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In the opening match of the Legends League Cricket 2022, India Maharajas crushed Asia Lions by six wickets in Muscat on Thursday.
Chasing 176 to win, the India Maharajas had a shaky start after losing the top three wickets early. Opener Stuart Binny was the first wicket to fall for the Maharajas, who was dismissed by legendary Shoaib Akhtar.
Soon, Subramaniam Badrinath was removed for a two-ball duck after he met a run-out. Umar Gul also joined the party as he sent back Naman Ojha to reduce Maharajas for 34/3 in 6.1 overs. But then, the Indians made a comeback as captain Mohammad Kaif, and power-striker Yusuf Pathan teamed up to take the game away from the Lions.
Yusuf took his fans down the memory lane after he took Lions’ bowlers to the cleaners, smashing a brilliant 80 from just 40 deliveries with the help of 14 boundaries, including five gigantic sixes. He and Kaif formed a dominating partnership of 117 runs for the fourth wicket before a mix-up between the two ended Yusuf’s incredible innings.
Kaif then stitched an unbeaten 28-run stand with Yusuf’s brother Irfan Pathan as the Maharajas chased down the target with five ba𓆏lls to spare.
Earlier, the Asia Lions posted 175/7 in their allotted 20 overs, thanks to crucial knocks by Upul Tharanga and captain Misbah-ul-Haq. Tharanga top-scored with 66 off 46 balls, including seven fours andไ a couple of sixes, while Misbah made 44 from 30 deliveries.
Manpreet Gony and Irfan were the pick of the bowlers for the Maharajas. While Gony bagged a three-wicket haul for 45 in his quota of 4 overs, thജe younger Pathan took a couple of scalps while conceding 22 runs in 4 overs.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
किस-किस ने देख🍨ा smashing 80 off 40 in Legendsꦯ League Cricket last night?
ব্যাপক ব্যাটিং against a bowling attack including Shoaib Akhtar,♋ Muralitharan, Umar Gul and others.
10 Years apart – Smashing it then, smashing it STILL! 🔥
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders)
After all this time? Always 💗 |
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals)
Yusuf Pathan is batting as if it's the IPL 2008 final. Or 2014 game v SRH at Eden Gardens (scored 72* off 22)
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang)
A 28 ball fifty by🅰 Yusuf Pathan in Legends League Cricket inaugural match.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra)
//twitteಞr.co𝓀m/imtheguy07/status/1484232780523261953
/ﷺ/twitter.com/imtheguy07/status/14842327805ꦓ23261953
A clinical win for Indian Maharajas ✌
Scorecard:— betvisa68.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
India Maharajas Won by 6 wickets
What ಞan Inning by Yusuf, Single handedly won it for India 💙
— S H E B A S (@Shebas_10)
So is❀ Yusuf Pathan available for this IPL auction?🤔
— Kartik ❁ (@why_kartik)
//twitter.com/LakshyaV♔imal/status/148436576235383193💟7
Irfan Pathan all round performance
Rampage Yusuf Pathan
kamran akmal dropping simple catch
— Rokithraju (@rokithraju20)
Incredible run chase by India Maharajas – chasing 176 runs, they were 34 for 3 from 6.1 overs then Yusuf Pathan 80(40), Kaif 42*(37) and Irfan Pathan 21*(6) helped them to chase the target with 5 balls left against Asian Lions.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)
