Having been down and out for most part of their campaign, the Warriors were in with a sniff at Qualification if only they could knock down the Challengers in an emphatic manner. The Challangers posing with a strong outfit would be gutted to not win today and secure their spot in the final four. A massive toss was won by Tahir Kang who elected for his Challengers side to bat first.

The Warriors were roaring up early in this contest with the removal of Safwan in the 3rd over or proceedings. With the big gun removed, the Warriors were right in the faces of the challangers in this contest removing wickets on a more than regular basis, as the Challengers were in deep trouble by the 11th over with the score at 5-71. Having removed most of the top order, Hammad Butt sensed a huge opportunity to bowl out the Challangers for a paltry total. Abdul Qadir and Hamza Sultan worked in pairs to remove 4 CC wickets for 50 runs in their 7 overs, and others from the Warriors chipped in leaving them reeling at 9-122 in the 18th over. Ehtisham stood firm for the Challengers with wickets falling around him, and ensuring that his side isn’t bowled out for less than 125, he waited for his opportunity to take down the impressive Aqib Mehmood for a thumping 18 run over in the 20th and final over of the innings.

Ehtisham’s 42* under pressure and especially the 20th over assault would translate as a massive momentum shift in the favour of the Challangers, with the score at a competitive 145-9. The Warriors knew that their only chance for qualification would be that they chase these runs within 15 overs and enhance their nrr. They would believe that it is possible especially considering their efforts in the last match.

The need to go hard for the sake of obtaining a good net run rate can be a double edged sword, as the Warriors changed their strategy for this game with the promotion of Usama Abro to the opening spot, someone that has been brilliant for them in the middle order. Abro was all at sea in the openers position having been unable to deal with Tahir Kang’s skill with the new ball, playing out a maiden and putting extreme pressure on the chasing side. The innings got a move on for the warriors in the 3rd over with Sheikh Arfan slightly breaking the shackles, but his wicket followed by the huge wicket of Adeel Ahmed on the first ball he faced were two huge blows the Warriors in this chase. Someone else had to step up for the Warriors to bat at the destructive pace that was achieved by Adeel, whereas none of the Warriors batsmen could find their feet on this track.

With the knowledge that the Warriors may not achieve this total within the time space they would like, the batsmen seemed to have lost hope and interest in the chase. Without a single meaningful partnership, the warriors folded for a meek 76 runs and losing the game by 69 runs. An unfortunate surrender of the match and this year’s campaign for them.

The Challangers ensured 3rd position qualification with 8 points in their 7 games, whilst the Warriors should be commended for not giving up until their last match and continued to fight for as long as they could.

Scorecard summary is as follows;

 

Man of the match;