Mohammad Amir bowled a brilliant spell in the first innings but his heroics went in vain as Romario Shepherd steered the Toronto Nationals to victory over Vancouver Knights in the 15th match of the GT20 Canada 2024.
While batting first Toronto Nationals were restricted to a mere 127-9, however, Shepherd’s three-wicket haul helped them bundle Vancouver Knights to 108, registering their third victory in GT20 Canada 2024.
Toronto Nationals had an unwanted start as they lost both opening batters with the scoreboard reading 16 runs in 2.2 overs.
Andries Gous (19) and Nicholas Kirton (13) added 29 runs for the third wicket but they both fell in quick succession leaving the team reeling at 55-4.
Roston Chase and Mohammad Nawaz knitted a 36-run stand from as many balls before Mohammad Amir removed both batters in the same over to halt their momentum.
Chase top-scored with a scratchy 23 off 27 while Nawaz scored 14 off 16.
Jatinderpal Matharu (19) and Jason Behrendorff (12*) added valuable runs from the lower order to push the team’s total to 127-9 in their allocated 20 overs.
Mohammad Amir led the bowling attack with a brilliant spell as he returned with 3-27 from his four overs. Meanwhile, Rishiv Joshi and Harsh Thaker took two wickets each.
Vancouver Knights, while chasing, lost the first wicket on the first ball before Reeza Hendricks (17) also fell soon with 24 runs on the board.
Usman Khawaja and Richie Berrington then added 30 runs from 34 balls for the third wicket before the former departed after scoring 10 off 20.
Shepherd removed aggressive batters Dipendra Singh Airee (13) and Asif Ali (0) in the same over to further dent the Knights’ hopes.
Richie Berrington scored 52 runs from 44, being the only batter who posed a threat to the Nationals target, as the Knights folded for 108 in 18.54 overs. Shepherd claimed three wickets while Mohammad Nawaz picked two.