APL 2018: 5th Match - Balkh Legends Knocks Down Kandahar Knights by 13 Runs
Updated - 08 Oct 2018, 02:00 PM
The entertainment quotient in the Afghanistan Premier League 2018 (APL 2018) has been increasing on a regular basis. It is the only fifth match of the tournament, and we already got thrillers to remember. Coming to the last night game, it was Mohammed Nabi’s Balkh Legends that thumped Asghar’s Kandahar Knights by 13 runs.
Colin Munro, Ravi Bopara knocked it for Balkh Legends:
Initially, it was Kandahar, who won the toss and opted to field first. Accepting the challenge, opener, Colin Munro blisteringly started the things. He smashed a quick-fire 46 in just 24 balls to give a blazing start for the team.
However, the rest of the batsmen played run-a-ball knocks which dent the team’s overall tally. Nevertheless, the late blitz from Bopara helped Balkh Legends to put a decent 165-run score on the board.
Apart from Tymal Mills and Karim, all the other players, who got the ball in hand, grabbed each wicket for the team.
Gulbadin Naib bags four-wicket haul:
In reply to the chase, Kandahar got a decent start with Paul Stirling and Brendon McCullum whacking the ball in the powerplay overs. However, the star of the night, Gulbadin picked Stirling and Karim in back-to-back deliveries to give his side an upper hand.
Meanwhile, skipper Asghar came to the party, who scored a quickfire 45-run knock to his name. Although, the runs were coming at a decent pace, unfortunately, they also lost the wickets at crucial junctures of the game.
Just when things looked completely in control of Balkh, their lower-order batsmen, Amir and Sayed tried their best to deal it for the team. However, the class of Gulbadin and Co did it for Balkh Legends.
Brief scores of Balkh Legends vs Kandahar Knights in the 5th match of APL 2018:
Balkh Legends – 165/5 (Munro 46, Bopara 34; Amir 1/23)
Kandahar Knights – 152/7 (Asghar 45, Brendon McCullum 31; Gulbadin Nain 4/12)
