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In Match 13 of The Hundred Men’s Competition 2024, Southern Brave‘s Akeal Hosein made headlines not just for his bowling but for his unique celebration. During the game at Edgbaston, Birmingham, Hosein celebrated a crucial wicket by mimicking football legend Cristiano Ronaldo’s iconic ‘nap’ celebration, much to the delight of the crowd.
Akeal Hosein channels Cristiano Ronaldo
Hosein’s moment of brilliance came on the 17th ball of the Birmingham Phoenix innings. The left-arm spinner delivered an arm ball that extracted extra bounce from a good length, causing Aneurin Donald to edge it to short third man, where Jofra Archer took a sharp catch. After claiming Donald’s wicket, Hosein celebrated with Ronaldo’s signature ‘nap’ move, adding a touch of football flair to the cricketing arena. Donald’s dismissal, after scoring 7 runs off 6 balls, left Phoenix at 33/1.
Here’s the video:
Safe pair of hands, @JofraArcher 💚 It's @AHosein21 with the breakthrough!#TheHundred pic.twitter.com/ElLCwGuhtr
— The Hundred (@thehundred) August 3, 2024
Southern Brave’s strong start
Batting first, the Brave’s openers Alex Davies and James Vince set a solid foundation with an 81-run partnership off 46 balls. Davies was eventually dismissed by Benny Howell for 30. Leus du Plooy had a brief stint at the crease, falling to Sean Abbott for 9 runs.
Vince continued to anchor the innings, forming a formidable 68-run partnership with Kieron Pollard. Vince’s explosive innings of 90 runs off 47 balls included six fours and six sixes, while Pollard contributed an unbeaten 38 off 22 balls, propelling the Brave to a competitive total of 169/2 in their 100 balls.
Also READ: The Hundred Men’s 2024: Broadcast and Live Streaming Details – When and where to watch in India, Australia, USA, UK, Caribbean & other countries
Birmingham Phoenix’s chase and Brave’s bowling masterclass
In response, the Phoenix had a strong start with Ben Duckett leading the charge. Duckett raced to a 21-ball half-century, taking Phoenix to 92/1 after 49 balls, keeping the game balanced.
However, a pivotal moment came with Chris Jordan’s tight bowling, resulting in Liam Livingstone’s dismissal, caught by du Plooy at point. This wicket triggered a dramatic collapse, as Brave’s bowlers – Jordan, Craig Overton, Archer, Hosein and Tymal Mills – combined to take five wickets for just five runs in 18 balls.
Phoenix’s collapse and Brave’s victory
Despite Duckett’s valiant effort, scoring 68 runs with eight fours and five sixes, the rest of the Phoenix lineup struggled, managing only four boundaries between them. The collapse saw Phoenix lose their way, ultimately falling short by 32 runs. This victory underscored the Brave’s robust bowling attack and strategic acumen, sealing a memorable win in a tightly contested match.
