That will end our cover of the season opener from Zim Afro T10 2024. Do join us for the next game, as it's a triple header. For now, this is AkshayaKrishna Polya, signing off, on behalf of my co-commentator Akshay Bhide and scorer/analyst Raju Khariya. Until next time, cheers and good bye.
Sikandar Raza (Bangla Tigers Joburg Captain): "Playing in the first match of the season could bring in a bit of jittery. But we didn't show any nerves. Played well.
We have a few new overseas recruits. They have mingled well with the side. We have a good bunch of players. We have been tagged favourites. That will bring in pressure as well. wE will enjoy pressure. Thanks for the opportunity by T10."
Yasir Shah (Durban Wolves Captain): First match of the tournament, but we will not give any excuses. We didn't play well. We have plenty of youngsters, and hopefully, we come back well. Mark Chapman is an amazing talent. He played well. We will comeback well."
Hazratullah Zazai (POTM): "First match of the season. It was important for us to win. Good wicket to bat. So, went with the flow.
Played a lot of T10 seasons in Abu Dhabi. So, I know how to start the tournament and target the bowlers. We need to hit boundaries and make the most of the opportunity.
Happy to be a Tiger. Played many seasons for them. Always enjoy playing for Bangla Tigers."
Player of the Match: Hazratullah Zazai
Power Hitter of the Match: Hazratullah Zazai
Catch of the Match: Sikandar Raza
Magic Moment of the Match: Kusal Perera
8:10 PM IST and 4:40 PM Local Time: A one-sided affair to start the second season of Zim-Afro T10 as Bangla Tigers Joburg thrash Durban Wolves by 8 wickets!
Bowling first, the Sikandar Raza-led side restricted the Wolves to 106/5 in 10 overs. Sharjeel Khan (29 off 15) and Mark Chapman (38 off 16) helped the Durban-based franchise achieve a competitive total in excess of 100. Had both got enough support, things could have been different.
Raza used seven bowlers, including himself. Luke Wood, Adam Milne, Raza, George Linde and Antum Amir Naqvi grabbed a wicket each for the Bangla Tigers.
Hazratullah Zazai went off a flyer with a blistering knock of 44 from just 18 balls. He smashed 7 fours and 2 sixes and was looking in a hurry before Mohammad Irfan knocked over the middle stump, breaking a 50-run opening stand. Kusal Perera went in on an overdrive right from ball1, smashing a 7-ball 23 before skipper Raza (20* off 8) and Mohammad Shahzad (13* off 13) wrapped up the run chase inside 8 overs.
Stay tuned for the post-match presentations!
7.4 Khan to S Raza
4 FOURRR!!! A boundary to end the contest as the skipper Raza finishes things off in style! Length angling across outside off. Raza plays late and opens the bat face to time the late cut between backward point and short third man. Bangla Tigers Joburg win by 8 wickets!
7.3 Khan to M Shahzad
1 A low full toss on the pads. Shahzad flicks it to deep square leg for a single.
7.2 Khan to M Shahzad
0 Short and outside off. Into the pitch and Shahzad is early on the pull, missing it to the keeper.
7.1 Khan to M Shahzad
4lb FOUR LEG BYES! Over the wicket. Good length on the pads. Shahzad misses the flick and gets hit on the back thigh, running away between the keeper and short fine leg for a boundary.
6 SIXXXX!!! Finally, Raza makes the contact and he selects the right shot! 100 up for Bangla Tigers Joburg! Full outside the off stump. Raza gets under it and launches it over cover. Times the inside out shot and clears the fence.