T20 Championship (Div 4) Match 5 Aliens vs MASK C
When: 29th June, 2022
Where: Ekeberg 3
Aliens Ck 148/7 20.0/20 ov
MASK C Ck 109/6 16.0/16 ov (revised target 149)
Aliens Ck won by 39 Run(s) (D/L) (29/06/22)
The lag
The MASK team always evoked elite level competitiveness in Aliens. This was no different. The Aliens bunch were ready by 17:15 at the ground raring to go. MASK was as well, except that they forgot to carry along the match stumps. This caused a delay of 30 minutes to the starting time and rightfully docked 4 overs. An already aggravated MASK skipper had to be reprimanded by Sachin – one of the two umpires for the day, and asked to shut down his BS, if MASK was to play. A “calmed-down” Hussain won the toss and chose to bowl.
Fine beginnings
After the early dismissal of Dennis caught by Alien´s favorite in MASK, Saif at backward point for 7, Simon and David steadied the ship. Both the batsmen looked fluent while at their stay on the crease with the latter hitting some lusty blows including a sumptuous, lofted off-drive all the way for maximum. Simon provided solid support and together they forged an 86-run partnership.
Middle-order stutter but a decent finish
David got caught behind for a breezy 50 off 36 balls that included 3 massive sixes and 3 fours. Simon soon followed, castled for a well-made 34. Damon hoicked Kashif for a humongous six but one shot too many led to his demise for 15. Matt started off with a first ball boundary but got caught behind the next ball for 4. Pradeesh and Marcus made sure Aliens finished off on a competitive score of 148 and also knowing the for the fact that MASK would have to chase that in 16 overs made Aliens more confident of pocketing this tie.
Disciplined bowling
RRR for MASK at the start of their chase was 9.32, which basically suggested that they´d have to get off to a blistering start. Damon and Dennis made sure they didn’t do that. At the end of the 4th over, MASK was at 17/1 with RRR now at an improbable 11, but not impossible. Sudesh and Matthew then tightened the screws a bit more with the latter pricing out MASK´s keeper who struggled his way to 9 off 16, in a game where they had to score at a rapid pace. Aliens skipper, Benan, brought himself on and strangled the scoring further with great support from Thomas and Branson from the other end. Benan scalped out 3 wickets off his 3 overs. MASK finished with a decent score of 109/6, considering the fact that, they had to chase the target (149) in 16 overs. It would have been an interesting chase if they had their full quota of overs. Saif-Ul Aslam continued his tryst with Aliens with a fine knock of 60 off 48, laced with 6 hits to the boundary, albeit couple of drops by Aliens. Aliens won the tie by 39 runs (D/L) and had their customary after-win picture taken with Saif included.
