[Watch] Irfan Pathan defends 12 runs off last over to take Odisha into the final of Legends League Cricket 2024

Konark Suryas Odisha captain Irfan Pathan excelled with the ball, successfully defending 12 runs in the final over against Toyam Hyderabad, leading his team to the Legends League Cricket (LLC) 2024 final. The match was played at the Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar on Monday, October 14.

Needing 12 runs off the last over, Hyderabad captain Gurkeerat Singh took a single on the first delivery. Former Afghanistan player Samiullah Shinwari struck a couple of runs on the second ball and then hit a six on the third, bringing the target down to three runs needed from three balls.

Irfan retaliated by dismissing Shinwari on the fourth ball, while Stuart Binny picked up a single on the penultimate delivery. The left-arm pacer then bowled a dot ball, sealing a narrow victory for his team by just one run and earning a place in the LLC 2024 final.

Here’s a video of the thrilling last over:

Chasing 157, Toyam Hyderabad struggled early, losing three wickets for only 41 runs. Rikki Clarke delivered a strong performance, scoring 67 runs off 44 balls with the aid of four fours and five sixes. Although captain Gurkeerat finished unbeaten on 27 runs off 25 balls, he couldn't lead his team to victory, and they fell short by just one run.

Irfan Pathan shines with the bat in the first innings

After being put into bat, Konark Suryas Odisha lost wicketkeeper Richard Levi for six runs off nine balls. Kevin O'Brien delivered an impressive performance, scoring 50 runs off 39 balls. Yusuf Pathan contributed a quick 12 runs off four balls, hitting two sixes.

In the closing stages, captain Irfan Pathan remained unbeaten on 49 runs from 35 balls, striking five fours and one six, helping Odisha reach a respectable total of 156-5 in their 20 overs. For Hyderabad, Stuart Binny took two wickets.