Vancouver Knights skipper Shoaib Malik played a destructive inning cracking window glasses in their first qualifier match against Brampton Wolves which was reduced to 16 overs.
Shoaib Malik led the defending champions in the absence of regular skipper Chris Gayle, who is currently on national duty. Malik remained unbeaten on 46 off 26 deliveries, his innings studded with four fours and three sixes.
Malik destroyed window glass in his blistering innings not once but twice. The first one came against the leading wicket-taker of the tournament Ish Sodhi in the 14th over.
Sodhi bowled the Pakistan batsman wide outside the off-stump and Malik reacted with stepping out and slashed the ball that sailed over cover for a 68-metre six.
In an unusual scenario, @realshoaibmalik literally hit two glass breaking sixes.#GT2019 #BWvsVK pic.twitter.com/5kuAQoQBbE
— GT20 Canada (@GT20Canada) August 9, 2019
Malik was not done as he went for another big blow against his compatriot Wahab Riaz in the penultimate ball of the innings. Riaz bowled a slower one just short of the length and Malik directed it over deep backward point slattering another window that crumbled into pieces.
Knights posted 170 for four after 16 overs where alongside Malik all-rounder Andre Russell also played a quick-fire knock of 21-balls-43 runs with the help of three fours and four sixes.
Malik and Russell forged a 77-run partnership for the fourth wicket stand to power Knights to a competitive total. Knights thumped out the Wolves as they bowled them out for 103 in 13.4 overs and secured their place in the final match.
Barring skipper Colin Munro’s 62 from 25 balls no other Wolves’ batsmen could manage to score a double-digit score. Wolves were knocked out of the tournament by Winnipeg Hawks in the second qualifier by seven wickets.
Vancouver Knights will face Winnipeg Hawks to defend their title in the final match of the Global T20 League at Ontario on Sunday at 11:30 PM.
