September 11, 2010

Champions League Twenty20: Mumbai Indians vs Highveld Lions

Airtel Champions League Twenty20 started today and the opening match was played between the IPL Twenty20 runners up of 2010 the Mumbai Indians vs Highveld Lions at New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg. Mumbai Indians won the toss and elected to field first.


Alviro Petersen and Jonathan Vandiar opened the batting innings for Highveld Lions. They started off very well and played very aggressively. Alviro Petersen got out when their total scored reached 24 runs in just 14 deliveries. But Jonathan Vandiar stayed and played well till Highveld Lions lost its fourth wicket who was himself. He departed when was caught by Sachin Tendulkar in Lasith Maling's over after scoring 71 runs from 48 deliveries which included 4 fours and 3 sixes. Neil McKenzie played some beautiful knocks and scored an magnificent 56 runs from just 30 deliveries which included 7 fours and a six. This added some more runs to the team and increased the teams total and the confidence in them as well. After 20 overs, Highveld Lions landed up scoring 186 runs loosing 5 wickets only. Lasith Malinga picked 3 important wickets.


Mumbai Indians needed 187 runs to win the match from 20 overs with 10 wickets in hand. Shikhar Dhawan and Sachin Tendulkar opened the batting innings for the Mumbai Indians. They both started off very well and added some good runs to the team. Shikhar Dhawan was trapped when Mumbai Indians reached 83 runs in 9.4 over. Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar played well and scored 69 runs from just 42 deliveries before getting bowled out by Shane Burger. JP Duminy added some runs to the team but got out after scoring 30 runs. Even Keiron Pollard could not make it big as he departed scoring 19 runs from just 9 deliveries which included 2 biggies. There was lot of pressure built on Harbhajan Singh who the only hope to rescue the team out of this critical when Mumbai Indians needed 13 runs from 3 deliveries. But unfortunately not even a single six was hit. Mumbai Indians finally landed up scoring 177 runs thereby loosing the match to Highveld Lions by 9 runs. Jonathan Vandiar was picked up as the man of the match.


Tomorrow, Warriors will be playing against Wayamba Elevens and Central Stags will be playing against the IPL 2010 winners, Chennai Super Kings.

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