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In the final league game of the ongoing Legends League Cricket 2022 on Thursday, the World Giants registered a thrilling victory and knocked India Maharajas out from the tournament.
Chasing the massive 229, the game went down to the wire where the Maharajas needed just eight runs in the final over. However, Brett Lee, with his sheer brilliance, ended Maharajas’ journey after he went on to defend eight runs successfully.
Although, the Maharajas were favourites to win the contest as Irfan Pathan, having smashed the fastest fifty of the tournament off just 18 balls, was on strike. Lee began the over with a wide, but the fast bowler got rid of Irfan on the very next delivery.
Lee produced another opportunity on the next ball, but Morne Morkel, who took the catch of Irfan, dropped a chance to provide Rajat Bhatia with a lifeline. However, in the process, Bhatia took a single and tailender Avishkar Salvi came on the strike.
With six needed off four deliveries, Lee went for wide yorker line against Salvi, which worked as the latter couldn’t put bat to the ball for the next two balls. The duo tried taking a single on the penultimate delivery, but Bhatia got run out.
Now, Amit Bhandari had the responsivity of scoring six off the last ball to tie the match, but Lee left no stone unturned to make sure he didn’t give any run. Bhandari failed to hit the wide delivery as the Maharajas fell short of the target and lost the contest by five runs. For the Indians, Naman Ojha (95) and Yusuf Pathan (45) shined with the bat.
Earlier, the Giants posted 228/5 in 20 overs, thanks to remarkable knocks by Herschelle Gibbs and Phil Mustard. While Gibbs fell just 11 runs short of his hundred, Mustard scored a brilliant 57. Kevin O Brien (34), Morkel (16 no) and Jonty Rhodes (20) chipped in with valuable contributions to ensure the Daren Sammy-led side reached a big total.
The Giants will now face Asia Lions in the final of the exciting competition on Saturday (January 29) at Al Amerat Cricket Ground in Oman.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Indian Maharajas need 7 from 6 balls then W,1,0,0,W & 0 – Classic Brett Lee with yorkers.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 27, 2022
@BrettLee_58 just defended 7 runs from 6 balls in @llct20.
Binga doing what he used to do⚡#LegendsLeagueCricket pic.twitter.com/qxxnv0Ogi0— Mustafa (@mmustafa_abid) January 27, 2022
Brett Lee even 10 years after his retirement defended 7 runs from the final over against Indian Maharajas. pic.twitter.com/OGHPlC0jTF
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 27, 2022
(WD W 1 0 0 W 0)
Brett Lee Defended 7 runs in Last over 💥
A Big Collapse by India Maharajas 💔 pic.twitter.com/GGFLV5v5Bp
— S H E B A S (@Shebas_10) January 27, 2022
India Maharajas needed 8 from 6 with two well set batsmen at crease and Brett Lee just gave away 2 runs in the final over to defend the target! Outstanding bowling!! Binga, you still got it!!👏🏻 @BrettLee_58#LegendsCricketLeague #Maharaja #WorlDgiants #brettlee #IrfanPathan
— Chirag Gandhi (@ChiragGandhi_18) January 27, 2022
@BrettLee_58 once a champion always a champion. @llct20 Great last over 😍
— KHan MAnsoor (@khanmansoor9) January 27, 2022
@BrettLee_58
Brett Lee defending 8 runs in the final over of the game, 8 odd years after his retirement from cricket. pic.twitter.com/Hp864VGXdr— Hariprasad Phalake 🇮🇳 (@Hari150503) January 28, 2022
Brett Lee aka Pinga 45 year's old defended 7 runs from the final over against Indian Maharajas in #LegendsLeagueCricket today. #Cricket pic.twitter.com/py0CEeU7DF
— Bacha ji 🖤 (@Mian_Na5ir_____) January 27, 2022
You defended 8 runs in last over Made Me Proud Brett lee 🐐@BrettLee_58 💞
One reply can make my day pic.twitter.com/Fy17Dp5qMF
— NOT_Laksh (@LieBurt) January 27, 2022