KICC 208/10 in 49.5 overs (Davis Karashani 74* (70) and 3/31 in 8.1 overs) beat Kutchi Tigers 168/10 in 41.4 overs (Aezaz Kophariya 65 (59) and Shem Ngoche 4/46 in 10 overs) by 40 runs
Man of Match: Davis Karashani 74* (70) and 3/31 in 8.1 overs
Davis Karashani continued his impressive run of games with another man of match performance to help his KICC side put a dent in the Tigers’ title hopes.
The match innings opened with KICC taking the bat in the first. With Kenyan international Shem Ngoche donning the Tigers’ colors, they had the fire power to ensure KICC were limited to a respectable score. Ngoche bowled an impressive spell with figures of 4/46 in 10 overs to contribute to the collapse of KICC. It however took them 49.5 overs, one ball short of completing the entire 50 overs.
Despite their collapse, it was the cunning and precision of Davis Karashani that stood out. Coming on to bat at number 4, he held on to the end to deny the Tigers’ bowlers and eventually top score on 74 not out off 70 balls, a knock highly appreciated by his teammates. He was flawless in his shot selection and put the Tigers to the sword playing shots he alone knew how to field. With the scramble to get to the 200 mark in the last 2 overs in the innings, Karashani gave the Tigers one big chance, if taken would have been reminiscent of the catch he took in the deep to win Uganda the African T20 title against Namibia in Kampala back in 2012.
After following the Tigers’ batting innings in all their previous games, one would say a target of 209 is very achievable. The Tigers started their pursuit of the KICC score with such clean fashion that had their opponents worried. Aezaz Kophariya was clinical as ever getting on the scoresheet with 65 off 59 balls. The Tigers seemed on course for victory up until Irfan Afridi struck a decisive blow to dismiss Aezaz leaving the Tigers at 130/2. It was then all over as the remaining 8 wickets fell for a paltry 38 runs gifting KICC a 40 run win. The Tigers were left wondering why they didn’t sink their claws into what looked like an inevitable victory for them.
