Mohammad Hafeez’s half-century and Thisara Perera’s four-wicket spell eliminate Morrisville Unity and guide Texas Chargers to victory in the US Masters T10 League Eliminator

By K.R. Nayar

Mohammad Hafeez's half-century and Thisara Perera's four-wicket spell guided the Texas Chargers past Morrisville Unity by 8 wickets in the Eliminator of the US Masters T10 League at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground in Lauderhill, Florida, on Saturday. Hafeez scored 57 runs to propel the Texas Chargers beyond Morrisville Unity's total of 115 for 5. Thisara Perera's spell of 4 for 17 was instrumental in restricting Morrisville Unity to a reachable total despite Obus Pienaar's knock of 51.

Morrisville Unity won the toss and chose to bat. Opener Jonathan Foo was dismissed in the second over with the score at 14, falling to Imran Khan for 9. Shehan Jayasuriya and Obus Pienaar forged a 42-run partnership for the second wicket. At a score of 56, Shehan Jayasuriya was dismissed by Thisara Perera for 21. This was followed by an even stronger partnership between Corey Anderson and Pienaar that pushed the total past the 100-run mark.

In the last over, bowled brilliantly by Thisara Perera, Corey Anderson was clean bowled by Perera for 22 at a score of 114. Just one run later, Obus Pienaar also fell to Perera for 51. Pienaar's innings, spanning 25 balls, featured five boundaries and three sixes. On the last ball of the over, Navin Stewart was bowled out for a duck. Perera concluded with figures of 4 for 17.

The Texas Chargers began with a splendid start as openers Mukhtar Ahmed and Mohammad Hafeez established a 104-run partnership in 7.3 overs, firmly grasping control of the match. Mohammad Hafeez was dismissed by Navin Stewart for 57, his innings of 22 balls adorned with seven sixes and two boundaries.

Mukhtar Ahmed contributed 47 runs from 24 balls, including three sixes and four boundaries. He was also dismissed by Stewart with the score at 105. Skipper Ben Dunk, who remained unbeaten with 13, and Thisara Perera (2 not out) steered their team to the target in 8.3 overs, securing victory by 8 wickets with nine balls to spare.

Brief scores:
Texas Chargers bt Morrisville Unity by 8 wkts. Morrisville Unity 115 for 5 in 10 overs (Shehan Jayasuriya 21, Obus Pienaar 51, Corey Anderson 22, Thisara Perera 4 for 17) Texas Chargers 119 for 2 in 8.3 overs (Mukhtar Ahmed 47, Mohammad Hafeez 57, Navin Stewart 2 for 3)
Player of the Match: Mohammad Hafeez