Pakistan Legends beat World Legends 11 to lift crown in UAE Friendship Cup 2022 Final
Pakistan Legends beat World Legends 11 to lift crown in UAE Friendship Cup 2022 Final
Pakistan Legends won the inaugural UAE Friendship Cup 2022 at
Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Monday, March 7, after defeating arch-rivals India Legends and
avenging a group-match setback to the World Legends 11. Imran Nazir's squad produced a more
substantial batting showing to humble the World Legends 11 by 14 runs after defeating the
Mohammed Azharuddin-led India Legends by eight wickets in a high-scoring virtual semi-final. On
Sunday, March 6, Ajantha Mendis' team stormed into the T10 competition finals by winning all
three of their matches.
In the final, Pakistan Legends won the toss and opted to bat first, scoring 133 for 5 in 10 overs thanks to opener Salman Butt's 20-ball 45 (eight fours and one six), Naved Latif's (20 not out off eight balls, four fours), and Mohammed Sami's (36 not out off 10, one four, five sixes). When Pakistan's seniors were down to 79 for 5 in the eighth over, the total appeared improbable. Still, the Latif-Sami partnership scored 49 runs in the final two overs to lift their team to a formidable total. Mendis and Syed Rasel were on the receiving end in those two costly overs.
Graeme Cremer of Zimbabwe continued his fine form by collecting three wickets for only six runs. At the same time, Abdur Razzak of Bangladesh and Tillakaratne Dilshan of Sri Lanka each grabbed one wicket.
When the World Legends 11 were chasing the mark, they immediately lost opener Asghar Afghan (10 off five, one four and one six), but in-form Phil Mustard (50 off 21, two fours and five sixes) and Dilshan (34 off 16, four fours and two sixes) came together to score 78 runs in less than six overs. Just when supporters thought the duo would take the game away from the Pakistan Legends as they did in the group game, Naved-ul-Hasan removed both attacking batters to put the pursuit on hold.
Chamara Kapugedera (three off four), noted for her powerful hitting, was quickly castled by Sami, and the World Legends 11 were eliminated. Hamilton Masakadza scored 18 runs off 11 pitches, including one four and one six, but it was not enough. The World Legends 11 were dismissed for 119 in 10 overs, losing by 14 runs.
The Pakistan Legends bowlers were led by Naved, who took three wickets, while their spearheads, Mohammad Irfan and Sami, both took one.
The Bollywood Kings finished fourth in the three-day competition without winning a single game.
Best Batter - Mohammad Sami
Despite being a bowler, Sami's spectacular show with the bat won the game for the Pakistan Legends in the final. He came out when his side had trouble scoring runs, but he made hitting look effortless. He also took a wicket during the opposition's chase to ensure he got his day at the office. Mustard also delivered another valuable knock, although it fell short of Sami's spectacular reversal.
Best Bowler - Graeme Cremer
Although Cremer's team lost in the final, the former Zimbabwe captain demonstrated his class as a leg-spinner throughout the competition. He finished the tournament with nine wickets in four games, a statistic that would make his opponents jealous.
In the final, Pakistan Legends won the toss and opted to bat first, scoring 133 for 5 in 10 overs thanks to opener Salman Butt's 20-ball 45 (eight fours and one six), Naved Latif's (20 not out off eight balls, four fours), and Mohammed Sami's (36 not out off 10, one four, five sixes). When Pakistan's seniors were down to 79 for 5 in the eighth over, the total appeared improbable. Still, the Latif-Sami partnership scored 49 runs in the final two overs to lift their team to a formidable total. Mendis and Syed Rasel were on the receiving end in those two costly overs.
Graeme Cremer of Zimbabwe continued his fine form by collecting three wickets for only six runs. At the same time, Abdur Razzak of Bangladesh and Tillakaratne Dilshan of Sri Lanka each grabbed one wicket.
When the World Legends 11 were chasing the mark, they immediately lost opener Asghar Afghan (10 off five, one four and one six), but in-form Phil Mustard (50 off 21, two fours and five sixes) and Dilshan (34 off 16, four fours and two sixes) came together to score 78 runs in less than six overs. Just when supporters thought the duo would take the game away from the Pakistan Legends as they did in the group game, Naved-ul-Hasan removed both attacking batters to put the pursuit on hold.
Chamara Kapugedera (three off four), noted for her powerful hitting, was quickly castled by Sami, and the World Legends 11 were eliminated. Hamilton Masakadza scored 18 runs off 11 pitches, including one four and one six, but it was not enough. The World Legends 11 were dismissed for 119 in 10 overs, losing by 14 runs.
The Pakistan Legends bowlers were led by Naved, who took three wickets, while their spearheads, Mohammad Irfan and Sami, both took one.
The Bollywood Kings finished fourth in the three-day competition without winning a single game.
Best Batter - Mohammad Sami
Despite being a bowler, Sami's spectacular show with the bat won the game for the Pakistan Legends in the final. He came out when his side had trouble scoring runs, but he made hitting look effortless. He also took a wicket during the opposition's chase to ensure he got his day at the office. Mustard also delivered another valuable knock, although it fell short of Sami's spectacular reversal.
Best Bowler - Graeme Cremer
Although Cremer's team lost in the final, the former Zimbabwe captain demonstrated his class as a leg-spinner throughout the competition. He finished the tournament with nine wickets in four games, a statistic that would make his opponents jealous.