The Adelaide Strikers secured their spot in the final of the Top End T20 2024 series by defeating table-toppers Pakistan Shaheens in a thrilling semifinal at Darwin’s TIO Stadium.
Jake Winter’s Century Powers Strikers After Early Setbacks:
Adelaide Strikers Academy faced early trouble, losing opener Harry Matthias and number three batter Tom O’Connell to Abbas Afridi within the first four overs. Captain Liam Scott also struggled, mistiming a shot off Faisal Akram’s bowling to be dismissed for 15, leaving the Strikers reeling at 57-3 after eight overs.
However, opener Jake Winter led the recovery with a blistering century, smashing six boundaries and eight sixes to rack up 104 runs from just 61 balls. He built a 73-run partnership with Harry Manenti, who contributed a valuable 52 off 32 balls, and added another 67 runs with the steady Sam Rahaley (13*), guiding the Strikers to a formidable total of 197-5.
For Pakistan Shaheens, Abbas Afridi (3-51) and Faisal Akram (2-58) were the only bowlers to take wickets, but both ended up conceding over 50 runs in their four-over spells.
Afridi’s Heroics Not Enough as Pakistan Falls Short:
Chasing 198, Pakistan Shaheens struggled to build momentum and were reduced to 33-4 after early strikes from Jordan Buckingham, Tim Oakley, and captain Liam Scott.
Abbas Afridi, batting at number seven, attempted to mount a comeback with a spirited 54 off 29 balls, including five boundaries and three sixes. However, his efforts were in vain as the Adelaide Strikers’ bowlers, led by Scott with figures of 3-44, along with Buckingham and Lloyd Pope who each took two wickets, stifled Pakistan’s chase.
In the end, Pakistan Shaheens fell 30 runs short, managing only 167 in 18.1 overs. The Adelaide Strikers advanced to the finals, where they will face Bangladesh High Performance XI in the Top End T20 2024 series showdown.