Shoaib Malik is already sounding the alarm bells for the fancied teams in December’s Champions League.

By Faisal Kamal

Malik, who led Sialkot Stallions to victory in the Pakistan T20 national championship earlier this month, says his "small-town lads" will be a "hungry lot."

Speaking to Mobile ESPN in Delhi, Malik said his Silakot team has turned out to be some kind of "experts" in converting T20 matches. Sialkot have won a hattrick of titles in Pakistan and even though T20 games are unpredictable, Malik says, "It's a matter of who is the hungrier and eager bunch on the field that day. We have stood out, consistently"

The affable 26-year-old Pakistan captain has warned fancied teams like Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings. "They may have top players and specialists, but Sialkot will be a handful. Anything is possible in T20 and it's just a matter of grabbing the initiative. We will surely be up for it," Malik added.

Silakot will figure in group B of the Champions League alongside Dolphins (South Africa), Western Australia and Shane Warne's Rajasthan Royals. The Champions League will be played in Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai from December 3 to 10. Chennai Super Kings, Victoria, Middlesex and Titans (SA) will comprise group A. Top two teams qualify the semis.

Malik was all praise for the Indian Premier League, which not only gave many players to resurrect their dwindling careers, but also exposed potential stars to international cricket. Malik said, "The format was interesting and I enjoyed playing in the IPL. There were a lot of Indian youngsters who grabbed the limelight."

On being asked whether the three forms of the game are having an adverse effect on the players, Shoaib was quick to come up with a forceful "no". Malik said, "I don't think that the different forms affect the performance of a player. It's all about one's confidence."

Malik firmly believes that it is Test cricket which is the ultimate trial of a cricketer. Saying the many T20 leagues are no threat to the longer version of the game, Malik said, "Test cricket is certainly not losing out against T20. In terms of money as well, I personally believe that Pakistan cricketers earn more from by playing Tests and ODIs than T20."

Malik's biggest regret is the lack of international cricket in Pakistan. "It's sad that external forces have created an unfortunate situation in our country," he said. Pakistan have been hurt by the cancellation of Champions Trophy and the home series against Australia and the West Indies. "I have personally requested every team to come and play in Pakistan. It is completely safe," Malik trails off.