AB VS BT MATCH 22

Match 22, Abu Dhabi, November 27, 2024, 05:00 PM

Ajman Bolts

133/1(10.0ov)

Bangla Tigers

102/6(10.0ov)

Ajman Bolts beat Bangla Tigers by 31 runs

Right. That ends all the action from this game. But please don't go anywhere. Match 23 is on our heels, with Team Abu Dhabi electing to chase against Chennai Braves. The first ball is scheduled to be bowled at 5:45 pm local (1345 GMT), but our buildup has already begun. Hop on to that matchcentre!

Victorious Ajman Bolts' skipper, MOHAMMAD NABI, thanks the almighty for the win. Believes that his batters put on a huge total and his bowlers bowled with discipline. Praises Mohammad Mohsin as he continuously bowled to a set plan, crediting the youngster for hearing well. Feels that Hales' return to form is a good sign for his team.

Ajman Bolts' ALEX HALES HAS BEEN NAMED AS THE PLAYER OF THE MATCH, for his swashbuckling unbeaten 75 (30). Hales flashes a quick smile. Admits that it has been a tough few games for his team but says that he got confidence after striking a couple of balls cleanly. On being asked about his lean patch, Alex says that in such times, he just goes to his basics and believes that he can turn it around. Details that the lean run continued because he had not played cricket for a couple of months. Is happy to enjoy playing his golf.

... THE PRESENTATION ...

Earlier in the game, Ajman posted a more than a decent 133 on the board, after losing the toss, thanks to the strong opening stand of 77 between Shevon Daniel and Alex Hales. Hales looked in full rhythm in this game and batted till the end, making an unbeaten 75 from 30 balls. Shakib was the only bowler who could put some stop to the boundaries. Won't be surprised if the Englishman is chosen for the Player Of The Match award. But do stay tuned for the official confirmation from the presentation.

Full marks to Ajman Bolts on the other hand, for not taking things lightly. Despite having a decent 133 on the board, they bowled to their plans and stuck to bowling the cutters and taking the pace off. Mujeeb Ur Rahman and James Neesham set the tone early, and then Mohammad Mohsin broke the back of the middle order. He was the pick of the bowlers, with figures of 2/24 in his 2 overs. The fact that only 3 sixes were hit in the run chase, shows how disciplined the Bolts were.

Coming out to chase 134, Bangla Tigers could never size up the pitch or its pace. They just kept losing wickets and could not form a partnership at all. Iftikhar Ahmed gave them a ray of hope, when he got going to reach 21 (8), but then his skipper ran him out and that chance was also doused. Shakib Al Hasan might end up as the top scorer for this innings, but by no means, was he convincing.

Boy, that is a massive win, in T20s itself, let alone a T10 game. Bangla Tigers will not be happy with themselves one bit. First, they let it loose in the last 4 overs with the ball and then, with the bat, they just did not turn up. Ajman Bolts will be happy, as now, with two wins on the trot, they keep their chances alive, albeit still at 8th. But because the top 5 qualify for the playoffs, the chances are still on.

In over# 10

Mohammad Mohsin 24/2(2)

9.6

FOUR! Bangla Tigers finish with a boundary. A slower ball, on a length, outside off, Luqman Faisal waits and then swings it over mid-wicket. Acres of real estate over there and it is a boundary. AJMAN BOLTS WIN BY 31 RUNS!

9.5

Full and down the leg side, Al Hasan flicks it towards fine leg for one.

9.4

FOUR! Another fortuituous boundary for Shakib. A short ball, around off, Shakib Al Hasan goes for the pull but the ball comes in at pace, bounces extra, takes the top edge and flies over the keeper, to the deep third fence.

9.3

Shorter in length, but slower in pace. Angling away, Shakib backs away and then tries to play the upper cut but misses.

9.2

FOUR! Good bowling but a good shot as well. Mohsin targets the yorker at the stumps but Shakib Al Hasan backs away and digs it out, to the right of Alex Hales at mid off. No one in the deep. Hales is not happy with his bowler, as, if that was the plan, mid off needed to be back.

9.1

Around off, pushed to cover for a single.

Practically, this match is done. But both teams will concentrate on the margin. Mohammad Mohsin will bowl the final over. 1-0-10-2 so far.

In over# 9

Jason Behrendorff 22/0(2)

8.6

Low full toss, wide outside off, whipped through square leg for a run. 2-0-22-0 for Jason Behrendorff.

8.5

Yorker now, around off, stabbed towards point for a single.