Thursday, November 15, 2007

Inzamam's Heroes & Lara's Champs

Many doubted that the rebel ICL will ever go through due to the bans on players from their boards, the launch of the IPL, and various other operational issues. However, against all odds, Kapil Dev (chairman of the ICL executive board) announced the composition of the 6 teams taking part in the 20-20 competition in ICL's 1st year.

Click here to see the complete composition of the Hyderabad Heroes, Kolkata Tigers, Mumbai Champs, Delhi Jets, Chennai Superstars, and Chandigarh Lions. The coaches of these teams are prominent former international cricketers. I would've thought Moin Khan and Micheal Bevan, two of the coaches, would have been good to play as well. Wonder why they're coaching.

The captains haven't been announced yet but Inzamam and Lara are expected to lead their teams - the Heroes and Champs respectively. The Pakistani fans should look forward to watching the Hyderabad Heroes in action as it not only includes Inzi, but also Abdul Razzak and Azhar Mahmood. Moreover, Moin Khan is coach of the team. Ambati Rayudu, the 22 year old touted to be India's latest batting prodigy, would love the prospect of batting along side Inzamam Ul Haq.

The Aussies should be looking forward to supporting the Chennai team, coached by Bevan, which includes Stuart Law and Ian Harvey. I still remember the 1996 world cup semi final between Australia and the Windies where the Aussies were 4 down for 40 odd before Law and Bevan scripted a remarkable recovery. What a partnership that was.

Lara will play alongside Nathan Astle for Mumbai, while the Chandigarh team looks like a strong outfit with internationals Cairns, Farhat, Marshall, Hall, Sodhi, D. Mongia, and Tuffey in the ranks.

The ICL looks set to get underway as soon as the issue of grounds get settled. Rumours flying around are that grounds in Sharjah, a private club in Karachi, and a few around India will be used. the prospects would have even been brighter had the IPL not been launched but then nothing flourishes without a little bit of competition. And rebels are always welcome.

Let the ICL roll...

Make your pitch on this post...



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9 Pitched:

  1. Soulberry said...
     

    Q, I have my roots in Hyderabad and Inzi's the skipper there! That's good. I've spent all my life in Delhi, so I have two treams to follow and cheer. Delhi looks the weaker side on paper between the two. Hyderbad could challenge Lara's Mumbai which appears strongest on paper.

    Can't deny that this will be fun when it gets off. I'll be curious to see how well it is organized for that could decide the future of ICL and private T20 clubs.

    What's your team out of those?

  2. Jrod said...
     

    Long live the freak Ian Harvey

  3. Obaid said...
     

    Hyderabad is who Im supporting too Soulberry, because Inzi is the capn and I have family there as well. Ive viisted Hyderabad twice and like the place

    Q, do you think fringe players like Shabbir Ahmed or Taufeeq Umar can earn a recall to the national team by doing well in the league?

    Also, whats the story with Boje? Isnt he afraid of coming to India because the police will question him regarding match fixing?

  4. NAzhar said...
     

    Hyderabad coz of Inzi....i think ICL is a great idea!

  5. Anonymous said...
     

    why isnt afridi in the test squad?

  6. Q said...
     

    Soulberry - I guess all Pakistanis are going to be supporting Hyderabad cos of Inzi. I am going to do just that. Plus I'm sure there are many others like me who are missing Razzaks batting in the last 10 overs, and watching him again in the ICL should be a treat.

    Uncle J - Why freak? I remember Harvey's slower ones. Totally unplayable they were.

    Obaid - I doubt players will make a comeback on the basis of performance in the ICL. Maybe to the 20-20 side but ODIs and Tests, not at all. We're already seeing players like Gul, Tanvir, Misbah not beign able to transform their 20-20 form in ODIs and tests...Plus the boards have made it clear that they will not consider any player representing the ICL. Majority of the players in the teams, I believe have accepted that or are hoping that the boards change their mind.

    Nazhar - I agree. ICL is a brilliant idea. We all know what packer did for ODI cricket. Lets see what the ICL does for 20-20.

    Anonymous - trust u to go off subject. But to answer your question - Afridi is not a test player. Glad to see Faisal and Sami back.

  7. Anonymous said...
     

    that's totally uncalled for ... you dont even know me!!

    was just wondering where to put afridi's question as there is no post on the test team. so yes, the question was off the topic - but this seemed to be the only active place to ask that.

    the test lineup would be something like this ... butt, hameed, younis, yousuf, faisal, malik, misbah, akmal, akhtar, gul and kaneria.

    is it just me, or the team seems too top-heavy here, not to mention the limited bowling resources (even if they drop hameed/faisal and bring in somebody like tanvir or rehman) ... besides, afridi has a good test record against india, and can certainly change the game in 10-15 overs in favour of pakistan.

    now go write something about test team so that i can post my queries there.

  8. Jrod said...
     

    Q, the victorian team called him the freak cause he could do everything well. left and right handed with most of them.

  9. Q said...
     

    Uncle J - I heard that he could bat and bowl both right handed and left handed. Which is quite interesting. John Buchanan once also mentioned that he wants to develop ambidexterous (sp?) players for Australia. No progress on that is there.

    Anonymous - will do a post on the test team when the tests come closer.

    I think Pak have selected the best squad possible. Afridi is a bowler and his bowling doesn't grant him a place in the tests. ODIs yes but not tests.

    The XI u suggested is batsmen heavy. Pakistan will play 4 bowlers - hopefully Shoaib Akhtar, Sami, Gul, and Kaneria. But if they take the defensive approach then Rehman will play instead of Gul or Sami. Sami has performed very well in the current domestic season so he should play.

    If Shoaib Mailk decides to open then the middle order will be Younis, Yousuf, Faisal, and Misbah. Otherwise Hameed will open with Butt, Malik will bat at 5, and either of Faisal or Misbah will miss out.

    I hope Faisal plays.

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