- Haider Ali, Zeeshan Malik score half centuries for the visiting team
- Scorecard available here
Hamilton, 27 December 2020: Half centuries from opening batsmen Haider Ali and Zeeshan Malik went in vain as Northern Knights defeated Pakistan Shaheens by 21 runs in the first T20 match at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Sunday.
Chasing a 204-run total, Shaheens opening batsmen provided a solid 85 run start from 45 balls. Right-handed Haider struck five fours and three sixes in his 26-ball 51 run innings. Zeeshan contributed 52 off 33 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes.
After the departure of the openers, no other Shaheen’s batsmen could keep up the pace with the required run-rate as the visiting team ended up scoring 182 for nine.
For Northern Knights, Josh Brown took three for 42, while Brett Hampton and Matthew Fisher picked two wickets apiece.
Earlier in the day, after being put into bat, Northern Knights scored 203 for two in 2o overs. Opening batsman Tim Seifert top-scored with an unbeaten 99 off 55 balls. His innings included six fours and as many sixes. Katene Clarke (40) and Anton Devcich (38 not out, 16 balls) were other notable run-getters for the home team.
For Shaheens, Khushdil Shah and Musa Khan picked a wicket each.
Pakistan Shaheens will take on Wellington Firebirds in the second T20 match at Basin Reserve in Wellington on Tuesday.
Scores in brief:
Northern Knights beat Pakistan Shaheens by 21 runs
Northern Knights 203-2, 20 overs (Tim Seifert 99 not out, Katene Clarke 40, Anton Devcich 38 not out; Khushdil Shah 1-22, Musa Khan 1-31)
Pakistan Shaheens 182-9, 20 overs (Zeeshan Malik 52, Haider Ali 51, Khushdil Shah 25, Rohail Nazir 20; Josh Brown 3-42, Brett Hampton 2-11, Matthew Fisher 2-45)
