Pakistan Shaheens crash out of Top End T20 series after semi-final defeat

Pakistan Shaheens bowed out of the Top End T20 series after suffering a 48-run defeat against Perth Scorchers in the semi-final on Sunday.

Batting first, Perth Scorchers posted 155 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs after being invited to bat. Nicholas Hobson top-scored with a responsible 59 off 44 balls, hitting seven fours and two sixes. Skipper Wiley added 29 with two sixes and three boundaries, while Matthew Kelly chipped in with a quick 23.

For the Shaheens, Saad Masood bagged three wickets for 21 runs, while Mehran Mumtaz and Mohammad Wasim Jr claimed two wickets apiece.

In reply, Pakistan Shaheens’ batting lineup collapsed to 107 all out in just 17.1 overs. The chase got off to a poor start when Yasir Khan was dismissed for a duck in the opening over, followed by Muaz Sadaqat’s departure for 5 in the third over.

Despite brief resistance from Khawaja Nafi (26) and captain Irfan Khan (17), wickets kept tumbling. The side crumbled further when Keaton Critchell took a stunning hat-trick, dismissing Mubasir Khan, Saad Masood, and Mehran Mumtaz in successive deliveries, leaving Shaheens reeling at 66 for 8.

Critchell finished with impressive figures of 3 for 13, while Kelly and Bryce Jackson picked up two wickets each.

This was Perth Scorchers’ second victory over Pakistan Shaheens in the tournament, ending the latter’s campaign in the semi-final stage.