2017 T10 League, Day 2 round-up: Hasan Ali's stunning spell goes in vain; Malik blitz bolsters Punjabi Legends
After opening their campaign with a tame defeat at the hands of Kerala Kings, Bengal Tigers got themselves up and running by registering a three-wicket victory against Punjabi Legends in the second day of the 2017 T10 League at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
With contrasting knocks, Pakistan's Umar Akmal and Shoaib Malik helped the Legends finish their innings within one run of the 100-run mark. While Umar could only muster an inadequate 25-ball 38, Malik was in his elements as he hammered a 15-ball 30.
Chasing exactly 100 from their quota of ten overs, Bengal Tigers rode on handy contributions right throughout their batting lineup to attain the target with four deliveries to spare. All-rounder Aamer Yamin's triumvirate of sixes turned out to be the clincher. His effort thwarted a splendid spell from countryman Hasan Ali. The top-ranked ODI bowler showcased his wicket-taking prowess by procuring four scalps from just twelve balls.
Brief Scores: Punjabi Legends - 99/6 [Umar Akmal 38 (25), Shoaib Malik 30 (15), Marchant de Lange 2/21]; Bengal Tigers - 105/7 from 9.2 overs [Aamer Yamin 18 (5), Hasan Ali 4/7]
Result - Bengal Tigers won by three wickets with four balls remaining
In the second match of the day, Team Sri Lanka took on Virender Sehwag's Maratha Arabians. The former batted first and amassed a formidable total of 125. Skipper Dinesh Chandimal top-scored with 37 even as Shehan Jayasuriya lived up to his surname by blasting a 11-ball 28. Dwayne Bravo's parsimonious as well as productive spell helped restrict the target.
Despite skipper Sehwag not coming out to bat, the Arabians still had enough firepower to chase the target. Rilee Rossouw's unbeaten 49 coupled with Alex Hales' blitzkrieg enabled them to pull off a thrilling victory of the very last delivery of the game.
Brief Scores: Team Sri Lanka - 125/4 [Dinesh Chandimal 37* (24), Shehan Jayasuriya 28 (11), Dwayne Bravo 2/12]; Maratha Arabians - 131/5 from 10 overs [Rilee Rossouw 49* (18), Alex Hales 32 (15), Vishwa Fernando 2/15]
Result - Maratha Arabians won by five wickets
Coming to terms with the vagaries of the innovative format, Punjabi Legends utilised their second successful toss by deciding to chase this time around. The smart move precipitated a change in their fortunes as well. Despite an explosive knock from the in-form Paul Stirling, Kerala Kings could not stretch their total past 114.
In sharp contrast to his knock in the previous game earlier in the day, Umar Akmal hammered 31 from just 13 deliveries. His knock was laced with three fours and as many as sixes. But Malik once again overshadowed him by producing the best batting performance of the tournament thus far. His unbeaten 25-ball 60 contained four sixes and propelled the Legends to a comfortable victory.
Brief Scores: Kerala Kings - 114/4 [Paul Stirling 46* (29), Eoin Morgan 21 (13), Chris Jordan 1/17, Ravi Bopara 1/17]; Punjabi Legends - 115/2 from 9 overs [Shoaib Malik 60* (25), Umar Akmal 31 (13), Sohail Tanvir 1/13]
Result - Punjabi Legends won by eight wickets with six balls remaining
Fresh off a clinical triumph against Maratha Arabians, Pakhtoons continued their form by registering their second win in as many matches. Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal anchored their batting lineup with a splendid half-century which included four hits over the fence. Skipper Shahid Afridi, who is the biggest crowd-puller in the tournament, was run-out after smashing his first ball for a towering six.
Defending 111 runs, England spinner Liam Dawson made a strong statement by removing Chandimal and Dilshan Munaweera in the second over of the innings. Sohail Khan operated with exemplary control to stifle the run-chase. Even though Wanindu Hasaranga's flamboyant knock breathed new life into the game, the Pakhtoons hit back strongly and pocketed a 27-run victory.
Brief Scores: Pakhtoons - 111/6 [Tamim Iqbal 56* (27), Ahmed Shehzad 24 (12), Vishwa Fernando 2/15, Shehan Jayasuriya 2/19]; Team Sri Lanka - 84/7 [Wanindu Hasaranga 31 (12), Liam Dawson 2/6, Sohail Khan 1/5];
Result - Pakhtoons won by 27 runs