Asia Lions emerge as champions of the third edition of Legends League Cricket (LLC) Masters, defeating World Giants by seven wickets in the final held at the Asian Town Cricket Stadium in Doha on Monday.
Chasing a target of 148 runs, the Lions’ openers, Upul Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan, set the tone for the chase with a brisk opening partnership of 115 runs in just 10 overs. Dilshan scored 58 off 42 balls with eight fours, while Tharanga smashed 57 off 28 balls with five fours and three sixes.
The partnership was broken when Brett Lee dismissed Tharanga for 57. However, it was too late to stop the Lions from reaching their target comfortably, as they needed only 33 runs in the last ten overs. Dilshan was bowled out by Samit Patel for 58 when only 16 runs were needed for victory in 41 balls.
In the end, Mohammad Hafeez and Misbah-ul-Haq steered their team to victory, remaining unbeaten with nine runs each. Samit Patel, Brett Lee, and Monty Panesar claimed one wicket each for the losing side.
Earlier, the Lions restricted World Giants to 147-4, despite Jacques Kallis' unbeaten 78 runs off 54 balls with five boundaries and three sixes. Kallis had a 92-run partnership in 11.1 overs for the fourth wicket with Ross Taylor, who hit 32 off 33 balls with three boundaries.
Razzaq was the pick of the bowlers for Lions , with impressive figures of 2-14 in four overs. Tharanga, who had also scored a half-century against India Maharajas to take Asia Lions into the final, was adjudged the Player of the Series.
The LLC Masters is a T20 cricket tournament featuring former international cricketers, including legends of the game. It is a platform for retired cricketers to showcase their skills and relive the glory days of their careers.
The Asia Lions team was led by former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, while the World Giants were captained by former South African all-rounder, Jacques Kallis. The tournament featured four teams: Asia Lions, World Giants, India Maharajas, and West Indies Cavaliers.
The tournament saw some high-scoring matches, with several legendary cricketers showcasing their skills. The LLC Masters has become a popular platform for retired cricketers to stay connected with the game and entertain cricket fans around the world.
In conclusion, the third edition of the Legends League Cricket (LLC) Masters was an exciting and thrilling tournament. Asia Lions emerged as deserving champions, thanks to their consistent performances throughout the tournament. The tournament was a great platform for retired cricketers to relive their glory days and showcase their skills to the world. We look forward to the next edition of the tournament, which promises to be even more exciting and entertaining