SRS vs BYS

And there ends an action-packed day at the ECS T10 Krefeld. If this is a sign, we're in for more fascinating cricket in the days to come so do ensure you follow our coverage of the same here on Sportskeeda while keeping yourselves updated with all the other cricketing news and action from around the globe. Thank you so much for tuning in today - this is the duo of Pratyush Rohra and Sooryanarayanan Sesha signing off for now. Goodbye and take care!

Aachen Rising Stars beat Bayer Spartans by 3 wickets

Varun Reddy - 42 (17) | Ejas Hasmi - 4/16
Humayun Butt - 29 (12) | Taha Hassan - 3/19

Now how do we sum that up? A lopsided chase like none other and nobody - not even the Spartans - would have anticipated a last-over finish after the Stars were up and running at the rate of knots. Having racked up 50 inside 3 overs, this was headed for a real quick finish, thanks to the pyrotechnics of Varun Reddy who clobbered it to all corners of the park.

Akhil Sugathan gave him good company and scored a brisk 7-ball 19 before perishing and even as Varun departed himself, Tauqeer Khan ensured that all that remained were just the last rites. At least, that's what it seemed like...

...because then came a collapse out of nowhere. It seemed as though the self-destruct button which was in the hands of the Spartans fielders was passed onto the incoming batters as a procession of wickets followed. Mind you, such was the impact of the damage inflicted by Varun in the Powerplay that the Stars were still favorites. That said, at the fall of the seventh wicket and panic clearly setting into their chase, it seemed as though anything was still possible.

Eventually, they held their nerve to cross the finish line and pocket two points having lost the previous fixture earlier today. The Stars might rue the fact that they could have given their net run-rate a significant boost but having pulled off a big chase, they won't complain much and will head back happily with the two points to their name.

9.1 Zakirullah Asmari to Dipankar Banerjee, FOUR! SEALED IN STYLE! Banerjee ensures there aren't any further nerves for the Stars as he swings this length delivery up and over mid-off to pull the shutters down on this contest as well as the action for the day. Aachen Rising Stars pull one back in their favor with a 3-wicket win!

Some how, we've gone into the final over of this contest. From 97/2 in the fifth over, Aachen Rising Stars have slipped to 114-7. A collapse of epic, proportions to say the least.

8.6 Muhammad Asif to Mubashar Inayat, BEATEN! Width on offer on a good length, Inayat throws his arms at it but fails to connect. 2 needed off the final over!

8.4 Muhammad Asif to Dipankar Banerjee, back of a length delivery outside leg, Banerjee hops in his crease and drops it behind square before haring across for a quick single. A much better throw was needed at the striker's end.

8.2 Muhammad Asif to Mubashar Inayat, EXCELLENT STOP! Very full around off, Inayat walks down the pitch and toe-ends it to the bowler's right as Asif leaps and puts in a fabulous stop to prevent it from rolling down to long on. He also fires a throw to send Inayat back!

8.1 Muhammad Asif to Dipankar Banerjee, very full and a hint of shape on the pads, lands just outside leg though even as it strikes Banerjee on the front pad past his flick. The ball rolls into the covers for a leg bye.

A staggering game this! It's going down to the wire after all. Aachen are one big hit away from sealing the deal. Bayer need 3 wickets to win. Who you got?

7.6 Taha Hassan to Mubashar Inayat, FOUR! MISFIELD! Short of a length outside off, Inayat hops onto his toes to steer it with the bounce past backward point who makes a terrible mess of what ought to have been a simple stop. Ends up conceding a boundary in the end and that just eases the burden on the Stars!

This is a tight call! Fine fine margins here! The third umpire decides that the bat is on the line when the bails were dislodged. Aachen lose another! Hara-kiri of the highest order, this.

7.5 Taha Hassan to Dipankar Banerjee, CHANCE OF A RUN OUT! The Stars have pressed the self-destruct button! Full and on the pads, flicked to short fine leg and they take off for a dicey single. The keeper reaches forward to dislodge the bails as he collects the throw and Fahad has to make a stretch. Has he made his ground though?

No he hasn't! Just on the line and that'll be all for Fahad Khan! What are the Stars doing?
Fahah Khan run out (Muhammad Asif/Shazaib Khan) 2 (2b 0x4 0x6)

7.4 Taha Hassan to Dipankar Banerjee, very full and a hint of late inward movement just outside off. Banerjee leans forward and drives towards long off...only to turn back owing to an overthrow and a better throw the second time around could have had Banerjee in trouble! My word!