Twitter Reactions: Paktia Panthers keep Kandahar Knights winless in humdinger at Sharjah

Kandahar Knights slumped to their fourth successive defeat in this year’s Afghanistan Premier League (APL). Asghar Afghan’s side lost to Paktia Panthers by nine wickets in a cliffhanger in Sharjah. While Kandahar remain as the cellar dwellers, Mohammad Shahzad-led Paktia won their third match in succession and stay put in their position at the top of the points table.

Raza stands tall

The Panthers didn’t get off to a great start as Mohammad Naveed got rid of Mohammad Shahzad in the very first over. Ihsanullah Janat and Cameron Delport perished in quick succession as well. Rahmanullah Gurbaz fell prey to Karim Sadiq. Waqar Salamkheil nipped out Samiullah Shenwari and Shahid Afridi in the 10th over to reduce the Panthers to 69/6 in 9.5 overs.

At the other end, Sikandar Raza put his head down and scored 51 runs from 42 deliveries with the help of five boundaries. He was dismissed by Naveed in the 18th over, but the knock was good enough to take Paktia to a respectable score of 127 in 18.2 overs. Isuru Udana contributed with a valuable 23 at a run-a-ball and supported Raza with a 54-run partnership.

Knights capitulate once again

Kandahar Knights were pushed on the backfoot right from the outset as Paul Stirling was castled by Udana and Riki Wessels followed suit in the third over. Skipper Asghar Afghan and Brendon McCullum tried to up the ante, but couldn’t carry on. Nasir Jamal perished in the 10th over and all of a sudden, Afghan’s side seemed like making a hash of a rather modest target.

Afridi cleaned up Karim Sadiq and Najibullah Zadran, after threatening with a few lusty blows, went back for 20 runs. In the end, Karim Janat buckled down to take his team home and he got support from Naveed, who scored 11 from 10 balls. The Knights needed 12 runs in the last over and Yamin Ahmadzai held his nerves and conceded only two runs in the last over.

Here is how Twitter reacted

Shahid Afridi now has scored a duck in:

WT20
IPL
AUS T20
SLPL
BPL
T20 Blast
PSL
APL#APLT20 #KKvPP

— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) October 12, 2018

OUT! What a start for Paktia Panthers. Udana sends @stirlo90 packing. 2/1 in the 1st over.

Ball-by-ball clips and live-streaming: https://t.co/mGPkLQ12AW #APLT20 pic.twitter.com/yFMbWbaviA

— Cricingif (@_cricingif) October 12, 2018

Not the best of days today for Shahid Afridi at the Afghanistan Premier League #APLT20 #Cricket pic.twitter.com/QFI5jnkHqy

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) October 12, 2018

Well Done @Paktiya1 👏👏👏
What A Superb Bowling Performance by Our Very Own 22 Years of Young Boy BooM bOOm @SAfridiOfficial 😎❤#APLT20 #AfghanistanPremierLeague

— M. Khawar Sohail (@JuttAFRIDIAN) October 12, 2018

So who is back on top of the table baby? Yep that's right Paktia Panthers! 😀 #APLT20

— Brashna Kasi (@Brashnaa) October 12, 2018

What a match of @APLT20official Congratulations PAKTIA PANTHERS on winning this close encounter 👏🏻
Excellent performance!#APLT20 #PaktiaVsKandahar

— Sabuktageen Khan Afridi (@SabukAfridi) October 12, 2018

What language is Afridi speaking?
Urdu
Pashto
Afghani#APLT20 pic.twitter.com/xihg1q0ivs

— Muhammad Noman (@Noman2294) October 12, 2018

Kandahar all out for 118. Paktia defended 127. Haha what a comeback by my boys!!!! Well played! 😀 #APLT20

— Brashna Kasi (@Brashnaa) October 12, 2018

Kandahar Knights💪💪 4 losses from 4 matches.Yesssss #APLT20

— Karthik Raj (@kartcric) October 12, 2018

Once a Duckridi is always Duckridi.

Yet another Duck by Shahid Afridi. #KDKvsPP #APLT20 pic.twitter.com/kB8HClx1Nl

— Naqeeb Qadri 🇦🇫 (@NaqeebQadri_) October 12, 2018

Just 2 from the over and a wicket. Brilliant bowling by Sharaf. Please dont screw it up now Paktia. #APLT20

— Brashna Kasi (@Brashnaa) October 12, 2018

Bowling : 4-13-1 #APLT20 @SAfridiOfficial 🙌
Good bowling by Afridi -:) pic.twitter.com/irN9v6JNu2

— Maham. (@DheetAfridian) October 12, 2018

For more news and developments, stay tuned on CricTracker.com.