Sialkot Stallions’ participation in Champions League T20 confirmed by PCB – Cricket News Update
The Pakistan Cricket Board has confirmed the participation of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 in October this year.
“It was decided that Sialkot Stallions by virtue of being the domestic T20 champions will represent Pakistan in the event after we got an official invitation from the Champions League organisers,” confirmed an official from the board.
The Stallions, winners of the National T20 and Super Eights, are captained by former Pakistan skipper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shoaib-Malik-c90088, and are the first Pakistani team to be allowed entry into the competition. Owing to the freeze in Indo-Pak sporting ties, following the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai, Pakistani players have been barred, not only from the CLT20, but also from the Indian Premier League.
However, the BCCI’s invitation to the PCB for the CLT20 hints at a thaw in relations, and a developing revival of ties. The Stallions however, have not been granted direct entry into the event.
The Champions League is scheduled to be held from October 9 to 28, with a six-team qualifying stage (from October 10-12) preceding the main event. The six teams battling it out for a place in the qualifiers include the Stallions, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 Premier League, the inaugural edition of which will take place later this year.
“It really doesn't matter because it will be a good experience for our players to play against the best domestic T20 teams of other countries in South African conditions,” said an official from the Sialkot Cricket Association.
“What is important is that finally Pakistan has got a chance to also compete in the Champions League and we are confident our team is capable of surprising a lot of people.”
As confirmed by Sundar Raman (a member of the CLT20 technical committee) via Twitter, the top two teams to emerge triumphant from the qualifying stage will go up against the 8 teams who have gained direct entry into the competition.
These include the top four teams from this year’s IPL – Kolkata Knight Riders (2012 champions), http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746).
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