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In the final league game of the ongoing Legends League Cricket 2022 on Thursday, the World Giants registered a thrilling victory and knocked India Maharajas out from the tournament.
Chasing the massive 229, the game went down to the wire where the Maharajas needed just eight runs in the final over. However, Brett Lee, with his sheer brilliance, ended Maharajas’ journey after he went on to defend eight runs successfully.
Although, the Maharajas were favourites to win the contest as Irfan Pathan, having smashed the fastest fifty of the tourꦺnament off just 18 balls, was on strike. Lee began the over with a wide, but the fast bowler got rid of Irfan on the very next delivery.
Lee produced another opportunity on the next ball, but Morne Morkel, who took the catch of Irfan, dropped a chance to provide Rajat Bhatia with a lifeline. However, in the process, Bhatia took a single and tailender Avishkar Salvi came on the strike.
With six needed off four deliveries, Lee went for wide yorker line against Salvi, which worked as the latter couldn’t put bat to the ball for the next two balls. The duo tried taking a single on the penultimate delivery, but Bhatia got run out.
Now, Amit Bhandari had the responsivity of scoring six off the last ball to tie the match, but Lee left no stone unturned to make sure he didn’t give any run. Bhandari failed to hit the wide delivery as the Maharajas fell short of the target and lost the contest by five runs. For the Indians, Naman Ojha (95) and Yusuf Pathan (45) shined with the bat.
Earlier, the Giants posted 228/5 in 20 overs, thanks to remarkable knocks by Herschelle Gibbs and Phil Mustard. While Gibbs fell just 11 runs short of his hundred, Mustard scored a brilliant 57. Kevin O Brien (34), Morkel (16 no) and Jonty Rhodes (20) chipped in with valuable contributions to ensure the Daren Sammy-led side🐻 reached a big total.
The Giants will now face Asia Lions🐭 in the final of the exciting comp🐟etition on Saturday (January 29) at Al Amerat Cricket Ground in Oman.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Indian Maharajas need 7 from 6 balls then W,1,0,0,W & 0 – Classic Brett Lee with yorkers.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)
just defended 7 runs from 6 balls in .
Binga doing what he used to do⚡— Mustafa (@mmustafa_abid)
Brett Lee even 10 years after his retirement defended 7 runs from the final over against Indian Mahar⛄ajas.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra)
(WD W 1 0 0 W 0)
Brett Lee Defended 7 runs in Last over 💥
A Big Collapse by India Maharajas 💔
— S H E B A S (@Shebas_10)
India Maharajas needed 8 from 6 with two well set batsmen at crease and Brett Lee just gave away 2 runs in the final over tꦑo defend the target! Outstanding bowling!! Binga, you still got it!!👏🏻
— Chirag Gandhi (@ChiragGandhi_18)
once a champion always aꦫ champion. 💞 Great last over 😍
— KHan MAnsoor (@khanmansoor9)
Brett Lee defending 8 runs in the final over of th💎e game, 8 odd years after his retirement from cricket.— Hariprasad Phalake 🇮🇳 (@Hari150503)
Brett Lee aka Pinga 45 year's old defended 7 runs from the final over against Indian Maharajas in today.
— Bacha ji 🖤 (@Mian_Na5ir_____)
You defended 8 runs in last over Made🎉 Me Proud Brett lee 🐐 💞☂
One reply can make my day
— NOT_Laksh (@LieBurt)