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Bevan propels Chennai Superstars

Special Correspondent

CHANDIGARH: Michael Bevan played his role as an opener to perfection and anchored Chennai Superstars to a challenging 157 for six against Lahore Badshahs in the Indian Cricket League’s Edelweiss 20s Challenge at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium at Panchkula here on Tuesday.

Bevan hit a fine 56 with the help of six boundaries spread over 53 deliveries before leaving the stage in the 19th over. Considering the strong batting line-up of Lahore Badshahs, the target raised prospects of a close finish.

After medium pacer Naved-ul-Hasan removed Ian Harvey (5) and Russel Arnold (3) early, Bevan found an able ally in fellow left-hander Hemang Badani (30 off 26 balls) and controlled the proceedings.

Never missed a chance

Bevan, Australia’s most under-stated match-winner, worked delectably to get his runs. As and when the opportunity came his way, he never missed a chance to go for the big hits. Even when wickets fell at the other end, the presence of Bevan gave the Superstars dressing room the confidence of reaching a formidable total.

Badani, whose second and third scoring shots were successive six and four off medium pacer Riaz Afridi, delighted the crowd with his trademark stylish strokeplay.

He smashed two consecutive boundaries off Saqlain Mushtaq before being run out, falling short of completing a second run.

Thereafter, R. Sathish (7), named skipper in place of Stuart Law, smashed a six off Afridi before leaving a scene. V. Saravanan (14 off 12 balls) and Syed Mohammad (15 not out off five balls, three 4s) did their bit in the end overs to help Superstars reach a healthy total.

For Lahore Badshahs, Hasan was the only bowler to get away by conceding under five runs per over. Saqlain was put in his place by Badani. Mohammad Sami and Azhar Mahmood, both went wicketless after conceding 30 runs each in their four overs without making an impression. Worse, 24 extras were sure to hurt Lahore Badshahs.

Abbas Ali shines

On Monday, left-handed Abbas Ali smashed an unbeaten 64 and raised a match-winning fifth-wicket stand of 61 runs with South Africa’s Nic Pothas to ensure a comfortable six-wicket victory for Delhi Giants over Mumbai Champs.

Chasing a none-too-formidable 115 for five scored by Champs, Giants reached the target with 10 deliveries to spare.

Abbas hit two sixes and seven boundaries in his 49-ball stay. Pothas kept him company till the job was done with a 24-ball 18 including two fours.

The scores:

Chennai Superstars 157 for six in 20 overs (Michael Bevan 56, Hemang Badani 30, Syed Mohammad 15, V. Saravanan 14, Naved-ul-Hasan two for 19, Saqlain Mushtaq two for 26) v Lahore Badshahs.

Monday’s match: Mumbai Champs 115 for five in 20 overs (Nathan Astle 32 not out, Dhiraj Jadhav 27, Ali Murtaza two for 16) lost to Delhi Giants 116 for four in 18.2 overs (Abbas Ali 64 not out, Pothas not out 18).

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