Lynn (89), Sohal (58) spur Winnipeg
Chris Lynn’s innings  89 contained  10 sixes and two fours
Chris Lynn’s innings 89 contained 10 sixes and two fours

Hawks to second consecutive win

By Frederick Halley

TORONTO, Canada — Half-centuries by opener Chris Lynn (89) and Sunny Sohal (58) powered Winnipeg Hawks to their second win in as many days as they defeated Toronto Nationals by three wickets in an enthralling last-ball thriller when the second edition of the Global T20 Canada entered its fifth day at the CAA Centre, Brampton, Ontario here yesterday.

Set a challenging 217 for victory after their opponents reached 216 for seven in good batting conditions on a hot and steamy Monday afternoon, Winnipeg Hawks paced their reply perfectly to overhaul the total, marking the second consecutive chase above 200.

However, what should have been a comfortable victory, was almost spoiled in the last over with Winnipeg Hawks needing four runs with five wickets intact and Chris Green entrusted with bowling it.

A single came off the first delivery, skipper Ryad Emrit (one) went caught off the next, singles were scored off the third and fourth while Hamza Tariq (three) spooned a catch to captain Yuvraj Singh at cover.
It meant they needed a single off the final delivery which saw Salman Nazar misfielding at mid-on and Winnipeg Hawks duly accepted the costly error.

On Sunday, Winnipeg Hawks raced to 210 for three in 15.2 overs after being set 209 for victory versus defending champions Vancouver Knights. Lynn, who missed his team’s opening game, was also in brilliant form, clobbering seven sixes and four fours in his 34-ball 74.

Lynn was at his pulverising best again yesterday, smashing 10 sixes and two fours off 48 balls on the relatively small ground, while sharing in two important partnerships.
The Australian added 48 in 5 overs with Shaiman Anwar who surprisingly was the aggressor, his 43 coming off just 21 balls with four fours and a similar number of sixes.

Once Anwar went, Lynn changed gears and in association with Sohal plundered the hapless Toronto National bowlers to all parts of the outfield and clearing it with consummate ease. The two added 117 in a mere 8.5 overs before the latter was caught by Manpreet Gony off Nazar.

Winnipeg Hawks seemed to be cruising to victory but with the departure of Dwayne Bravo (nine) and Lynn in the 18th over, the latter going via the run out route, the complexion of the game took a dramatic turn.

Earlier, Toronto Nationals were indebted to fine knocks from opener Rodrigo Thomas (65), the hard-hitting Kieron Pollard (52) and skipper Yuvraj Singh (45).

Thomas, the Canadian national opener, played some audacious shots at the top of the order, taking a special liking for South African JP Duminy hitting the part-time off-spinner for four sixes in his second over, three coming off consecutive deliveries. His 65 included three fours and five sixes off 46 balls.

Yuvraj Singh showed glimpses of old self in his 45 (four fours and two sixes off 26 balls) while sharing a 77-run third-wicket partnership with Thomas.

Pollard sheperd the lower-order brilliantly while adding 51 with Green (11) for the seventh wicket, lashing three fours and five effortless sixes in his 52 which came off 21 balls as Toronto Nationals reached what looks like a winning total. Bravo ended with four for 39 from his four overs.

Up to press time, the second game of the double-header was in progress with Chris Gayle’s Vancouver Knights aiming to win their second game of the tournament. The defending champs opponents were Montreal Tigers.

Today (Tuesday) is a rest day. Edmonton Royals and Montreal Tigers clash in Wednesday’s lone feature.

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