Shaheens stumble against Melbourne Stars

LAHORE: Pakistan Shaheens suffered a 47-run defeat against Melbourne Stars in their second match of the Top End T20 series.

Despite a valiant effort from Tayyab Tahir, who remained unbeaten on 57, the Shaheens were unable to chase down the target of 176 runs. The Stars got off to a flying start, with Liam Blackford and Ashley Chandrasinghe sharing a 91-run opening stand. Arjun Nair and Sam Elliot later accelerated the innings with quickfire cameos to set a challenging total.

In reply, the Shaheens were dealt early blows as they lost wickets regularly. Tayyab Tahir’s unbeaten half-century offered some resistance, but it proved insufficient as the team was bowled out for 128.

Tayyab Tahir’s unbeaten half-century (57 not out, 43b, 6x4s, 1x6) went in vain as Shaheens finished with 128-9 in 20 overst. Opening batter Sahibzada Farhan scored 26 off 13 balls clubbing two fours and two sixes.

Following Haseebullah’s (11, 20b, 1x6) departure in the seventh over with the scorecard reading 44-2, the Shaheens batting line-up collapsed as they lost seven wickets for just 47 runs. Tayyab and Arif Yaqoob added 37 runs for the last wicket.

Earlier, Melbourne Stars, after opting to bat first, got off to a strong start as the opening pair of Liam Blackford and Ashley Chandrasinghe stitched a 91-run partnership off 74 balls. Blackford hit seven fours for his 43-ball 55 while Chandrasinghe contributed 47 off 42 balls which involved four boundaries and two sixes.