Dhaka Warriors conquer the Giants, registering maiden win of the tournament

Dhaka Warriors win by 62 runs.

Nazimuddin declared man of the match

Match 13: ICL 20s Indian Championship

Match Report – For Immediate Publication

Ahmedabad, October 20th, 2008

The 13th match of the ICL 20s Indian Championship featured the Delhi Giants take on the debutants Dhaka Warriors at the sparkling new ICL facility, Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad. In the end it was a Warriors' nights putting up a brilliant performance in all departments of the game beating their opponents comprehensively by 62runs. Nazimuddin was declared man of the match for his sparkling half century.

Earlier in the evening Marvan Atapattu, won the toss and elected to field on track predicted to assist the spinners, by Pat Symcox in his pitch report. The Warriors opened their account with their left –right combination of Nafees and Nazimuddin. Three boundaries by the talented Nazimuddin got the Warriors off the track placed at 16 for no loss at the end of the first two overs. The 5th over mark had the Warriors placed handsomely at 36 for no loss including 7 hits to the boundary. Nazimuddin was looking in great nick, hitting the great Shane Bond for two consecutive sixes in the 6th over. A big six off Sudhindra brought the Warriors fifty in the 7th over. Nazimuddin was batting in the zone brining his fifty off only 25 balls including 5 fours and five mighty sixes. It finally took JP Yadav to break the 91 run first wicket partnership with Nazimuddin's wicket for a well made 54. The Warriors lost their second wicket in quick succession with Nafis trapped LBW by Shrivastav for a well made 30. At the half way stage of their innings the Dhaka side was in the drivers' seat, placed handsomely at 93/2. The wily Murtaza got the Giants right backing the match in the 12th over with the cheap dismissal of the inform Ahmed with only 6 runs against his name. Tight overs from JP Yadav ad Murtaza pulled back the Warriors juggernaut; placed at 121/3 and the lone ICL centurion Alok Kapali, holding the key for a strong finish to the innings. Just when Kapali was working up another dangerous innings he was dismissed by Sudhindra in the 18th over for a significant contribution of 34 runs off 25 balls including 4 fours and 1 six. A mature unbeaten knock from the Warrior's skipper Habib Ul Bashar of 28 runs off 23 balls saw the Warriors fold their innings at a very competitive 174/5 in their allotted 20 overs.

The Giants' chase opened with a new combination of Monish Mishra and Gunawardene. An eventful two overs from Raza and Sharif saw a dropped chance, missed run out and close caught behind appeal; saw the Giants placed at 14 for no loss. Sharif struck the first blow to the Giants chase scalping the aggressive Mishra, cheaply for 3 in the 4th over. Sharif struck again in the same over castling Sudhindra who did not trouble the scorers, leaving the Giants chase in a bit of a bother at 24/2/. Gunawardene's run out had the Warriors right on top with the Giants score card reading 28/3 at the 5th over mark. The Warriors were looking sharp in the field and some tight disciplined bowling saw them marching right ahead leaving the Giants chase in complete disarray at 46/5 in the 10th over. Atapattu's wicket in the 11th over brought JP Yadav to the crease who showed his positive intent trying to make a match out of the uphill task, in company of the promising Bali. However their promising partnership of 34 runs off only 18 balls was cut short by the brilliant Kapali who bowled JP Yadav. Yadav's cameo of 19 runs off 11 balls included 2 fours and 1 six. It was a disastrous batting performance from the Giants and they were finally scuttled out by the impressive Warriors for a low 112 all out, giving the Dhaka Warriors their first win of the tournament.

Brief Scores: Dhaka Warriors:174/5 in 20 overs (Nazimuddin 54, Kapali 34, JP Yadav 1/22) won by 62 runs against Delhi Giants 112 all out 18.4 overs (Bali 33*, Gunawardene 22, Sharif