Welcome to Sportstar 's Coverage of the Legends League Cricket match between India Maharajas and World Giants. This was Lalith Kalidas bringing you the updates as action unfurled at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground in Oman.
SCORE
Agony for the Maharajas as a chase that seemed nowhere in sights was pulled back into contention with blistering knocks from Naman Ojha and Yusuf Pathan. Irfan Pathan came further down the order and took the Maharajas even further in their quest to reach the final, putting the side within touching distance in the final over before a tinge of Brett Lee magic denied them the ticket to the final. What a night, folks! Fair to say, the legends have given it all on the field.
IMR 223/7 in 20 overs: Lee starts with a wide outside off-stump to Irfan. 7 off 6. Straight up and Irfan holes out to Morne at mid-wicket! A sensational cameo from Irfan comes to an end as he fails to close out the chase. Rajat on strike as Salvi joins him. 7 off 5 to win. Slower one from Lee and Bhatia hits the ball straight to Morne Morkel at sweeper cover, who drops another sitter! 6 needed from 4 with Salvi on strike. Swing and a miss! Lee drills in a yorker and Salvi misses another! 6 needed off 2 and the pressure mounts back on the Indians. Another swing and a miss and Bhatia is run out while sneaking in a bye. What composure from Lee as India now finds itself with 6 runs needed from the last ball to reach the final! Another yorker from Lee and the World Giants knock the Maharajas out of the tournament!
India needs 8 to win in 6 balls. Brett Lee to bowl the final over.
IMR 221/5 in 19 overs: Albie starts with a yorker that tails in. A single for Bhatia and Pathan's back on strike. Low full toss from Albie and Irfan fails to put it past Jonty at cover. Albie rolls in a slower-one and Irfan Pathan slams the ball over long-on for SIX! Goodness me, Irfan! Albie offers a hint of room and Irfan crunches the ball over extra cover for a sensational SIX! FIFTY for Pathan in 18 deliveries! Albie follows up with a fine delivery outside off-stump, dot ball. Irfan gets a single of the last ball to deep mid-wicket.
India needs 22 to win in 2 overs
IMR 207/5 in 18 overs: Morne attacks the stumps and the clips the outside-edge off Bhatia and races to the third-man boundary for FOUR. Morne pumps one full outside-off and Bhatia drills the ball over point for another FOUR! The Maharajas motor past the 200-run mark and this game is absolutely going down to the wire. Morne misses the yorker and Irfan slaps the ball through point for a blistering FOUR!
India needs 35 to win in 18 balls
IMR 194/5 in 17 overs: Sidebottom hits the deck and offers soom room but Irfan misses the ball as he attempts to pull. Pathan lofts the ball over mid-off and Morne Morkel drops an easy catch in the deep. Massive reprieve for Irfan and India! Short again and Irfan connects well to send the ball over mid-wicket for SIX this time! Bang goes Irfan. Waits deep in his crease for the length delivery and he pummels it over long-on for SIX! Make it three in a row! Irfan slams a low full-toss to O'brien at long-on who drops a sitter and the ball parries over the boundary on the full. A massive over for the Indians and the equation has flipped back into the balance.
India needs 55 runs in 24 balls
TIME OUT.
IMR 174/5 in 16 overs: Irfan gets a top-edge off the first ball from O'brien and the ball flies past the keeper for FOUR. O'brien wafts one in and Irfan gets another top-edge that falls past Panesar at fine leg for another boundary.
IMR 161/5 in 15 overs: Sidebottom strays to the pads and Irfan gorgeously flicks the ball over square leg for SIX! He follows up with a single and Ojha unleashes an exquisite cut past point for FOUR. He moves into the 90s. Sidebottom drops the ball on length and Ojha deposits the ball down the ground for another FOUR. Sidebottom bumps one in and Ojha holes out to Morkel at square leg. Agony for Ojha and the Maharajas as the Indian chase looks all the more difficult in his absence. Naman Ojha c M Morkel b Sidebottom 95 (51b 8x4 7x6)
Sidebottom is back
IMR 145/4 in 14 overs: Morne strays to the pads and Ojha flicks it behind backward square for SIX! Morkel tails one in to Binny and the ball crashes into the pads. A loud shout and the umpire takes a moment before raising the finger. Binny goes up for a review. Unfortunately, he has to depart as the replays suggest umpire's call on impact. Irfan Pathan in at 6.
Stuart Binny lbw b M Morkel 3 (4b)
India needs 93 to win in 42 balls
IMR 136/3 in 13 overs: Slower one to start and Yusuf smokes it over long-off for SIX! He goes for another but mistimes it and finds the fielder at long-on this time. Despair for the Indians as O'brien fumbles but holds on to a tricky catch in the deep. Yusuf falls after a sturdy 45. Binny in at 5.
Yusuf Pathan c O'Brien b JA Morkel 45 (22b 2x4 5x6)
Albie Morkel is back
IMR 126/2 in 12 overs: Length from Lee and Yusuf blasts the ball out of the ground! A thunderous shot over mid-wicket for SIX! Brother Irfan is delighted in the stands and sets himself into a couple of enjoyable dance steps. Lee bumps short and this time Ojha slaps it over cover for FOUR.
Brett Lee into the attack
IMR 112/2 in 11 overs: Yusuf and Ojha employ the slog sweeps to cream Panesar for two massive SIXES over cow corner. The Maharajas storm past 100 and this chase might have just been brought back to life by this duo in the last two overs.
IMR 96/2 in 10 overs: O'brien hits the slot and Ojha crunches the ball down the ground for SIX. Short from the bowler this time and Ojha hooks the ball over short fine leg for FOUR. Yusuf joins the act with a clobbering shot down the ground for SIX. The Maharajas are switching gears and they'll need plenty more of these to come their way. And on right cue, a stroke of luck for Pathan as he gets a thick outside-edge to race past the keeper for FOUR. Make it 25 for the over! O'brien fends short again and Yusuf lobs the ball over short fine leg for another boundary.
Equation: India needs 158 runs in 66 balls to win.
TIME OUT
IMR 71/2 in 9 overs: Panesar deftly follows the batters and ties them down to a couple of singles. India's asking rate continues to shoot up and the target continues to slip out of its groove by the minute.
IMR 66/2 in 8 overs: Ojha swings his arms through the arc as O'brien offers him a half-tracker in line of the middle-stump. The ball floats over the long-on fielder for another SIX.
O'brien replace Morne
IMR 58/2 in 7 overs: Morkel offers room and Ojha elegantly cuts the ball through point for FOUR. FIFTY up for India and Ojha tonks another delivery over cover for SIX. Excellent comeback from Albie as he finishes with a delivery outside the off-stump, beating Ojha's bat by a whisker on it way to the keeper.
Albie into the attack
IMR 46/2 in 6 overs: Morkel runs in and Ojha makes room on the off-side and stomps the ball over mid-off for FOUR. Ojha drifts to his right and Morkel follows him this time. Ojha does well to use his wrists and flick the ball past fine leg for FOUR. He gets a single before Yusuf gently lobs a length delivery over long-on for SIX!
IMR 31/2 in 5 overs: Sidebottom puts Yusuf in some discomfort after tailing in a delivery to sharply hit his abdomen. A brief halt in play before Yusuf resumes batting. Absolute gold from Sidebottom as he concedes just two runs in the over.
IMR 29/2 in 4 overs: Morkel gets a sharp nip-backer to spring up and hit Badrinath flush on the pads. He winces in pain. Morkel hits the length and Badrinath sends one straight up. Pietersen lines beneath the ball and easily pouches a skier! Yusuf Pathan in at 4.
S Badrinath c Pietersen b M Morkel 2 (4b)
Morkel into the attack
IMR 28/1 in 3 overs: Ojha shimmies down the wicket and tonks Panesar over long-on for SIX. Panesar shortens his length and Ojha tucks it to mid-wicket for a single before Badrinath nudges one fine to get off the mark. Short and Ojha swivels to whack the ball handsomely over mid-wicket for SIX.
Panesar replaces Lee
IMR 12/1 in 2 overs: Sidebottom gets the ball to tail into the right-handers. Jaffer nudges one to the on-side and gets another single. Pretty sedate start for India as both Lee and Sidebottom have been spot-on from the onset. And there's the reward for some tight bowling! Jaffer lobs a length delivery from Sidebottom, straight to Panser at mid-on. India gets its chase off to the worst-possible start. Wasim Jaffer c Panesar b Sidebottom 4 (6b)
Sidebottom from the opposite end
IMR 6/0 in 1 over: Lee begins with a perfect line. He finds a hint of swing away from the right-hander and Ojha blocks the first ball off the off-stump. He gets off the mark with a cut to third-man. Jaffer flicks one to mid-wicket and finds a single. Lee treads a tad too wide and Ojha cuts the ball over point for FOUR.
Wasim Jaffer and Naman Ojha at the middle for India. Brett Lee takes the new ball.
Back for the chase.
In a must win game for the Indian Maharajas, a below-par performance from the bowling unit has dented their hopes to make the final. A cracking 89 off just 46 deliveries from Herschelle Gibbs coupled with a quick-fire 57 from Phil Mustard quick 57 gave Giants a solid start despite the early loss of in-form Kevin Pietersen. India will now need to chase down a humongous total at a manic rate to pip its rivals to reach the final.
WGS 228/5 in 20 overs: Rhodes falls in the hunt for quick runs. But a couple of lusty blows from Morkel ensures that the Giants will finish with the highest total of the tournament on 228 for five!
WGS 216/4 in 19 overs: Rhodes find the boundary on either side of the wicket behind square as he waits patiently to connect on Binny's slower deliveries. The Giants march past 200 and captain Yusuf Pathan's face paints a worrying look. Short from Binny and Jonty hammers him over mid-wicket for SIX!
WGS 198/4 in 18 overs: Rhodes struggles to find his timing and Munaf keeps him pinned to the crease with a tight line outside the off-stump. A quiet over in the context of the game.
Munaf into the attack
WGS 194/4 in 17 overs: Bhatia wafts one in and Gibbs muscles it handsomely over mid-wicket for SIX. Edged and gone! Bhatia's off-cutter foxes Gibbs, finally. He falls on 89 after a belligerent display of batting that certainly swung us back in time. Jonty Rhodes in at 6.
Herschelle Gibbs c †Ojha b Bhatia 89 (46b 7x4 7x6)
WGS 187/3 in 16 overs: Short and wide from Binny and yet O'brien finds the power to slap it over long-off for SIX! Binny wafts in the leg-cutter and the bottom edge from O'brien parries straight to Pathan at short third man. A phenomenal cameo from the Irish superstar has propelled the Giants into a brilliant position. Albie Morkel in at 5.
Kevin O'Brien c IK Pathan b Binny 34 (14b 5x6)
Binny returns
WGS 177/2 in 15 overs: O'brien creams the straight boundary with three massive SIXES! Predictable bowling from Salvi and its even more misery for the Indians as Jaffer drops a dolly off the Irishman at short third man.
WGS 157/2 in 14 overs: Bhatia hits the slot and O'brien lifts him for SIX over long-on. The Giants coast past 150 and the pressure continues to mount on the Indian bowlers..
WGS 144/2 in 13 overs: Gibbs bludgeons Irfan's first delivery for another FOUR down the ground. Irfan slides one across and Gibbs doesn't even budge to have a look at it as he swats it past backward square for another FOUR. Talk about some Proteas flair! Pathan drops short and Gibbs once again lifts him over the fence for SIX. The Giants rampage continues to decimate the Indians.
WGS 129/2 in 12 overs: Bhatia's lack of pace prompts Gibbs and new man O'brien to drop their anchors. No width on offer and the batters exchange strike through singles.
WGS 126/2 in 11 overs: Irfan strikes rightaway! A cheeky slider from Irfan and Mustard sends one straight up. Irfan settles beneath to complete a simple catch and the Maharajas have finally broken the deadly partnership.
Gibbs gets to his
FIFTY with another solid strike down the ground for
SIX!
Phil Mustard c & b IK Pathan 57 (33b 5x4 4x6)
Irfan Pathan into the attack
WGS 115/1 in 10 overs: Boundaries galore as Gibbs flicks Bhandari past square for FOUR before Mustard pulls him over the mid-wicket fence for SIX. Gibbs continues his onslaught as he slaps a length delivery from Bhandari past long-on for FOUR.
TIMEOUT
WGS 99/1 in 9 overs:
Mustard gets to his
FIFTY with a bang!
A cracking
SIX over mid-wicket and Bhatia tapers off after a fine start. The Giants will head into the break with momentum on their side. Plenty to ponder for the Indians.
Rajat Bhatia replaces Chopra
WGS 86/1 in 8 overs: Mustard welcomes Bhandari with a FOUR ! Mustard is on fire as he is charges on the bowler for another boundary.
Amit Bhandari into the attack
WGS 74/1 in 7 overs: Chopra is back and Gibbs dismisses a tossed up delivery straight over the bowler for another SIX. Chopra mixes up his pace and the batters seem to have some trouble unleashing their strokes against the offie.
WGS 64/1 in 6 overs: Gibbs in his element! Salvi hits the deck hard and Gibbs nonchalantly slaps him over mid-off for SIX. Salvi drops short and Mustard ensures a cracking finish to the Powerplay with a massive thud over mid-wicket for another SIX!
Salvi replaces Munaf
WGS 50/1 in 5 overs: A fine over from Binny as Mustard, Gibbs are forced to play through the line as he attacks the stumps. Fifty up for the Giants inside the Powerplay.
Binny returns
WGS 44/1 in 4 overs: The Giants are going bonkers! Gibbs welcomes Patel with two thumping sixes down the ground. Patel fends short to Mustard who whips it past mid-wicket for another maximum to finish the over.
WGS 25/1 in 3 overs: Mustard unleashes a couple of sweeps and sends Chopra to the boundary. The Giants are hoping to maintain the aggression to keep the Indians in check.
Chopra replaces Binny
WGS 17/1 in 2 overs: Munaf to KP. Bowled him! Pietersen makes room but misses a straighter one from Munaf. The ball smashes into the stumps and the Indians have got the danger man. Gibbs walks in at 3. Patel cramps him for room and pins him to the crease.
Munaf Patel from the opposite end
WGS 16/0 in 1 over: A loud shot first-ball as Binny beats the outside-edge off Pietersen and Ojha flicks the bails in a flash while standing up to the stumps. NOT OUT says the third-umpire. That was a pretty close call to start things off tonight. A hint of shape and Pietersen gets an outside-edge racing down to third-man for FOUR. A single down the ground and Mustard gets into the act with a lofted drive over cover for FOUR. Pietersen's back on strike and he clubs Binny down the ground for a SIX! KP on the roll, straightaway!
Pietersen and Mustard to open for the Giants. Stuart Binny with the new ball.
7:56PM IST: Yusuf Pathan leads the talk in the India huddle.
India XI: Naman Ojha (w), Wasim Jaffer, S Badrinath, Yusuf Pathan (c), Irfan Pathan, Stuart Binny, Nikhil Chopra, Rajat Bhatia, Amit Bhandari, Aavishkar Salvi, Munaf Patel
World Giants XI: Kevin Pietersen, Herschelle Gibbs, Phil Mustard(w), Jonty Rhodes, Albie Morkel, Kevin O Brien, Daren Sammy(c), Morne Morkel, Brett Lee, Monty Panesar, Ryan Jay Sidebottom
TOSS: India wins toss, opts to bowl
Toss time! Yusuf to lead India.
6:56PM IST: The best of KP! Pietersen rolled back the years as he thrashed the Asia Lions last night. Will he be the thorn in India's hopes tonight?
6:54PM IST: We're going down to the wire to decide the finalists of LLC 2022 tonight. Can the Indians topple the odds and earn their spot?
Match Review - India Maharajas vs Asia Lions
India Maharajas suffered yet another defeat as it went down to a resurgent Asian Lions by 36 runs in the Legends League Cricket tournament in Muscat on Monday.
In a massive dent to its final hopes, the Mohammed Kaif-led side was dominated by the Lions who put up a solid 193 for four on the board, with half-centuries from Upul Tharanga and Asghar Afghan.
After being sent into bat by India, the Lions were off to a dismal start as Stuart Binny dismissed Tillakaratne Dilshan off the first ball of the innings while fellow opener Kaluwitharana (13) fell soon after.
In its reply, the Indians never got going as they lost the in-form Naman Ojha (4) to Shoaib Akhtar in the third over of the chase. While Wasim Jaffer rolled out a couple of fine strokes to keep the scoreboard ticking, before eventually holing out on 35 (25b). Yusuf Pathan (21), Stuart Binny (25) got off to firm starts but failed to capitalise, while an injured skipper Kaif's stop-start innings did little to elevate the chase.
Brief Scores: IMR 157/8 in 20 overs (Gony 35*, Jaffer 35; Kulasekera 2/14) lost to ASL 193/4 in 20 overs (Tharanga 72, Asghar 69*; Bhandari 2/41) by 36 runs.
FULL REPORT:
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Where to watch India Maharajas vs World Giants, Legends League Cricket 2022 match?
The live broadcast of the Legends League Cricket 2022 will be available on Sony Ten 1 and Sony Ten 3 . You can catch the live commentary on Sportstar . `
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