A much deserved victory for Al Fatah as they brush aside the challenge posed by Sher-e-Punjab and get home with a comfortable margin in the end.
To chase 157, Sher-e-Punjab needed to have a brilliant start but instead they had a poor one as Asif Mehmood ripped out two wickets in the powerplay itself to push Punjab on the backfoot. The only positive for them was that Pawandeep was still at the crease and they needed him to play a special innings. He tried and was also given good company by Lovedeep Sandhu but they just could not get sufficient number of big overs that they needed to really pose a threat.
At the halfway mark, they needed 3-a-ball but with the caliber they had there was still a chance for them. But, the bowling from Al Fatah bowlers was exceptional. Tasawar Hussain removed Lovedeep and them Waqa Akhtar and Sulahri bowled back-to-back tight overs to kill the run chase. Pawandeep eventually succumbed to the pressure and even though there were a few good hits from Resham Singh towards the end it was all too late.
10
overs
136/4score
0
6
4
0
0
1nb
4
runs
Resham Singh*
33(14)
Lovedeep Singh
4(4)
Umar Farooq-I
0/28
9.6 Umar Farooq to Resham Singh, FOUR! That's a boundary to finish but Al Fatah prevail as they managed to restrict Sher-e-Punjab here. Slower one on the fourth stump, Resham too early into the swipe, through square-leg and finds the ropes.
9.6 Umar Farooq to Resham Singh, WIDE! Banged in the short delivery, goes well over the batter's head and has been called a wide.
9.5 Umar Farooq to Resham Singh, dips a full delivery, goes just inside the tramline as Resham went too early to squeeze it away and misses.
9.4 Umar Farooq to Resham Singh, short outside the off-stump. Resham gave himself some room and looks to cut and misses.
9.3 Umar Farooq to Resham Singh, FOUR! Full toss into the batter, Resham swipes it hard to deep square-leg, goes one bounce into the ropes for a boundary.
9.2 Umar Farooq to Resham Singh, SIX! Short outside the off-stump, Resham slashes it all the way over deep backward point for a maximum.
9.1 Umar Farooq to Resham Singh, dot ball to start the over.
Umar Farooq [1.0-0-15-0] will bowl the final over
36 needed off the final over, can Resham Singh do the unthinkable? Al Fatah would surely like to believe they have done enough
9
overs
121/4score
6
W
0
0
4
0
runs
Lovedeep Singh*
4(4)
Resham Singh
19(7)
Tasawar Hussain
2/29
8.6 Tasawar Hussain to Lovedeep Singh, back of a length, angled it well outside the off-stump. Lovedeep has a wild swing and a miss. That is another dot for Al Fatah!
8.5 Tasawar Hussain to Lovedeep Singh, FOUR! Back of a length outside the off-stump. Lovedeep makes good connection this time, thumped it to deep extra-cover for a boundary.
Resham Singh slams his bat in frustration at the non-striker's end
8.4 Tasawar Hussain to Lovedeep Singh, back of a length, well outside the off-stump. Lovedeep has a big swing and a miss. Resham at the non-striker's end is absolutely livid!
8.3 Tasawar Hussain to Roshan Singh, length delivery, angled it well outside the off-stump. Lovedeep reaches and misses.
Lovedeep Singh, RHB, is the new batter
That has to be the final nail in the coffin, Pawandeep departs and with him depart the hopes for Punjab. Tasawar gets his second
8.2 Tasawar Hussain to Pawandeep, OUT! TOP EDGED AND TAKEN! Is that the game for Al Fatah? Valiant effort nevertheless from Pawandeep. Short into the batter, Pawandeep went for the pull and top edged it straight up. Keeper runs across to short fine-leg region, settles under it and pouches it safely.
Pawandeep c Rasab Sher b Tasawar Hussain 60 (26b, 3x4, 7x6).
8.1 Tasawar Hussain to Pawandeep, SIX! BAM! Great start to the over. Length delivery from round the wicket, in the slot and Pawandeep smashes it way over long-on for a maximum.