The contest turned out to be an absolute thriller where the Asian team, under the leadership of Shahid Afridi, got the better of the Gautam Gambhir-led Indian side.
Opting to bat first, Asia Lions started terribly after losing Tillakaratne Dilshan (5) and Asghar Afghan (1). However, Upul Tharanga and Misbah-ul-Haq steadied the ship by forming a much-needed 108 runs partnership for the third wicket.
While Tharanga was dismissed for 40, the former Pakistan skipper kept his end alive, smashing 73 from 50 deliveries, with the help of 2 fours and 4 humungous sixes and taking his side to a competitive total of 165/6 in their allotted 20 overs.
In response, the contest went down to the wire, where the Indian side fell short of nine runs. Captain Gambhir led from the front, slamming a brilliant half-century. Gambhir scored 54 off 39, including seven boundaries. But the other batters couldn’t hold on as the India Maharajas only reached 156/8 in 20 overs.
Veteran left-arm pacer Sohail Tanvir was the pick of the bowler for the Lions, bagging three wickets in the form of Robin Uthappa, Yusuf Pathan and Irfan Pathan. Similarly, Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Thisara Perera, Dilshan, and Isuru Udana all picked up one wicket each.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Misbah Ul Haq wins Legend of the Match award.
Presenter: You went in to bat at 19/2 with your team in trouble. Talk us through it!
Misbah: Nothing new for me! Haha! ?#LegendsLeagueCricket pic.twitter.com/f01LwlcVEq
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) March 10, 2023
The man, the myth, the legend – @captainmisbahpk ?
runs off 50 deliveries ?
The ever-graceful batter, ICA’s Legend showed an excellent performance vs India Maharajas & bagged the POTM award ? ?#TeamICA #MisbahulHaq #LLC pic.twitter.com/avKohrudkV
— Moghees Sheikh (@MogheesSheikh) March 10, 2023
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