In a gripping encounter at Darwin’s Marrara Cricket Ground, Pakistan Shaheens edged Nepal by just one run in the Top-End T20 Series, keeping their hopes alive in the fiercely competitive tournament. It was a game that swung like a pendulum, testing both sides’ nerves until the very last ball.
Pakistan Shaheens, opting to bat first, had a shaky start as Nepal’s bowlers kept them under control early. Wickets fell at regular intervals, leaving the Shaheens struggling at 74 for 7. However, skipper Irfan Khan rose to the occasion, smashing an unbeaten 42 off 26 balls, laced with three boundaries and a towering six. His late flourish, aided by a steady 23-run cameo from Mohammad Wasim Jr, pushed the total to 144 for 9—a score that seemed below par but proved defendable in the end.
Nepal began their chase with confidence, thanks to captain Rohit Paudel, who crafted a composed 52 off 44 balls. His partnerships with Kushal Bhurtel and Dipendra Singh Airee kept Nepal within touching distance of the target. Airee, particularly explosive, hammered 41 off just 21 deliveries to put his side on the brink of victory.
With eight runs needed off the final over, Nepal appeared favorites. But left-arm spinner Faisal Akram turned the game on its head with nerves of steel. After conceding four runs in the first two deliveries, Akram struck back with a key stumping and created panic that led to a dramatic last-ball run-out, sealing a heart-stopping one-run win for the Shaheens.
Key contributions came from both sides: Irfan Khan’s unbeaten knock was the backbone for Pakistan, while Faisal Akram’s figures of 2 for 29, including that game-deciding final over, made him a hero. For Nepal, Paudel’s fifty and Airee’s late surge showcased their batting depth, even though they fell agonizingly short.
The result leaves Pakistan Shaheens with vital momentum in the Top-End T20 Series, while Nepal will rue missed chances in the closing stages. This contest was more than a match; it was a lesson in composure, tactical execution, and the razor-thin margins that define T20 cricket.
With knockout stages looming, the Shaheens’ ability to hold their nerve under pressure could prove decisive. For fans, this was yet another reminder that in cricket, especially in this format, it’s never over until it’s over.
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