Afridi, who earned man of the match award in the final of the Asia Cup in Bangladesh, has shown his unavailability for the eight-team competition which will conclude on April 1.
“Afridi is not playing in the T20 Cup because he is going to America,” Karachi City Cricket Association (KCCA) secretary Professor Ijaz Farooqui told ‘The News’ here on Saturday.
Test fast bowler Muhammad Sami will now lead the last year’s runners-up Karachi Dolphins in the event, while Khalid Latif will be his deputy.
But Dolphins coach Muhammad Masroor says his team still has bright chances of lifting the title. “We have a balanced side. We have a few fighting players like Muhammad Sami, Khalid Latif, Ramiz Raja, Sohail Khan, Tanvir Ahmad and spinners Haris Riaz and Faraza Ahmad Khan, while wicketkeeper batsman Sarfraz Ahmad and Asad Shafiq will also join us before the opener,” Masroor said.
On Sunday (today), in Group A matches Faisalabad Wolves clash with Peshawar Panthers at 4:00pm and Lahore Lions meet Karachi Zebras at 8:00pm. Wolves’ skipper Misbah-ul-Haq and off-spinner Saeed Ajmal will not play the opening game against Panthers.
“Both Misbah and Ajmal will not play the first game, but they have told us that they will be available for the second game,” Wolves coach Asif Hussain told this correspondent. “The availability of Test opener Muhammad Hafeez, however, is still in doubt. The team was formed after consultation with Misbah but may be the stars will need some rest after hectic international engagements,” he said.
Meanwhile, an official of the Faisalabad Cricket Association criticised the president of the Faisalabad Region Chaudhry Anwar for ignoring deserving players such as Imran Ali, Asif Ali, Zahoor Ahmad Khan and Zubair for inducting undeserving cricketers from Gojra and Bhakkar from where he seeks to get votes in the coming elections.
Lanky Test pacer Umar Gul will lead Panthers. “Gul is available and so is Riaz Afridi,” Panthers’ coach Abdul Rehman said. “We have a strong batting line up besides a balanced bowling combination. But we will have to focus on fielding which plays a key role in T20,” Rehman said.
An official of the Peshawar District Association said that the talented wicketkeeper batsman Rizwan who scored two fifties in the One-day Cup in two games besides scoring two half centuries in trial matches for the T20 Cup against PESCO has been ignored.
An official of the Lahore City Cricket Association (LCCA) said that international opener Nasir Jamshed is expected to join Lahore Lions before their match against Karachi Zebras (today), but Umar Akmal, Wahab Riaz and Aizaz Cheema join on Monday (tomorrow).
“A few major teams have equal chances of wining the event. And the team which will play better on the particular day will win,” LCCA chief Khwaja Nadeem said.
Kamran Akmal leads Lions that also have allrounder Abdul Razzaq.
Karachi Zebras coach Tahir Mehmood also voiced optimism about his team’s chances of putting up a good performance. “We have a balanced side. I don’t feel that there is any weak point of the team,” Tahir said. Hasan Raza will lead Zebras.
Coach of holders Rawalpindi Rams Sabih Azhar said that they would not disappoint the people of Rawalpindi. “Being defending champions we feel much pressure and will try to defend the title for the sake of the people of Rawalpindi,” Azhar said.
Sohail Tanvir leads Rams who also have allrounders Yasir Arafat and Hammad Azam.
Lahore Eagles coach Manzoor Elahi was also confident of his team’s skills. “On paper we have a good side that includes Azhar Ali, Ali Azmat, Asif Raza and young fast bowler Emmad Ali who will get a good chance to prove himself as he is a talented player,” the former Test cricketer said.
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