[singlepic id=712 w= h= float=left]The Pakistani Students Association won the Fall League, defeating the Avengers by 1 run in a thrilling final. The Avengers had earlier defeated the Royal Smashers in the second semi-final.
All players enjoyed playing in the larger Powerplex gym – the additional space meant batsmen had to place their shots, made boundaries more challenging, and rewarded accurate bowling and good fielding.
In the semi-final, the Avengers batted first, and accurate bowling restricted them to 66/2 from their eight overs. Rahul Vashisht top-scored with 25 but a fine throw and direct hit from Hassan Ghafoor ran him out. Gurman Khurana contributed 19 from 11 balls.
Nick Baxter made the early breakthrough in the Smashers reply, bowling Nouman Rashid in the first over, and then Rahul Vashisht had Asim caught behind to reduce the Smashers to 5/2. Hunain (15) was batting well but then was adjudged to have obstructed the field attempting a run. That proved the turning point as the Smashers were bowled out for 37, with the Avengers victors by 29 runs. Rahul Vashishta and Nick Baxter shared man of the match honours.
Avengers – Royal Smashers card
PSA batted first in the final, and Taqrim Ghous (37) and Saeed Khan (11) got them off to a good start. Waqas Ali (15*) hit well in the final overs to take them to 77/4 from their eight overs. Nick Baxter led the bowlers with 2/12 from 3 overs.
Syed Ali Sattam took the crucial wicket of Rahul Vashista with a well disguised slower ball, but Gurman Khurana (17) and Nick Baxter (15) made good progress. At 67/2 in the 6th over the Avengers seemed to be heading for victory, but then Najaf bowled Nick Baxter, and Bharath was run out, leaving the Avengers needing 10 off the final over bowled by Syed Ali Sattam. It came down to the last ball, with the Avengers needing 3 to win- they managed only one, leaving PSA champions by one run. Taqrim Ghous was named man of the match for an excellent all-round performance.
Avengers – PSA card
After the match, the league awards were presented, with Najaf Raza Kazmi named top bowler, Hunain top bat, and Rahul Vashishta most valuable player.