VCT VS LAH MATCH 7

Right then, that is it from this low-scoring thriller. Lahore Qalandars stays alive in the tournament while Victoria still has fate in their hands and needs to win the last game to make it to the final. The action continues in the Global Super League 2024 on 5th December, Thursday. It will be the Guyana Amazon Warriors taking on Rangpur Riders. That match will begin at 4.30 am IST (11 pm GMT, Previous Day), but as you know, you can always join us for all the build-up to the game. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

Carlos Brathwaite, the victorious skipper of Lahore Qalandars says that he knew he would not bowl again after his first over (Laughs). Adds that taking off Tabraiz Shamsi after 3 overs and giving the ball to Asif Afridi was a tactical call and they had a big discussion about it as well. Tells that a lot of planning went into it and he is delighted that it worked out. Mentions that they are entertainers and everyone wants to see the ball flying, but sometimes low-scoring games are more fun. Says that they have a flexible batting order but they can show more intent. Further adds that he enjoyed the two Victorian openers taking them on. Tells that they sent Asif Afridi up the order previously and in this game, Luke Wells, but it did not work out. So, they will tinker around and change a few things in the next game as well.

Corey Anderson, the captain of Victoria says that they were cruising at one point but 5-6 bad overs cost them the game. Adds that it was a combination of bad shots and good bowling that triggered the collapse. Praise Tabraiz Shamsi for his bowling effort. Mentions that taking the review is totally the batter's call and if in doubt, they should take but these things happen in cricket. Says that the bowlers did well and they would have taken this total all days of the week. Ends by saying they will look to bounce back in the next game.

Tabraiz Shamsi is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his magical spell of bowling. He says that the credit goes to the entire team. Adds that the only thing they had in their minds was to defend this score no matter what. Mentions that he was given the ball by his skipper and luckily he got the wicket. Tells that their destiny is in their own hands. Further adds that the wicket did not get dry, and bowling first is a clear advantage here but every bowler did well. Says that he has a couple of friends in the Guyana side but hopes that Rangpur can do them a favour. Ends by saying that this was almost like a quarter-final and these are the games you want to be involved in as a player.

Presentation Time...

Earlier in the game, Lahore Qalandars stumbled to a below-par total after a dramatic collapse, losing their last six wickets for just 11 runs. Mirza Baig anchored the innings with 39, while Muhammad Faizan and Muhammad Akhlaq chipped in with quick cameos, but a lack of middle-order contributions, including six single-digit scores, proved costly. Victoria’s bowlers were outstanding, with Jackson Smith and Dominic Drakes sharing six wickets, while Max Birthisel and Callum Stow grabbed one each. Their sharp fielding, highlighted by two run-outs, capped off a dominant display.

However, the strategic break changed everything. Jonathan Wells did not take a review on his LBW which was given out on-field but Ball Tracking showed otherwise. Tabraiz Shamsi sent Scott Edwards back on a golden duck as well and there was a point when he bowled 10 balls giving away no runs. That slowly started to shift the momentum, and Carlos Brathwaite was excellent with his changes as well. He brought in Asif Afridi to bowl the 13th over and he produced a double strike including the big wicket of Corey Anderson. Karima Gore did put up a fight and took the game close, but the lower order was no match for Salman Mirza and Faheem Ashraf, who wrapped things up to seal the victory.

Victoria started the chase brilliantly with both the batters scoring freely and utilizing the Powerplay to score 67 without losing a wicket and putting pressure on the bowlers. They were also a bit lucky on a couple of occasions, but the tide started to change after the dismissal of Blake Macdonald 33. Joe Clarke soon followed suit for 32 courtesy of a stunning effort in the field from Carlos Brathwaite, but they were still in control heading into the halfway mark.

What a game, what a win for the Lahore Qalandars! They were down and out in the first half of this chase, but their bowler had other ideas and snatched a win from an improbable position. The Qalandars keep their final hopes alive and also become the first team to defeat Victoria this season. Yet another low-scoring thriller in the Global Super League 2024 and it was worth the money.

OUT! TIMBER! DONE AND DUSTED! Faheem Ashraf wraps things up for Lahore Qalandars! He bowls the slower one, on a length and on middle, grips and turns in. Jackson Smith goes through a wild heave across the line early and misses as the ball goes through to disturb the furniture behind him. Lahore Qalandars win by 10 runs!

OUT! TIMBER! DONE AND DUSTED! Faheem Ashraf wraps things up for Lahore Qalandars! He bowls the slower one, on a length and on middle, grips and turns in. Jackson Smith goes through a wild heave across the line early and misses as the ball goes through to disturb the furniture behind him. Lahore Qalandars win by 10 runs!

Pitched up and on middle, angling in, Jackson Smith bunts it back to the bowler where Faheem Ashraf collects in on his follow-through. He takes his time to aim and hits the stumps at the bowler's end but Max Birthisel is safely inside.

Fuller and on leg, Max Birthisel backs away and drills it towards long on for a single. 11 runs needed in 5 balls now!

Faheem Ashraf to bowl the last over. Can he defend 11 runs here?

Run out chance...missed! Fullish and around off, Max Birthisel drives it towards extra covers and sets off for the run. Both the batters are watching the ball and end up at the same end at one point. However, the fielder's throw is a wild one and Adam Rossington cannot do anything about it. The single is completed in the end.

Overpitched and on middle, Jackson Smith bunts it towards the mid on region for one.

Fuller again and around off, Max Birthisel backs away and cue-ends it towards third man for a run.