Lions to take on Badshahs

PANCHKULA: That the Lahore Badshahs are playing on a Sunday evening for the third time in this tournament gives an idea how the organisers have rated them thus far.

A group of players who have excelled at the international level, they were the star attraction last time around. Their virtual invincibility till the final had only increased their popularity, winning them fans everywhere.

But in Season II, the Badshahs have been far from superior. They have won just two of their first five games and have only an outside chance of making it to the semifinals of the Indian Cricket League (ICL) 20s Challenge.

They now take on Chandigarh Lions, who have won three of their five matches and also need wins desperately after going down to Dhaka Warriors in their last match, the first one of this edition at this venue.

In the other match on Sunday, a day game, current leaders Chennai Superstars take on bottom placed Mumbai Champs. The Chennai team have four wins from five matches, the same as defending champions Hyderabad Heroes, but lead on net run-rate. Their last outing saw them edge out Delhi by five runs but they have generally been more convincing in their victories.

Chennai, who have not played for over a week, take on a team that found sudden inspiration in scoring a convincing win over Delhi Giants after losing their first five matches on the trot. Mumbai Champs did not do themselves any favour but dashed Delhi’s knockout round hopes.