- Scorecards, stats and tournament schedule is available here; Action pictures are available here; please credit @PCB
- Points table is available here
- Free entry for fans to the Premium enclosures in all matches except the Qualifier and Final; Online tickets available at pcb.tcs.com.pk and physical tickets can be bought from dedicated TCS express centres in Islamabad & Rawalpindi
- The official nomenclature of the tournament is Bahria Town Champions T20 Cup; official hashtag is #DiscoveringChampions; Media houses are requested to use the correct event nomenclature and hashtag in headlines, bulletins and write-ups
Rawalpindi, 14 December 2024: Mohammad Haris-led ABL Stallions lead the five-team chart as the first round of Bahria Town Champions T20 Cup saw the development of some of the new talent, the main aim of the event.
The five-mentors – Misbah-ul-Haq, Saqlain Mushtaq, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shoaib Malik and Waqar Younis are guiding the talented players in their teams, using their enormous experience. One of the most pleasing aspects of the event is the return of talented fast bowler Ihsanullah who showed great promise in the 2023 HBL PSL with 22 wickets that deservedly won him the player of the tournament award and his team Multan Sultan the runners-up place. Ihsan, has played one ODI and four T20Is for Pakistan, and has returned to competitive cricket after undergoing rehab.
Engro Dolphins team mentor Sarfaraz Ahmed is optimistic Ihsan can gain full rhythm soon. “When Ihsan came to us we observed him and kept him in our T20 squad. We have gradually built him up. We did not play him in the initial matches and requested him to be kept in the squad,” said Sarfaraz. “He has played after a long time so his return will take time and he will gradually be at full throttle.”
There are other fast bowlers like Shahid Aziz who has taken eight wickets for Nurpur Lions, the most notable being his 4-20 in the team’s victory over Lake City Panthers. The 21-year-old from Kurram Agency will further develop under team mentor Waqar Younis. For the same team Musa Khan has eight wickets and backed by his 38 wickets in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. He too is progressing to regain his place in the Pakistan team.
For UMT Markhors, Nisar Ahmed has six wickets in the tournament. Akif Javed is also developing by leaps and bounds. He has four wickets in as many matches and is staking claims for higher grades.
The 20-year-old all-rounder Saad Masood has come out in flying colours for UMT Markhors. The Rawalpindi lad scored 26 not out and grabbed 2-20 against Nurpur Lions – his only second T20 match. Then Masood showed great sign of maturity with a polished 63 not out to carry his team from a precarious 7-70 to 163-8, batting with the tail. “Saad’s performances have been outstanding so far and he has been the find of the tournament for our team,” said Markhors’ mentor Misbah.
Mirza Tahir Baig and Hasan Nawaz are two good openers who can go places. “If Mirza Tahir plays to his potential then he can go places,” said Dolphins mentor Sarfaraz. Markhors’ mentor Misbah was all praise for Hasan, “He has made a great mark in the T20 format and has displayed eye-catching performances in this tournament.”
Like a seasoned campaigner Hussain Talat has anchored ABL Stallions batting, knocking 218 runs with a century and two fifties. Panthers’ Haider Ali, with 188 runs at an average of 62 and strike rate of 182, sits on the second position. He earned praise and respect of UMT Markhors’ mentor Misbah, “Haider has turned up as a totally different player this tournament with an improved shot selection and consistency.” Spinner Usman Tariq heads the bowling table with nine wickets, lifting ABL Stallions to top position with three wins in four matches with one defeat.
UMT Markhors are placed second on the table with three wins, a defeat and slightly lesser net run-rate. Nurpur Lions staged a comeback by winning their third and fourth matches after losing the first two. They are placed third. Lake City Panthers have been hampered by the absence of their skipper Shadab Khan in two matches, suffering back problem. They are fourth with two wins and as many defeats. Engro Dolphins are at the bottom of the table, losing all their four matches.
The event will heat up at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday as table-toppers ABL Stallions face Lake City Panthers in the first match at 11am while Nurpur Lions lock horns with UMT Markhors in the second match at 3.30 pm.
