Match Details
Lions register a thumping victory over the Maharajas and they have been absolutely clinical in all three departments. The Maharajas didn’t get the desired start in the powerplay and they were always playing a catch up game post that. Yusuf Pathan and Stuart Binny tried to resurrect the innings but to no avail. Binny was strangled down the leg side and Pathan succumbed to the medium pace of Asar Afghan. Post that India folded like a pack of cards and just went through the motions to their inevitable end.
Talking about Asar Afghan what a night he had. Propelling his team to an above par total with his ballistics towards the end. The 35 year old bought all the experience from T20 leagues around the world and proved to be the difference maker today. Twenty Eight ball 69, striking them at over 240 and hitting seven big ones.
Credit to Upul Tharanga as well who continued on his merry run and notched up his third half century in a row. The southpaw laid the foundation with his forty five ball 72 and helped his team reach a position where they could eye a big finish.
The bowlers were exceptional, two wickets apiece for Afghan, Rafique and Kulasekara. One each for Akhtar and Fernando. Murali didn’t bag one today but finished his spell with none for 23.
Earlier in the day Maharajas won the toss and opted to field first. They were right in the game and kept the opposition in check. But Tharanga was defiant as ever and laid the foundation for Asar Afghan to capitalize on. Asia Lions will be relieved, they chased down over 200 a few days back and they executed well today to overcome the Indian Maharajas.
The lions go to the top of the points table and get a one day rest. The Maharajas on the other hand come back here tomorrow and take on a rejuvenated World Giants. That was it from our side today, this was Anmol Ahuja along with Ayan Chatterjee and Arya Sekhar Chakroborty.
On to the presentation now..