That's all from this qualifier 2! The Knights complete a victory and reach the finals of the Shpageeza Cricket League. They will meet the Kabul Eagles on the 16th of September at 1200 local. Join us for that match. Until then, cheers and take care. Good bye!
Bahar Ali Shinwari is the Man of the Match for his quickfire 47 off just 27 balls.
Earlier in the day, The Dragons scored 178 courtesy some useful contributions from Usman Ghani and the middle order but it was not enough in the end as their bowlers could not do the job as the Knights chased it down with ease. The bowling of the Knights was good but their batting was even better and they end up going into the finals where they will face the Eagles. It was a dominating performance from the Knights.
The Dragons, on the other hand, were poor with the ball! They would have backed themselves to defend this but some shoddy bowling saw them give away easy runs to the Knights and have been knocked out of the tournament. They started off well, picking up an early wicket but could not find regular breakthroughs. They might have felt that they would have a chance after they picking up a couple of quick wickets. But Shahidullah Kamal gave no chance to them and they bow out of this tournament. All the bowlers were expensive and needed to do a lot better there to defend this score. Overall, it was a disappointing performance.
The Knights' players run out to the field as they have entered the final! What a game, what a victory for the Knights! They have sealed the deal with 5 wickets to spare and will go into the final against Eglaes with a lot of confidence. Chasing 179, they did not get off to a good start as they lost Mohammad Shahzad early on in the innings. Bahar Ali Shinwari and Hashmatullah Shahidi stitched a 64-run stand and got them on track with Shinwari going all guns blazing. He raced to 47 before he was run out. Ghamai Zadran and Hashmatullah Shahidi could not last long and they both fell in quick succession and that gave an opening to the Dragons. Shahidullah Kamal though though was in top form as he blasted a 23-ball 42 and took his side home with more than an over to spare. The Knights have been brilliant and rightly go into the finals of the Shpageeza Cricket League.
18.4
4
FOUR! There it is! Afsar Zazai finishes the game in style. Knights go into the final. Full on off, Afsar sits down and looks to sweep it over mid-wicket. It gos off the upper half of his willow but away from the chasing fielders. It bounces inside the ropes and goes away. KNIGHTS WIN BY 5 WICKETS!
18.3
4
FOUR! The Dragons' hopes perishes with this bondary. Full on the pads, Zazai flicks it fine down the leg side. Scores level.
Dawlat Zadran is the next man in.
18.2
W
OUT! RUN OUT! Is there a late twist in the tale here? There was no need for this run. No need at all. Shahidullah will be gutted with himself here. He should have finished this game but he won't be able to. Full ball around off, Shahidullah drives it to cover and goes for a quick run. Asghar Afghan passes the ball to the bowler Hassan whips the bails off. 5 needed off 10.
18.1
6
SIX! Just 5 needed now! What a shot this is! Length ball on off, Shahidullah is in such a great hitting form tonight that he easily makes this perish over mid-wicket with a pull for a biggie.
In over# 1
1
1
1
1
1
2
Mirwais Ashraf 34/0(3)
17.6
1
Full on off, Shahidullah shuffles and flicks it towards mid-wicket for a single. 7 off the over. Knights now need 11 off the final 2 overs to seal their spot in the final.
17.5
1
Milking runs as Zazai strkes this to cover and gets to the other end.
17.4
1
Length delivery on off and middle. Shahidullah punches it towards long on for an easy run.
17.3
1
Fuller on off, Afsar drives it towards sweeper cover and gets to the other end.
17.2
1
Length ball on off, Kamal punches it to cover and gets a single this time.
17.1
2
Good length ball on middle and off. Shahidullah just places his flick towards square leg. He plays it gently as the fielder is in the deep. Good running as they get two there.
Mirwais Ashraf is back on. 2-0-27-0 are his figures so far.