UAE Friendship Cup 2022, Match 2 Review: Imran Nazir's blistering half century seals the game for Pakistan Legends

After a win for the World Legends against India Legends in the first game of the UAE Friendship Cup 2022, the Pakistan Legends took on the Bollywood Kings in the second game of the day. Pakistan Legends, in particular, had a lot of star cricketers in their playing XI and it looked a tough challenge for the Bollywood Kings on paper. The Pakistan side eventually walked away with a 43-run win.

Earlier in the day, the Pakistan Legends won the toss and chose to bat at the Sharjah Stadium. Imran Nazir and Salman Butt reminded the world why they are one of the most destructive openers, teeding off right away from both ends. Butt was dismissed for a 13-ball 19 after hitting three boundaries, while Nazir continued his clinical hitting. The right-hander smashed 57 in just 23 balls with six maximums and three fours. He eventually got retired hurt.

Taufeeq Umar who came in at three scored a 13-ball 24 with two sixes and a four and he also got retired hurt as well. Yasir Hameed and Naved Latif, each hit a six and were soon dismissed by Sidhant Mule who turned out to be the pick of the bowlers. In the end, the Pakistan Legends got to more than a decent total of 128 on the board, losing just three wickets.

Mudasir Bhat shows off hit big-hitting skills

In reply, Abishek Kapur and Saqib Saleem came into the crease for the Bollywood Kings as they had a daunting task in their hands. Mohammad Irfan bowled the first over conceding just one run and he was backed up well by Mohammad Sami. Saleem, who tried to up the ante was picked up LBW Sami for a duck, while Kapur followed him in the next over for just 8 runs. Sohail Khan and Shabbir Ahluwalia couldn’t do much damage either and were soon sent back to the dressing room.

Bollywood Kings were out of a probable chance of winning the game by the sixth over and it was time for some entertainment from Mudasir Bhat and Apoorva Lakhia. Bhat played some scintillating shots as he raised to his fifty in no time and finished unbeaten on 50 of just 22 balls with three sixes and five fours. Lakhia, meanwhile, from the other end joined the party as he struck two sixes in his unbeaten 13-ball 25.

After some good hitting towards the back end, the Bollywood Kings got to a better score of 85 in their ten overs and ended up losing the game by 43 runs in the end.

Special Performers

Best Batter of the game: Imran Nazir

Imran Nazir was by far, the best batter in the game, and he looked like getting to a century if he had faced some more delivery. The right hander’s 57 of 23 balls was a testimony of big-hitting skills and he is likely to have more impact in the upcoming games in the tournament.

Best Bowler of the game: Naved-ul-Hasan

Naved-ul-Hasan bowled just the one over but was on the money straightway, picking up the wicket of Sohail Khan. The right-arm seamer did not concede any runs in his over and looked spot on with his line and lengths. His wicket maiden showed the amount of control he still has left in his game.