Pakistan Shaheens Top End T20 Series Final Archives

DARWIN: Jack Wood’s unbeaten century led the Northern Territory Strike to a 46-run win over Pakistan Shaheens in the final of the Top End T20 Series at the DXC Arena on Sunday afternoon.

Opting to bat first, NT Strike scored a mammoth 185 for four in 20 overs.

Right-handed Jack Wood led the charge and scored an unbeaten 101 off 59 balls, which included eight fours and five sixes.

He was supported by Jason Sangha (33, 23b, 1×4, 3x6s), who added 71 runs for the second wicket.

For Pakistan Shaheens, spinners Aaliyan Mahmood, Ali Asfand and Arafat Minhas snapped a wicket each, while left-arm pacer Sajjad Ali too bagged one wicket and gave away 24 runs from three overs.

In turn, Pakistan Shaheens managed to score 139 for seven in their allotted 20 overs.

For Shaheens, Arafat Minhas coming to bat at number six, top-scored for his side with a 30-ball 41, smashing two fours and as many sixes.

Muhammad Irfan Khan (24, 25b, 1×4) and Shamyl Hussain (23, 19b, 3x4s) were the other contributors with the bat for the losing side.

For NT Strike, Brodie Symons was the most successful bowler taking three wickets for 16 in three overs.

Pakistan Shaheens will now feature in two 50-over matches on the tour.

They will play Papua New Guinea on Tuesday, 8 August and the next day will play Northern Territory Strike before returning.

Pakistan Shaheens squad for two 50-over matches:

Rohail Nazir (captain), Aaliyan Mahmood, Ahmed Khan, Ali Asfand, Amir Hassan, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Basit Ali, Faisal Akram, Sajjad Ali, Mohammad Irfan Khan, Shamyl Hussain, Shawaiz Irfan, Syed Zeeshan Zameer and Wahaj Riaz

READ: Asfand, Shawaiz steer Pakistan Shaheens into Top End T20 Series final

DARWIN: Ali Asfand’s four-fer decimated Papua New Guinea (PNG) before Shawaiz Irfan’s 29-ball 50 guided Pakistan Shaheens to the final of the Top End T20 series.

The win means Shaheens also qualify for the final and will take on Northern Territory Strike at the same venue.

Chasing 121 to win, Pakistan Shaheens lost their first wicket on 16 with Shamyl Hussain returning to the hut for one off two balls.

Right-handed batter Shawaiz was joined by Azan Awais and the pair knitted a 54-run partnership for the second wicket.

Shawaiz Irfan contributed 40 runs in the partnership and over the course of the partnership brought up a brilliant half-century.

He had scored 65 off 37 balls against Melbourne Stars in the team’s 43-run win at the TIO Stadium on Wednesday.

Shawaiz was dismissed for 54 off 32 balls, which included 10 fours, with Shaheens still requiring 51 for victory off 74 balls. Skipper Rohail Nazir and Azan made sure there were no hiccups in the run-chase and took Shaheens home in the 13^th over.

Rohail’s quick-fire 33 off 22 balls included three fours and one six. Azan returned undefeated on 26 off 23 balls, hitting two fours.

Earlier, after opting to bat first, Papua New Guinea managed to score 120 for eight in 20 overs after left-arm spinner Ali Asfand wreaked havoc with a four-fer.

The remaining four wickets to fall were bagged by Aaliyan Mahmood and Arafat Minhas – both taking two wickets each.

For PNG, Sese Bau top-scored with a 28-ball 32 with three boundaries and one six.

Pakistan Shaheens will now take on Northern Territory Strike in the Top End T20 Series final, which will be played at the DXC Arena on Sunday, 6 August. The first ball will be bowled at 1500 local time.

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Tag: Pakistan Shaheens Top End T20 Series Final

NT Strike thump Pakistan Shaheens to win Top End T20 Series

Asfand, Shawaiz steer Pakistan Shaheens into Top End T20 Series final