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The Atlanta Riders delivered a magnificent performance on Wednesday (August 23), overpowering the New Jersey Triton’s by a convincing margin of 48 runs in US Masters T20 League. The Triton’s struggled with their batting and were dismissed for just 53 runs, resulting in a comprehensive loss with an over to spare.
Yusuf Pathan, the former Indian all-rounder, emerged as the standout performer for the Triton’s in an otherwise dismal innings. Known for his exceptional hitting abilities, the 40-year-old displayed his power-hitting prowess once again in the ongoing tournament. Despite managing just 18 runs, Pathan’s one-handed six off Kamrul Islam Rabbi was a spectacular display of his incredible hitting prowess, evoking nostalgia among the spectators.
Chasing 102, the Triton’s innings got off to a disastrous start as they lost both openers, Gautam Gambhir (0) and Naman Ojha (1), in the very first over, courtesy of Rabbi’s bowling. Harmeet Singh continued the wicket-taking spree in the second over, dismissing Jesse Ryder and Cameron Delport for 1 run each. The first two overs produced four wickets for the Riders.
Pathan demonstrates incredible power and brilliance
Pathan made his entrance when the Triton’s were 3/2 in the first over. He immediately made an impact by smashing the first ball that he faced for a massive six. Despite the Triton’s losing four wickets within the first two overs of their innings, Pathan displayed incredible resilience and power-hitting. The Vadodara-born cricketer responded to the early setbacks by delivering an extraordinary one-handed six off Rabbi.
In the fourth delivery of the third over, Rabbi bowled a slower full ball aimed at the stumps. However, Pathan expertly read the bowler’s hand and the trajectory of the delivery. With a tremendous display of power and timing, the veteran cricketer sent the ball sailing over the boundary rope with sheer force.
Here’s the video:
One. Handed. Six. 🤯
And Yusuf Pathan clears the boundary easily. 💪#ATRvNJT #CricketsFastestFormat #USMastersT10 #T10League #SunshineStarsSixes pic.twitter.com/p5pAvHOggy
— US Masters T10 (@USMastersT10) August 23, 2023
However, Pathan’s impressive cameo was brought to an end by Mohammad Irfan after scoring a quickfire 18 off 10 balls. Following his dismissal, the Triton’s continued to struggle as Peter Trego (9), Liam Plunkett (3), Bipul Sharma (4) and RP Singh (0) fell quickly, allowing the Atlanta Riders to secure a commanding 48-runs victory.
In the first innings, the Riders faced their own set of challenges, losing their captain Robin Uthappa off the very first ball for a duck. Subsequently, Lendl Simmons (5) and Dwayne Smith (7) also fell cheaply, leaving the Riders at 19 for 3 in the fourth over. Nevertheless, Hamilton Masakadza (43) and Hammad Azam (38) joined forces to stabilize the Riders’ innings with a 72-run partnership. Their efforts helped the Riders post a competitive total of 101/5 in their allotted 10 overs.
This impressive win for the Riders was a result of a strong performance with both bat and ball, with Pathan’s powerful one-handed six standing out as a memorable moment in the match.
