Folks, we just witnessed a humdinger! And in the end, it was CKR's poor fielding which came back to bite them. But first, let us talk about the winners - Limassol Zalmi.
Their start was a sedate one. The batters could not get Anwar Hossain and Viraj Pedige away in the powerplay. Though, Huzaifa stuck around and once he got the opportunity to free his arms, he didn't look back. It was the 4th over of the innings - where he hit Md Rasel for 3 consecutive sixes - that brought about the switch in momentum.
However, the Knight Riders did comeback by picking up a bunch of wickets in the second half. Though Zeeshan's cameo and that overthrow off the last ball meant that Zalmi were home.
There were also a couple of other dropped catches in the innings. And that doesn't include the instance where the fielder lost the ball in the sun or the one where two men barged into each other, spilling a chance.
It is those little fielding lapses that have cost Cyprus Knight Riders this game.
10
overs
120/6score
4
4
W
1
2nb
0
2
runs
Babar Ayub*
3(3)
Furqan Muhammad
1(1)
Anwar Hossain
2/15
9.6 Anwar Hossain to Babar Ayub, WE HAVE RUN-OUT CHECK ON THE SECOND RUN BUT ZALMI ARE CELEBRATING! And he's home! Zalmi win! Short on the body, he pulls it to deep mid-wicket and trudges to the other end. Before the throw comes in, he looks satisfied with just one but the bowler doesn't collect the throw and the batters run again, finishing it by the barest of margins. What a game!
2 runs to win off the last ball.
9.5 Anwar Hossain to Babar Ayub, FREE HIT! AND HE MISSES THE SWING! Short outside off, pulls and misses!
2 runs off 2 balls to win now. This is a free hit.
9.5 Anwar Hossain to Furqan Muhammad, big bouncer, pulled to deep square leg for one and this has been given as a no-ball for a second bouncer!
4 runs to win off 2 balls. Golden ball anyone?
9.4 Anwar Hossain to Babar Ayub, short on the body, taps it to deep mid-wicket for one
Dear oh dear! What a way to get out at such a crucial juncture. Zalmi still need 5 runs to win off 3 balls. Two new batters at the crease: Furqan Muhammad, RHB, at the non-striker's end. Babar Ayub, RHB, to face. Both yet to face a ball.
9.3 Anwar Hossain to Naveed Ahmad, HIT WICKET! WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE? A brutal short ball on the head, thumps him on the helmet and he swivels and loses his balance, falling over. The top half of his right pad hits the leg-stump and the bails come off!
Naveed Ahmad hit wicket b Anwar Hossain 9 (4b, 2x4, 0x6)
5 runs to win in 4 balls now. Pressure on Anwar Hossain. He switches to over the wicket.
9.2 Anwar Hossain to Naveed Ahmad, FOUR! Poor bowling. Another short one on the body, pulls it past deep fine leg and there's no one to cover up!
9 runs to win off 5 balls.
9.1 Anwar Hossain to Naveed Ahmad, FOUR! Short on middle and leg, goes deep in his crease and pulls it to deep fine leg!
Skipper takes the responsibility in his own hands. Anwar Hossain [1-0-2-0] bowls the final over.
After a good game with the ball against the Telugu 11, Md Jowel Mia had a bit of a nightmare here. Though, the wicket of the last ball has given him something to be happy about. Limassol Zalmi need 13 runs to win in 6 balls.
9
overs
107/5score
4
0
0
4
6
1wd
w
runs
Zeeshan Khan*
19(9)
Naveed Ahmed
1(1)
Jowel Mia
1/37
8.6 Md Jowel Mia to Zeeshan Khan, CLEANS HIM UP ON THE LAST BALL! Good length ball angling in, Zeeshan looks to pull but the ball sneaks under and fells his stumps!
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Cyprus Knight Riders
Babar Ayub
*
Anwar Hossain
Video
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