Top End T20 Series: Pakistan Shaheens take on PNG today

Last updated on: 04 August,2023 09:37 am

The Team Green has bagged three consecutive wins in the tournament

DARWIN (Dunya News) – Pakistan Shaheens will take on Papua New Guinea (PNG) in the Top End T20 Series at the DXC Arena in Darwin on Friday.

The first ball of the match will be bowled at 1800 local time. The final of the tournament will be played between the top two teams on Sunday, 6 August at 1500 local time.

On August 2, Shawaiz Irfan’s attacking half-century and a disciplined bowling performance led Pakistan Shaheens to a 43-run win over Melbourne Stars at the TIO Stadium. This was Shaheens’ third successive win in the Top End T20 Series.

Opting to bat first, Shaheens’ opening pair Shamyl Hussain (25, 16b, 5x4s) and Shawaiz provided a solid 60-run start to the innings before left-handed Shamyl returned to the hut on the final ball of the fifth over. After Shamyl’s departure, Shawaiz and captain Rohail Nazir added 50 runs for the second wicket. Shawaiz amassed 65 off 37 balls, studded with five fours and four sixes before he was dismissed.

Rohail (16, 22b) soon followed Shawaiz and fell to Arjun Nair in the 12th over. Wahaj Riaz (28 not out, 20b, 2x4s, 1x6) and Ahmed Khan (19, 16b, 1x6) helped Shaheens post 169 for six in 20 overs.

For Stars, Arjun Nair and Reiley Mark bagged two wickets each.

In reply, Melbourne Stars were never in hunt for the chase and managed to score 126 for eight in 17.1 overs as Stars fell 43 runs short of the target with Cam McClure and Campbell Kellaway unable to bat due to injury.

For Shaheens, left-arm spinner Faisal Akram took two wickets for 24. Aaliyan Mehmood, Arafat Minhas and Sajjad Ali snapped up a wicket each.