October 04, 2008	Saturday	Shawwal 04, 1429

LAHORE, Oct 3: Although almost all members of the Pakistan team will be seen in action at the fourth edition of the National Twenty20 Cup, exploding into action at three venues here from Saturday, absence of the players banned due to their ICL affiliation is set to diminish the extravaganza’s attraction too.

While Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik will lead defending champions Sialkot Stallions, his deputy Misbah-ul-Haq will show his pluck as captain for Faisalabad Wolves. Mohammad Yousuf, Pakistan’s premier batsman, with a challenge ahead to also show the selectors that he is equally good for the shortest version of the game, will lead Lahore Lions.

The inaugural edition of the Twenty20 event was clinched by Faisalabad Wolves in April 2005.

The Stallions, winners of the last two national Twenty20 championships, can complete their hat-trick this time. However, playing without key players like Mohammad Asif, Imran Nazir and Shahid Yousuf (last two being affiliated to the ICL), it would be more or less an uphill task for Malik’s side to retain the national title this time.

But as Pakistan had a poor back-up after a good number of about 20 players had joined the ICL, hardly a team participating in the national event has four well known cricketers in their ranks. Had Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) not banned the ICL players, it would have been full of star cricketers, presenting more competitive cricket to the spectators.

Another drawback of the most popular domestic tournament of the country is its very short duration of five days, with five matches to be played daily on the first three days. In all, 18 matches including final and semi-finals will be held.

The 13 participating teams have been divided into four pools. The toppers of each pool will qualify for the semi-finals to be held on Oct 7. The final will be played on Oct 8.

Pakistan’s national squad for the Oct 10-13 quadrangular Twenty20 tournament in Canada will also be selected during the national championship, most probably on Oct 7.

On the first day, the Sialkot Stallions will face Karachi Zebras at the Gaddafi Stadium at 8.30pm. Earlier, in the morning Faisalabad Wolves will play Abbottabad Rhinos at the LCCA ground while Lahore Eagles will take on Karachi Dolphins at the Bagh-i-Jinnah ground. Both the matches will start at 10.00am.

Also on day one, Lahore Lions will launch their campaign with a game against Quetta Bears at the Gaddafi Stadium, which will also host Islamabad Leopards against Peshawar Panthers at 5.00pm.

Meanwhile, the PCB has decided to ensure free entry for the families to Fazal Mahmood Enclosure. The rest could enter from gate No 4, 5, 10 and 11. Imran Khan and Javed Miandad Enclosures are reserved for the sponsors.