Such was the case once again in the important tie between the Defenders and Warriors, who both couldn’t afford a defeat in todays fixture! The Defenders won the toss and chose to defend a total by opting to bat first at a venue where the last 3 fixtures have favoured the side chasing. A huge call!

The start for the defenders was subdued, having not been able to get off the blocks being 28-1 in the 5th over of the match (Yasir Ahmed falling early for 8 runs against Muneeb). Daniyal Latif was on a mission to play the anchors role for his side, whilst the veteran batsman Nasir Ahmed continued to play his strokes in his authoritative manner. A 70 run partnership between the pair was ended in the 14th over of the match, and this was to be the last wicket to fall in the Defender’s innings, as Daniyal Latif returned to the dug out scoring a 50 off 47 balls (4 fours and 3 sixes). Nasir, alongside Atta ul Faheem added a further 68 runs to the teams total off 40 balls, with Atta ul Faheem scoring 37* off 22 balls at a strike rate of 168, and Nasir finishing with 60* off 47 (which included a towering 20 runs in the 20th over of the innings).

With the loss of only 2 wickets, the Defenders posted a reasonable total of 166, but it was yet to be seen if they would have preferred to have used more of their wickets available to them in order to push the total to a more unreachable target at the venue. The chase was most certainly going to be interesting..

Yasir Ahmed was back on opening duties, this time with the ball for the defenders, but a thumping 15 runs in his first over courtesy of some brave striking by Sheikh Irfan and Naveed Khan meant that the warriors were not going to go die wondering on how to chase the total. The openers for the Warriors raced to 25-0 in the 3rd over and a much needed breakthrough was provided by Usama Butt on the brink of the over ending. 25-1 soon turned to 31-2 with the dangerous Laiq Ahmed not being able to create a mark in this match for his side. Whilst Usama and Muhammad Waqas both fought well for their side having taken a wicket a piece and bowling some economical overs in the powerplay, the entrance of Adeel Ahmed at the crease lifted the momentum once again for the Warriors as they ended their powerplay on 50-2, on course to chase the total down.

Defenders skipper Muzamil once again called upon Yasir to bowl post powerplay, and his fortunes turned massively for him and his team as he was this time successful in removing Sheikh Irfan and the score now 53-3. Nasir was also called upon to tweak his arm as well and the wicket of Usama Abro added more pressure on the Warriors in this chase. Captain Hammad Butt who’s form would be vital in the cause for his side was in the mood to take the game on and lead his side to victory. However, the 12th and 13th over would prove to be critical in the run chase as the Bait Ul Noor senior pair of Adeel Ahmed (23 off 22) and Hammad Butt (28 off 18) had both returned to the pavilion, with the score now 97-6 in 13 overs, and a mountain to climb without any more experienced batsmen left for the Warriors.

Such situations can produce the future superstars with the bat, and Aqib Ahmed was on course to make a mark now with the bat having already impressed the cricketing community with the ball, scoring 14 off 7 (200 strike rate) and still keeping the Warriors in the game. Muneeb chanced his striking abilities with nothing to lose, and with some lusty blows brought the score to 21 to win in the final 6 balls of the game with only two more wickets, whilst Muneeb was still on 22* off 12 balls. Usama Butt was trusted with the final over by his captain, and one would have thought that the Warrior’s best chance at getting this total would have to be from the bat of Muneeb who was striking it well. A boundary of the first ball of the 20th over would most certainly have enabled doubt to have crept into the minds of the Defenders, as the chasing venue may still yet be living up to its reputation? Muneeb took a single of the second ball of the over and trusted his partner Hamza Sultan (who earlier bowled well for his 21-0 in 4 overs), but two crucial dot balls by Usama on the 3rd and 4th ball of the over sealed the game for the Defenders. Two consolation boundaries were scored on the last two balls of the match by Hamza, however the Warriors had fallen 8 runs short of the final total, and the Defenders were successful in defending at LGCC!

A great, thrilling match once again in the KCL ended with Nasir Ahmed taking the plaudits for his all round efforts as the MOTM. A crucial 2 points for the Defenders, whilst the Warriors have now entered the dangerous territory of now having to most likely win all of their matches from this point onwards to be crowned the KCL champions (if that is what their destiny is).

Scorecard summary is as follows;

Man of the match;