Mighty Strikers v Courageous Challengers

An intense fixture of the KCL25 between the strong, yet struggling Strikers against the resilient Challengers. The Strikers had no choice really but to fight for their lives today as a 4th defeat could spell curtains for their campaign. Winning the toss, the opted to bat first at Alexandra Park.

Muhayuddin was sent up the order to make use of the powerplay, and boy he did make use with an electric 27 off 10 balls. The fall of Harawal and Muzamil back to back with the score at 50-3 was threatening danger, and later with the wicket of Rizwan at 77-4 at 55 balls had the Strikers in some danger. Now it was time for the Ali Raza show who then produced a powerhouse display of late innings hitting blasting 81 off 32 balls (including 9 sixes!). A late innings barrage of sixes which added 103 runs in 45 balls by Ali and Faheem (27*) pushed his team’s total to a brilliant 181-4 by the end of the innings. The Challengers were definitely feeling the heat as they were not expecting a late innings thrashing of this kind!

They were definitely not going to shy away from taking on this total, as the top 3 batters (Munaf, Marfoud and Naufal) all contributed with handy 25s having consumed 43 balls in total and setting the CC on their way at 83-3. Again, it was Rana Zeeshan (3-15) with the ball inflicting heavy damage with 3 quick wickets to to change the equation with the score at 86-6. This is the second game in the row Rana Zeeshan has totally turned the game on its head with an economic and damaging spell of wickets as well! Still, the threat wasn’t over with Rizwan Balouch giving his all with the bat as he too threatened to unleash an Ali Raza like tornado innings, scoring 59 off 30 (including 5 sixes). However, his innings would go in vain as the CC would fall 4 runs, just 4 runs short of the total in pursuit of 181!

A fantastic game at the end and a much needed win registered for the Mighty Strikers to keep their campaign alive! A team of their quality should truly be challenging for the top spots. The Challengers are not going as they would like ideally at this stage, but under the leadership of Tahir they have come out of adversity with flying colours before. They will know how to get out of their predicament like they have done so in the past!