Asia Lions opened their LLC Masters T20 campaign on a winning note after they beat India Maharajas by nine runs at the Asian Town International Stadium in Doha on Friday.
Asia Lions, who won the toss and elected to bat first, lost Tillakaratne Dilshan and Asghar Afghan in quick succession. Misbah-ul-Haq stitched a partnership with opener Upul Tharanga. Both added 108 runs for the third wicket as former Pakistan captain Misbah brought up his half-century in just 35 deliveries. Lions lost wickets at regular intervals but managed to post 165 for 6 in 20 overs. Misbah made 73 runs off 50 deliveries with the help of two fours and four sixes. Tharanga made 40 runs off 39 balls.
In reply, India Maharajas got off to a disastrous start as Robin Uthappa was dismissed for 0 by Sohail Tanvir. Skipper Gautam Gambhir and Murali Vijay consolidated the innings adding 49 runs for the second wicket. However soon after the powerplay, spinner Dilshan dismissed Vijay for 25.
Suresh Raina couldn’t stick much to the pitch as Thisara Perera got the better of him. At the other end, Gambhir completed his fifty in just 37 balls. However soon after that Abdul Razzaq removed Gambhir. The skipper made 52 runs off 39 deliveries with the help of seven fours. Maharajas continued to lose wickets in succession including that of Mohamed Kaif and Irfan Pathan as they fell short of the target.
Brief Scores
Asia Lions 165/6 in 20 overs (Misbah 73, Binny 2/22) beat India Maharajas 156/8 in 20 overs (Gambhir 52, Tanvir 3/27) by nine runs.
Asia Lions' Misbah-ul-Haq plays a shot during the LLC Masters T20 match against India Maharajas at the Asian Town International Stadium in Doha on Friday.
