Shehzad fires Pak with 89-run blitz
The opening batsman powers hosts to 183/4 before bowlers cripple World XI
NEWDELHI: Pakistan tightened the noose around World XI, reducing them to 67/5 in the 10th over after Ahmed Shehzad (89 off 55 balls) slammed a brilliant half century to take Pakistan to 183/4 in the Independence Cup third Twenty 20 encounter in Lahore on Friday.
This is the decider after Pakistan won the first game and World XI won the second.
Left-arm spinner Imad Wasim, left-arm seamer Usman Khan and pacer Hasan Ali picked a wicket apiece while Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis were run out.
At the time of going to press, World XI were 112/6 in 14 overs after Thisara Perera and David Miller added 45 for the sixth wicket.
The 25-year old batsman scored 89 off 55 balls – the highest by any Pakistan batsman in this series – and was well supported by in-form youngster Babar Azam who scored 48 off 31 balls.
Batting first, the hosts were off to a brilliant start with both openers – Ahmed Shehzad and Fakhar Zaman – looking to score quick runs from the very first ball. ICC World XI skipper Faf Du Plessis decided to start proceedings with off-spinner Samuel Badree, but the batsmen were up to the task as he was slammed for two boundaries.
The duo continued to play confidently as they completed their 50-run partnership in just 35 balls and it seemed like Pakistan are well on their way towards a huge total.
The partnership ended in the worst possible way when Fakhar Zaman was run out at the nonstriker’s end for 27. Ahmed Shehzad played a straight drive, but Darren Sammy was able to get a hand to it and the ball took out the stumps with Fakhar backing up.
However, that did not affect Shehzad as the 25-year old continued to play aggressive shots and was able to bring up his half century in just 37 balls.
Shehzad did not slow down after his fifty and he made his intentions pretty clear with back-to-back boundaries off Morne Morkel. Babar Azam, who has been the star for Pakistan in this series, provided able support to Shehzad as the hosts crossed the 150-run mark. Ben Cutting was the next victim of Ahmed Shehzad’s onslaught as the in-form batsman slammed three consecutive sixes in the 18th over.
However, Shehzad missed out on a well-deserved boundary when he was dismissed for 89. There was a slight misunderstanding between the batsmen and a good throw by George Bailey spelt doom for the in-from batsman. Babar Azam (48 off 31 balls) also missed out on his half century.
BRIEF SCORES Pakistan 183/4 (A Shehzad 89, B Azam 48, T Perera 2/37) (message incomplete)