For now, it’s me, Deepak Prakash, signing off on behalf of my colleagues, Soumarya Dutta and Sachin Yadav. CHEERS!
That’s all from us for today. We’ll be back tomorrow with three exciting matches lined up in the Canada Super 60 Men’s competition. Stay tuned for more live action, updates and ball-by-ball coverage.
That brings an end to an action-packed day in the Canada Super 60s Men’s competition. David Wiese’s breathtaking 79 off just 21 balls stole the show as Mississauga Masters pulled off a thrilling five-wicket win with three balls to spare.
Sikandar Raza (Mississauga Masters Captain): "[Thoughts at the end of first innings?] I thought we closed the game really well. At one point, I thought 150 was on the cards, given the way Donald was going, but I thought we closed the game really well in the last four overs, considering the set batter and the dimensions of the ground. So, when I went to the changing room, I said, ‘Boys, if we hit 12 sixes, we win the game.’
[Will we see you with the ball at any stage this season?] No, I think it will happen, but as the tournament goes along, it’s certainly one of the options. When we watched the first two games and looked at the quality we have in the seam department, we’ve got five games in a row and some real raw pace and quick bowlers as well. So, some of the boys might need to be given a rest. I’ll take some responsibility, but I think the first two games are no chance."
Moeen Ali (Vancouver Anchors Captain): "[What positives do you take away from this?] We batted well. I thought we got a good score and built a good partnership at the top. With the ball, I thought we bowled really, really well for most of the innings, with clear plans. But one great innings really cost us."
David Wiese (POTM): "[What do you love about the Canada Super 60?] I think it’s a unique tournament. You get to hit the ball into different areas and play tactically, which is slightly different from what you would do in a normal game. It’s fun, and it’s a fantastic arena to play in. There’s just something about this place that seems to gel well with me.
[What impressed you more tonight, your bowling or your batting?] Bowling-wise, it’s always tough because I don’t think I bowled too badly, but I still went for 17 runs. Batting-wise, I’m a little happier because I thought we were under the pump at one stage. Luckily, I managed to get one or two away, and I feel that once you get in on these wickets, it’s really tough to stop you."
Player of the Match: David Wiese
1:18 PM IST, 12:48 AM Local Time: A ferocious hitting display from David Wiese helped Mississauga Masters recover from a precarious position and chase down 136 runs with three balls to spare. Wiese hammered an unbeaten 79 off just 21 balls to power Mississauga Masters to a five-wicket victory and help them start their campaign on a high note.
Earlier, Vancouver Anchors posted a massive 135/1 in 10 overs, led by a sensational unbeaten 91 off 38 balls from Aneurin Donald. Donald and Aaron Johnson initially assessed the conditions before launching a fierce attack, with Donald smashing three sixes in one over. The pair added 125 runs before Johnson fell for 38 to Zahid Shirzad. Donald continued his onslaught to remain unbeaten on 91. Shirzad was the only wicket-taker for Mississauga Masters.
After being set a target of 136, Mississauga Masters were in serious trouble at 45/4, with wickets falling at regular intervals. Colin Munro provided some stability with 25 off 15 balls, but his dismissal left the side needing a substantial partnership. David Wiese then produced a sensational counterattack, smashing an unbeaten 79 off just 21 balls, including 12 sixes, at a strike rate of 376.19. He smashed bowlers for fun and added 72 runs off just 19 balls with Azam Khan, who contributed an unbeaten 10 off five deliveries. Wiese single-handedly turned the game around with his sensational knock, helping his side cross the line with three balls to spare.