The second edition of the Global T20 tournament in Canada witnessed a thriller of an end on Sunday, August 11. It was a mouth-watering final, where Winnipeg Hawks beat Vancouver Knights in a nailbiting Super Over to win their maiden title.
Chasing 193 for victory, defending champions Vancouver Knights rode on two lethal knocks – skipper Shoaib Malik’s 36-ball 64, and Andre Russell’s 46 not out off 20 balls. The match was tied at the end of 20 overs with the Knights having 4 wickets in hand.
Russell’s heroics went in vain as he batted and bowled in the following Super Over, but this did not result in a win for the Vancouver Knights.
In spite of Russell’s magnificent six, the Knights managed only 9 runs in the over, which was chased down easily by the Hawks with a couple of balls to spare.
Chris Lynn of Winnipeg Hawks scored 5 runs while chasing, with Russell conceding 4 byes.
“I am just overwhelmed. We were off to a tremendous start. The pitch was getting slower and lower. We should have got to 200, but 192 was par. We were trying to make him wait (Russell) as long as possible. We held our nerves well. (Kaleem) Sana, excellent last over and excellent Super Over.”
“(Kaleem) Sana said he wanted, I had no problem. Happy that he put his hand up and delivered. Nobody backed us to win the final, we believed we could do that. The close wins gave us the extra motivation. It’s an excellent tournament, it’ll go from strength to strength,” Winnipeg captain Rayad Emrit said at the post-match presentation.
Shaiman Anwar was adjudged Man-of-the-Match for his brilliant knock of 90 off 45 balls. JP Duminy was honoured with the Player of the Tournament award for being the leading run-scorer. He was clearly the hero for the Hawks with 332 runs from 8 matches at an average of 83, including three half-centuries.
“It was a team effort throughout the season. It was amazing performance from individuals. For me, it’s just about enjoying. It’s important to share experience with the young guys,” Duminy said after the match.
Here are some Twitter reactions –
SUPER OVER!
CAN YOU BELIEVE IT. @VKnights_ needed 3 off one ball and can only manage 2
Andre Russell finishes on 46(20)
IT'S STILL NOT OVER!#GT2019#VKvsWH pic.twitter.com/t1QOXmrb5h
— GT20 Canada (@GT20Canada) August 11, 2019
SIXXXXXX 🔥🔥
Welcome to the super over @WinnipegGT20 😉#VKvsWH— Vancouver Knights (@VKnights_) August 11, 2019
WHAT A FINISH!
Can't remember the last time a final went to a Super Over.
Can you, @ICC?@WinnipegGT20 are the #GT2019 champions!#GT2019#VKvsWH pic.twitter.com/BeZfjKupWN
— GT20 Canada (@GT20Canada) August 11, 2019
Lost the Super Over at Lord’s as a player. Watched the Super Over here as a spectator. @ish_sodhi #GT2019 #VKvsWH pic.twitter.com/5YdV4b5yHN
— GT20 Canada (@GT20Canada) August 11, 2019
In case you missed the last four overs of the GT20 match. Not sure whether to laugh or cry. And it's not yet over. Super Over time. pic.twitter.com/iPcQ6MmyFi
— Sreshth Shah (@sreshthx) August 11, 2019
Wow! Is this the year of the super over @ProfDeano @GT20Canada
— Gautam Bhimani (@gbhimani) August 11, 2019
https://twitter.com/JamesOlympics/status/1160684625494192128?