So folks, that's it from the live coverage of today's second game between the Kerala Kings and the Pakhtoons. The defending champions Kings were just too good for the Pakhtoons who need to have a re look at their bowling department if they are to qualify for the playoffs.
It is a triple header tomorrow with the Bengal Tigers beginning the proceedings against the Northern Warriors at 5 pm IST. Do join us for the coverage. Until then, see ya !
In the first innings, some fine cameos from Andre Fletcher and Liam Dawson ensured that the Pakthtoons posted a competitive score of 109 runs on the board. Mohammad Naveed and Sandeep Lamichhane were the stars with the ball. Sandeep picked up 3 crucial wickets to derail Pakhtoons' innings.
So thats it folks ! Kerala made a mockery of what seemed to be a tricky chase of 110 runs. Paul Stirling led the charge from the front with a blazing innings of 40 runs from just 14 balls. His 21 runs over at the start laid the foundation for the chase. He was ably supported from the other end by captain Eoin Morgan who was also in sensational form, smashing 46 runs from just 20 balls.
For the Pakhtoons, no bowler could come up with the goods as Kerala's batsmen kept going after them from the start. The biggest disappointment was David Willey who was plundered for 24 runs from his solitary over.
Finally some respite for the Pakhtoons as an outside edge from Stirling's bat is gobbled up by Walton behind the stumps. Stirling goes after playing a gem of a knock.
Morgan is in some hitting form. He launches another full toss from Willey into the stands, this time over long on. This seems to be Kerala's game to lose now.
After a good couple of balls by Irfan to start the innings, Stirling unleashes a wristy cover drive to the boundary. That is followed by a huge six over square leg. The next ball is again hammered over cover point for a one bounce four. Striling follows that up with the best of the lot. Charges down the track and deposits a length ball over the square leg boundary.
Now its up to the Universe boss- Chris Gayle to show what can he do with the bat. Gayle may have lost some of his hitting ability but is still a force to reckon with in this form of the game.
So, that the end of Pakhtoons' innings who post a challenging target of 110 runs for the defending champions to chase. Pakhtoons began well with Fletcher going berserk at the start but an excellent comeback courtesy some good overs from the local lad Naveed and Nepalese leg spinner Sandeep Lamichanne in the middle ensured that the Pakhtoons did not run away with the game.
Liam Dawson is providing the much needed finish to the Pakhtoons innings by smashing a couple of fours and a six from Parnells's over. However, in trying to steal a couple, he is found short of the crease.
The teen sensation from Nepal, Sandeep Lamichhane comes on to bowl the fifth over and strikes with his first ball ! Danger man Fletcher holes out to Eoin Morgan.
Andre Fletcher 32(14) c Morgan b Lamichhane, Paktoons 48/2 after 4.1 overs
WICKET ! The local lad from UAE brings Kerala back into the game with an excellent over that goes for just 4 runs and culminates with the wicket of Chadwick Walton, who is run out by the bowler while trying to steal the single.
Walton shows his class by lofting the first ball from Parnell over the long off boundary. That six is followed by a single and a dot ball but the fourth ball again disappears for a six over third man. Two singles to end the over.
After a single from Chadwick on the first ball, Fletcher says enough is enough as he smashes the next five balls for 20 runs with 3 fours and a six from the over.
Pakhtoons have some big hitters in their line up in the form of Shahid Afridi, Andre Fletcher and Colin Ingram and would be hoping to post a total in excess of 100.
It is a triple header tomorrow with the Bengal Tigers beginning the proceedings against the Northern Warriors at 5 pm IST. Do join us for the coverage. Until then, see ya !