Qatar T10 League 2019: Salman Butt hits a last-ball six to script an epic win for Falcon Hunters

The much-talked-about Qatar T10 League finally got underway in Doha on Saturday, December 07, 2019. While the opening day saw Pearl Gladiators lock horns with Flying Oryx in the curtain-raiser before Sunday’s double-header saw Swift Gallopers take on Desert Riders followed by Heat Stormers who locked horns with Falcon Hunters to round-off the first two days of the glitzy T10 competition.

The third match of the competition lived up to its billing as it went down the wire. Imagine, you are at the crease to face the final ball of the innings. Your team needs five runs off the last ball. Nothing less than a six will seal the deal for your side. So, what do you do? You pull off your ice-cool moniker and smoke the last ball out of the stands to script a sensational heist, not only for yourself but also for your side as a whole.

This is exactly what Salman Butt did for his side Falcon Hunters against Heat Stormers. Chasing 104 in 10 overs, the Falcon Hunters required a six off the very last ball to seal the deal in their tournament opener. Needing five off the last ball, the former Pakistan captain rocked back and proceeded the short-of-a-length delivery over the covers to bring about a sensational win for his side.

Cool-and-calm Salman Butt guided Falcon Hunters to a last-ball win

While the first game between Pearl Gladiators and Flying Oryx turned out to be a one-sided encounter with the former coasting past the finishing line in a mere 7.4 overs and nine wickets still at their disposal, it was really the third game between Heat Stormers and Falcon Hunters on Sunday, that set the ball rolling as far as pepping up the euphoria of the tournament is concerned.

Coming back to the fixture, Heat Stormers batted first but none of their batsmen including the likes of Andri Berenger (18), Scott Edwards (18), Satvir Singh (23) could kick on and post a substantial score as their side posted 6-103 after 10 overs. Tamoor Sajjad (2-21) was the best of lot for the Hunters.

Chasing 104, Falcon Hunters got off to a rollicking start with Salman Butt (39* off 27 balls) and Hashim Amla (17 off 9 balls) smashing 36 runs in the first three overs. However, Owais Ahmed (3-19) ensured that he gave regular dents to the Falcons’ batting unit before Butt’s experience came to the fore and the southpaw guided his team to a famous win.

Here’s the video: