Phakalane Panthers win T20 Blast tournament
Dumisani Ncube | Monday April 25, 2016 14:01
Their batting system was not up to par as the fielding team was much stronger. Opening batsmen Akhlaq Raja and Arif Malek failed to make a good partnership in the early stages as Elvis Chipfumbu bowled out Malek in the third over walking out with only four runs. John John came in to replace Malek, but he was eliminated by bowler Ifham Muhammad in no time as he walked out with four runs also. Phakalane Panthers bowlers showed more character as they dished out a number of dots limit runs for Broadhurst Blasters who lost more batsmen. In the 11th over they had lost four wickets with 55 runs.
Despite facing a strong fielding side, Akrum Chand fought a lone fight as he tried to score more runs for his team, his runs including boundary runs. At this moment, the Phakalane Panthers fielding system was loosing its strength. However he was run out by Chipfumbu, walking out with 44 runs. In 20 overs Broadhurst Blasters had scored 121 runs with a loss of seven wickets. The second innings started on a lively note with Phakalane Panthers opening batsmen Faizal Rashid and Feroz Ghaswala staging a solid partnership that weakened Phakalane Panthers’ fielding system in the early stages.
The batsmen played a fast game as they took advantage of every delivery. In eight overs, Phakalane Panthers had 53 runs for no loss. Arif Malek disabled the partnership in the 11 over as he ran out Rashid who had scored 54 runs. Yoosuf Akha came in to partner Ghaswala. After the loss of the first wicket Broadhurst Blasters bowlers came in with more impact as they got more wickets. The batsmen walked out with poor runs. This impact slowed Phakalane Panthers’s run rate. In 18 overs the batting side had 113 runs with a loss of four wickets. At this stage the game was tight as Broadhurst Blasters was looking forward to reach the 20 over mark on a good note. The batting partnership of Imran Khan and Fahumy Muhamad pulled a number of boundary runs in the final over as they surpassed their opponent’s final score settling on 122 runs.
After the match Phakalane Panthers vice captain Ahmad Sharfan said they managed to win the match by trapping their opponents and controlling them in both innings of the match despite staging a competitive game.
Team line-ups: Broadhusrt Blasters: Akrum Chand, Noor Amad, Akhlaq Raja, Inzimam Master, Arif Malek, Sadik Sadik, Kelvis Zemba, Amir Saged, Druv Patel.
Phakalane Panthers: Faizal Rashid, Sharfan Ahmad, Mazhar Mazhar, Raudf Sheikh, Elvis Chipfumbu, Khalid Sidat, Faumy Muhammad, Imran Khan, Yoosuf Akha, Feroz Ghaswala.