Published: Nov 08, 2015, 02:53 AM (IST)
Edited: Nov 08, 2015, 03:02 AM (IST)
Ricky Ponting has been away from top-flight cricket for a good three years now but he has lost little by way of sheer quality to sight the ball and hit it with precision. His knock laid anchor for the Warne’s Warriors to chase down the 141 set by the opposition, following the openers, Jacques Kallis and Matthew Hayden, getting dismissed cheaply. Ponting was involved with Sri Lankan Kumar Sangakkara in a crucial and attractive partnership. Shoaib Akhtar was the pick of the bowlers for the Blasters and he steamed in with great pace. LIVE UPDATES: Sachin’s Blasters vs Warne’s Warriors, 1st T20 at Citi Field
Akhtar even got rid of Sangakkara with a short ball that took the latter by surprise. Akhtar also accounted for the wicket of Matthew Hayden. The Blasters failed to capitalise on the great start they were given with Curtly Ambrose and Shaun Pollock failing to maintain the pressure.
The Blasters were not willing to give up however and spinners Muttiah Muralitharan and Carl Hooper kept it tight and built pressure. Akhtar came in for a second spell and added to the disarray for the Warriors but Ponting retained his calm even as Andrew Symonds fell cheaply to Muralitharan.
Jonty Rhodes was the next man in and he faced the heat of an enthusiastic and increasingly fast Shoaib Akhtar. But he retained his composure and in the next over smashed a couple of sixes of Ambrose and even hit the winning runs off Sachin Tendulkar’s bowling with a big six.
Earlier, Sachin’s Blasters were bolted to a good start by Virender Sehwag who rolled back the years while Sachin Tendulkar held fort at one end. However, their effort was undone after Sehwag got out for 55 to Daniel Vettori. Spinners took wickets at regular intervals with Shane Warne getting rid of Sachin Tendulkar before dismissing Brian Lara and VVS Laxman cheaply. Andrew Symonds also picked three wickets lower down the order to ensure the Blasters were restricted to a modest total.
Brief scores:
Warne’s Warriors 141 for 4 in 17.2 overs (Ricky Ponting 48*, Sangakkara 41; Shoaib Akhtar 2 for 26) beat Sachin’s Blasters 140 for 8 in 20 overs (Virender Sehwag 55, Sachin Tendulkar 26; Shane Warne 3 for 20, Andrew Symonds 3 for 15) by six wickets.
