Twenty20 gives Pakistan timely boost

By Scott Heinrich

It's important for the profile of the domestic game to be lifted Rameez Raja on Twenty20 cricket

Perhaps the Asian market represents the litmus test if Twenty20 cricket is to transform itself from a novel newcomer to a bona-fide global format.

The reduced-overs game has been embraced at domestic level in England, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

But a minor tournament last year in Bangladesh aside, Asia has remained slow on the concept - until now.

Lahore is this week playing host to the country's inaugural Twenty20 carnival, played over six days and boasting 11 teams with monikers like Dolphins, Panthers and Stallions.

Thanks to Twenty20 cricket, the domestic game in Pakistan is receiving a much-needed and long overdue shot in the arm.

Former skipper Imran Khan recently spoke of a "faulty set-up" when discussing the woes of the home game in Pakistan, warning that unless it was redesigned "Pakistan cricket will sink further".

Twenty20 could be the saviour; domestic cricket now has a sponsor for the first time since 1997 and is finally being broadcast on television.

The concept was pushed by former Pakistan Cricket Board chief executive Rameez Raja, who left the post last year to pursue a career in broadcasting.

PAKISTAN TWENTY20 CUP TEAMS Karachi Dolphins, Lahore Eagles, Faisalabad Wolves, Peshawar Panthers, Sialkot Stallions, Rawalpindi Rams, Hyderabad Hawks, Multan Tigers, Quetta Bears, Lahore Lions, Karachi Zebras

Raja, commentating on the tournament, has only good things to report.

"There are three matches per day at the Gaddafi Stadium - two of which are day-nighters - and come the evening there are around 12,000 people in the ground," Raja tells BBC Sport.

"It's important for the profile of the domestic game to be lifted. It's brilliant - these games showcase the talent which is there for everybody to see.

"ABN Ambro will be supporting and promoting this concept for the next three years, and if it becomes a hit, as I'm sure it will, it will carry on for more years."

The requisite gimmicks are there in force, with prizes for crowd members who catch a six and a cash bonus of 4,000 rupees (about £35) for players who bowl a maiden.

Pakistan's high-profile players, many of whom faced Australia A in a Twenty20 match earlier this year, have turned up in droves for the competition.

"It's important for the big-name players to play domestic cricket, because they have a responsibility to play with and teach the young and aspiring cricketers," Raja adds.

"Moin Khan stroked a brilliant hundred, which was really special. Rana Naved has bowled very well and Yousuf Youhana played but didn't make many runs.

"And everyone is looking forward to seeing Shahid Afridi, who is due to play two matches on Friday. That is a great prospect."

Three teams will play each other in a triangular tournament on Friday with the top two qualifying for the exciting finale on Saturday.

It's new and innovative but it's too early to suggest it could become an international fixture Rameez Raja

Bangladesh can take credit for being the first Asian Test nation to hold a Twenty20 competition, but that was a low-key, almost experimental affair.

It was contested only by the country's corporate teams, and included barely any of Bangladesh's first XI.

The Bangladesh board took the decision to shield its best players from the competition for fear of what such a volatile form of the game could do to their confidence.

Nevertheless, a crowd of 25,000 turned up to watch the final and plans are afoot to expand the competition to include the first-class teams next year.

The growth of Twenty20 cricket cannot be denied, and there is much more to be gained if the cricket-mad fans in Asia warm to it.

But could it one day replace its 50-over cousin as the world's premier limited-overs game?

"It's new and innovative but it's too early to suggest it could become an international fixture," Raja says.

"People in Pakistan and India still prefer the 50-over format, but if this picks up and becomes popular then we may see steady international matches in the next couple of years."