198/6 (19.4)
CR : 10.07
196/5 (20.0)
CR : 9.80
Bahawalpur Region won by 4 wickets 🏆
Player of the Match
Haider Ali
65(43)
Over 20
Bahawalpur Region 198/6
Haider Ali65(43)
Hasnain Majid11(9)
Aamir Jamal1-33(2.4)
BHWR won by 4 wickets
1:51 AM IST, 1:21 AM local time: In cricket, much like in life, it is not about how you start, but about how you end. Nobody can tell you that better than Haider Ali right now. He recovered from a scratchy start to become the hero for Bahawalpur Region and helped them registered their first victory of the tournament. They win by 4 wickets with 2 balls to spare.
Earlier, Lahore Region Whites had exhibited something similar. After opting to bat first, they were off to an iffy start. 20/2 in 4 overs. Run-scoring looked difficult. Boundaries ostensibly too big. And then, Mohammad Faiq and Tayyab Tahir flipped the switch. It began with an audacious shot by the former and was followed by some excellently placed strokes by the latter. The duo stitched a 110-run partnership for the 3rd wicket to lay the platform for a big score. Mohammad Mohsin and Farhan Yousaf provided the finishing touches with a lively 5th wicket stand of 67 in just 31 balls. Innovation, power, zeal — they put all on display and helped the team notch-up 196/5 in 20 overs.
Bahawalpur Region's bowlers blew hot and cold and the fielding left much to be desired. However, Lahore Region Whites returned the favour. Much like the opposition, Aamir Jamal's men too fumbled several times in the field. The bazillion extras they sent down did not help either.
At one stage, especially when Saad Khan was playing those swashbuckling shots of his, Bahawalpur seemed on course to chase the target down. But then, Mohammad Rameez Jr. turned the game on its head. He picked the important wickets of Zafar, Saad and the opposition captain to bring the game in balance. Bahawalpur went from 115/2 to 138/5 and then, 149/6.
But Haider Ali hung in. Initially, he found it tough to time the ball. He left a handful of balls outside off, hoping for them to be called as wides, only for the umpire to remain unmoved. Despite that, he kept on fighting. Eventually, he found his mojo and was able to score some timely boundaries during the course of his match-winning 65* (43). Given his lean run of form coming into this match, there was no surprise that he rejoiced vehemently after taking the team over the finish line.
Earlier, Lahore Region Whites had exhibited something similar. After opting to bat first, they were off to an iffy start. 20/2 in 4 overs. Run-scoring looked difficult. Boundaries ostensibly too big. And then, Mohammad Faiq and Tayyab Tahir flipped the switch. It began with an audacious shot by the former and was followed by some excellently placed strokes by the latter. The duo stitched a 110-run partnership for the 3rd wicket to lay the platform for a big score. Mohammad Mohsin and Farhan Yousaf provided the finishing touches with a lively 5th wicket stand of 67 in just 31 balls. Innovation, power, zeal — they put all on display and helped the team notch-up 196/5 in 20 overs.
Bahawalpur Region's bowlers blew hot and cold and the fielding left much to be desired. However, Lahore Region Whites returned the favour. Much like the opposition, Aamir Jamal's men too fumbled several times in the field. The bazillion extras they sent down did not help either.
At one stage, especially when Saad Khan was playing those swashbuckling shots of his, Bahawalpur seemed on course to chase the target down. But then, Mohammad Rameez Jr. turned the game on its head. He picked the important wickets of Zafar, Saad and the opposition captain to bring the game in balance. Bahawalpur went from 115/2 to 138/5 and then, 149/6.
But Haider Ali hung in. Initially, he found it tough to time the ball. He left a handful of balls outside off, hoping for them to be called as wides, only for the umpire to remain unmoved. Despite that, he kept on fighting. Eventually, he found his mojo and was able to score some timely boundaries during the course of his match-winning 65* (43). Given his lean run of form coming into this match, there was no surprise that he rejoiced vehemently after taking the team over the finish line.
Time for the post-match Presentation!
Rameez Aziz gets the 'Energetic Player of the Match' award.
Haider Ali has been named as the 'Player of the Match'.
Haider Ali (Player of the Match): "(Thoughts on his knock) After a long time, I got an opportunity to play an innings like this. I just tried to continue the momentum provided by the earlier batters. Was focused on batting till the end.
(Deliveries he targeted) The pitch was on the slower side, so I looked to hit deliveries which had pace and was in the slot. Just want to keep playing like this."
(Deliveries he targeted) The pitch was on the slower side, so I looked to hit deliveries which had pace and was in the slot. Just want to keep playing like this."
Aamir Jamal (Lahore Region Whites captain): "(What went wrong?) Credit should be given where due. The way Haider Ali and Saad Khan played was brilliant. They took the game away from us. They were brilliant in the powerplay and ran away with the momentum..
(Should they have played an extra spinner?) I'd back the team that we played. Rameez was very good. His ball was gripping. But these same guys won us the previous matches. They will help us win in the future too.
(What next?) The skills have been put to test, including mine. But I will always back my guys. I am sure we will be rewarded with a win in the next game."
(Should they have played an extra spinner?) I'd back the team that we played. Rameez was very good. His ball was gripping. But these same guys won us the previous matches. They will help us win in the future too.
(What next?) The skills have been put to test, including mine. But I will always back my guys. I am sure we will be rewarded with a win in the next game."
Mohammad Imran Randhawa (Bahawalpur Region Captain): "(About getting a crucial win) We played well and happy to get this win.
(Haider Ali and Saad Khan's fifties) The entire credit goes to Haider Ali and Saad Khan. We bowled well as well.
(About Saad Khan's knock) I talked with Saad before the match and told him to bat through the innings. He was excellent."
(Haider Ali and Saad Khan's fifties) The entire credit goes to Haider Ali and Saad Khan. We bowled well as well.
(About Saad Khan's knock) I talked with Saad before the match and told him to bat through the innings. He was excellent."
Saad Khan laid the foundation of the run chase, Haider Ali shepherd the team over the finish line. This result keeps not only Bahawalpur Region alive, but also gives Faisalabad Region the reason to be hopeful. Two more matches are yet to be played in Group A and 4 teams are still in race for the qualification to next round. Hence, there is plenty to look forward to in the upcoming games.
We hope you enjoyed the coverage of this match. The commentators were Darpan Tikiya and Karthik Raj. The scorer was Yogesh Kumar. Keep following Crickxo for more cricketing action from around the globe.
We hope you enjoyed the coverage of this match. The commentators were Darpan Tikiya and Karthik Raj. The scorer was Yogesh Kumar. Keep following Crickxo for more cricketing action from around the globe.