The final of Legends League Cricket (LLC) Masters 2023 saw the Asia Lions, led by Shahid Afridi, take on the World Giants at West End Park International Cricket Stadium in Doha on Monday, March 20.
The Lions chased down a target of 148 runs as their opening batsmen – Upul Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan – scored magnificent half-centuries to help them secure a victory with 23 balls to spare. The duo put on a solid partnership of 115 runs within the first ten overs of the chase, frustrating the Giants’ bowlers. However, Brett Lee finally broke the partnership when he bowled Tharanga.
Tharanga played a brisk knock, scoring 57 off just 28 deliveries, including five fours and three sixes. On the other hand, Dilshan continued his dominance and soon brought up his half-century. He put on a brief partnership of 17 runs with Mohammad Hafeez before Samit Patel dismissed him. Dilshan was the top-scorer for the Lions in the run chase, with a knock of 58 runs off 42 balls, featuring eight boundaries. The Lions lost another wicket in the next over when Abdul Razzaq was dismissed after scoring just three runs off six deliveries.
The Lions’ mainstay, Misbah-ul-Haq, joined Hafeez in the middle and ensured their side reached the target without further damage. Both batsmen remained unbeaten, scoring nine runs each. The Giants’ bowling attack struggled against the Lions, with Lee, Patel and Monty Panesar getting one wicket apiece.
Earlier, the Giants won the toss and elected to bat first. However, they got off to a dismal start, losing three wickets for just 19 runs within the powerplay. Lendl Simmons, Morne van Wyk and Shane Watson perished cheaply. Jacques Kallis anchored the innings, scoring a gritty knock of 78 runs off 54 deliveries, with five four and three sixes. But he didn’t receive any support from the other end, and the Giants could only post 147/4 on the scoreboard in their allotted 20 overs.
Razzak led the bowling attack for the Lions, taking two wickets, while Thisara Perera took one scalp.
