In the season’s opening encounter of the Legends League Cricket Masters, former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq turned back the clock with a magnificent 73 off 50 balls that set the stage for Asia Lions’ nine-run triumph over India Maharajas. The only other 50-plus score of the game, Gautam Gambhir’s 54, expertly complemented his innings, but it was not enough to prevent Lions from opening with a close victory in Doha.
Before pitching the third short and being defended with an angled bat, Tanvir tilted his first two deliveries away from Robin Uthappa’s hitting arc. The very next delivery, Uthappa tried to hit Tanvir through cover, but he was stopped by Abdul Razzaq, who made a quick, low catch. That setup from Tanvir had paid off.
Dilshan ended up edging a full delivery outside off stump to Uthappa after his footwork wasn’t quite at its best, and the latter completed a juggling catch on his third attempt.
Misbah, however, instantly gave Lions’ innings some traction. As evidenced by his six off fast bowler Parvinder Awana in the ninth over, he appeared at comfortable while stepping out against both pacers and spinners.