Gilchrist rolls back the years, so does Razzaq

Dubai - All-rounder helps Commanders snatch last-over victory

Australian Adam Gilchrist rolled back the years but so did Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq.
And that provided one of the most tantalising contests of the inaugural Masters Champions League between the Sagittarius Strikers and the Capricorn Commanders at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Gilchrist's philosophy of just whacking the ball came to the fore and the lovable Australian led his Sagittarius Strikers from the forefront in pursuit of 147.
Having coshed a half-century, Gilly had put the Strikers well on their way and on the threshold of a second win on the bounce. But off-spinner Jeetan Patel tipped the balance with two strikes in an over, that of Jonathan Trott and Gilchrist.
Gichrist's dismissal couldn't have come at a worse time. But it did provide an engaging final four overs and a thriller finish.
Razzaq has done it so many times for Pakistan that it is difficult to keep count. And captain Paul Collingwood didn't hesitate in throwing the ball to the all-rounder who hadn't bowled till then, with the tasking of defending nine from the last six balls.
And Razzaq proved his captain right with some clever variation and a wicket to slip through the gate by a narrow three runs.
The much-needed win, their first after having lost their first game to the Leo Lions, helped the Capricorn Commanders to stay alive in the competition.
After Gilchrist's departure, England's Michael Carberry brought the Strikers back into the equation with a couple of lusty hits.
With nine needed off six, Carberry faced up a slower ball from Razzaq which turned out to be a dot ball. He then slashed and edged Razzaq to Jones.
Daniel Vettori came in with nine required from four and the Kiwi took a single to hand back the strike to Yasir Arafat, who had smacked a couple of boundaries earlier.
Arafat ran a couple of twos to bring it down to four needed from the last ball. But Razzaq shrewdly dished out another back of a length slower ball which Arafat swished and missed.
The Strikers were left stranded near the post as Razzaq charged down the pitch to celebrate.
Earlier, Razzaq had played a good hand of 39 and a 64-run partnership for the fourth wicket with compatriot Saleem Elahi, who remained unbeaten on 43.
james@khaleejtimes.com

• Masters Champions League