Pakistan Shaheens began their Top End T20 Series campaign in style, crushing Bangladesh 'A' by 79 runs in the tournament opener at the TIO Stadium on Thursday.
Batting first, the Shaheens piled up a massive total of 227-4, led by blistering half-centuries from Khawaja Nafay, Yasir Khan, and Abdul Samad.
Openers Nafay and Yasir set the tone early, launching a fierce assault on the Bangladesh bowling attack with a rapid 100-run stand. Nafay was eventually run out for a sparkling 61 off 31 balls, hitting eight fours and two sixes. Yasir followed soon after, making 62 off 40 balls with seven boundaries and two maximums.
Abdul Samad then took charge, partnering with Mohammad Faiq to accelerate the scoring. Samad smashed four sixes in a single over from Saif Hassan, bringing up his half-century in style. He remained unbeaten on 56 off 27 balls, featuring one four and five sixes. Captain Irfan Khan chipped in with a quick 25 from 12 deliveries. For Bangladesh, Rakibul Hasan, Hasan Mahmud, and Mahfuzur Rahman took one wicket each.
Chasing 228, Bangladesh 'A' never looked in control. Opener Mohammad Naim was bowled by pacer Ubaid Shah for just five runs. A brief fightback came through Jishan Alam (33 off 17 balls) and Saif Hassan (57 off 32 balls), who shared an 86-run partnership. But once Jishan fell, the Shaheens' bowlers took charge.
Spinner Faisal Akram dismissed Afif Hossain for six before Mohammad Wasim Jr removed Saif Hassan and Mahidul Islam in the same over. Saad Masood then got rid of Mahfuzur Rahman, while Faisal struck again to dismiss Bangladesh skipper Nurul Hasan for 22.
The visitors collapsed to 148 all out in 16.5 overs. Faisal Akram and Saad Masood finished with three wickets each, while Wasim Jr claimed two.
The Irfan Khan-led Shaheens will next face the Scorchers on August 16, followed by the Renegades on August 18, before completing their group matches against the Kingsmen (Aug 19), Strikers (Aug 20), and Nepal (Aug 22). The semi-finals and final are scheduled for August 24.
John Hastings questioned by anti-corruption unit over 18-ball over in WCL 2025 against Pakistan
Former Australian fast bowler John Hastings has revealed that he was questioned by the anti-corruption unit after bowling a bizarre 18-ball over during the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 match against Pakistan Champions.
The incident took place in a league-stage fixture where Australia Champions, batting first, were bowled out for just 74 runs in 11.5 overs, thanks to Saeed Ajmal's six-wicket haul.
Chasing 75, Pakistan Champions eased to victory without losing a wicket, reaching the target with 73 balls to spare. Hastings's unusual over added to Australia's woes - he sent down 12 wides and one no-ball, conceding 20 runs from just five legal deliveries. At one point, he bowled five consecutive wides twice in the same over.
Speaking on the Willow Talk podcast, Hastings revealed that officials approached him the next day to discuss the performance.
"The anti-corruption guys came up to me and said, 'Gee, you put us through a bit of hell last night.' He said we had to have a look at it. You missed the pitch on one of your balls. I said, 'Do you think I'll be doing any sort of match-fixing or anything like that?'" Hastings recalled.
"He said, 'No, but we don't know where you've been or what you've been doing for the last seven years.' I said, 'I'm not corrupt,'" he added.
Hastings admitted that the over was both embarrassing and difficult to explain.
"The Pakistan game, it's hard to explain. I had so many text messages from all the cricket fraternity, but I also deleted social media for three days straightaway when I came off the field after the Pakistan game. I didn't want to deal with it. It's not funny, but it's one of those you can't explain when you're actually bowling. It was hard to take, it was embarrassing, and it was horrendous," he said.
The former pacer added that he has since returned to social media.
"I'm back on social media. So, the 1.5 million people who messaged me on Instagram, I'll reply to you when I can," he remarked.
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