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Harbhajan Singh-led Manipal Tigers registered their first victory of the ongoing Legends League Cricket (LLC). In a match that went right down to the wire, Sri Lankan pacer Dilhara Fernando held his nerve and defended nine runs in the final over against Bhilwara Kings at Barabati Stadium, Cuttack.
No fireworks in first half
Chasing 175, Kings lost their opener Morne van Wyk (4) to Parwinder Awana early. In the powerplay overs, Kings could manage just 43 runs on the board. After the fielding restrictions were lifted, Muttiah Muralitharan got the wicket of William Porterfield (28). Harbhajan introduced himself and got the wicket of Matt Prior (17) in the next over. Harbhajan got another wicket in the 12th over and the run chase became too dependent on Yusuf. Fernando returned with the old ball and got the wicket of Tanmany Srivastava (26).
Pathan brothers couldn’t finish
In the slog overs, Pathan brothers were expected to take Kings home. Ryan Sidebottom went for plenty in his last over which gave Kings a glimmer of hope. Fernando got hit for two sixes in the 18th over but he came back well to get Irfan's (23) wicket. Then, Awana got the better of Yusuf. The destructive batter scored 42 runs from just 21 balls including two fours and four sixes. In the last over, they needed nine runs to win but Fernando did not leak a single boundary and got two wickets to help Tigers win by three runs. He finished with 4/31.
Destructive openers
Earlier, Irfan won the toss and opted to bowl first. The move to open the innings with Tatenda Taibu worked wonders for Tigers as he helped them post 63/0 in the powerplay overs. Destructive Kiwi batter Jesse Ryder played second fiddle to him during the fielding restrictions. Ryder targetted Monty Panesar and hit him for two sixes. Taibu got to his half-century from just 28 deliveries. In the same over, Yusuf got the breakthrough and dismissed both openers. Taibu scored 54 runs off 30 deliveries whereas Ruder scored 47 off 35 balls. Taibu was more aggressive and hit five fours and four sixes.
Dull finish
In the next over, they lost Pardeep Sahu for a two-ball duck. New to the crease, Corey Anderson and Mohammad Kaif could not build on the foundation laid by the openers. In the penultimate over, Tino Best struck thrice. Anderson got out after scoring 24 runs whereas Ricardo Powell managed just a single. Harbhajan got out for a golden duck as Best prevented Kings from finishing with a flourish. In the last over Kaif (28) became victim to Fidel Edwards. The Caribbean pacer struck again to get Awana's wicket. Tigers managed to post 175/8.
