Pakistan Shaheens faced a tough challenge in their second match of the Top End T20 series, falling 47 runs short against the Melbourne Stars at the Gardens Oval in Darwin on Sunday.
Despite a valiant half-century by Tayyab Tahir, the Shaheens struggled to chase down the 176-run target, ending their innings at 128-9 in 20 overs.
Tayyab Tahir stood out with an unbeaten 57 off 43 balls, including six boundaries and a six. Opening batter Sahibzada Farhan provided early momentum with a quick 26 off 13 balls, hitting two fours and two sixes.
However, the Shaheens’ batting line-up faltered after the dismissal of Haseebullah, who scored 11 off 20 balls, leaving the team at 44-2 in the seventh over.
The middle-order collapse saw the Shaheens lose seven wickets for just 47 runs, with only Tayyab and Arif Yaqoob managing to add an undefeated 37-run partnership for the last wicket.
Earlier in the day, the Melbourne Stars capitalized on their decision to bat first, with openers Liam Blackford and Ashley Chandrasinghe putting on a solid 91-run partnership off 74 balls.
Blackford top-scored with 55 off 43 balls, hitting seven boundaries, while Chandrasinghe contributed a steady 47 off 42 balls, including four fours and two sixes.
The Shaheens’ bowlers managed to break the partnership when leg-spinner Arif Yaqoob dismissed Blackford. Jahandad Khan followed up by removing Dylan Brasher for 10, disrupting the Stars’ momentum.
However, a late onslaught from Sam Elliot and Arjun Nair ensured a strong finish for the Stars, as they added a rapid 55-run partnership off just 23 balls.
Nair remained unbeaten on 36 off 15 balls, hitting three fours and three sixes, while Elliot contributed 17 not out off 8 balls, pushing the Stars to a formidable total of 175-4 in their allotted 20 overs.
Jahandad Khan was the pick of the bowlers for the Shaheens, taking 2-33, while Arif Yaqoob chipped in with a wicket for 24 runs.
Pakistan Shaheens will look to bounce back in their next match against Tasmania at the DXC Arena, Darwin, scheduled for 13 August.
