On the back of Brett Lee's stifling last over and Monty Panesar's economical spell of bowling, World Giants registered a thrilling two-run victory over India Maharajas in the second match of the ongoing Legends League Cricket (LLC) at West End Park International Cricket Stadium in Doha on March 11 (Saturday). India Maharajas are still winless in the ongoing competition after they suffered a nine-run loss against Asia Lions.
On Saturday, Maharajas needed eight runs in the final over to win the game but Lee rolled back the clock and delivered a terrific last over to ensure the Giants start their campaign with a win. Chasing a target of 167 runs, captain Gautam Gambhir gave Maharajas the ideal start by registering a 65-run partnership with his opening partner Robin Uthappa (29 runs off 21 balls) and then another 65-run alliance with Murali Vijay (11 runs off nine balls) for the second wicket. At 130/2, Gambhir's men looked on course to chase down the target but the middle order suffered a collapse, leaving the team in all sorts of trouble.
Once Gambhir was dismissed for 68 runs off 42 balls, which he scored with the help of nine fours and one six, Maharajas run chase went completely haywire and they could only score 164/5 in 20 overs.
Ricardo Powell bagged two wickets while Lee, Tino Best and Chris Mpofu chipped in with a wicket each. Left-arm spinner Panesar didn't bag a wicket but bowled a fantastic spell of 0/19 in four overs.
Earlier, Giants won the coin flip and opted to bat. Riding on half-centuries from skipper Aaron Finch (53 runs off 31 balls) and Shane Watson (55 runs off 32 balls), the Giants scored 166/8 in 20 overs.
For Maharajas, Harbhajan Singh bowled a brilliant spell and finished with figures of 4/13 in two overs. Pravin Tambe bagged two wickets and Irfan Pathan chipped in with one wicket.
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