Irfan Pathan bowls a brilliant last over to help California Knights secure a five-run win over Atlanta Riders

By K.R. Nayar 

Displaying the skills that established Irfan Pathan as one of India’s finest pacers, he led California Knights to a five-run victory over Atlanta Riders in the 17th match of the US Masters T10, held on Thursday at Lauderhill, Florida. His exceptional bowling performance limited Atlanta Riders to 89 for 4 while chasing the California Knights' total of 94 for 2 in 10 overs.


California Knights won the toss and opted to bat. Skipper and opener Aaron Finch fell to Amila Aponso on the second ball of the second over, scoring just 2. Milind Kumar and Jacques Kallis then propelled the score to 42 in 4.4 overs. Following this, two of the cricketing world's finest hitters, Kallis and Ricardo Powell, aggressively pursued their shots.


Kallis remained unbeaten with a score of 38, while Ricardo Powell achieved an unconquered 33. Together, they constructed an unbroken 52-run partnership for the third wicket. Kallis’ 27-ball innings included four boundaries and a six, while Powell’s 18-ball stint featured three boundaries and two sixes. However, California Knights could only muster a total of 94 for 2 in their allotted 10 overs.


Atlanta Riders needed to maintain a steady scoring rate, but California Knights' bowlers executed their plans with precision. The opening partnership of Robin Uthappa and Lendl Simmons lasted only 1.5 overs, with Uthappa departing at a score of 19, having contributed 16 runs, falling victim to Peter Siddle. Simmons and Dwayne Smith then formed a solid 47-run partnership for the second wicket, with Simmons contributing 37 runs before being dismissed by Siddle.


The contest to achieve the target intensified in the ninth over when 26 runs were still required in the last 12 balls. Hamilton Masakadza struck Laughlin for a six off the second ball of the over and followed it up with two consecutive boundaries. With just nine runs needed from the final over, Irfan Pathan delivered a brilliant over, conceding only three runs and dismissing Masakadza, who scored 20. Hammad Azam was run out without scoring. In the last ball, Pathan prevented any runs, securing a five-run victory for his team.

Brief scores:
California Knights bt Atlanta Riders by 5 runs. California Knights 94 for 2 in 10 overs (Jacques Kallis 38n.o, Ricardo Powell 33n.o) Atlanta Riders 89 f0r 4 in 10 overs (Lendl Simmons 37, Peter Siddle 2 for 15)
Player of the Match: Irfan Pathan

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