AI Simulation, PAK-C vs WI-C | Pakistan Champions beat West Indies Champions by seven runs courtesy of Sharjeel Khan’s brilliant knock

Pitch and Weather

The pitch of Headingley offered a decent bounce, with quick outfield, which will mostly favour the batters in the first half of the game. But it made things quite easier for the spinners as the game progressed to the second half.

It was a dry and sunny afternoon, which offered decisive assistance for the batters in the first innings, compelling the toss-winning side to bat first.

Toss

Pakistan Champions’ skipper Mohammad Hafeez won the toss and decided to bat first at the batting-friendly deck of the Headingley in Leeds.  

Lineups

PAK-C: Kamran Akmal (WK), Sharjeel Khan, Umar Amin, Mohammad Hafeez (C), Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Sohaib Maqsood, Aamer Yamin, Sohail Tanvir, Rumman Raees, Wahab Riaz.

WI-C: Dwayne Smith, William Perkins, Chris Gayle (C), Lendl Simmons, Chadwick Walton (WK), Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, Ashley Nurse, Sheldon Cottrell, Nikita Miller, Shannon Gabriel

Match Report

Kamran Akmal and Sharjeel stitched a swashbuckling opening partnership of 49 runs in just 5.1 overs for Pakistan Champions. It broke down when Akmal (32 off just 18 balls) was caught by Lendl Simmons at mid-off, mistiming Shannon Gabriel’s slower delivery. Just 14 runs later, Pakistan Champions lost Umar Amin (just nine off 11 balls). However, Sharjeel Khan stood strong at one end and scored a crucial 44-run knock off 27 balls. Before falling to Kieron Pollard in the 12th over, Sharjeel also stitched a 35-run partnership for the third wicket with Mohammad Hafeez (29-ball 41). Furthermore, Asif Ali’s late contribution helped Pak Champs post 181/6. Sheldon Cottrell (2/34) ended up as the most wicket-taker for the Caribbean side, alongside crucial and economical support from Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard.

While chasing the target, the West Indies Champs lost their first wicket on the fourth ball of the third over, scoring 21 runs when William Perkins pushed a rising delivery off Wahab Riaz. Then came a 40-run partnership for the second wicket between Dwayne Smith (35 off 20 balls) and skipper Chris Gayle (31-ball 48). It ended when Smith top-edged a pull shot off Sohail Tanvir and was caught at deep square. Furthermore, Pollard contributed with 13-ball 22, before getting caught at deep midwicket off Aamer Yamin on the fifth ball of the 17th over. Eventually, Gayle’s men were restricted to a total of 174/9, with Pakistan registering another win in the tournament. The economical spells of Tanvir and Riaz, with two wickets each, helped Pakistan defend their target. Hafeez (1/18 in three overs) also contributed with his bowling in Pakistan’s successful defence.

Player of the Match

Pakistan Champions’ opener Sharjeel Khan won the ‘Player of the Match’ award for his outstanding 44-run knock, alongside an amazing diving catch to help Pakistan take big wicket of Chris Gayle.

Scorecard