HAM VS RAN MATCH 2

Right then, we have just witnessed a cliffhanger where the pendulum swung back and forth, but in the end, Hampshire held their nerve to seal the win in the Super Over. We will now have a day’s break before the action in the 2024 Global Super League resumes. On 30th November, Saturday, the only team yet to make an appearance, Victoria, will finally take the field, locking horns with the Guyana Amazon Warriors. The first ball will be bowled at 4.30 am IST (11 pm GMT, the previous day), but as you know, our build-up will begin much earlier. Until then, take care and goodbye!

The captain of Hampshire, Chris Wood says that it was an amazing game. Adds that one thing that you will get from this team is that we will keep fighting. Praises Shan Masood for the knock which helped them get to 132. Hopes that Benny Howell can join the squad before the next game. Tells that they are not used to such decks and they will need to adapt quickly.

Nurul Hasan, the skipper of Rangpur Riders, says that they are really disappointed with the result and they could have done a lot better. He continues that in the first inning, they created good pressure on the opposition. He also says that they were pretty much on the track while chasing but at the end when the wickets fell, the pressure got to them. Ends up by saying that they got a lot of learning about the pitch and they will surely bounce back.

Shan Masood is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his knock of 56 runs off 41 balls. He says that this award should be given to James Fuller for helping the team force the Super Over. He also says that at the end of the day, it's a team game and he is enjoying his time with Hampshire. He continues that in the first inning, they were aiming to get to the 135-run mark on board and focused on playing singles and doubles. Ends up saying that is feeling really happy to get the win and it will surely boost his team's confidence.

The presentation ceremony....

Earlier in the game, Hampshire struggled to gain momentum after opting to bat first, managing just 9 fours and 2 sixes in their entire innings. Zak Chappell made an early impact, striking twice in a single over during the Powerplay. Following that setback, Ali Orr and Shan Masood adopted a cautious approach, focusing on preserving wickets. However, when Orr attempted to accelerate, he perished, and the pattern repeated with every incoming batter who tried to up the scoring rate. Shan Masood stood tall and his knock of 56 runs off 41 balls took Hampshire to 132. Playing his first game for the Riders, Zak was the pick of the bowlers with the career-best figures of 5 for 23 from his 4 overs.

Coming to the Super Over, Rangpur Riders managed only one boundary, a six from Khushdil Shah, taking them to a total of 12. In reply, James Fuller struck a six off the first ball, giving Hampshire a flying start. However, Zak Chappell fought back with a wicket on the very next ball, keeping the game alive. But Liam Dawson held his nerves and cleared the fence to secure a thrilling win for the English side.

In pursuit of 133 runs, the Rangpur Riders got off to a fast start, thanks to their opening pair of Soumya Sarkar and Steven Taylor. However, the Powerplay didn't end as planned for the Riders, as they slipped from a solid 46/0 to 56/3. From that point, Hampshire tightened the noose with some tight overs from Danny Briggs and Liam Dawson, applying the pressure and keeping the Riders on the back foot. Nurul Hasan and Khushdil Shah mixed caution with aggression in their knocks to ease the pressure, but neither of them could bat through to get the Riders over the line. A couple of run outs opened the door for Hampshire, and it all came down to needing 7 from the last over. James Fuller nailed his deliveries under pressure and with 3 needed off the final ball, a fumble from Joe Weatherley allowed the batters to complete the second run with ease, otherwise, Hampshire would have won by 1 run.

Phew… and we breathe! What a game! An absolute thriller. With 17 needed off 4 overs and 6 wickets in hand, the Rangpur Riders seemed to have it in the bag - but 'almost' turned out to be the key word here. Hampshire never stopped believing and somehow managed to pull the game back from the brink, first forcing a Super Over and then going on to win it. It was a pattern that mirrored the Riders' chase - whenever they seemed to be running away with the game, Hampshire struck back, refusing to let go and keeping themselves firmly in the contest.

SIX! BOOM! Liam Dawson, you beauty! First with the ball to keep his side in the game and now with the bat, he has taken Hampshire over the line. Zak serves the slower bumper, around off, Liam Dawson rises and drags it from off. Waits for the ball to arrive and strikes cleanly. Pulls it way over deep square leg for a six. Hampshire win the Super Over! All smiles in the English side's camp. Agony for Rangpur Riders.

Banged into the deck, slower one, outside off, Shan Masood thumps it along the ground to deep cover for just a single. 5 needed off 2 balls.

Banged into the deck, on off, Liam Dawson rides the bounce and pulls it through square leg for a run.

Liam Dawson comes out to bat.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Six and out for James Fuller! The slower ball does the trick for Zak Chappell! Takes pace off and drags the length back, around off, James Fuller stands deep in the crease and goes for a swipe across the line. Ends up getting a top edge that gets skied towards the short cover region. Zak calls for it while running to his left and takes a safe catch. The pendulum swings again! 7 needed off 4 balls.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Six and out for James Fuller! The slower ball does the trick for Zak Chappell! Takes pace off and drags the length back, around off, James Fuller stands deep in the crease and goes for a swipe across the line. Ends up getting a top edge that gets skied towards the short cover region. Zak calls for it while running to his left and takes a safe catch. The pendulum swings again! 7 needed off 4 balls.

SIX! BANG! An ideal start for Fuller and Hampshire! Pace on, full and angling into the pads, James Fuller clears his front leg and swats it over the deep square leg fence for a biggie. 7 needed off 5 balls.

Welcome back for Hampshire's reply. It will be James Fuller and Shan Masood to open the innings for the English side. Zak Chappell is at the top of his mark and he is raring to go. Off we go...

... SUPER OVER SECOND INNINGS ....

The Rangpur Riders have posted 12 runs in their Super Over, a total they will be reasonably pleased with. While they might have hoped to surpass the 15-run mark, 12 is still a competitive score in this situation. All eyes will now be on Zak Chappell, who is almost certain to bowl the decisive over for the Riders. Hampshire would have liked to restrict the Riders to under 10, but they will know that just a couple of big hits could turn the tide. If they can land one of those big hits in the first two balls, the pressure will immediately shift onto the bowler.