Champions League T20 draw announced

Middlesex Crusaders will challenge Victoria Bushrangers in the opening match of the Champions League T-20.

The draws and fixtures were revealed on Thursday night in a glittering function in New Delhi, which also saw the presentation of the inaugural T20 Champions Awards.

The eight teams have been divided into two groups. Chennai Super Kings, Victoria Bushrangers, Pretoria Titans and Middlesex Crusaders have been slotted in Group A, while Group B comprises of Sialkot Stallions, Rajasthan Royals, Western Warriors and Natal Dolphins.

Match one in Mumbai between the English and Australian domestic T20 champions will be followed by a high-voltage contest between IPL champions Rajasthan Royals and Natal Dolphins in Bangalore.

Pakistan T20 champions Sialkot Stallions will take on Aussie T20 runners-up Western Warriors in Bangalore the next day, December 4 followed by a match between IPL runners-up Chennai Super Kings and Victoria Bushrangers in Mumbai.

On December 5, the action will, for the first time in the tournament, shift to Chennai where Middlesex Crusaders take on Pretoria Titans, while Sialkot Stallions come over to Mumbai to take on Rajasthan Royals.

Saturday, December 6 will be a triple treat for fans of the T20 format with three matches slated to be held on that day.

Western Australia will take on Natal Dolphins for the first match of the day in Bangalore while Victoria Bushrangers play Pretoria Titan and Chennai Super Kings play Middlesex Crusaders in Chennai.

Action galore continues on Sunday with the Dolphins taking on the Stallions and the Royals crossing swords with the Warriors in Bangalore. The Super Kings will get another home game in Chennai when they take on Titans for the third game of the day.

The first semi-final of the Champions League T-20 would be played on Monday, December 8 when the first placed team from Group B takes on the second placed team from Group A in Bangalore.

The first placed team from Group A will play the second placed team from Group B in Chennai on Tuesday, December 9 to decide the second finalist.

The final of the Champions League T-20, sure to be a mega-event, will be played in Chennai on Wednesday, December 10 at 20.00 hrs India time.