Powell and Russell shine as Warriors beat Pakhtoons to win T10 League

SHARJAH: Northern Warriors defeated Pakhtoons by 22 runs to claim the T10 League 2018 title here at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium here on Sunday.

Chasing 141 to win, Pakhtoons could never really find any momentum and managed a mere 118/7 in 10 overs.

Andre Fletcher provided a strong start to the Pakhtoons, hitting Andre Russell for three sixes in the third over of the innings. Shafiqullah joined in soon, clobbering Wahab Riaz for a four and a six to get quick runs.

Fletcher was dismissed by Khary Pierre in the sixth over, after an 18-ball 37 studded with four sixes and two fours. Chris Green was particularly impressive for Warriors, finishing with 2-0-12-2.

Pakhtoons captain Shahid Afridi dazzled with two consecutive sixes, but Hardus Viljoen cleaned him up, and added one more by getting Colin Ingram caught behind off the next delivery in the seventh over.

With 47 needed off 12 balls, Russell’s penultimate over saw Shafiqullah being run out for 26 and Liam Dawson caught for 12. Pakhtoons needed 34 off the final six balls, and could manage only 11 runs.

Northern Warriors were cruising towards a total in excess of 160 but Pakhtoons did well to keep them to 140/3. Rovman Powell continued to plunder runs against Pakhtoons, smacking four sixes and eight fours in his 25-ball 61. Andre Russell’s blitz — a 12-ball 38 served them well.

Brief scores: Northern Warriors 140/3 in 10 overs (R Powell 61*, A Russell 38; Afridi 1/21) bt Pakhtoons 118/7 in 10 overs (A Fletcher 37, Shafiqullah 26; Chris Green 2/11) by 22 runs.