Zaman's four-wicket haul and Haider's last-ball boundary were the highlights of an exciting match between Derbyshire and Durham
17 June, 2023
PHOTO: TWITTER
In a stirring encounter between Derbyshire and Durham, two remarkable performances stole the limelight and left the fans on the edge of their seats until the very last ball in the Vitality Blast on Friday at the Riverside Ground.
Zaman Khan, with his exceptional bowling skills, and Haider Ali, with his nerve-wracking batting, showcased their talent, leaving an essential impact on the match.
The right-arm pacer of Derbyshire had an outstanding day on the field. With figures of 4/21 off his four overs, Zaman troubled the Durham batters throughout their innings. With this brilliant performance, the 21-year-old now stands as the joint 4th-highest wicket-taker in the Vitality Blast this season, having taken an impressive tally of 15 wickets so far.
Zaman's first breakthrough came when he removed Michael Jones for just 30 runs. After that he got the important wicket of Brydon Chase who scored 58 runs. Then he claimed the wicket of Ashton Turner for just 5 runs. In the 18th over, Zaman got the wicket of Luke Doneathy as he scored just 12 runs.
Finishing with figures of 4/21 in his allotted 4 overs, the right arm pacer played a pivotal role in restricting Durham to a modest total of 178/10 in their 20 overs.
However, the match was far from over, as Derbyshire found themselves in a precarious position, requiring almost ten runs per over in the last four overs. This was when Haider Ali stepped up to the challenge. Coming in to bat at number five, Haider knew the weight of the situation and the need for quick runs.
The right-handed batter attacked the Durham bowlers without any waiting. Haider ensured that the required run rate remained within reach.
As the match came down to the wire, Derbyshire needed four runs off the last ball to secure a tie. The pressure was immense, but the 22-year-old held his nerve. With a calculated swing of his bat, he sent the ball over the fence, resulting in a thrilling tie for Derbyshire.
A TIE!!!!
— Vitality Blast (@VitalityBlast) June 16, 2023
Haider Ali hits the final ball for four and @DerbyshireCCC secure a tie at Durham! 😳#Blast23 pic.twitter.com/TPFqpUxqWv
The 22-year-old finished the match with an unbeaten 26 off just 13 deliveries, leaving an unfading mark on the game's outcome. Derbyshire won the toss and chose to field first. While batting first Durham posted a target of 178 for Derbyshire to chase. At the loss of five wickets, and taking the match down the wire, Derbyshire settled for a tie and ended the match at exact 178/5.
