HASAN BEMAT (108* in 54) LOFTS THE ‘MEN IN RED’ TO WIN PEPSI CUP AT CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

  • October 18, 2019

In an epic playoffs at BPL’s Champions League, Chicago United (CU) missed the qualifiers due to scheduling issues. However, in a well-contested eliminator; CU defeated Deccan Mavericks to face Cardinals in the finals the very next day.
The months long awaited finals was welcomed by a gloomy, 33 degree cold and windy day. Cardinals won the toss and choose to field. CU openers launched the innings well. Yaseen contributed with one of the best knocks of 76 runs in 70 balls with 5 maximums. However, CU lost 2 quick wickets (Anirudh 14, Shayan 6). Hassan walked in to join the well settled and dreadful Yaseen; both batted brilliant and put up an 85 runs 4th wicket partnership. Hassan built an exemplary innings to score 108* (6×9 and 4×4) at a whooping strike rate of 200.0. The last fifteen balls he played were very well timed and ballistic! Most of the maximus he scored were fifteen yards plus behind the boundary. It was a treat to watch him pick up his century with a huge six!
Skipper Sami Khan scored quick fire 20 runs in 11 balls (1 four, 1 Six). The crescendo of CU’s innings was seventy five runs of the last five overs. CU posted a mammoth total of 241 for 4 in 30 overs
Going into chasing, Cardinals United started their chase positively, lost their openers cheaply 20 for 2 in first 8 over. Only Ankit Kumar (23) and Deepak Velayudhan (22) made an impact to cardinals chase. However, CU bowlers struck back to back picking up wickets at regular intervals. Cardinals in the 15th over were 66 for 5. Umair Ghani was the most impactful with the balls as he spun it to pick up four wickets supported by Najam Iqbal (6-1-20-2). Cardinals United collapsed for 123 all out in 27.3 Overs. Chicago United won the Champions League, Pepsi Cup finals by 118 runs.

MOM: Hasan Bemat (Chicago United)
Champions League’s toppers:
Best Batsman: Yaseen Bahmaid (Chicago United)
Best Bowler: Sami M Khan (Chicago United)
MVP: Sami M Khan (Chicago United)

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