Defender trounce Karwan for title
dubai — Defender Cricket Club won the coveted RSM AZADI T-20 Cup with a five-wicket victory against Karwan in a nerve-wrecking final to script a glorious new chapter at Ajman Oval.
Chasing 192 for a victory, Defenders held their nerves as they rode on Faizan’s 65 and Farrukh’s 41 to overhaul the target with 14 balls to spare and stamped their supremacy on the field.
The highlights of the Karwan innings was the rollicking partnership between Saqib and Waheed as Karwan capitalized on the batting power play to post a decent 191 for eight.
Defender’s bowlers made a strong comeback in the latter part of the innings with their disciplined bowling and not letting the Karwan’s batsman take away the game.
Defender innings began on a disastrous note as the destructive Sana was dismissed in the third over with paceman Atif scalping the prized wicket.
Faizan joined Adnan at the crease and started off with a couple of delightful boundaries while the captain also looked for runs at the other end.
Defenders suffered a huge jolt when Tahir struck by dismissing man-of-the-match Faizan in the 10th over. Karwan saw a chance to make a comeback as Faizan started his walk back to pavilion after scoring a brilliant 65 at a phenomenal strike rate of 216. His innings included 7 towering sixes and 4 fours.
Adnan was accompanied by Farrukh and the pair started to score at a brisk pace to keep Defenders in the hunt.
The pair added 22 for the third wicket before Adnan paid the price for an unneeded stroke. Farrukh along with Fahad and Umer batted superbly to lit up the evening sky and crown themselves as the champions.