Haider, Zeeshan fifties in vain as Northern Districts triumph over Shaheens

Northern Districts won the first Twenty20 against Pakistan Shaheens in Hamilton by 21 runs.

Chasing 204-run target, Shaheens got off to a great start with opener Haider Ali and Zeeshan Malik providing a 85-run stand in 7.3 overs.

Haider was dismissed after scoring 51 runs off 26 balls, with the help of five fours and three maximums.

Zeeshan combined for a 28-run partnership with captain Rohail Nazir before the latter went back to the hut after scoring 20 runs from 15 balls.

The visitors looked on track to chase down the target but Malik’s departure, in the 13^th over with the score at 131, after scoring 52 off 33 balls turned the tide in Northern’s favour.

Hussain Talat (4 off 2), Iftikhar Ahmed (8 off 13) and Khushdil Shah (25 off 17) were not able to keep up with the scoring rate.

Pakistan finished on 182/9 at the end of 20 overs.

For Northern Districts, Josh Brown claimed 3 wickets for 42 runs Brett Hampton bagged 2 wickets for 11 runs.  

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Earlier, after being asked to bat first, Northern Districts posted 203/2 in their allotted 20 overs courtesy a brilliant 99-run unbeaten knock by wicketkeeper-batsman Tim Seifert. His 55-ball innings included 6 fours and same number of sixes.

Captain Anton Devcich scored a brisk 38 off 16 balls with the help of five fours and two sixes. Meanwhile, opener Katene Clarke scored 40 runs off 30 balls.  

For Pakistan, pacer Muhammad Musa and part-time spinner Khushdil Shah bagged one wicket each. Fast-bowlers Haris Rauf and Mohammad Hasnain were expensive as they conceded 44 and 58 runs, respectively, in their four overs.