SRS vs BYS

What a terrific effort from the Spartans to pull things back and go on to win this game quite comfortably in the end so to say. The Rising Stars were right in the chase at the half-way mark and with wickets in hand, seemed to be on course to get over the line. Although, they just failed to keep going at a good rate, failed to score the boundaries and lost the steam in their innings eventually.

Bayer Spartans showing us that it is not all about picking wickets after all. They could pick up only four but bowled very well in the second half to put the squeeze and not allow the batters to get the runs that they needed to. Zakirullah in particular was magnificent in the final overs to completely kill the game.

A fine victory for the Spartans to start off then. Rising Stars will be disappointed with the way things fell apart for them despite having wickets in hand as well. They will need to bat a lot better in the next game if they are to settle scores when these two sides meet again in some time from now.

This has been Pradeep and myself (Rishab) as we bid goodbye for the moment then. Do stay tuned to catch all the action coming up in the day and have a great week ahead folks!

That is that then! Bayer Spartans have defended their total and this has been top notch bowling from them at the death under pressure. Rising Stars completely losing their way and they finish at 89/4, falling short by 24 runs in the end. A fine win for the Spartans this!

9.6 Zakirullah Asmari to Usama Ali, THAT'S IT! Bayer Spartans register their first win of their first game of the tournament. Length delivery on the outside off, Ali has another wild swing at it and misses again.

9.2 Zakirullah Asmari to Usama Ali, FOUR! Length delivery on the outside off, Ali throws his hand at it and slashes it over the backward point region, races to the fence for a boundary.

This has been some brilliant bowling in the last couple of overs from the Spartans and they certainly have pulled things back very well and changed the course of this match alright. Magnificent comeback from Altaf after an expensive first over. Rising Stars have lost of this chase from nowhere. 29 more off 6 needed!

8.6 Altaf Ahmad to Akhil Sugathan, OUT! PICKS OUT DEEP MID-WICKET AND GONE! Full toss, Akhil walks down the track and that gets big on him as he pulled it to deep mid-wicket, the fielder times his jump around the ropes and clings on to it.
Akhil Sugathan c A Siddiqui b Altaf Ahmad 9 (11b, 0x4, 1x6).

8.3 Altaf Ahmad to Akhil Sugathan, OH! Outfoxed Akhil completely, change of pace and Akhil leans to swipe across the line way too early and misses, they pick up a bye.

8.1 Altaf Ahmad to Dhaval Goyani, OUT! STRAIGHT UP IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! Back of a length on the leg-stump, Goyani goes to hoick but he's skied it around backward square-leg and the fielder takes a dolly and it's all falling apart for the Rising Stars now.
Dhaval Goyani c Z Asmari b Altaf Ahmad 25 (19b, 2x4, 1x6).