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Inzamam looks to carry forward the momentum

— Photo: PTI

ALL SET: Captains of respective ICL World Series teams (From left) Inzamam-ul-Haq, R. Sathish, Habibul Bashar, and Chris Harris in Ahmedabad on Saturday.

Ahmedabad: Having clinched the Indian Cricket league (ICL) Twenty20 championship, Lahore Badshahs skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq said his team will carry forward the momentum in the World Series that starts here from Sunday.

Inzamam, who will lead the Pakistan team at the World Series to be played here from November 23 to 29 said, “we have a good team and all are fit. We will be carrying forward the momentum and aim for the title.

“Our players are in good form and with the inclusion of all-rounder Abdul Razzaq, we will have some advantage,” the former Pakistan skipper said.

After the success of its ICL Twenty20 championship in the city, the organisers have decided to play the World Series here at the Sardar Patel Stadium, which they have got on lease from the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation for 10 years.

Four teams — India, Pakistan, Dhaka and World — will be battling for the World Series title.

The Indian team will be captained by R. Sathish, while Habibul Bashar will lead the Bangladesh team and the World team will play under New Zealand’s Chris Harris.

Meanwhile, Sathish is upbeat about India’s chances in the tournament and said that his squad was ready with a plan to halt the Pakistan players’ momentum.

Sathish said that the Twenty20 version was all about handling pressure.

Handling pressure

“This game is all about how you handle the pressure. The one who can withstand it is likely to become the champion,” he said.

Harris said that he will be having a tough time picking the right combination. “We have good players to choose from, but picking the final eleven will be a little tough for me as all of them are in good form,” Harris said.

Bashar said his team has high hopes and will try its best to reach the finals. “Since this is our first year, it will be tough for us to compete against the more experienced sides. But after the T20 championship, we are more confident,” he said.

Meanwhile, member of the ICL Executive Committee, Kiran More, announced small change in the rules for the World Series. “The ball can be changed after the 15th over. This arrangement has been made as the ball loses its colour during the match and it affects the visibility,” More said. — PTI

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