This has been one of the best chases in ECS history and perhaps the best in this edition so far. Unbelievable display of skill and courage from Friends XI and especially Vikas Kumar! He set the tone with the 28-run first over and got decent support from Khalil in the powerplay too.
But soon, Gurdip and Rajmani's spells completely changed the game. They took wickets on the other end and kept Vikas either out of the strike or quiet with their slower ones. When Sukhwinder took Farhan's wicket, it looked like Friends XI would collapse in a couple of overs.
However, Jaipal had other plans. He took on his first few balls to take pressure off Vikas, who then used that confidence to kill the game with a brilliant ninth over. A no ball in the final over was all it took for Panjab to finish it off and see Vikas and Jaipal celebrate with their arms aloft.
10.0
9.2 Kanwaljot Singh to Vikas Kumar, FOURR! Vikas Kumar wins the game for Friends XI. It was full and around middle stump line. Kumar plays the slog sweep over fine leg for a boundary to seal the deal.
9.1 Kanwaljot Singh to Vikas Kumar, FOURR!! Scores level! It was tossed up and around middle stump. Kumar slog sweeps it through fine leg for a boundary.
9.1 Kanwaljot Singh to Vikas Kumar, NO BALL! Singh over steps and bowls it short and outside off stump. Kumar smashes it over point for a boundary.
Friends XI need 10 runs in 6 balls now!
Take a bow, Jaipal Singh! Vinny Sandhu on comms had spoken about how the 44-year-old had hit a last-ball four to keep his team in a tournament once when the pressure was at its highest. This is nothing in front of that I guess!
9
overs
136/3score
6
6
1wd
0
6
0
6
runs
Jaipal Singh*
27(11)
Vikas Kumar II
68(22)
Sukhwinder Singh
1/36
8.6 Sukhwinder Singh to Jaipal Singh, SIXX!!! MAXIMO! It was full and around middle stump line. Singh whacked it over deep mid wicket for a MAXIMO.
8.5 Sukhwinder Singh to Jaipal Singh, too full and around middle stump. Singh swings hard at it and misses it.
8.4 Sukhwinder Singh to Jaipal Singh, SIXX!! HUGEE!! It was full and around middle stump line. Singh whacks it over deep square leg for a MAXIMUM.
22 off 9 needed now
8.3 Sukhwinder Singh to Jaipal Singh, bowled on length and around middle stump line. Jaipal swings and misses. Dot ball.
8.3 Sukhwinder Singh to Jaipal Singh, WIDE!!! Outside the line of off stump.
8.2 Sukhwinder Singh to Jaipal Singh, SIXX MOREEE!!! This time it was in the slot and around middle stump line. Singh hammers it over the deep mid wicket region for a MAXIMUM.
8.1 Sukhwinder Singh to Jaipal Singh, SIXX! BIG! It was too full and wide outside off stump. Singh slashes hard and it sails over third man for a MAXIMUM.
Sukhwinder Singh [1-0-11-1] comes back
Friends XI need 35 runs in 12 balls at 17.5 rpo now. It's not impossible but they'd need some big shots early.
8
overs
111/3score
1
1
4
4
4
0
runs
Vikas Kumar II*
68(22)
Jaipal Singh
3(5)
Gurdip Singh
1/22
7.6 Gurdip Singh to Vikas Kumar, slightly full and around off stump. Vikas tries to cut but misses it. Dot ball.
7.5 Gurdip Singh to Vikas Kumar, FOUR MOREEEE!!! Once again around the middle stump line. Kumar works it away through the fine leg region for a boundary.
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Panjab
Jaipal Singh
*
Sukhwinder Singh
Video
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