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Left-arm spinner Faisal Akram’s brilliant five-wicket haul went in vain as Perth Scorchers Academy held their nerve to defeat Pakistan Shaheens in a low-scoring thriller of the Top End T20 Series at TIO Stadium on Saturday.
Chasing a modest target of 112, the Scorchers slipped to 34-3 inside five overs. Joel Curtis and Nick Hobson revived the innings with a 42-run partnership, but Faisal turned the game with a fiery spell.
The young spinner dismissed Hobson for 27 and removed Matthew Spoors on the very next ball. He then sent back Luke Holt for four to reduce the Scorchers to 86-6. Faisal continued his dominance, picking up two more wickets — including the set Curtis, who scored 31 off 30 balls — to complete a stunning five-wicket haul.
With 12 runs still needed and only two wickets left, the Scorchers were under pressure. However, Corey Rocchiccioli (8*) and Brody Couch (7*) held firm, guiding their team home with eleven balls to spare. Rocchiccioli sealed the chase in style by hitting Saad Masood for a six.
Earlier, after opting to bat, Pakistan Shaheens suffered a disastrous start, losing three wickets for just 11 runs in the opening three overs. Mohammad Faiq (21 off 24) tried to steady the innings, but regular wickets kept falling, leaving the Shaheens reeling at 53-6.
Saad Masood played a fighting knock of 42 off 32 balls, hitting three sixes and a four, but he ran out of partners and was the last man dismissed as the Shaheens folded for 111 in 18.5 overs.
For the Scorchers, Matthew Kelly starred with the ball, taking three wickets, while Bryce Jackson, Brody Couch, and Luke Holt claimed two each.
