Sami sends warriors back to trench

Warrior vs Chicago United | BPL 30/30

By Ayyub Patel

Man of the match: Sami Khan (70 runs and 5 wickets)
CU pulled off an easy win to beat Warriors in BPL. Early morning rain threatened for a play call-off but after a careful inspection by the umpire and captains the match started 30 minutes late to its scheduled time and reduced to 26 overs each side.

After winning the toss, CU decided to bat first. With a wet outfield and damp wicket, CU was 15 for 3 in the fifth over. CU batting seemed in danger. They were flattened by good length on a surface which kept low for the first half. At break, CU were 49 for 4 after 13 overs. After that it was all classic show from Sami and fireworks from Ahmed Askari. CU looked out of the reckoning but Skipper Sami’s fifty led the recovery after Amar’s good opening spell. Sami and Ahmed Askari (50 of 20 balls), shared a 70-run stand for the seventh wicket. Raghu Saminathan and Dhruv Patel wrapped up the CU batting aggressively to drive CU to a respectful 185.

Skipper Sami and pacer Raghu S challenged the Warriors with the ball. They restricted Warrior to 33 for 8, with Sami taking 5 wickets, Dhruv Patel – 1 wicket and Raghu S 3 wickets. Warriors failed to find a batting hero. Praveen and Sai were the only batsmen to get past 10 runs and only pair to put on a stand of over 10 runs as they were dismissed for 42 in 13 overs.