Top End T20 series Archives

Critchell takes hat-trick as Perth Scorchers beat Pakistan Shaheens to reach final

DARWIN: Nick Hobson 59 off 43 balls, followed by Keaton Critchell’s hat-trick, powered Perth Scorchers Academy to a victory over Pakistan in the first semi-final of the Top End T20 series here at Garden Ovals on Sunday.

Perth Scorchers Academy, sent into bat by the Pakistan Shaheens, found themselves in dire straits early on, slipping to 69 for 6 within the first 10 overs.

A revival was sparked by Teague Wyllie, who charged to a sparkling 29 off 16 balls, setting the stage for a pivotal stand.

However, emerged in Nick Hobson, who anchored the innings with a resolute 59 off 43 deliveries—featuring seven fours and two sixes—and was ably supported by Matthew Kelly, who added a valuable 23 off 19 balls.

The duo steadied the ship, guiding the Scorchers Academy to a respectable total of 155 for 8 in their allocated 20 overs.

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For Pakistan, Shaheens Saad Masood, Mohammad Wasim, and Mehran Mumtaz stood out with the ball, each chipping in with crucial breakthroughs to keep the pressure alive.

Chasing a challenging target of 156, the Pakistan Shaheens lost early wickets and crumbled under pressure.

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At just 11 overs in, Keaton Critchell turned the contest on its head by claiming a sensational hat-trick, dismissing Mubasir Khan, Saad Masood, and Mehran Mumtaz in successive deliveries.

He finished with figures of 3 for 13 from three overs, while Matthew Kelly and Bryce Jackson provided valuable support, each picking up two wickets to seal a crushing victory.

The Shaheens were bundled out for 107 in just 17.1 overs, handing the Scorchers Academy a dominant 48-run win and sending them into the final.

READ: Harvey’s unbeaten century powers Adelaide Strikers into Top End T20 semis

Harvey’s unbeaten century powers Adelaide Strikers into Top End T20 semis

DARWIN: Mackenzie Harvey smashed an unbeaten century to power Adelaide Strikers Academy to a seven-wicket win over Bangladesh A and secure a semi-final berth in the Top End T20 Series on Saturday.

Chasing 176 at Marrara Cricket Ground No. 2, the Strikers cruised home with 11 balls to spare.

Harvey led the pursuit with a scintillating 102 not out off 53 balls, laced with 16 boundaries, including a six, and fittingly sealed the chase with a boundary that brought up his hundred.

Opener Jake Winter provided steady support with 35 off 35, while Harry Manenti chipped in with a brisk unbeaten 25 from 14.

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For Bangladesh A, Saif Hassan and Mrittunjoy Chowdhury were the wicket-takers.

Earlier, Bangladesh A posted 175-4 after being put into bat. Jishan Alam top-scored with a fine half-century, while Afif Hossain remained unbeaten on 49.

Alam shared a 48-run stand with Mohammad Naim (15) at the top before falling alongside Saif Hassan (15) in the same over to Hanno Jacobs, who finished with figures of 3-32.

Yasir Ali (25) then combined with Afif in an unbroken 70-run partnership to lift Bangladesh A to a competitive total.

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Apart from Jacobs, Jerrssis Wadia also picked up a wicket for the Strikers.

In other results earlier in the day, Hobart Hurricanes Academy wrapped up their Top End T20 Series campaign with a four-wicket win over table-toppers Chicago Kingsmen.

Meanwhile, ACT Comets registered their first victory of the tournament by beating Melbourne Stars Academy.

READ: Virender Sehwag backs Suryakumar Yadav as key to India’s Asia Cup success

Muhammad Irfan Khan vows to lift Top End T20 series Trophy

DARWIN: Pakistan Shaheens captain Muhammad Irfan Khan has set his sights on the Top End T20 Series Trophy after leading his side to a thrilling one-run victory against Nepal here on Friday.

Pakistan Shaheens edge past Nepal by one run as Faisal Akram bowled a terrific final over under pressure with only eight runs to defend.

The drama unfolded in the last over with Nepal scoring four runs in the first two deliveries.

However, under pressure, well-set batter, Dipendra Singh Airee, attempted an unconventional reverse shot, which went straight to the fielder, resulting in his run out and emphatic win for Pakistan Shaheens.

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For Pakistan Shaheens, Irfan Khan bagged the Player of the Match award for his blistering knock. The right-handed batter made 42* from 26 balls, striking three fours and a six.

Speaking in the post-match presentation, Irfan spoke about the condition in Darwin and lauded bowlers for defending a low total.

“The conditions were not easy, and we lost early wickets. We tried to play out the full 20 overs, and that effort paid off,” he said.

“Our bowlers bowled really well, which is why we won the match,” he remarked.

One question regarding the conditions, the skipper mentioned his previous outings in Australia.

“On previous tours, the conditions were different, and this year has brought a different challenge too. We always try to adapt ourselves according to the conditions,” he said.

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“In Darwin, the conditions are dry; they are not the typical Australian conditions,” he further remarked.

With this, Pakistan Shaheens are on the verge of reaching the semi-finals, and Irfan Khan has vowed to win the Top End T20 series Trophy.

“We came here with the determination to take the trophy, and we’ll keep working toward that goal, said Irfan Khan.

“The crowd is very energetic, and I really enjoy it—it gives us a big boost while we are playing,” he concluded by thanking the energetic crowd.

READ: Faisal Akram holds nerves as Pakistan Shaheens clinch last-ball thriller against Nepal

Faisal Akram holds nerves as Pakistan Shaheens clinch last-ball thriller against Nepal

DARWIN: Faisal Akram helped Pakistan Shaheens edge past Nepal by one run in the 30th fixture of the Top End T20 series here at Marrara Cricket Ground on Friday.

Chasing a modest target of 144 runs, Nepal fell just one run short and could manage to score 143-7 in 20 overs.

With eight required in the last over, Faisal Akram held his nerves and ensured that Pakistan Shaheens ended on the winning side.

The drama unfolded in the last over with Nepal scoring four runs in the first two deliveries. However, wicket-keeper Ghazi Ghori displayed presence of mind and stumped Kushal Malla.

Akram bowled beautifully, and Aarif Sheikh could only manage to take a single on the second-last ball, with Nepal eventually requiring three runs of the last delivery.

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Under pressure, well-set batter, Dipendra Singh Airee, attempted an unconventional reverse shot, which went straight to the fielder, resulting in his run out and emphatic win for Pakistan Shaheens.

After losing an early wicket, Aasif Sheikh and captain Rohit Paudel paired up to take them over the 50-run mark.

Sheikh departed after playing a measured knock off 27 runs from 30 balls. As a result, Nepal were 58-2 in 11.4 overs. However, Shaheens made a comeback with Gulsan Jha (3) run out in the very next over.

With Nepal losing quick wickets, Rohit Paudel remained firm and top-scored with 52 from 44 balls. His innings featured six boundaries and a four.

Despite the skipper’s removal, Nepal cruised in the chase until the 19th over with Dipendra Singh Airee keeping them in the hunt. Airee played a valiant knock off 41 from 21 balls, striking two fours and a maximum.

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For Pakistan Shaheens, Mohammad Wasim and Faisal Akram were the standout bowlers, picking up two wickets in their four overs.

Earlier, skipper of Pakistan Shaheens, Muhammad Irfan Khan, powered his team to a fighting total against Nepal with his 42 off 26 balls. Irfan’s knock included three fours and a six.

After deciding to bat first, Pakistan Shaheens mustered 144-9 in their allocated 20 overs.

Pakistan Shaheens could not capitalize on the decision as they lost wickets at regular intervals.

At one stage, the Shaheens were reeling at 74-7 in 12.3 overs until Muhammad Irfan and Mohammad Wasim’s partnership lifted them out of trouble.

Wasim made 23 from 22 balls with the aid of two fours and a maximum.

For Nepal, Sompal Kami took three wickets while Dipendra Singh Airee and Nandan Yadav supported him well with two wickets each.

READ: BCCI considering THIS star batter to replace Rohit Sharma as ODI captain

Maaz Sadaqat’s century propels Pakistan Shaheens to victory over Adelaide Strikers

DARWIN: Opener Maaz Sadaqat’s 104 off 59 balls, followed by Mubasir Khan’s three-wicket haul, powered Pakistan Shaheens to a commanding 107-run victory over Adelaide Strikers Academy in the Top End T20 series here on Wednesday.

Chasing a daunting 203-run target, Adelaide Strikers were bowled out for just 95 runs here at Marrara Cricket Ground.

Pakistan Shaheens jolted the Adelaide Strikers early, reducing them to 16-2 in just 2.1 overs.

Opener Mackenzie Harvey, who top-scored with 27 off 17 balls, tried to stabilize the innings; however, he fell in the fifth over as Stikers were reeling for 37-3.

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The wickets continued to tumble as Harry Nielsen’s (12 off 11) dismissal sparked a collapse that Adelaide Strikers could not recover from.

Eventually, the whole team bundled out for a modest score in 16.1 overs.

For Pakistan Shaheens, Mubasir Khan was the standout bowler, picking up three wickets in his quota of four overs, whereas Faisal Akram and Mehran Mumtaz supported him well with two wickets each.

This was Pakistan Shaheens’ third win in five games, and they now sit in second position with six points.

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Earlier, after opting to bat first, Pakistan Shaheens demonstrated an impressive showing with the bat.

Shaheens scored 202-6 in their allocated 20 overs, courtesy of a mammoth opening stand between Yasir Khan and Maaz Sadaqat.

The duo forged a 149-run partnership in just 14.1 overs, hence helping Shaheens in posting a formidable total.

Yasir, who scored 51 off 35 balls, played a second fiddle while Maaz remained the core aggressor and went on to score a century. Maaz Sadaqat’s innings was peppered with 11 fours and two maximums.

For Adelaide Strikers, Harry Manenti picked up three wickets.

READ: Wasim Akram comments on India-Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 clash

Chicago Kingsmen thrash Pakistan Shaheens to seal third straight Top End T20 win

DARWIN: Milind Kumar and Tajinder Singh struck fluent half-centuries to help Chicago Kingsmen register a dominant victory over Pakistan Shaheens in the Top End T20 Series at Marrara Cricket Ground No. 2 on Tuesday.

Invited to bat first, the Kingsmen endured early jitters as two wickets fell inside five overs, leaving them at 31-2.

Shayan Jahangir steadied one end with a watchful 30 off 25 balls before departing to Mohammad Wasim Jr. with 57 runs on the board.

From there, Milind Kumar and Tajinder Singh took control. The pair added 102 runs for the fourth wicket, shifting momentum firmly in the Kingsmen’s favour.

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Kumar blazed his way to 74 from just 37 deliveries, laced with eight boundaries and three sixes, before a run-out ended his stay.

Singh then carried the innings forward, posting 58 off 37 balls, including four fours and two sixes, to lift his side beyond the 200 mark.

Chicago Kingsmen eventually finished with a commanding 206-5 in their 20 overs.

In reply, Pakistan Shaheens had a disastrous start to their chase as they slipped to 28-4 inside five overs.

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Yasir Khan (38 off 32) and skipper Irfan Khan (24 off 18) stitched together a brief 41-run stand, but once both departed, the chase lost momentum.

Shahid Aziz contributed 24 off 17 balls, while Wasim Jr. (16*) and Ubaid Shah (13*) added an unbeaten 30-run partnership for the ninth wicket.

However, Pakistan Shaheens could muster only 137-8 in their 20 overs, falling well short of the target.

The result marked the third straight win for the Chicago Kingsmen in the Top End T20 Series, while Pakistan Shaheens slipped to their second defeat in four outings.

READ: Babar Azam, Rizwan demoted as PCB announces central contracts for 2025-26 season

Abdul Samad opens up after powering Pakistan Shaheens to victory

DARWIN: Pakistan Shaheens middle-order batter Abdul Samad has shared his thoughts after a sublime knock against Melbourne Renegades Academy in the Top End T20 Series here on Monday at the TIO Stadium.

Pakistan Shaheens recovered from a shaky start to post 178-5 in their 20 overs, courtesy of Samad’s heroics.

Abdul Samad remained unbeaten on a scintillating 110 off 63 deliveries, laced with six fours and six sixes.

In reply, the Renegades were bundled out for 105 in the final over, chasing a 179-run target.

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For the Shaheens, Maaz Sadaqat led the attack with three wickets while Faisal Akram picked up two.

This result marked the Renegades Academy’s first defeat in the Top End T20 Series, while Pakistan Shaheens secured their second win in three matches.

Speaking in the post-match presentation, Abdul Samad shed light on his knock in challenging circumstances.

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“The conditions were not favorable to bat, and I only tried to bat 20 overs and stay in the middle,” he said.

The right-handed batter revealed his mindset, stating that his goal was to take the team’s total above 150 runs.

“When I was batting, I tried to take the team score above 150, which we believed we could defend,” said Samad.

The 27-year-old highlighted that the Pakistan Shaheens team is very balanced while acknowledging the crowd for their support.

“Our team is very balanced and we know our strengths, especially bowling. This was one of my best knocks, and the crowd here supported us really well,” he concluded.

READ: Ton-up Abdul Samad powers Pakistan Shaheens to victory over Melbourne Renegades

Ton-up Abdul Samad powers Pakistan Shaheens to victory over Melbourne Renegades

DARWIN: Abdul Samad produced a blistering unbeaten century to guide Pakistan Shaheens to a commanding victory over Melbourne Renegades Academy in the Top End T20 Series at the TIO Stadium on Monday.

Set a target of 179, the Renegades were bundled out for 105 in the final over.

Apart from opener Josh Brown, who made 36 off 30 balls, none of the top-order batters managed to reach double figures.

The side crumbled to 66-8 inside 13 overs before tailenders Xavier Crone (11), Callum Stow (15), and Michael Archer (14*) showed some resistance to take the total past 100.

For the Shaheens, Maaz Sadaqat led the attack with three wickets while Faisal Akram picked up two.

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Earlier, after being asked to bat first, Pakistan Shaheens recovered from a shaky start to post 178-5 in their 20 overs, courtesy of Samad’s heroics.

The innings began in disastrous fashion as openers Yasir Khan and Khawaja Nafay departed without scoring, leaving the side struggling at 2-2 inside two overs.

Mohammad Faiq (21 off 18) and Abdul Samad added 32 runs to steady the innings, but wickets continued to fall, with the Shaheens slipping to 55-4 by the halfway stage.

From there, Samad took charge and reached his half-century with calculated strokeplay before cutting loose in the latter stages.

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The middle-order batter added 109 runs for the fifth wicket with skipper Irfan Khan (23), a stand that turned the innings around.

Samad remained unbeaten on a scintillating 110 off 63 deliveries, laced with six fours and six sixes.

Mohammad Wasim Jr. chipped in with two not out as the Shaheens closed on 178-5. For the Renegades, five different bowlers shared a wicket each.

This result marked the Renegades Academy’s first defeat in the Top End T20 Series, while Pakistan Shaheens secured their second win in three matches.

READ: Former all-rounder calls for India to skip Pakistan clash at Asia Cup 2025

Faisal Akram’s five-fer in vain as Perth Scorchers edge past Pakistan Shaheens

DARWIN: A brilliant five-wicket haul by Faisal Akram went in vain as Perth Scorchers Academy held their nerve to edge out Pakistan Shaheens in a low-scoring thriller of the Top End T20 Series at TIO Stadium on Saturday.

Chasing a modest 112-run target, the Scorchers were jolted early, slipping to 34-3 inside five overs.

Joel Curtis and Nick Hobson, however, steadied the chase with a 42-run stand that put their side back on track.

Just when the Scorchers looked comfortable, Faisal Akram turned the contest on its head.

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The left-arm spinner dismissed Hobson for 27 off 26 balls and then removed Matthew Spoors for a golden duck. He followed it up with the wicket of Luke Holt (4) to reduce the Scorchers to 86-6.

Faisal struck again in his next over, removing two more batters, including the well-set Curtis (27 off 26), to complete a superb five-for and leave the Scorchers reeling with 12 still needed and only two wickets in hand.

But Corey Rocchiccioli (8*) and Brody Couch (7*) held firm under pressure, sealing victory with seven balls to spare as Rocchiccioli launched Saad Masood for a six to finish the match.

Earlier, Pakistan Shaheens, opting to bat first after winning the toss, crumbled to 11-3 inside three overs and never recovered.

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Mohammad Faiq’s cautious 21 off 24 briefly steadied the innings, but the collapse continued with the scoreboard reading 53-6 by the 11th over.

Saad Masood offered late resistance with a fighting 42 off 32 balls, laced with three sixes and a four, but ran out of support from the other end.

He was the last man dismissed as the Shaheens folded for 111 in 18.5 overs.

For the Scorchers, Matthew Kelly led the bowling with three wickets, while Bryce Jackson, Brody Couch, and Luke Holt chipped in with two apiece.

READ: Top End T20 series: Rogers’ century powers Melbourne Stars to thrilling win

Top End T20 series: Rogers’ century powers Melbourne Stars to thrilling win

DARWIN: Thomas Rogers produced a sensational century to guide Melbourne Stars Academy to a thrilling seven-wicket victory over Hobart Hurricanes Academy in the Top End T20 Series clash at Marrara Cricket Ground No. 2 on Saturday.

Chasing a daunting 228, the Stars crossed the line on the final ball of the innings when Liam Blackford, facing his very first delivery, struck the winning boundary after Jonathan Merlo was dismissed on the penultimate ball with scores level.

The chase was set up brilliantly by skipper Sam Harper and Rogers, who added 142 runs for the opening wicket in just 12 overs.

Harper struck a 35-ball 50 before being run out at the start of the 13th over, bringing Campbell Kellaway to the crease.

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Kellaway played a supporting role as Rogers went on the attack, reaching his century and dominating a 61-run stand that took the Stars past 200.

Rogers’ innings finally ended in the 18th over when Bradley Hope dismissed him for a dazzling 128 off 65 deliveries, laced with 20 fours and three sixes.

Blake Macdonald managed nine runs before falling cheaply, while Kellaway remained unbeaten on 27 from 16 balls, ensuring stability at the other end before Blackford finished the job in style.

Earlier, Hobart Hurricanes Academy had posted a mammoth 227-3 after electing to bat.

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Doug Warren struck early for the Stars, bowling out Raf MacMillan for just three, but Bradley Hope and Will Prestwidge counter-attacked with a 55-run stand. Prestwidge smashed 37 off 19 before falling to Hamish McKenzie.

Hope then stitched another rapid 57-run partnership with Macalister Wright, who scored 40 off 20. McKenzie again broke the stand, but Tim Ward’s arrival kept the momentum intact.

Hope carried his bat with an unbeaten 81 off 51 balls, hitting 12 fours and two sixes, while Ward blazed 57 not out off 27 deliveries, featuring three boundaries and four sixes, to propel Hurricanes Academy to 227-3.

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