In a nail-biting final, Southern Super Stars claimed their first Legends League Cricket 2024 trophy by defeating Konark Surya Odisha in a thrilling super over. The match, held in New Delhi, kept fans on the edge of their seats till the very end as Konark, led by Irfan Pathan, fell just short of victory, forcing a super over after both teams tied with 164 runs.
Yusuf Pathan’s Heroics Fall Just Short
Chasing a target of 165 runs set by Kedar Jadhav’s Southern Super Stars, Konark Surya Odisha came agonizingly close, scoring 164/9 in their 20 overs. The star of the chase was Yusuf Pathan, who blasted a remarkable 85 off just 38 balls. His explosive knock, featuring 8 sixes and 6 fours, kept his team in the hunt.
Going into the final over, Konark needed just 7 runs to secure the win. However, Southern Super Stars’ bowler Chaturanga de Silva held his nerve. Despite Yusuf Pathan’s efforts, including stealing runs off byes and leg byes, Konark could only manage 6 runs in the final over. With 2 runs needed off the last ball, Yusuf was dismissed, and the match ended in a tie.
Super Over Drama: Guptill’s Power Seals the Trophy
With the match tied, the game headed into a super over. Konark Surya Odisha scored 13 runs in their super over, with Yusuf Pathan once again starring by smashing another six, taking his total tally of sixes in the match to 9.
In response, Southern Super Stars’ opener Martin Guptill came out all guns blazing. He hit two consecutive sixes off the first two balls, putting his team in a commanding position. By the fifth ball, Southern Super Stars had comfortably chased down the 13-run target, sealing their victory and the Legends League Cricket 2024 title.
Consistent Performance but No Title for Irfan Pathan’s Team
Throughout the tournament, Irfan Pathan’s Konark Surya Odisha delivered strong performances, but they missed out on lifting the trophy in the final. Despite Yusuf Pathan’s blistering innings and Dilshan Munaweera’s brilliant bowling performance, where he took 4 wickets for just 9 runs in 4 overs, the team fell short in the crucial moments.
Star Performers of the Match and Series
For Southern Super Stars, Hamilton Masakadza played a key role with the bat, scoring 83 off 58 balls, which included 8 fours and 5 sixes. His innings helped set up Southern Super Stars’ target of 165, and he was named Player of the Match.
Meanwhile, Martin Guptill, who scored 27 runs off 25 balls in the final and played a match-winning role in the super over, was awarded the Player of the Series for his consistent performances throughout the tournament.
This victory marked Southern Super Stars’ first-ever Legends League Cricket title and etched their name in the 2024 edition’s history with a thrilling final that fans won’t forget anytime soon.
