Lahore look to catch up

Match facts

Oct 23, 2008
Start time 7.30pm (1400 GMT)

Big Picture

Currently seventh in the points table, Lahore Badshahs face a next-to must-win game on Thursday. The Mumbai Champs, at the bottom of the table, haven't set the tournament alight; a semi-final spot might only be possible by winning all their five remaining games, but they could well dash another team's hopes with an upset.

After losing their first two games in Hyderabad, Lahore came back strongly in Ahmedabad with a win over Chennai Superstars, who are now placed in the top spot. What's in favour of Lahore is that they have already seen off two of the tougher teams in the league - Hyderabad Heroes and Royal Bengal Tigers - but will need to convert the potential easy pickings into points.

Lahore's batting has been below-par in the tournament. With Inzamam-ul-Haq in doubt due to injury, much depends on their opening combination of Imran Farhat and Imran Nazir. An interesting contest will be between the Lahore bowlers and Hasan Raza and Taufeeq Umar, two batsmen who were transferred from Lahore to Mumbai at the start of the season. The bowlers were instrumental in setting up the win over Ahmedabad Rockets, but Lahore would hope legspinner Mushtaq Ahmed is fit to play alongside offspinner Saqlain Mushtaq.

For Mumbai, besides some disciplined bowling from Michael Kasprowicz and captain Nathan Astle - who nearly pulled off a win over Chandigarh Lions - and late-order hitting from Johan van der Wath, there has been nothing much of note. Wicketkeeper Subhojit Paul also chipped in with a handy score against Bengal in the last game, but it's the top order that needs to fire.

Players to watch

Either of Mumbai's Taufeeq Umar or Hasan Raza will need to step up against their former team. For starters, they will need to improve their average of 16 and 17 so far in the tournament.

Azhar Mahmoodstood in as captain in Inzamam's absence against Ahmedabad, and he did a splendid job in marshalling the team in defence of a low total. What Lahore would need, is for him to keep up the spirit while batting in the lower order and with the ball.

With Mumbai's top order not up to scratch, the likes of Naved-ul-Hasan, Lahore's highest wicket-taker this season, would look to increase his tally of four wickets.

Michael Kasprowicz was Australia's stock bowler during their victorious Test tour of India in 2004-05, and the tale is not so different for Mumbai. But the wins will only come if he gets support at the other end.

Quotes

"I am still learning. I have become wiser now. Earlier, I was rash but not now I have changed my style and become more disciplined in approach."
Lahore would hope Imran Nazir's words translate into runs

"It is difficult to play four-day matches but Twenty20 is entertaining and am enjoying it.""
Mushtaq Ahmed is not afraid of playing the quick-paced format