RAWALPINDI: Former Pakistan captain and Dolphins mentor Sarfaraz Ahmed has revealed his plans to cultivate a brand of international-style T20 cricket in the team ahead of the upcoming T20 Champions Cup, set to begin on December 7 here at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Dolphins mentor Sarfaraz knows the intricacies of the shortest format, having led Pakistan in 37 T20Is with 29 wins and an impressive win rate of 78.37 per cent.
The wicketkeeper-batsman praised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for providing a platform to emerging talent and expressed his hope that his team’s players enter the upcoming five-team tournament with a fearless approach.
“The PCB has provided ideal opportunities to the country’s young players through these events. I expect my players to play T20 cricket the same way it is played at international level; robust and fearless,” said Sarfaraz.
Sarfaraz also emphasized results as the “by-product” of development, citing his team’s forgotten campaign in the one-day edition of the tournament.
Notably, the Dolphins finished last in the five-team tournament, but the former captain was unfazed by the result and instead highlighted that some of his mentored players such as Sufiyan Muqeem and Qasim Akram are representing the national team at different levels.
“It can be said that the results did not come as we would have liked in the Champions One-Day Cup,” said Sarfaraz.
“But I am pleased that some of my players like Sufiyan Muqeem and Qasim Akram have progressed a lot and are serving various Pakistan teams.
Sarfaraz also encouraged his players to follow the characteristics of Dolphins, a species that the former captain considers intelligent, self-aware and a quick learner.
“Dolphins are intelligent and self-aware, as well as curious and learn quickly in the water, so I want my players to live up to the qualities of this species and take advantage of this opportunity – in a wonderful place like the Rawalpindi Stadium – and learn in leaps and bounds. . limits”, he added.
The Dolphins squad for the Bahria Town Champions T20 Cup is a mix of youth and experience.
The main attraction will be the return of pacer Ihsanullah, who started the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2023 with 22 wickets that led Multan Sultan to finish as runners-up and be declared player of the tournament.
Sarfaraz also provided an update on Ihsanullah’s recovery from his knee injury and expects the right-arm pacer to make a big comeback.
“The medical panel is monitoring his progress. He showed his ability on the ball in the HBL PSL and we all want him to make a big comeback,” said Sarfaraz.
Saud Shakeel is expected to anchor a stable batting line-up comprising Pakistani internationals Asif Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Umar Amin, alongside debutant Mirza Tahir Baig and wicketkeeper-batsman Muhammad Akhlaq.
“I want my hitters to adopt real power hitting in the true sense of the word, proper hitting and not hard work,” said the team mentor.
Right-arm pacer Salman Irshad leads the Dolphins’ bowling attack which features Faheem Ashraf, fast-rising domestic artiste Kashif Ali, youngster Khubaib Khalil and Shayan Sheikh in supplementary act.
“We are preparing well before the event, so we hope to bring some surprises in the tournament,” Sarfaraz added.
The final squad and list of player support personnel will be announced in due course.
In addition to the Dolphins, Stallions, Panthers, Lions and Markhors will be present at the event, scheduled to be played in a double league and which will culminate on December 25th.
Dolphins match schedule (all matches at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium):
December 8 – vs Lake City Panthers (12pm)
December 10th – vs UMT Markhors (12pm)
December 12 – vs Nurpur Lions (3:30 pm)
December 13th – vs Garanhões ABL (11am)
December 16 – vs Lake City Panthers (12pm)
December 18th – vs UMT Markhors (12pm)
December 20 – vs Nurpur Lions (3:30 pm)
December 21st – vs Garanhões ABL (3:30 pm)
