Lahore Badhshahs eye ICL crown

Karachi:

Led by former Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq, Lahore Badshahs will fly out for Hyderabad on Sunday to launch their campaign in the next season of the breakaway Indian Cricket League (ICL) on Friday.

The Badshahs, which include some of Pakistan's accomplished Test cricketers like openers Imran Farhat, Taufeeq Umar, pacer Mohammad Sami and others, were the favourites for the ICL crown in the previous season earlier this year. But the star-studded side was toppled by Hyderabad Heroes -- a team of young Indian players.

This time Inzamam is confident that Badshahs will do better in the lucrative tournament that is bankrolled by Zee Telefilms. "We are a balanced team and the boys have been working hard for the upcoming season of the ICL," Inzamam said on Sunday."

"Our aim is to win the title this time and we will be going all out for it," added Inzamam.

Badshahs coach Moin Khan said he and his players are aware of the fact that the competition in the ICL will be tougher this time. "But we are professional cricketers and are fully ready to give our best." he stressed.

The Badshahs will take on their nemesis -- Hyderabad Heroes -- in the opening game of the second season of the ICL Oct 10 at the Lal Bahadur Stadium in Hyderabad.

In April, the Heroes stunned one and all by pulling off an emphatic 2-0 victory over the Badshahs in the finals of the Edelweiss 20s Challenge.

Coached by Australia's Steve Rixon, the Heroes will be looking to repeat their last season's victory over the Badshahs. Their key player will be seasoned Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq, who was named the player of the tournament in the previous ICL season.