MUSCAT, JAN 30
World Giants completed their domination by emerging champions of the inaugural Legends League tournament at the Oman Cricket Academy Grounds at Al Amerat on Saturday night.
Former New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson played his best innings in the tournament to smash 94 runs from 43 balls as World Giants posted a tournament-best total of 256 for 5 in 20 overs. Asian Giants made a brave chase of the mammoth total but ended up 25 runs short.
World Giants’ captain Darren Sammy said the group of players gave an entertaining performance without any pressure.
“We enjoyed playing again after some years and our players gave their best without any pressure.”
Sammy said the players enjoyed the beauty of Muscat and hoped to come again. “Muscat was great with its hospitality and vibrant nature. We enjoyed playing at Al Amerat Stadium. It’s a great venue to host such matches.”
Player of the match Anderson said it was nice to click in the final.
“There are a lot of great players in the squad. After some golf practice in Muscat, I thought about swinging my bat a bit and it worked. Happy to play the vital knock in the final.”
Giants’ Morne Morkel became the player of the tournament after picking up eight wickets in the batting-friendly pitches.
“It was a challenge bowling in these conditions with short boundaries. I tried to mix it up and bowled according to the situation. It was a tremendous experience with the support of my team-mates,” the former South African speedster said.
Asia Lions captain Misbah-ul-Haq congratulated the World Giants for winning the title.
“Credit to World Giants, they played very well. We tried our best to chase the big total. It was a great atmosphere in Muscat and great to play again in these conditions,” the former Pakistan skipper said.
CONSISTENT KP
Earlier, Misbah won the toss and decided to bowl first. Kevin Pietersen as usual was in good touch and gave a great start to the World Giants with a 22-ball 48 which included two fours and five sixers.
Asia Lions’ Lankan bowler Nuwan Kulasekara struck at the other end when he bowled Phil Mustard (2) and Kevin O’Brien caught by wicketkeeper Upul Tharanga. Other Lankan bowler Chaminda Vaas put break to the scoring by claiming the wicket of Pietersen.
However, Andersen spoiled the party for Lions with crucial partnerships with Brad Haddin (37), Sammy (38) and Albie Morkel (17) as Giants raced past 200. The partnerships yielded 54 runs from 28 balls, 80 runs from 33 balls and 57 from 19 respectively.
Asia Lions bowling became very expensive as a result and Kulasekara was among the wickets taking 3-45.
Former express fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar retired hurt after bowling two overs and giving away 33 runs. In reply, Tillakaratne Dilshan (25) and Sanath Jayasuriya (38) gave a decent start for the Asia Lions.
Morne Morkel made the breakthrough with Dilshan’s wicket while his brother Albie Morkel ended Jayasuriya’s innings.
Former England spinner Monty Panesar claimed the wicket of tournament second highest scorer Tharanga (25).
India Maharajas opener and wicketkeeper Naman Ojha emerged the top run getter of the tournament with 259 runs, while Tharanga came second with 248.
Mohammad Yousuf came up with a late fight belting 39 runs from 21 balls but it was not enough.
Albie Morkel claimed 3-35 and Panesar took 2-40 to put regular breaks in the Lions’ chase.
BRIEF SCORES
World Giants 256-5 in 20 overs (Corey Anderson 94 not out (43b, 7x4, 9x6), Kevin Pietersen 48; Nuwan Kulasekara 3-45) beat Asia Lions 231-8 in 20 overs (Mohammad Yousuf 39, Sanath Jayasuriya 38; Albie Morkel 3-35, Monty Panesar 2-40)
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