Match facts

Oct 15, 2008
Start time 7.30pm (14.00 GMT)

Big Picture

The draw has done no favours to the Dhaka Warriors. First, they faced the strong Chennai Superstars, and were ambushed by Chennai's big-hitting openers G Vignesh and Ian Harvey. Next up for them is another powerful team, the Hyderabad Heroes, winners of the Twenty20 tournament in March.

While they have some explosive stroke-makers like Aftab Ahmed and Alok Kapali, as well as crafty spinners like Mohammad Rafique, one of the drawbacks will be their lack of experience in the format: no one in the squad has played more than ten Twenty20 matches.

Hyderabad's strength lies in the balance provided by their quartet of international allrounders - captain Chris Harris, Abdul Razzaq, Nicky Boje, and Justin Kemp. Not only does that give them a plethora of bowling options, it makes for a deep batting line-up. And with Hyderabad's local talent like batsman Ambati Rayudu and fast bowler Alfred Absolem also making significant contributions, Dhaka is likely to face an uphill battle.

Players to watch

Alok Kapali: A talented batsman who's struggled to be consistent, he is capable of destroying international attacks on his day as India found out when he lashed a 96-ball 115 during the Asia Cup.

Abdul Razzaq: He's capable of winning the match with either the bat or the ball. Razzaq finished as the joint-highest wicket-taker during the March tournament and also smashed a whirlwind 78 when given a chance at the top of the order.

Justin Kemp: While his penchant for the big hit (he averaged nearly one six an innings in his ODI career) make him dangerous, he was successful with the ball as well in the Twenty20 event in March, picking up 10 wickets.

Quotes

"Our batting is our main strength as well as our fielding. On the day that our top and middle order fires, it will be very hard to stop us."
Dhaka Warriors captain Habibul Bashar relies on his batsmen
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"Whenever we have been down, one man stood up. That made all the difference and that is why we are a strong unit." Hyderabad Heroes fast bowler Alfred Absolem reveals Hyderabad's formula for success
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