Malaysia T20 Super Series: Hitters bowled out for 52 as Strikers March into Qualifier

Malaysia T20 Super Series Game 12: Southern Hitters 52 ALL OUT (Syed Aziz 13, Aimal Khan 4-14, Syazrul Ezat 3-14) lost to Northern Strikers 56/3 (Bhusan Save 43*, Anwar Rahman 2-19) by 7 wickets with 12.4 overs remaining

Two days after bowling the Warriors out for 69, the Northern Strikers’ bowlers were at it again, dismissing the Southern Hitters for a paltry 52 before Bhushan Save gunned down the target with 76 balls to spare. The win propelled them to the top of the table, meaning that they will square off against the Smashers in the Qualifier on Thursday.

Frustrated after a sedate start, Hitters opener Nitheesh Sethumadhavan tried to force Syazrul off the back foot, only managing to lob a catch to Aminuddin Ramly in the covers. Playing his first game of the tournament, Mohsin Zaman could barely lay a bat on Syazrul before he was peculiarly bowled around his legs shouldering arms to a Syazrul outswinger.

Things went from bad to worse when Hitters skipper Syed Aziz was bowled by Pavandeep Singh and Ainool Hafizs was caught behind off another Syazrul outswinger. With in-form Mohamed Imam Jawfer at the crease, there was always hope of a resurgence. Those hopes quickly faded when he mistimed Pavandeep to Anas Malik at long off to leave the Hitters reeling at 21-5 in the 7th over.

With both Syazrul and Pavandeep having bowled out, left-arm spinner Aimal Khan was brought on in the 10th over. He responded immediately, trapping Saleh Shadman in front as the Hitters were reduced to 33/6 at the halfway mark.

Eventual Player-of-the-match Aimal would go on to take another three lower-order wickets as the Southern Hitters were bowled out for just 52 after 15.4 overs. 

Despite losing Virandeep Singh and Anas Malik in the first over of the reply to the impressive left-arm spin of Anwar Rahman, Bhushan Save was at his belligerent best. Save finished not out as he scored 43 off 27 balls during an innings which included two fours and four sixes. The Northern Strikers successfully chased down the target after just 7.2 overs to win by seven wickets. 

Remaining fixtures

Thursday 15th October – Qualifier: Northern Strikers v Central Smashers

Friday 16th October – Eliminator 1: Western Warriors v Southern Hitters

Monday 19th October – Eliminator 2: Loser of Qualifier v Winner of Eliminator 1

Tuesday 20th October – FINAL: Winner of Qualifier v Winner of Eliminator 2

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