Lions upset Mumbai
CRICKET: JOHANNESBURG, Sept 11 (AFP) - The Champions League
Twenty20 tournament got off to a thrilling and surprise start Friday
with local outfit Highveld Lions of South Africa defeating star-studded
Mumbai Indians by nine runs.
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Mumbai Indians player Sachin Tendulkar walks off after being
bowled out for 69 runs during the Twenty20 Champions League
match between the Mumbai Indians and the Highveld Lions at
the New Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on September 10,
2010. AFP |
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Mumbai Indians bowler, Lasith Malinga competes during the
Champions League Twenty20 League match between Mumbai
Indians and Lions at The New Wanderers Stadium in
Johannesburg on September 10, 2010. Lions opener Jonathan
Vandiar top scored with 71 and he was out to a catch by
Sachin Tendulkar - Mumbai Indians captain off Sri Lanka’s
Lasith Malinga. AFP |
Chasing 187 for victory after Jonathan Vandiar had topped scored for
the Lions with 71, Mumbai looked good for a long time as openers Sachin
Tendulkar and Shikhar Dhawan scored briskly only to fall away at the
end.
“We were looking for around 180 runs and it was a good wicket to bat
on once you played yourself in. The Lions may be underdogs but we
believe in ourselves,” boasted official man-of-the-match Vandiar.
Mumbai skipper Tendulkar offered no excuses: “The Lions batted well
and we lost wickets at crucial moments. Our bowling and fielding was
rusty and we need to pull up our socks quickly.”
After South African President Jacob Zumba tossed the coin, Mumbai
correctly called “heads” and Spanish megastar Enrique Iglesias sang the
theme song “I like it”, the Lions made an impressive 186-5 off 20 overs.
Opener Vandiar led the way at one of the most famous world cricket
venues with his runs coming off 48 balls as he mixed aggression and
patience in a knock that included three sixes and four fours.
It took two household cricket names to terminate his clever stand
with Tendulkar catching a half-volley off the bowling of Sri Lankan
Lasith Malinga 16.3 overs into the innings.
Neil McKenzie was the other Lion to roar before a near-full crowd in
the 30,000-seat stadium, coming in at number five and finishing unbeaten
on 56 off 30 balls with seven fours and a six to lift a sagging innings.
Having cruised to 83 without loss, Mumbai surrendered two wickets
while adding just six to their total midway through the innings as
opener Shikhar Dhawan exited after amassing 32 and Ambati Rayudu was run
out for three. Tendulkar finally fell after 14.3 overs having scored 69
as he drifted to the leg side only to be clean bowled as Shane Burger
sent the stumps flying amid much relief among his team-mates. |
