Indian Premier League 2023 might be over after nearly two months of top notch cricket. T20 cricket has now moved to England with the annual T20 blast tournament. The near 50 day tournament began on 20th May with the Indian Premier League still in progress. The game on Sunday saw Nottinghamshire host Lancashire at the Trent Bridge ground at Nottingham in the North Group.
The story as it happened –
Jos Buttler the English white ball skipper was looking to bounce back into form after his dismal IPL season . Speaking about both the teams, before the start of the game both the teams had played 6 games and had 6 points in their kitty.
Afridi’s yorker leaves Jos Buttler stunned –
Jos Buttler opened the batting with Phil Salt on Sunday. Both the players were coming off the IPL with Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals. Lancashire captain Jos Buttler was well set on 23 off 15 balls when Afridi bowled the last ball of the 5th over. The left arm pacer bowled a inch perfct yorker which saw Buttler go down on his haunches to bowled for 23 to leave the visitors at 41/2.
Buttler’s poor IPL 2023 –
After scoring 863 runs with 4 centuries to guide Rajasthan to the final in 2022, the 2023 season proved to be a disaster for Buttler. In the 14 games he played for the Royals, Buttler scored 392 with 5 ducks in a single season. Buttler hit 4 centuries while averaging 28 and a strike rate of 139, which is the 2nd lowest for Buttler since his debut season in 2016.
Nottingham restricts Lancashire to 145 –
Liam Livingstone the Lancashire was the top scorer with 34 on a dismal day with the bat. 34 off 30 balls by Livingstone was supported by Daryl Mitchell who scored 31 off 20 balls with 3 fours and 2 sixes. Jos Buttler (23), Phil Salt (12), and 10 each by George Bell and Rob Jones helped Lancashire post 145 on the board. Matthew Carter picked 3/26 while Afridi, Brooks and Harrison picked a wicket each while Samit Patel picked 1 scalp.
Joe Clarke leads Nottingham to an easy win –
Chasing 146 to win, the foundation was laid by Joe Clarke the opener with his 42 off 24 balls with 6 fours and 2 sixes. Seasoned T20 players Alex Hales (17) and Colin Munro (14) chipped in with crucial runs as did Matthew Montgomery with 19 and Samit Patel with 14. Tom Moores with 26* off 18 balls with 5 fours and captain Mullaney with 14* saw Nottinghamshire home with 5 wickets and 7 balls to spare. Blatherwick and Livingstone picked 2 wickets each while Tom Hartley picked 1 for the visitors.
Twitter reacts –
Shaheen Afridi’s yorker to dismiss Jos Buttler had everyone lauding him on social media and you can read all the tweets below.
This @iShaheenAfridi yorker to get Jos Buttler 🥵#Blast23 pic.twitter.com/xL1vKyfQYb
— Vitality Blast (@VitalityBlast) June 4, 2023
Brilliant bowling from Shaheen Shah Afridi. He is back in Rthym 💯🔥. #ShaheenShahAfridi pic.twitter.com/1ELrUtWsse
— Shaharyar Ejaz 🏏 (@SharyOfficial) June 4, 2023
Shaheen Shah Afridi today. 3 overs. 2 wickets. 25 runs. pic.twitter.com/Ehli20MWEm
— alooparatha (@itssash10) June 4, 2023
TYPICAL SHAHEEN SHAH AFRIDI 🥵!pic.twitter.com/aXBkI3FiML
— Asad Abdullah (@asad_qureshi257) June 4, 2023
Shaheen shah afridi yorker 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥@iShaheenAfridi @TrentBridge pic.twitter.com/vB7VoBKIyp
— Malaika 💕(shaheen afridi fan) (@imekky07) June 4, 2023
You will not see many better yorkers than this. Shaheen Shah Afridi too good for Jos Buttler #Blast23 #Cricket pic.twitter.com/aJtgMVwYQc
— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) June 4, 2023
Shaheen Shah Afridi Gets Buttler With An Absolutely Ripper 🔥
— 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗻 🇵🇰 (@Marrwan56) June 4, 2023
What A Yorker 🎯 pic.twitter.com/iIpQQULTPU
pic.twitter.com/xehPCGERS0 Shaheen Shah Afridi the Eagle showcasing his brilliance in the #t20blast2023 @iShaheenAfridi
— bossman (@thebossman0) June 4, 2023