Lahore Lions are the third team from Pakistan that will compete in the Champions League, after Sialkot Stallions and Faisalabad Wolves, and unlike their predecessors the Mohammad Hafeez-led side is confident of reaching the main round.
Stallions and Wolves were knocked out of the qualifying round but Hafeez said his team has enough fire-power to make the cut. Lions will face Mumbai Indians, Southern Express and Northern Knights in the qualifying round, starting September 13 in Raipur.
Lions feature national team regulars like Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmed Shehzad, Umar Akmal, Aizaz Cheema, Wahab Riaz and Nasir Jamshed that have experience of playing in the Indian conditions.
“It is a tough challenge for us but the fact that we are playing in India is a big spur on for the players and what gives me confidence is our team combination,” skipper Hafeez told to PTI.
“We have six international players all of whom have proven they can handle pressure of playing in a big event and in front of big crowds,” he pointed out. “And the other players are also battle hardened and capable of winning matches on their own.”
The preparations of the Pakistan’s national T20 champions were affected by rain at their training base in Lahore. They have only three days to acclimatise themselves with the conditions, before locking horns with Mumbai Indians in their first match.
Apart from the top-six players, Lions have youngsters, such as Saad Naseem, Adnan Rasool, Mustafa Ali and Ali Manzoor, to name a few. There will be pressure on them of playing in front of Indian crowd.
“The key to success will be how we handle pressure,” Hafeez said. “If we can do that we can play in the main rounds. Our preparations as a team have not been ideal for such a big event but we know it is a big platform for us to enhance Pakistan cricket’s image and bring joy to our countrymen.”
Image Courtesy: Champions League
