Yusuf Pathan's terrific knock helps Indian Maharajas to secure victory in Legends League of Cricket

Yusuf Pathan played a superb knock of 80 runs off 40 balls to help his side India Maharajas in securing a six-wicket win against Asia Lions in the opening game of the Legends League Cricket, played in Muscat, Oman. While chasing a target of 176 runs, Yusuf along with stand-in skipper Mohammed Kaif (42 runs off 37 balls) scored a solid partnership of 117 runs off 64 balls to help his side in scripting the victory.

Batting first, the Lions registered a total of 175 for 7 wickets in 20 overs.

Tharanga's half-century

Their batter, Upul Tharanga was the highest run-scorer after the Sri Lankan scored 66 runs off 46 deliveries. His innings was comprised of 7 boundaries and 2 sixes. Indian bowler Munaf Patel eventually dismissed the dangerous batsman as he was caught by Venugopal Rao in the 17th over.

Previously, Maharajas got a fine start after their all-rounder Stuart Binny sent opener Tilakaratne Dilshan back to the dressing room in the first over of the match. Sri Lanka’s Dilshan managed to hit a boundary and score just 5 runs. 

Then the other opener Kamran Akmal and Tharanga played a constructive partnership of 39 runs to avert the initial danger. Manpreet Gony got the crucial breakthrough in the 6th over and dismissed wicketkeeper Akmal (25 runs off 17 balls).

After Akmal’s dismissal, fall of two quick wickets left Lions reeling 79 for 4 wickets. But later, a cameo from skipper Misbah-ul-Haq (44 runs off 30 balls) helped his side in reaching a formidable total of 175 for 7 wickets in 20 overs. 

For Maharajas, Gony was the best bowler after he managed to scalp three vital wickets.

The run chase

In reply; Maharajas lost three early wickets within 7 overs and scored just a mere total of 34 runs. 

But a brilliant partnership between Yusuf and Kaif helped their side in overcoming the early trouble and reach a total of 151 runs. Yusuf had to depart in the 17th over of the match. 

After Yusuf’s dismissal, his brother Irafn Pathan came down to bat and eventually Irfan’s 21 runs off 10 balls proved to be enough for the Maharajas to secure the victory.