After putting behind the challenges and adversities 2009 posed them, Cricket Canada now seems to have taken off to a jubilant start this year.

Cheema is the only Canadian on the list of the final 51 players on the auction that is scheduled for Jan 19.

Some eight franchises (teams) in IPL have a mere 17 vacant positions to be filled from those 51 players.

Ranjit Saini, president of Cricket Canada, told Focus Cheema is one of the finest players in today's twenty20 cricket world and has bright chances of being picked.

When contacted, Cheema said: "I am very excited at the nomination, but need your prayers as well as the good wishes of the community, fellow citizens and all cricket fans."

Born and raised in Karachi, the 32-year-old Cheema, who also plays for Toronto and District Cricket Association as well as Popeyes Cricket Club, made his international debut in 2008 and, in just his second appearance, hit 89 off 61 deliveries against the West Indies; and two days later he was at it again, hammering 61 off 45 balls against the same team.

"I am well prepared to show my typical batting talent to bring good name for Canada in the international arena," said Canada's most exciting batting sensation.

In December Cricket Canada sent two entries - Khurram Chohan was the other - for the third edition of IPL. From the total 100 entries, 60 players were shortlisted for the auction, and it was during this phase that Chohan lost out. The remaining nine cricketers, all from England, are still awaiting NOCs from the England and Wales Cricket Board and their participation seems not possible at this stage.

Saini said the exclusion of English players has further increased Cheema's chances, and his selection will be wonderful news for all Canadians and cricket lovers.

"Personally, I am so happy that I can't express my feelings. The moment I heard about the news (just after being awoken at 6am), I jumped out of bed in excitement," said Saini.

He admitted 2009 was full of surprises and not a good year for Cricket Canada, but hoped 2010 will be a better one.

In December, Saini was on a three-week tour to India, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates (which is ICC's headquarters) and the West Indies to promote cricketing ties with ICC's full member countries.

The IPL teams are: Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Deccan Chargers, Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Daredevils, Kings XI Punjab, Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals.

Following are the players currently in the IPL Players' Auction:

- Australia: Doug Bollinger, Brad Haddin, Ashley Noffke, Jason Krejza, Ben Laughlin, Graham Manou, Damien Martyn, Clint McKay, Peter Siddle, Adam Voges, Phillip Hughes.

- South Africa: Yusuf Abdulla, Zander de Bruyn, Justin Kemp, Rory Kleinveldt, Wayne Parnell, Vernon Philander, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Johan van der Wath, Vaughn van Jaarsveld.

- Sri Lanka: Thilina Kandamby, Nuwan Kulasekera, Thisara Perera, Chamara Silva, Upul Tharanga, Kaushalya Weeraratne, Chanaka Welegedara, Nuwan Zoysa.

- West Indies: Sulieman Benn, Daren Ganga, Darren Bravo, Wavell Hinds, Kieron Pollard, Lendl Simmons, Kemar Roach, Ramnaresh Sarwan.

- Pakistan: Mohammad Aamer, Shahid Afridi, Saeed Ajmal, Umar Akmal, Rana Naved Ul Hasan, Imran Nazir, Abdul Razzaq.

- New Zealand: Shane Bond, Grant Elliot, Nathan McCullum, Lou Vincent.

- Bangladesh: Shakib Al Hasan

- Canada: Rizwan Cheema.

- Zimbabwe: Murray Goodwin.

- Holland: Ryan ten Doeschate.