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In the fifth fixture of the Weston Shield T10 2024, the clash between Team Europe and British and Irish Knights unfolded at the prestigious Santarem Cricket Ground in Portugal on Saturday (April 6). Opting to bat first, the Knights showcased an impeccable display of power-hitting, amassing a monumental score of 234/3 in their allotted 10 overs.
High-flying batting display by British and Irish Knights
Seamus Lynch (29) and Tom Hinley (40) laid the foundation with quickfire contributions. Nevertheless, it was the exceptional innings of Dan Lincoln that stole the spotlight. Lincoln’s scintillating knock of 111 runs off just 28 deliveries, including a staggering 13 sixes, propelled the Knights to an imposing total. Tim Tector‘s cameo of 35 runs in just 11 deliveries further bolstered the team’s formidable score.
Team Europe’s bowling unit struggled to contain the onslaught, with bowlers like Nooruddin Muja daddy, Khalid Ahmadi and Shahid Afridi Jr. facing the brunt of British and Irish Knights’ aggressive batting display.
Team Europe’s uphill battle in chasing
Chasing a daunting target of 235 runs, Team Europe’s batting lineup faltered under pressure. Despite valiant efforts from Sharn Gomes (38) and Muhammad Ihsan (33), the team struggled to keep pace with the required run rate. Their innings eventually concluded at 141/7 in 10 overs, falling short by a significant margin.
The Knights’ bowling attack, led by Jack Jarvis and Oliver Riley, maintained a tight grip on the proceedings, picking up crucial wickets at regular intervals to thwart any hopes of a miraculous comeback from Team Europe. In the end, the Knights registered a resounding victory by a massive margin of 93 runs, with Lincoln rightfully earning the Player of the Match accolade for his spectacular century. However, amidst the intense action, a humorous incident unfolded during Team Europe’s batting innings, leaving both players and spectators in disbelief.
Unconventional dismissal: Shahid Afridi Jr.’s bizarre exit
On the second ball of the third over bowled by Riley, a peculiar sequence of events transpired. As the ball was delivered, it unexpectedly ricocheted off the pitch towards the body of Afridi Jr., who was positioned on the back foot and attempted to execute a pull shot. Despite his efforts, Afridi Jr. couldn’t properly connect with the ball, resulting in an awkward contact that sent the ball straight back to the bowler, Riley, in a bizarre return catch.
Adding to the surreal moment, one end of Afridi Jr.’s bat detached and fell to the ground, leaving him holding only the handle. Meanwhile, Riley effortlessly completed the catch, resulting in the unexpected dismissal of Afridi Jr. The incident left both teams amused and shocked, highlighting the unpredictable nature of cricket.
Here’s the video:
A 𝘽𝘼𝙏𝘵𝘭𝘦 lost 😄
Have you seen anything like this before? 👀 #EuropeanCricket #StrongerTogether #WestonShield pic.twitter.com/K25AWxN9Qo
— European Cricket (@EuropeanCricket) April 7, 2024
