Zurich Lions ' batting line-up demonstrated remarkable intent and unassailable dominance in their chase of 181 runs, led by Najeeb's prodigious power hitting, which contributed significantly to ZLCC’s comfortable victory.
Date & Time: 14th July 2024, 15:00 CET
Venue: Deutweg, Winterthur
Toss: Pakhtoon Zalmi CC won the toss and elected to Bat
Result: Zurich Lions won by 6 wickets
On a bright and sunny Sunday afternoon, PZCC won the toss and opted to bat first. Omid and Kanishk opened the bowling for ZLCC, but PZCC came out aggressively, racing to 37 runs in just 3 overs. The breakthrough came when Ankush fielding at third man, executed a brilliant throw that assisted by Kanishk , claimed the first wicket of Arif's run-out. Kanishk struck again in the same over, dismissing Reiza. Ankush was then introduced and bowled effectively to stifle the run flow. In tandem with Ankush, Kanishk, and Omid continued to deliver economical overs. Omid's persistence paid off when he dismissed Izhar 33(23), leaving PZCC at 66/3 in 8 overs.
Umair Ahmad built a vital partnership with Abbas Khan, adding 60 runs before Snehil dismissed Abbas with the score at 126/4 in 15.2 overs. Umair continued to dominate the innings, unleashing a flurry of sixes against half volleys and full tosses from the ZLCC bowlers, accelerating the scoring rate significantly. Umair's impressive knock of 75(44) balls including 9 sixes ended when he fell to Ankush. With support from the other ZLCC bowlers, managed to restrict PZCC to 180/7 in 20 overs. It was an unusual display of sloppiness on the field by ZLCC , which contributed to PZCC posting slightly above-par score, setting the stage for an exciting chase by ZLCC.
Umair Ahmad starred with the bat, scoring a crucial 75 runs, supported by Izhar with 33 runs for PZCC. Ankush bowled a vital spell, picking up 2 wickets with impressive figures of 4-0-25-2. Snehil also claimed 2 wickets, while Kanishk and Omid contributed with a wicket each.
Having known the big total to chase, the message was clear to the ZLCC batsmen to go for a chase with positive intent. Openers Ankush and Kanishk walked in, with Kanishk starting aggressively, hitting a four & a six over covers in the first over before falling to Azizi. Najeeb, promoted to no.3, started cautiously while Ankush aggessively hit a six & four before being dismissed by Arif, leaving the score at 28/2 in 3 overs. Both openers showed pure intent to set the tone for the rest of the batters in the chase.
Seshu joined at 4, curbing his instincts and playing some beautiful strokes across the ground with boundaries during the power play, bringing the score to 45/2. Najeeb and Seshu took their time and built a crucial 57-run partnership, punishing loose balls to the fence. After seeing off some good overs, Seshu started to attack and secured crucial boundaries in the middle overs before being run out for 35 runs (32) balls due to a mix-up, with the score at 85/3 in 11.3 overs.
Senthil joined the well-set Najeeb at no.5 when ZLCC required 95 runs off 9 overs big hitters waiting in the dugout to follow. Najeeb took charge, starting his onslaught in the 13th over with two sixes and a four, racing to his first 50 of the season. Senthil, who was cautiously rotating the strike, built a vital partnership of 86 runs for the chase, providing support to Najeeb, who was demolishing the opposition bowlers with his power. Senthil then took charge, hitting 14 runs in the 17th over, followed by Najeeb's two monstrous sixes in the 18th over before falling to Aziz with ZLCC close to the target at 171/4 in 17.3 overs. Najeeb scored 82 runs off 48 balls, including 9 sixes & 2 boundaries across the square of the ground. Akash joined Senthil 30 (20)*, and finished the chase in 18.5 overs with a six.
Najeeb displayed brilliance with the bat, scoring 82 runs, supported effectively by Seshu with 32 and Senthil 30* for ZLCC. Azizi stand out for PZCC, claiming two crucial wickets, while Arif contributed with one wicket.
Najeeb was adjudged the Man of the Match for his brilliance and powerful batting performance, delivering a match-winning knock for ZLCC.
Senthil on behalf of ZLCC.
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