The opening match of the Legends League Cricket (LLC) Masters began with a cracker of a game between India Maharajas and Asia Lions at West꧃ End Park International Cricket Stadium in Doha on Friday.
The contest turned out to be an absolute thriller where the Asian team, under the leadership of Shahid Afridi, got the better of the Gautam Gambhir-led Indian side.
Opting to bat first, Asia Lions started terribly after losing Tillakaratne Dilshan (5) and Asghar Afghan (1). However, Upul Tharanga and Misbah-ul-Haq steadied the ship by forming a much-needed 108 runs partnership for the t☂hird wicket.
While Tharanga was dismissed for 40, the former Pakistan skipper kept his end alive, smashing 73 from 50 deliveries, with t🐈he help of 2 fours and 4 humungous sixes a💧nd taking his side to a competitive total of 165/6 in their allotted 20 overs.
In response, the contest went down to the wire, where the Indian side fell short of nine runs. Captain Gambhir led from the front, slamming a brilliant half-century. Gambhir scored 54 off 39, including seven boundaries. But the other batters couldn’t hol🍸d on as the India Maharajas only reached 156/8 in 20 overs.
Veteran left-arm pacer Sohail Tanvir was the pick of the bowler for the Lions, bagging three wickets in the form of Robin Uthappa, Yusuf Pathan and Irfan Pathan. Similarly, Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Thisara P🌟erera, Dilshan, and Isuru Udana all picked up one wicket each.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
After a tough defeat in ඣa nail-biting contest, India Maharajas wℱill be back on the winning ways!
The maharajas scored 156 runs but came short, with 4 sixes, 14 fours and 6 wickets ove♎rall.
— Legends League Cricket (@llct20)
Misbah Ul Haq wins Legend of the Match award.
Presenter: You went in to bat at 19/2 with your team in trouble. Talk us through it!
Misbah: Nothing new for me! Haha! 😂❤️— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan)
Atmosphere level 💯
— Georgie Heath🎙️ (@GeorgieHeath27)
The man, the myth, the legend – 🔥
7️⃣3️⃣ runs off 50 deliveries 💪
The ever-😼graceful batter, ICA’s Legend showed an excellent performance vs India Maharajas & bagged the POTM award 🏆 👏
— Moghees Sheikh (@MogheesSheikh)
Atmosphere level 💯
— Georgie Heath🎙️ (@GeorgieHeath27)
When life gives you a tough d🥃efeat, channel yoಞur inner Maharaja and rise above it.
Onwards and upwards to the next victory! 💪👑
— India Maharajas (@IndMaharajasLLC)
Misbah-Ul-Haq🙈 roars through his half-century with 2 fours and 3 sixes!
— Asia Lions (@AsiaLionsLLC)
Congratulations Asia Lions and Bhai!👏
They defeated Gautam Gambhir's India Maharajas in Legends League Cricket!
Player of the match – Misbah-ul-Haq 73 off 50 balls 👏🏽
— Haseeb Arslan (@HaseebarslanUK)
Tꦛhe way Misbah and Gam🌄bhir are batting today, never seemed like they ever quit cricket
— Viraj Asher (@VirajAsher)
Misbah Ul Haq wicket reminds me 🌌of his wicket in 2011 SF game at Mohali!
— Nilesh G (@oye_nilesh)
