Hyderabad, Oct. 21: Trinidad & Tobago’s tenacity in the Champions League Twenty20 tournament will be put to test when they face Cape Cobras in the second semifinal at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium here on Thursday night.

T&T, who entered the tournament as underdogs, are the only team with a 100 per cent win record. Their stupendous show in each of the games have ensured that T&T enter the clash as the favourites. Their brand of cricket has won a lot of admirers in India and the team can expect plenty of support when they take field on Thursday night.

The hallmark of the T&T side has been their ability to hold their nerve at key moments and clinch nail-biting finishes, a trait associated with every champion side. The team will be looking up to the opening pair to give them an explosive start. Skipper Daren Ganga will be tempted to retain the squad that defeated the Diamond Eagles, which means left-hander Darren Bravo could miss out.

Another key factor that favours the Caribbeans is the presence of all-rounders in the form of Kieron Pollard and Navin Stewart who have the ability to not only hit those towering shots but also deliver with the ball.

With the spin trio of Sherwin Ganga, Dave Mohammad and Samuel Badree being highly effective on Indian wickets, T&T’s bowling attack looks menacing. They lock horns with Cape Cobras who faltered in their last game against Delhi Daredevils, losing by 30 runs as they chased 115 for a win. While many may call this a blip in the otherwise comprehensive Champions League campaign for them, the Cobras do have a few worries. There is an over dependence on their batsman — J.P. Duminy, skipper Andrew Puttick, Justin Ontong and Henry Davids — to put up big totals every time they bat.

The bowling will look to the experience of Charl Langeveldt to bail them out against the mighty T&T batters. Another worry for skipper Puttick will be opener Herschelle Gibbs’ woeful form as the right-hander has failed repeatedly in the tourney.