Amdocs pip Kazepis in thriller
Amdocs’ last man Pradeep, batting with protection on a broken arm, hit Jameel back over his head for six to gain a one-wicket victory, maintaining his team’s 100% start to the season.
The day had not started so well for Amdocs, as they arrived late and the toss was awarded to Kazepis, whose new skipper Shahid opted to bat first.
Nakul dismissed Umair first ball of the match, but Shafaqat soon started stroking boundaries, until he and Usman were dismissed off successive balls from Nakul. Shahid struck a powerful 20 before giving a tame catch off Neelesh, and at the drinks break Kazepis were in some difficulty at 81 for 6 from 13 overs.
New boy Sanjeev made a useful 23, supported by Kamran (16) and Kaleem (18), but with Nakul taking five wickets, well supported by all the other bowlers, Amdocs restricted Kazepis to 151 all out, giving themselves a real chance of causing an upset.
However, they lost regular wickets, until Reddy (41) and Riyaz (21) steadied the ship with an excellent partnership which tilted the balance their way. Both were dismissed by Manan, but Neelesh and Nakul carried on scoring runs.
Wickets continued to fall, and Amdocs still needed 15 runs with only two wickets left. 13 were added by Pushpendra and Sampath, with every run being cheered from the boundary, but when the ninth wicket fell to a run-out, 2 were required and the tension was intense, with Jameel to bowl to Pradeep.
A wide brought the scores level, before Pradeep finished the game in style to send Amdocs into wild celebrations. With two wins already, they are well placed to progress from the group stage of the competition.