Ali Khan vs TSK - Overs: 4 | Wickets: 4 | Runs: 33 | Economy: 8.2
LAKR were facing an arduous task defending 162 against TSK in their first game at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas. With the opposition forging partnerships and cruising through to the target, a victory seemed improbable for the Knight Riders until Ali Khan showed up. Ali, bowled his first over in the 13th over which usually is his role in T20 cricket where he takes responsibility for the crucial overs at the backend for the team. Skipper Sunil Narine went to his proven performer a bit late in this game but little did we all know what was going to happen next.
On the second ball of his spell, Ali Khan knocked over the dangerous looking Devon Conway with a gorgeous in-swinging delivery which rattled the stumps. Ali held the bowl cross-seam and to Conway’s surprise the ball landed on the leather side and it zoned back in to knock over his stumps. With Conway gone, LAKR felt to have some momentum going towards their side, and it shifted even more in the next two balls as Ali picked up the wicket of Josh Tromp, courtesy of an absolute screamer from Derone Davis. The slashed ball to deep third man was caught by a flying Davis and he held onto it despite the ball going away from his grasp.
However, this wasn’t the end of it, because Ali Khan picked up his 3rd wicket on the next ball itself as he set up Milind Kumar with a beautiful out-swinging delivery. Kumar was caught poking outside off-stump on his first ball, and big Dre-Russ caught another wonderful catch which went to him quickly at slip. From there on, LAKR completely dominated the remainder of the innings, and Ali bowled 4 overs on the trot, to finish with 4 wickets in the innings. His skill and variations coupled with a unique action are testament of the value he brings to any team he represents. Ali, will be taking a lot of confidence from this performance and will aim to churn out such impressive & game-changing performances in the upcoming games.
