Qais Ahmed, Chris Gayle star as Balkh Legends win inaugural APL
In the final in Sharjah on Sunday, 21 October, Kabul won the toss and elected to bat, but were struck an early blow by Aftab Alam, who dismissed Luke Ronchi in the second over.
T20 Master Blaster is in the house. Hold on to your seats. #APLT20 pic.twitter.com/TPhlgfLlzu
— Afghanistan Premier League T20 (@APLT20official) October 21, 2018
The man who hit six sixes in an over earlier in the tournament, Hazratullah Zazai, was the next go, caught and bowled by Balkh captain Mohammad Nabi and Kabul were 23/2 in the fifth over.
The South African duo of Wayne Parnell (21) and Colin Ingram (21) then got together and added 38 runs for the third wicket to restore some parity to the contest and take their team past the 50-run mark. But both batsmen were dismissed in quick succession as Ravi Bopara had Ingram caught by Mirwais Ashraf and Parnell was bowled by Ahmed.
Kabul was blown away by the brute force of the Legends. As for the impact, it’s for the world to see! #APLT20 @ACBofficials #Afghanistan #T20 pic.twitter.com/wE2GNRKr7p
— Afghanistan Premier League T20 (@APLT20official) October 21, 2018
Kabul were in a fix again at 65/4 in the 11th over, but another partnership, this time between Javed Ahmadi (32) and Laurie Evans (14), took them past 100 and laid a platform for the lower order to attack in the final few overs.
When Evans was dismissed by Ahmed in the 16th over, Kabul were 108/5 and had the likes of Rashid Khan, the captain, waiting, but a collapse at the death meant that they were restricted to a below-par score. Ahmed, the 18-year-old leg-spinner, picked up three of the last four wickets to fall including that of Khan to end with his career-best Twenty20 figures.
Post-match ceremony of the inaugural season of Gulbahar Afghanistan Premier League's underway! Here's wishing all the achievers best of luck! Hoping to see more talent from around the world in the next season. @ACBofficials pic.twitter.com/koSHfviqdq
— Afghanistan Premier League T20 (@APLT20official) October 21, 2018
Gayle led the Balkh reply with his well-timed half-century even as Parnell sent back Colin Munro for a first-ball duck and No.3 Darwish Rasooli for four in the first over.
Ryan ten Doeschate then added 35 runs for the third wicket with Gayle before Muslim Musa dismissed ten Doeschate for 12. At 37/3 in seven overs, the game was in the balance, but the arrival of Bopara changed things as he and Gayle added 50 runs for the fourth wicket.
High-octane matches demand a performance that matches up. And Qais Ahmad couldn't agree more! His 5-wicket haul in today's final will be remembered for times to come. #WeyarDaAfghanano #APLT20 pic.twitter.com/SRbaaM05xH
— Afghanistan Premier League T20 (@APLT20official) October 21, 2018
Gayle hit four fours and as many sixes before he was sent back by Khan in the 12th over but another 34-run stand between Bopara and wicket-keeper Ikram Ali Khil meant that Balkh maintained their grip on the game.
Although Nabi was dismissed by Parnell (3/35) for six, Bopara (32*) and Gulbadin Naib ensured that the Legends reached their target with 1.5 overs to spare and four wickets in hand.