Darwin – Abdul Samad produced a stunning unbeaten century to power Pakistan Shaheens to a commanding 73-run win against Melbourne Renegades in the Top End T20 Series at TIO Stadium on Monday evening.
Walking in with his side in deep trouble at 2 for 2 in the opening over, Samad turned the game around with a blistering 110* off 63 balls. His innings, laced with six fours and six sixes, lifted the Shaheens from collapse to a competitive 178 for 5 in 20 overs.
The early wickets had left Pakistan reeling, but Samad first steadied things alongside Mohammad Faiq (21 off 18) before forging a decisive 109-run partnership with skipper Muhammad Irfan Khan (23 off 23). By the time the innings closed, the Shaheens had seized momentum and set a target that looked increasingly daunting under lights.
Renegades Falter in Reply
The Renegades never really recovered from a shaky start in their chase. Apart from opener Josh Brown, who struck 36 off 30 with some crisp boundaries, the top order collapsed in quick succession. At 66 for 8, the contest was all but over, and despite some lower-order resistance from Callum Stow (15) and Michael Archer (14*), the side folded for 105 in 19.2 overs.
Shaheens’ bowlers complemented Samad’s heroics with a disciplined effort. Maaz Sadaqat starred with figures of 3 for 22, while Faisal Akram – fresh off a five-wicket haul in the previous match – chipped in with 2 for 19. Four other bowlers picked up one apiece, underlining the collective effort.
Back-to-Back Wins for Shaheens
This victory marks Pakistan Shaheens’ second straight win in the competition, reinforcing their strong start to the Top End T20 Series. They will look to carry that momentum into their next clash against Chicago Kingsmen on Tuesday afternoon.
Match Summary:
- Pakistan Shaheens: 178-5 (20 overs) – Abdul Samad 110*, Muhammad Irfan Khan 23; Oliver Peake 1-12
- Melbourne Renegades: 105 all out (19.2 overs) – Josh Brown 36; Maaz Sadaqat 3-22, Faisal Akram 2-19
- Result: Shaheens won by 73 runs
