lahore Lions are still off the pace. None the less, this CLT20 could see a turnaround for this young Pakistan T20 team who is looking to make a mark on the Indian shores.
