Superchargers ride on Rashid masterclass to stay on top as Malan, Zak Crawley set hosts on way to 193 for 5.
Rashid leads defence as Superchargers go top.
After another brilliant batting display against Birmingham Phoenix, Harry Brook’s Superchargers ultimately prevailed in an exciting match played in front of a packed Leeds stadium. They took first place overall in the men’s hundred.
A fantastic 80-ball partnership between Phoenix’s Liam Livingstone and Jacob Bethell briefly threatened to upset the odds in pursuit of the Superchargers’ 193 for 5, the highest score in the men’s tournament since the 2023 season. However, Adil Rashid’s genius, which removed Bethell caught-and-bowled with 87 needed from 38 balls, ultimately swung the momentum back to the home team.
After Bethell left, Livingstone continued to attack, but the Phoenix hitters were unable to handle Rashid’s cunning. The excellent legspinner once again proved to be the difference in a bat-dominated game played on a flat pitch with a lightning-fast outfield. Livingstone was outwitted by his 17th delivery to end the match.
With three wickets lost in the powerplay, including two to the outstanding Matthew Potts, who finished with three, the Phoenix top order once again failed to produce. It will now be difficult for Phoenix to advance to the competition’s latter stages.
The Superchargers’ outstanding top four were once again unstoppable at bat. Before Michael Pepper and Brook grabbed the stage, Zak Crawley and Dawid Malan maintained their successful opening partnership, scoring 67 runs in 31 balls. Crawley was especially vicious on anything wide, hitting six fours and two sixes in his 23-ball stay.
As the home team added 40 runs in the final 20 balls, Brook finished with 31 from just 14 deliveries after opening his account with a spectacular scoop for six off his first ball.
Andrew Flintoff’s side is starting to establish itself as one of the best in this year’s event after winning three of their last four games.
Rashid, named the Meerkat Match Hero, said: “I thought we played exceptionally well. We put a great score on the board, which allowed us bowlers to go out there and attack to take wickets. We’ve got world class players all the way through and great firepower in the middle order.
“I know their batters are going to come hard at me, so I need to be unpredictable and mix it up. It’s useful for me because I’ve bowled to a lot of these boys in the nets, so I know their strengths and weaknesses as well, which all plays a part. You’re always learning every day, and hopefully I’ll keep learning until the day comes when I hang up the boots.”