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So, that will be it from this pulsating contest in Malta, first up today! The next match of the day is coming up in just a few minutes so you can switch tabs and get ready for that one. This is Bidipto taking your leave. Keep following Sportskeeda!
It was a good contest between bat and ball in this innings but in the end, it was the Strikers who came up trumps with some quality bowling and fielding!
The opening partnership for the Blasters was a good one and then the impressive knock from skipper Maithani was instrumental in getting the chase deep, but, the overs from opposition skipper Priyan Pushparajan turned out to be the difference as he picked up 3 key wickets giving away only 4 runs!
The other problem for the Blasters was that only 3 batters managed to get to double digits. All the rest just crumbled under pressure. And speaking of pressure, Clinto Paul managed things quite magnificently in the final over, first by getting rid of Maithani and then, bowling five deliveries for only 1 run when 12 runs were required!
Yes, those five balls were played out by the tail but to keep the composure and get the job done was brilliant! So, with this win, the Strikers move to 10 points from 5 games while the Blasters stay on 6 points from 4 matches.
10
overs
87/9score
W
W
0
0
W
1
runs
Suresh Dobal*
1(2)
Vikas Bisht
0(0)
Clinto Paul
2/4
9.6 Clinto Paul to Suresh Dobal, A GOOD WIN THIS FOR ROYAL STRIKERS! Full on off-stump. Drilled down to long-on off the front foot for a single only.
9.5 Clinto Paul to Devendra Negi, RUN OUT AGAIN! Good length slower ball around off-stump. Devendra stepped out and missed the shot on the inside edge. They decided to run for a single but Devendra fell well short of the crease at the non-striker's end!
9.4 Clinto Paul to Devendra Negi, good length ball around off-stump. A miss of the dab to point off the back foot and it is another dot ball!
9.3 Clinto Paul to Devendra Negi, good length ball outside off-stump. Devendra moved around too much and missed the punch through cover point! No run.
9.2 Clinto Paul to Suresh Dobal, RUN OUT! Good length ball around off-stump. Inside edged on the up to the keeper for an attempted run. But the keeper gets the throw in correctly and hits the stumps direct to find Jahidul short of his crease at the striker's end!
9.1 Clinto Paul to Gaurav Maithani, THAT IS THE BIG WICKET! Full around off-stump. Maithani stayed right back and smacked it. Unfortunately for him, it did not get middled. Long-on settled under it comfortably and completed the catch!