After successfully hosting all six qualifying rounds of ongoing Champions league T20 (ClT20) matches, the 65,000–seater Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium here is all set to thrill the spectators once again with two group stage matches commencing on Friday.
The match will be played between the spirited New Zealand side Northern Knights (NK) and South Africa’s Cape Cobras (CC) at 8 pm while in the second match, the ‘Knights will take on Hobart Hurricanes (HH) at 8 pm on Friday’. Having some international and experienced players in their side, all three foreign teams have shown high-class cricket in their recent matches.
Both the matches in Naya Raipur situated second largest international cricket stadium of the country are expected to entertain the spectators.
NK had won all three matches including one against a star-studded Mumbai Indians (MI) in the qualifiers. The Knights will come face to face with one of the favourites to lift the title, Cape Cobras, in their opening Group B tie of the Champions league T20 here on Friday.
CC, who were last seen in ClT20 back in 2009 when they reached the semi finals, are one of the strongest sides in the tournament but have been dealt a massive blow just at the start of the event. Their top batsman J P Duminy has been ruled out due to injury and that would cause a huge vacuum in the side given that he was among the side’s few players who have the experience of playing in India.
Even without Duminy, Cobras have a decent line-up boasting of the experienced Hashim Amla, captain Justin Ontong himself and Robin Peterson. Pacers Vernon Philander and Rory Kleinveldt would be spearheading the bowling attack. Northern Knights, on the other hand, are buoyant after finishing their qualifying engagements unbeaten. The star of their campaign was Kane Williamson and the young batsman’s role would become even more crucial in the main tournament.
For Northern Knights, Williamson aside, a lot would also be expected of veteran all-rounder Scott Styris, B J Watling and skipper David Flynn. Pacers Trent Boult and Tim Southee would be their bowling mainstays.
The third team, HH is also full of international cricketers including Tim Paine, Doug Bollinger, Shoaib Malik, Ben Hilfenhaus and Xavier Doherty. The team is expected to show some good cricket starting from their first match to be held in Naya Raipur.