Ready for Champions T20 Cup Under Sarfaraz Ahmed

Engro Dolphins Ready for Champions T20 Cup Under Sarfaraz Ahmed

The Engro Dolphins are all set to make a significant impact in the upcoming Bahria Town Champions T20 Cup 2024, scheduled to commence on 7th December at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Under the strategic mentorship of former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, the Dolphins aim to cultivate an international-standard T20 brand, blending youth with seasoned experience to compete fiercely in this prestigious five-team tournament.

Sarfaraz Ahmed’s Vision for the Dolphins

Sarfaraz Ahmed, renowned for his exemplary leadership in T20 cricket, expressed his ambition to elevate the Dolphins’ gameplay to match international standards. Having led Pakistan in 37 T20 Internationals with an impressive 29 wins and a win ratio of 78.37%, Sarfaraz brings a wealth of experience and tactical acumen to the squad.

“The PCB has been providing ideal opportunities to young players of the country through these events. I hope my players will play T20 cricket in the same manner as it is played at the international level; robust and fearless,” Sarfaraz stated.

Focus on Player Development Over Immediate Results

Despite the Dolphins’ disappointing finish in the recent One-Day Cup, Sarfaraz remains optimistic about the team’s future. He emphasized that the primary goal is player development, with results being a natural byproduct of this growth.

“You may say that results did not come as we would have liked in the Champions One-Day Cup,” Sarfaraz acknowledged. “But I am satisfied that some of my players, like Sufyan Muqeem and Qasim Akram, progressed to a good distance and are serving various Pakistan sides.”

Drawing Inspiration from Dolphins

Sarfaraz drew parallels between his team and the intelligent and adaptive nature of dolphins, aiming to instill these qualities in his players.

“Dolphins are intelligent and self-aware besides being curious and fast learners in water, so I want my players to live up to the qualities of that species and use this opportunity – on a wonderful ground like the Rawalpindi Stadium – and learn by leaps and bounds,” he added.

Star Players and Team Composition

The Engro Dolphins squad is a balanced mix of youth and experience, promising an exciting lineup for the tournament:

  • Ihsanullah: The star pacer returning from a knee injury, who was the player of the tournament in PSL 2023 with 22 wickets, is expected to make a grand comeback.“The medical panel is monitoring his progress. He has shown his ability with the ball in the HBL PSL and we all want him to stage a bumper comeback,” Sarfaraz remarked.
  • Saud Shakeel: Anchoring a stable batting lineup alongside Pakistan internationals Asif Ali, Faheem Ashraf, and Umar Amin.
  • Mirza Tahir Baig and Muhammad Akhlaq: Newcomers set to bolster the batting and wicketkeeping departments respectively.
  • Salman Irshad: Leading the bowling attack with support from Faheem Ashraf, Kashif Ali, Khubaib Khalil, and Shayan Sheikh.

“I want my batters to adopt real power-hitting in the true sense of the word, proper hitting and not hanky panky slogging,” said Sarfaraz.

Preparation and Strategy

Sarfaraz emphasized the team’s preparation and readiness to surprise opponents with strategic gameplay.

“We are preparing well in the lead-up to the event, so expect us to spring some surprises in the tournament,” Sarfaraz added.

Tournament Structure and Schedule

The Bahria Town Champions T20 Cup 2024 will feature five teams: Engro Dolphins, Allied Bank Stallions, Lake City Panthers, Nurpur Lions, and UMT Markhors. The tournament will follow a double-league format, culminating in the final on 25th December.

Dolphins’ Match Schedule

All matches for the Dolphins will be held at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium:

  • 8 Dec – vs Lake City Panthers (12 noon)
  • 10 Dec – vs UMT Markhors (12 noon)
  • 12 Dec – vs Nurpur Lions (3:30 pm)
  • 13 Dec – vs ABL Stallions (11 am)
  • 16 Dec – vs Lake City Panthers (12 noon)
  • 18 Dec – vs UMT Markhors (12 noon)
  • 20 Dec – vs Nurpur Lions (3:30 pm)
  • 21 Dec – vs ABL Stallions (3:30 pm)

Broadcasting and Media Coverage

The Bahria Town Champions T20 Cup will be broadcast live, ensuring fans can enjoy every moment of the action. Key highlights include:

  • Ball-by-Ball Coverage: Available on the PCB corporate website, providing real-time updates and comprehensive match insights.
  • Bilingual Match Reports: Catering to a diverse audience with reports available in both English and Urdu.
  • Action Images: High-quality images capturing the excitement and intensity of each match.

Media Partnership

GEO News has been appointed as the official media partner for the Engro Dolphins, ensuring extensive coverage and promotion of the team’s journey throughout the tournament.

Future Announcements

The final squad and player support personnel list for the Engro Dolphins will be announced shortly, adding to the anticipation and excitement surrounding the team’s participation in the tournament.

Conclusion

With Sarfaraz Ahmed at the helm, the Engro Dolphins are poised to deliver an impressive performance in the Bahria Town Champions T20 Cup 2024. Emphasizing player development, strategic gameplay, and the intelligent spirit of dolphins, Sarfaraz aims to bridge the gap between domestic and international T20 standards. As the tournament approaches, fans eagerly await the Dolphins’ display of skill, resilience, and competitive spirit on the vibrant stage of Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.