Shaheen, Imad help Notts Outlaws qualify for T20 Blast quarter-finals

Notts Outlaws secured their spot in the quarter-finals of the T20 Vitality Blast with a narrow four-run victory over the Leicestershire Foxes on Sunday.

While batting first, the Outlaws posted a total of 168 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs. Despite a career-best unbeaten 83 from 50 balls by Wiaan Mulder of the Foxes, the Outlaws managed to defend the 169-run target.

Shaheen Shah Afridi, who had already made an impact in the previous game with a four-wicket opening over, continued his exceptional form. He struck on the very first ball of his opening over, removing Peter Handscomb for a duck. This early breakthrough put the Foxes on the back foot and set the tone for a challenging chase.

Although Imad Wasim didn't have a remarkable outing with the bat, scoring 8 from 14 deliveries, he made up for it with a solid display of bowling. He picked up two wickets, dismissing Louis Kimber for 1 and Nick Welch for 4, as the Outlaws' spinners tightened the screws on the opposition.

As the game entered its final stages, the Foxes required 32 runs off the last four overs. Shaheen showcased his brilliance once again by delivering a brilliant display of death bowling. He conceded just seven runs off his final two overs, putting immense pressure on the Foxes' batsmen. In the process, he also claimed the crucial wicket of Roman Walker, effectively sealing the victory for the Outlaws.

Shaheen finished with figures of 2/26 in his four-over spell.