Finally, a ‘Brave’ win over Warriors

By K.R. Nayar

Chennai Braves had lost eight consecutive matches earlier, but they bravely pulled off an emphatic 10-wicket win over Northern Warriors in the second match of Abu Dhabi T10 at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Monday.

Mohammad Shahzad goes for one of his mighty hits 

It was a clash between fifth-placed Warriors and sixth-placed Braves in this six-team tournament. Warriors, despite the defeat, did not finish last as they have recorded two wins while Chennai walked away with a consolation win. Unfortunately, Chennai had a squad that did not click. Their opener Mohammad Shahzad is one of the most explosive batsmen in the world today. He had once forced Team India bowlers to bow to him through an aggressive 124 in the 2018 Asia Cup at the Dubai International Stadium.

Shahzad defies the theory of fitness that is needed for the shortest format of this game. Despite having a pouch, he is an agile wicketkeeper and destructive as a batsman. He often does a 'belly celebration' to mock everyone who criticizes him. On Monday, he cracked an unbeaten 54 off 29 balls with two sixes and nine boundaries. The fact that 48 of his runs came from boundaries and sixes and only six runs were scored from singles and doubles proves his mastery to hit big shots.  Shahzad enthralled the evening crowd that backed his knock with whistles like they had cheered for the Chennai Super Kings team here.

Mohammad Shahzad and Bhanuka Rajapaksa

Warriors, aiming for their third win, were bowled out for 108 in 9.5 overs. Just like the Braves did in the previous matches, the Warriors too had only two or three batsmen scoring double figures and the rest getting out for single-digit scores. In this match, except for Moeen Ali (25), Upul Tharanga (32), and skipper Rovman Powell (31), the rest managed only single-digit scores. Additionally, they had four batsmen getting out for a duck as well. Chennai’s Curtis Campher, Dasun Shanaka, and Ravi Bopara bagged two wickets each.

Bhanuka Rajapaksa

Chasing the run rate of 10.98, Chennai reached the target in 8.3 overs. Shahzad’s opening partner Bhanuka Rajapaksa, who hit one run more than Shahzad, was presented the Player of the Match award. His unbeaten 55 came off 23 balls with four sixes and six boundaries. This raises the question as to why Shahzad was not considered for this award despite taking a catch and producing a run out. For Afghanistan fans, Shahzad will remain their hero and the brave man who hit two consecutive fifties against all odds.