On April 20, 2024, AS Academy staged an incredible comeback to beat Mavericks in the second match of the SACF series at RCL Ground #1. The series is now tied 1-1, setting the stage for a dramatic final match.
AS Academy Batting Highlights
Winning the toss, AS Academy chose to bat first. Hamza and Ahmed provided a solid start, scoring 38 and 18 runs respectively during a cautious powerplay. After Ahmed’s dismissal, Saud joined Hamza, helping stabilize the innings.
The game changed when national player Fahad entered the crease. He scored a quickfire 35 runs off just 19 balls, electrifying the crowd before Saad Faman caught him brilliantly. With the team poised to surpass 270, captain Saad Shakir took charge, supported by Saud (31) and Musair. Together, they pushed the total to 239 all out in 30 overs, maintaining a strong run rate of 8 runs per over.
Mavericks’ Challenging Chase
Mavericks began their chase with early setbacks, losing key players Zain (12) and Daniyal (3) cheaply. Kaif (23) and Smarudh (28) provided some resistance, but the momentum shifted dramatically with the entry of Fahad Munir.
Bowling with outstanding skill, Fahad Munir dismantled Mavericks’ top order, taking an impressive 5 wickets for only 28 runs. He was well supported by Saad and Saud, each taking two wickets. Despite late efforts by Jivitesh (26), Zuned (20), and Saad (27), Mavericks could not recover and fell short by 31 runs.
Player of the Match and Series Outlook
Fahad Munir’s all-round performance 35 runs with the bat and 5 wickets with the ball earned him the Man of the Match award. His contribution was crucial in AS Academy’s victory. With the series tied at 1-1, the upcoming decider promises to be an exciting clash.
