Rawalpindi Hosts Champions T20 Cup from 7 to 25 December
The Bahria Town Champions T20 Cup will be held in Rawalpindi from 7th December to 25th December, 2024. The tournament will take place at the famous Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, featuring five teams competing for the prestigious title. These teams include the ABL Stallions, Engro Dolphins, Lake City Panthers, Nurpur Lions, and UMT Markhors.
This event marks the second edition of the Champions Cup, after the success of the 50-over tournament in Faisalabad in September. In the previous tournament, the Lake City Panthers won the trophy in a thrilling final against the UMT Markhors. The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium has been chosen for this tournament due to its central location and high-quality facilities.
Tournament Format and Matches
The Champions T20 Cup will feature a double-league format, where each team will play against every other team twice. After the league matches, the top-ranked team will directly advance to the final. The second and third-place teams will play in a Qualifier match to determine who will join the top team in the final.
The tournament will consist of 22 matches over 19 days, including six double-headers and eight single-headers. Double-header matches will begin at 11 AM and 3:30 PM, while single-header games are set for 12 PM. The final is scheduled for 25th December at 3:30 PM.
Match Schedule and Important Dates
The Champions T20 Cup will kick off on 7th December with a double-header: the ABL Stallions will face the Lake City Panthers at 11 AM, followed by the Nurpur Lions against the UMT Markhors at 3:30 PM. The first round of matches will take place from 7th to 13th December, while the second round will run from 15th to 21st December.
On 23rd December, the second and third-placed teams will play in the Qualifier match. The final match will be held on 25th December. All matches will be played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Team Preparations and Support
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made sure to support the teams in their preparations for the tournament. Team mentors will assemble their squads in Rawalpindi starting from 28th November. The teams will have access to practice sessions at different venues, including Diamond Cricket Ground, KRL Stadium, and National Ground.
In addition to practice sessions, warm-up matches will also be scheduled before the tournament begins. This will allow teams to fine-tune their strategies and ensure they are well-prepared for the competition. All players will get the opportunity to showcase their skills in front of selectors.
Platform for Emerging Talent
The Champions T20 Cup will provide a stage for emerging talent to shine. It offers young players the chance to demonstrate their skills and possibly catch the attention of selectors. These performances may help them earn a spot in the national team or even attract interest from HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises for the 2025 season.
The tournament serves as an important opportunity for domestic players to prove themselves. This is an exciting time for players looking to make their mark in the world of Pakistani cricket.
Bahria Town Champions T20 Cup Schedule of Matches
| Date | Match 1 | Match 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, 7 Dec | ABL Stallions v Lake City Panthers (11am) | Nurpur Lions v UMT Markhors (3.30pm) |
| Sun, 8 Dec | Lake City Panthers v Engro Dolphins (12pm) | |
| Mon, 9 Dec | ABL Stallions v Nurpur Lions (12pm) | |
| Tues, 10 Dec | Engro Dolphins v UMT Markhors (12pm) | |
| Wed, 11 Dec | Nurpur Lions v Lake City Panthers (12pm) | |
| Thurs, 12 Dec | ABL Stallions v UMT Markhors (11am) | Engro Dolphins v Nurpur Lions (3.30pm) |
| Fri, 13 Dec | Lake City Panthers v UMT Markhors (11am) | ABL Stallions v Engro Dolphins (3.30pm) |
| Sun, 15 Dec | ABL Stallions v Lake City Panthers (11am) | Nurpur Lions v UMT Markhors (3.30pm) |
| Mon, 16 Dec | Lake City Panthers v Engro Dolphins (12pm) | |
| Tues, 17 Dec | ABL Stallions v Nurpur Lions (12pm) | |
| Wed, 18 Dec | Engro Dolphins v UMT Markhors (12pm) | |
| Thurs, 19 Dec | Nurpur Lions v Lake City Panthers (12pm) | |
| Fri, 20 Dec | ABL Stallions v UMT Markhors (11am) | Engro Dolphins v Nurpur Lions (3.30pm) |
| Sat, 21 Dec | Lake City Panthers v UMT Markhors (11am) | ABL Stallions v Engro Dolphins (3.30pm) |
| Mon, 23 Dec | Qualifier (Second v Third ranked side) (3.30pm) | |
| Wed, 25 Dec | FINAL (3.30pm) |
The Champions T20 Cup promises to be a thrilling event with exciting matches and emerging talent on display.