Shahid Afridi-led Asia Lions defeated Aaron Finch-led World Giants by seven wickets in the series final on Monday and triumphed in the third season of the Legends League Cricket (LLC) Masters.
The Lions comfortably achieved their goal in 16.1 overs while chasing a 148-run target.
As the final was played at the Asian Town Cricket Stadium in Doha, the Lions’ opening pair of Upul Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan scored quick half-centuries and added 115 runs for the opening stand in 10 overs.
Tharanga smashed 57 off 28 balls with five fours and three sixes, while Dilshan struck 58 off 42 balls with eight fours.
When Tharanga was clean-bowled for 57 by Brett Lee, the 115-run starting partnership came to an end.
In the final 10 overs, the Asia Lions just required 33 runs. Only 16 runs were required for victory in 41 balls when Dilshan was dismissed for 58 by Samit Patel. With nine runs each, Mohammad Hafeez and Misbah-ul-Haq led their team to victory while remaining undefeated.
For the losing team, Samit Patel, Lee, and Monty Panesar each took one wicket.
Earlier, Jacques Kallis scored an undefeated 78 runs off 54 balls with five boundaries and three sixes, but Asia Lions held World Giants to 147-4. In addition, Ross Taylor and Kallis shared a 92-run partnership in 11.1 overs for the fourth wicket. Taylor scored 32 runs off 33 balls while hitting three boundaries.
With outstanding figures of 2-14 in four overs, Razzaq was the Lions’ top bowler.
Brief scores:
Asia Lions beat World Giants by 7 wickets.
World Giants 147 for 4 in 20 overs (Jacques Kallis 78 not out, Ross Taylor 32, Abdur Razzak 2 for 14)
Asia Lions 148 for 3 in 16.1 overs (Upul Tharanga 57, Tillakaratne Dilshan 58)
Player of the Match: Abdur Razzak
Player of the series: Upul Tharanga
