DARWIN: Chicago Kingsmen stormed to a commanding 69-run win over Pakistan Shaheens in the 17th match of the Top End T20 at Marrara Cricket Ground No. 2 on Tuesday, thanks to explosive half-centuries from Milind Kumar and Tajinder Singh.
After opting to bowl first, the Shaheens seemed in control early, reducing Kingsmen to three wickets down inside 10 overs. However, Milind Kumar turned the tide with a blistering 74 off just 37 balls, studded with eight boundaries and three sixes. He found strong support from Tajinder Singh, who smashed 58 from 37 balls, hammering four boundaries and two sixes. Their partnership powered the Kingsmen to a mammoth 206-5 in 20 overs.
Pakistan-born batter Shayan Jahangir also contributed with a quick 30 off 25 deliveries, while Sharjeel Khan (8) and Shehan Jayasuriya (2) fell cheaply. For Shaheens, Mohammad Wasim (2-57) took two wickets but proved costly, while Shahid Aziz (1-27) and Saad Masood (1-39) picked up one each.
In reply, Pakistan Shaheens faltered under scoreboard pressure, managing only 137-8 in their 20 overs. Yasir Khan (38), Irfan Khan (24), and Shahid Aziz (24) offered some resistance, but the rest of the batting lineup collapsed. Khawaja Nafay, Abdul Samad, and Mohammad Faiq all fell for just two runs each, while Maaz Sadaqat was dismissed without scoring.
The Kingsmen’s bowlers maintained dominance throughout the chase. Scott Kuggeleijn led the attack with 3-19, while Ehsan Adil grabbed 2-20. Ghulam Muddasar, Hassan Khan, and Umer Khan chipped in with a wicket each.
With this emphatic win, the Kingsmen further cemented their reputation as one of the most dangerous sides in the tournament, while the Shaheens were left to rue a lackluster batting display.
