Tayyab Tahir’s Gritty Fifty Not Enough as Melbourne Stars Outclass Shaheens in Top End T20

Pakistan Shaheens were handed a 47-run defeat by Melbourne Stars in their second match of the Top End T20 series at the Gardens Oval in Darwin. Despite Tayyab Tahir’s resilient unbeaten half-century, the Shaheens fell short of the 176-run target, finishing at 128-9 in their allotted 20 overs.

Tayyab’s composed knock of 57 not out from 43 balls, featuring six fours and a six, was the standout performance for the Shaheens. He fought valiantly as wickets tumbled around him, but his effort alone was not enough to steer the team to victory. Opening batter Sahibzada Farhan provided a brisk start with 26 off 13 balls, including two fours and two sixes, but his departure triggered a collapse.

Haseebullah’s dismissal in the seventh over, with the score at 44-2, marked the beginning of a downward spiral for the Shaheens, who lost seven wickets for just 47 runs. A late 37-run unbeaten partnership between Tayyab and Arif Yaqoob for the last wicket added some respectability to the total but couldn’t prevent the loss.

Earlier, Melbourne Stars set a challenging target of 176 after opting to bat first. The opening duo of Liam Blackford and Ashley Chandrasinghe laid a solid foundation with a 91-run partnership. Blackford top-scored with 55 off 43 balls, while Chandrasinghe added 47 off 42, hitting four boundaries and two sixes.

Leg-spinner Arif Yaqoob gave the Shaheens their first breakthrough by dismissing Blackford. Jahandad Khan followed up with two wickets, including that of Dylan Brasher, but a quick-fire 55-run partnership between Sam Elliot (17 not out) and Arjun Nair (36 not out) in the final overs pushed the Stars to a formidable total of 175-4.

Reiley Mark was the pick of the bowlers for Melbourne Stars, taking 4-32, while Arjun Nair contributed with both bat and ball, finishing with figures of 2-12.

Pakistan Shaheens will look to bounce back in their next match against Tasmania at the DXC Arena in Darwin on 13 August.

Scores in brief:

• Melbourne Stars: 175-4 in 20 overs (Liam Blackford 55, Ashley Chandrasinghe 47, Arjun Nair 36 not out; Jahandad Khan 2-33, Arif Yaqoob 1-24)
• Pakistan Shaheens: 128-9 in 20 overs (Tayyab Tahir 57 not out, Sahibzada Farhan 26; Reiley Mark 4-32, Arjun Nair 2-12)

Result: Melbourne Stars won by 47 runs.