National Cricket League T10 2025, Match 4, Review: Zia Shahzad shines with ball as Atlanta Kings CC registers comfortable win

Brief scores

Houston Generals CC - 96/7 (10 overs): William Bosisto 42 (21), Zia Shahzad 3/10, Atlanta Kings CC - 100/2 (9.3 overs): Fabian Allen 37* (16), Leonardo Julien 29* (17). Atlanta Kings CC won by 8 wickets

The Atlanta Kings Cricket Club bounced back strongly in the National Cricket League T10 2025, defeating Houston Generals CC by eight wickets at the University of Texas Dallas. After a heavy loss in their opening game, the Kings produced an all-round performance, including Zia Shahzad’s exceptional spell with the ball, to open their account in the points table.

Coming into the contest match on the back of a nine-wicket defeat to Dallas Lonestars CC, Atlanta Kings CC were looking to register their first win. Meanwhile, Houston Generals CC had started their campaign on a positive note, having beaten Los Angeles Waves CC in their opening encounter.

Houston Generals CC, after winning the toss and opting to bat first, were restricted to 96/7 in their 10 overs. William Bosisto smashed 42 runs off 21 balls, lacing his knock with six boundaries and a six. Meanwhile, Shahzad was the star for Atlanta Kings, bagging a three-wicket haul and conceding just 10 runs in his two overs. He removed William Bosisto, Toby Albert, and Saad Bin Zafar in quick succession.

James Fuller chipped in with a 12 off 8 balls before being run out, while Adil Bhatti added six runs to the tally as the Houston-based team was restricted to 96. Alongside Shahzad, Faisal Khan and Kristopher Ramsaran claimed one wicket apiece, while captain Sohail Tanvir was economical.

Chasing 97, Atlanta Kings lost both openers, Ansh Bhoje (13 off 11) and Asa Tribe (16 off 13), inside five overs. However, Leonardo Julien and Fabian Allen steadied the innings with an unbeaten 65-run stand that took the Kings home. Julien played the anchor role with a 29 off 17 balls, while Allen unleashed his power-hitting to smash 37 off just 16 balls, featuring two fours and three sixes. The Kings reached the target in 9.3 overs, finishing at 100/2.

For Houston, Saad Bin Zafar was the only wicket-taker, while the rest of the bowlers, including Jason Behrendorff and Usman Rafiq, struggled to contain runs, conceding over 10 runs per over. With this win, Atlanta Kings CC moved to fifth on the points table, while Houston Generals CC held the third spot after suffering its first defeat of the campaign. Z