Analysis of Mumbai Indians's opponents in the CLT20 2014 qualifiers

With India’s tour of England done and dusted, the focus now shifts to the sixth edition of the Champions League Twenty20, with the marquee event being held in India from 17 September to 6 October 2014. Before the main tournament starts, four qualifiers – Mumbai Indians (India), Southern Express (Sri Lanka), Northern Knights (New Zealand) and Lahore Lions (Pakistan), will slug it out among themselves, with the top two entering the final draw.While the star-studded Mumbai Indians team, even without the services of Rohit Sharma, out due to an injury sustained during the ODI series against England, is a strong favourite for one of the two slots, it would be interesting to explore the relative strengths and weaknesses of the remaining three teams, all of whom are a champion in their own country, and cannot be afforded to be taken lightly.

#1 Southern Express (SE)

Squad: Kusal Janith Perera, Dilshan T.M, Danushka Gunatilake, Angelo Perera, Jehan Mubarak, Niroshan Dickwella, Dilruwan Perera, Prasanna Seekuge, Ishan Jayaratne, Farveez Maharoof, Kasun Madushanka, Yasoda Lanka, Charith Jayampathi, Sachith Pathirana, Sandaken Lakshen

Ticket to CL T20 2014: Winners of 2014 Super 4's T20

Team Analysis

Strengths: SE has a very strong batting line-up, starting with the explosive opening pair comprising national team stalwarts Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kusal Perera. Dilshan will be on a high after scoring two centuries for Surrey in List A cricket in the Royal London One-Day Cup, 2014, as well as an unbeaten half century against the touring Pakistan side last week. Kusal Perera is very highly rated, with his style and technique often being compared to Sanath Jayasuriya. Though he has had a pretty mediocre summer, even a quick-fire 25-30 runs can make a difference in this format. What is also encouraging for them is the form and experience of former Sri Lankan players like Jehan Mubarak and Farveez Maharoof, both of whom played key roles in ensuring the team’s triumph in the domestic T20 competition.

Weaknesses: SE’s biggest weakness is that they will be without the services of their skipper, Lasith Malinga, who will be turning out for Mumbai Indians in the tournament. Malinga’s absence makes SE’s bowling line-up very inexperienced and they will have to rely heavily on their batsman to make up for this inadequacy.

Surprise Package: Sachith Pathirana, a slow left-arm orthodox bowler, relatively unknown in international circles, took 4 and 3 wickets respectively in the semi-final and final of the 2014 Super 4s T20. All of his 3 wickets in the final came in the last over of the match; their opponents, Udarata Rulers, requiring 8 runs off the final over, with 5 wickets in hand, were firm favourites – however, the wily Pathirana picked up 3 wickets and stopped Udarata four runs short. In addition to his happy knack of picking up wickets and scoring crucial runs, the ability to keep his cool in a high intensity final speaks volumes of his temperament.

Prediction: SE are not expected to progress to the main draw of the tournament, given the presence of strong teams like the Mumbai Indians and the Lahore Lions. A lot will depend on the opening fixture against New Zealand’s Northern Knights; a defeat almost certainly eliminates SE – a victory may build momentum sufficient enough to upset one of the top two, thereby keeping hopes alive.

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#2 Northern Knights (NK)

Squad: Ish Sodhi, Jono Boult, Brad Wilson, Kane Williamson, Daniel Flynn, BJ Watling, Graeme Aldridge, Anton Devcich, Tim Southee, Scott Kuggeleijn, Daryl Mitchell, Daniel Harris, Scott Styris, Trent Boult, Daniel Vettori (Vettori has pulled out of the tournament, citing personal reasons)

Ticket to CL T20 2014: Winners of 2013-14 HRV Cup

Team Analysis

Strengths: NK has a well balanced team, with a good mix of grafters, power-hitters, death bowling specialists and spin talent. Kane Williamson is expected to be the mainstay in the batting department, and in all likelihood will be responsible for batting through the innings, while power hitters like Flynn, Watling, Mitchell and Harris generate the firepower around him. The Boult brothers in partnership with death bowling expert Southee form a strong fast bowling triumvirate. While Trent is the more celebrated of the two brothers, Jono Boult came into his own during the 2013-14 HRV Cup, where he was the joint highest wicket-taker. Ish Sodhi has been promising and could find the slow subcontinent pitches well suited to his leg-spinners.

Weaknesses: Being the only non-subcontinental team in the qualifiers will be a weakness, with all the others better acclimatized to the pitch and weather conditions. Withdrawal of Daniel Vettori puts a lot of responsibility on young Ish Sodhi’s shoulders, as far as spin bowling is concerned. Vettori may be well past his prime, but the psychological comfort of having a once world-class spin bowler, experienced in subcontinent conditions through his association with IPL team Royal Challengers Bangalore, will be missing.

Surprise Package: The middle-order pair of Daniel Harris and Daryl Mitchell could give a nasty surprise to bowlers who think that Kane Williamson is the only thorn in the NK middle order. With 13 and 11 sixes respectively and possessing strike rates in excess of 140 in the HRV Cup, Harris and Mitchell could prove to be the X-factor in the batting line-up

Prediction: Like several New Zealand teams before them, NK will be considered the dark horses in the qualifiers. As with the subcontinental islanders, the opening match will be decisive. If they manage to beat SE, they have a very good opportunity of sneaking past one of the top two favourites into the main draw.

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#3 Lahore Lions (LL)

Squad: Mohammed Hafeez, Ahmad Shahzad, Umar Siddique Khan, Muhammad Umar Akmal, Nasir Jamshed, Muhammad Salman Ali, Asif Raza, Muhammad Mustafa Iqbal, Wahab Riaz, Aizaz Cheema, Imran Ali, Saad Naseem, Adnan Rasool, Muhammad Saeed, Ali Manzoor

Ticket to CL T20 2014: Winners of 2013–14 Faysal Bank T20 Cup

Team Analysis

Strengths: The most star-studded team in the CL T20 2014 qualifiers, besides Mumbai Indians, LL boast the dynamic opening pair of Mohammad Hafeez and Ahmed Shehzad, both of whom were in excellent nick during the Faysal Bank T20 Cup. The team also possesses a strong middle order with players like Umar Akmal and Nasir Jamshed, who have represented Pakistan at the highest level. As is the case with most Pakistani teams, there is no dearth of fast bowling talent, with Aizaz Cheema, the highest wicket-taker in the Faysal Bank T20 Cup, and Wahab Riaz leading the pack.

Weaknesses: Surprisingly, depth in spin bowling appears to be a concern for the Lions. While they do possess the very reliable Mohammad Hafeez, specialist spin bowlers like Imran Ali and Adnan Rasool were not at their best during the domestic tournament. On pitches assisting spinners, as evidenced by strong performances of Saeed Ajmal (Faisalabad Wolves) and Zulfiqar Babar (Multan Tigers), both were languishing near the bottom of the wicket-takers list. With CL T20 2014 expected to be played on similar pitches, this could turn out be a significant weakness, unless they put in a much improved showing.

Surprise Package: With better rated spinners not being in the best of form, LL could turn to relatively unknown slow left-arm orthodox spinner, Mustafa Iqbal. A T20 specialist, having played more games in the shortest format than First Class or List A, Iqbal has picked up 17 wickets in his 12 T20 matches, at exceptional average and strike-rate of 16.58 and 15.1 respectively. Even his economy rate of 6.58 is excellent by T20 standards. He could prove to be a match-winner on turning pitches in India.

Prediction: Barring a major upset, LL should be the second qualifier to the main draw, after Mumbai Indians. A loss against MI in their opener could put them under severe pressure when they face the winner of the first CL T20 qualifier – however, my money is on them to make it through.