National T20 Championship begins today

Updated at: 0950 PST,  Sunday, September 25, 2011  KARACHI: Karachi Dolphins hope to get sixth time lucky as they begin as hot favourites for the title at the Faysal bank T20 Championship which explodes into action here at the National Stadium from Sunday. The Dolphins have played and lost five domestic T20 finals and have never annexed the title but the heartening fact for their fans is that their team is one of the most balanced outfits in the tournament and has a solid chance of finally winning the crown. Led by the charismatic Shahid Afridi, the star-studded Dolphins have received a pre-tournament boost as they will now be playing on home turf after the event was recently moved here from Lahore because of a dengue outbreak in the Punjab. They have been placed in a rather easy group 'D' with Peshawar Panthers and Islamabad Leopards. One expects them to have an easy sailing at least till the knock-out stage. Their main rivals are Sialkot Stallions and Lahore Lions but Dolphins' good luck is that the two of their biggest rivals are in the same group, which means that one of the big two will not be able to go beyond group stages. But perhaps more importantly, it will be the support of home crowd and the advantage of playing in their own backyard that can help them to finally reign supreme in the event. Meanwhile, the tournament can be lit up by the unknown Afghan Cheetas, who are taking part in the event for first time in history. Though, they are not bringing some of their main players to the event but history beckons that the Afghans can prove to be tough nut to crack in shortest format of the game. They have been placed with current champions Rawalpindi Rams, former winners Faislabad Wolves and a dangerous Multan Tigers' outfit in Group 'B', in what certainly seems to be a 'group of death'. But Cheetas' can turn out to be the surprise package of the event. Test leg-spinner Danish Kaneria will be leading Karachi Zebras in the tournament and they will play the last match on Sunday against bitter rivals Lahore Eagles. The crowd can expect to see some fireworks when these two take on each under floodlights. The other teams to join them in Group 'A' are lowly Abbottabad Falcons and Quetta Bear. Meanwhile, five-time champions Sialkot stallions, the most successful side of Pakistan's T20 history, have been drawn with Lahore Lions and Hyderabad Hawks. Hawks can prove to be a nightmare for these two giants, as they have become a strong team in recent times and can cause a few upsets. Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali is expected to be the chief guest at the opening ceremony of the tournament today. Today's matches: Abbottabad Falcons vs Quetta Bears (12pm), Lahore Lions vs Hyderabad Hawks (4pm) and Karachi Zebras vs Lahore Eagles (8pm).