ICL Information

A fifth straight victory for Lahore Badshahs reinforced the belief that it is indeed the team to beat in the Indian Cricket League’s Edelweiss 20s Challenge.A comfortable eight-wicket victory over Delhi Giants made Badshahs the first team to qualify for the semifinals of the eight-team competition.

The defeat kept Giants at four points from five games. It plays Hyderabad Heroes on Monday and only a victory can keep alive its hopes of a place in the last-four stage.

Displaying a fine mix of enterprise and expertise, Badshahs restricted Giants to a paltry 103 for seven and then left it for Imran Nazir to make merry. The opener smashed a six and six boundaries in his 47-ball innings to help the team reach the target in 14.5 overs without taking undue risks.

Nazir put on 59 runs for the second-wicket with Humayun Farhat (16, two 4s) in 7.5 overs and another 39 with Hasan Raza in 5.4 overs to complete the formalities.

Earlier, Giants struggled for the better part of its innings. On a pitch where the ball was not exactly coming on to the bat, opener Mohnish Mishra (33, 31 deliveries, five 4s) made good use of the hardness of the new ball and kept the scoreboard ticking. Once Mishra was bowled off leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed in the ninth over with 53 on the board, wickets fell at regular intervals.

source:http://www.hindu.com/

When a new team like Lahore Badshahs entered the Indian Cricket League, not many would have predicted that after the first week, our team will emerge as the team to beat in the tournament. But I knew what these boys were capable of and I am delighted that they have delivered on the field.

The first match was very crucial for us in many ways. It was our ICL debut and that too against the defending champions. And it was good that the game went down to the wire and we eventually triumphed. For the millions of ICL followers worldwide, it was a big upset. For us, it was exactly what we needed at the start of the tournament – a victory from a very close game.

Such a close game brings out the best in terms of camaraderie. And this is what exactly happened as in the next game, we overwhelmed the Hyderabad Heroes. And I hope we can keep it going against the Chandigarh Lions on Sunday. Having won both the matches that we have played so far, we are placed at the top of the table. And if we can clinch Sunday’s tie, we will have one foot in the semi-finals. And after having beaten the defending champions, I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t be able to win against the last tournament’s runner-up. We are being inspired by the Ahmedabad Rockets – the other new team in the ICL besides us – who beat the Lions in their first match.

The other day, someone asked me whether I have a magic stick since the team has done so well. After having such a bunch of talented, experienced and youthful players, I don’t think I will ever need a magic stick. It’s all about making them realise the importance of the match and assigning each one of them a particular role for a particular match.

Just because we have won our first two games, there is no reason for us to get complacent. After all, we are playing Twenty20. The match can change its course within two-three overs. So we need to back each other up and take one game at a time.

To conclude, I would say that the fact that most of us knowing each other even before the formation of the team has worked really well for us. Since most of the boys have played with me and with each other at the highest level, they know each other’s strengths and weaknesses. I hope they take full advantage of this throughout the tournament.

Source: http://www.indiancricketleague.in

Subhash Chandra-promoted cricket tournament Indian Cricket League (ICL) today announced Edelweiss Capital as the title sponsor for its upcoming tournament starting March 9. The tournament will be called Edelweiss 20s Challenge.

The first Twenty20 tournament of ICL was organised in December last year in Chandigarh.

Kapil Dev, chairman, executive board, ICL, said: “We welcome Edelweiss on board, and are happy with the overwhelming response we have received from the market. Edelweiss’s association with ICL is a support to young domestic Indian players who have been provided an international standard platform to display their cricketing talent. This support will be a sure step in strengthening domestic cricket in the country.”

Rashesh Shah, chairman, Edelweiss Group, said: “We are happy to be part of a movement that brings cricketing greats together with aspiring young cricketing talent across India.”

The 30-day tournament will be held in three locations - Hyderabad, Chandigarh (Panchkula) and Gurgaon. Two new teams - Ahmedabad Rockets and Lahore Badshahs - have been added to the existing six teams.

Source:http://www.business-standard.com