The Challengers were all set to open their 2024 campaign against Hammad Butt’s Warriors who were coming off a memorable win against the odds in their opening encounter. Captain Tahir Kang won the toss and surprisingly opted to bat first with the rain pouring down early on.

This decision to bat first didn’t go as planned, with Naveed Hanif and Mohsin Besharat exploiting the extra pace and carry within the Alexandera Park track and pricing out three early wickets Adeel, Munaf and Shahid Cheema within the powerplay and the score at 3-18 in the 4th over. Whilst Naghman Masood was promoted up the order to power out the Challengers in the hole they found themselves in, he too struggled to get any timing and was evening snapped up by Usama Butt in the 9th over, with the score at 33-4.

In serious trouble having opted to bat first, Tahir Kang knew that he had to deliver with the bat in order to salvage something from this innings. He found a reliable partner in Faizanullah Khan, and both batters knuckled down to add a valuable 58 run partnership for the 5th wicket. Tahir Kang patiently waited for his opportunity to get the long levers out against the Warrior’s spinners delivering 3 humongous sixes in the process, bringing up a captain’s contribution of 50 from 34 balls (147 strike rate).

With the fall of Tahir’s wicket, captain Hammad Butt ensured through his smart work in bowling changes that the final score should reflect the excellent work done by his bowlers in the first half of the innings. A good response by lead strike bowler Naveed Hanif (who finished with figures of 3-19) and Hammad himself ensured that the final total was 127, a target they should achieve without much difficulty.

The Challengers did pose the threat of the extra pace battery suitable for such a track, with Rizwan, Naghman and Tahir all gearing up to defend the total. However, they were met with the aggressive intent of Mohsin Besharat and Amir Saeed, who were equal in their bat speed and power producing a thrilling 49 run partnership in the first 5 overs. Amir who scored a quick fire 23 off 12 balls (including 2 humongous sixes) was removed by Ehsan ul Haye in the 6th over of the powerplay giving the Challengers some respite. Bilal Muhammad’s new role at number 3 has been suiting him quite nicely of late, as the gifted left hander continued with his impressive form playing shots of the highest quality against good quality pace. Bilal produced an impressive 20 off 14 balls with 4 scintillating boundaries, an innings that was cut short by Tahir who had set up the deep fine/square leg trap with the short ball, with the score at 78-2 in 8 overs. Khurram Goraya and Mohsin Besharat then ensured that the Warriors reached the finish line without any let ups, chasing the score in 15.1 overs.

A thoroughly professional performance by the Truthful Warriors following up from a victory at the jaws of defeat in their previous game. The Challengers have had their first sight at their team and squad, and will reevaluate on how to come back stronger going forward.