Thanks for joining us. Hope you enjoyed the action from Sharjah. Do tune in on Tuesday for the next APL match between Kabul Zwanan and Nangarhar Leopards. Until then, it's goodbye.
Paul Stirling and Brendon McCullum gave a blazing start to the run-chase. But then Gulbadin Naib's double blow turned the game on its head. Although Asghar Afghan fought valiantly, he got out at the wrong time. Fittingly, it was Naib who dismissed Kevin O'Brien to pierce the final nail in the coffin. His stunning spell has proved to be the difference between the two teams.
Kevin O'Brien departs! Without picking the slower one, he tries to mow down the ground. Instead, the woodwork is rattled. Gulbadin Naib continues to outclass the big names with his clever change of pace.
Kevin O'Brien has a tough task on his hands. While the Irishman is still in action, Kandahar will keep believing. They need 47 runs from the last three overs.
Is that the game? Attempting an almighty heave, Asghar Afghan can only manage an inside-edge which cannons on to his stumps. The skipper has to walk back for a 32-ball 45. Aftab Alam's slippery medium pace procures a crucial breakthrough for Balkh Legends.
Qais Ahmad takes a stunning catch! These are the sort of fielding efforts that turn cricket matches. Laughlin's short ball is pulled forcefully by Najibullah Zadran. Qais dives low and closes his hands on the ball while running from deep square leg. A fielder's wicket if ever there's one.
Mohammad Nabi brings himself back into the attack and makes an impact straight away. The wily off-spinner traps Karim Janat in front. A laborious 14-ball 8 comes to an end with an ill-judged reverse-sweep.
McCullum falls! Gulbadin Naib gets his third wicket and this could well be the most important of them all. The seasoned right-hander tries to loft a slower delivery but the ball balloons up in the air only for Darwish Rasooli to complete a safe catch.
McCullum rounds off the Power Play with a boundary and then a colossal six off Ben Laughlin. If the Kiwi stays at the crease for the next few overs, Balkh could be in serious trouble.
Naib traps Karim Sadiq in front for a first-ball duck. The right-arm seamer is on a hat-trick. Can he become the second bowler in APL to get three in three after Ben Cutting?
Gulbadin Naib outsmarts Stirling. A slower length ball and the opener hacks through the line without making the necessary adjustment. Balkh have their first breakthrough.
Only three singles from Nabi's second over. Unlike his opening over, the off-spinner opts for a flatter trajectory this time around and reaps the reward.
Aftab Alam gives away just seven runs from his opening over. Balkh Legends have opted for a combination of spin from one end and medium pace from the other.
Colin Munro laid the foundation with a scintillating 46. But Balkh appeared to be losing their way at one point in time. Eventually, Ravi Bopara batted sensibly and hauled them to a competitive total. Can Kandahar Knights hunt down 166 on a sluggish surface? Stay tuned for the run-chase.
Tymal Mills delivers a reasonably tight final over. Just nine runs from it. Had called for 165 around five overs back and that's exactly what Balkh end up with.
Two drops in two balls! Bopara is the benefactor on both occasions. After being let-off by Kevin O'Brien in the deep, he is dropped next ball by wicket-keeper Sadiq. Agony for Sayed Shirzad.
The pitch is becoming slower and lower with almost every over. Aside from really full deliveries, it is certainly not easy to get a hold of back of length balls. A total of 165 should be sufficient. Can Balkh end on a high? Gulbaddin Naib joins Ravi Bopara at the crease.
No, he can't. Salamkheil dismisses Nabi! A poor shot from the skipper. Danced down the track in hope rather than conviction and misses the line completely. Sadiq completes an easy stumping.
McCullum drops a tough chance. Runs in hard from long-on and gets near but is unable to hang on. Mohammad Nabi gets another opportunity. Can he capitalise?
Kandahar Knights have considerably brought down the run-rate by bowling stump to stump. Sustained pressure being applied on the batsmen. How will Ravi Bopara and skipper Mohammad Nabi respond?
Amir Hamza is rewarded for tossing the ball up and enticing the batsman to take the aerial route. Ryan ten Doeschate holes out to Brendon McCullum. Has to depart for a scratchy 17-ball 13.
Karim Janat cuts short Munro's mayhem. The southpaw once again tries to go big but the leading edge finds Paul Stirling at backward point. A key wicket for Kandahar as the belligerent Kiwi departs for 46 from 24 balls.
Munro is in the mood! The explosive southpaw hammers back to back sixes off Salamkheil. This dibbly-dobbly stuff does not seem to be working against such a dynamic batsman.
Run out! Catastrophic mix-up between Colin Munro and Usman Ghani. Balkh Legends have thrown a wicket here. Without even looking at his partner, Ghani attempts to steal a bye and pays the price. Both batsmen end up at the same end.
Balkh Legends Playing XI: Colin Munro, Usman Ghani, Ryan ten Doeschate, Ravi Bopara, Darwish Rasooli, Mohammad Nabi (c), Ikram Ali Khil (wk), Gulbadin Naib, Ben Laughlin, Qais Ahmad and Aftab Alam
Kandahar Knights Playing XI: Paul Stirling, Brendon McCullum, Karim Sadiq (wk), Asghar Afghan(c), Karim Janat, Kevin O Brien, Najibullah Zadran, Amir Hamza, Sayed Shirzad, Tymal Mills and Waqar Salamkheil
