By VINODE MAMCHAN
All rounder Zishawn Qureshi was at the top of his game as he returned a man of the match performance to lead the US All Stars to a comprehensive eight–wicket victory over the Punjab Blues in their third match of the US Open T20 tournament at the Central Broward Regional Park in Fort Lauderdale, Thursday.
Chasing 92 runs to win the match, the All Stars fired to victory with the aggressive Qureshi hitting an unbeaten 42. Earlier he took a wicket and also a fine catch as the NDCC Mace Royals made only 93/8 off their 20 overs. They were put under the gun by a West Indies speedster Fidel Edwards who made inroads from the very first ball of the innings. He finished with 2/2 and left-arm spinner Jacobus Pienaar took 4/12 to cripple the Royals.
Chasing just 94 runs to win after their loss to Somerset Cavilliers on Wednesday, the All Stars got an opening partnership of 73 runs 8.3 overs between Qureshi and West Indies batsmen Lendl Simmons. The latter who missed the first two matches due to injuries slammed the bowling to all parts for 36 off 29 balls with five fours and a six.
When he left, Qureshi continued to beat the ball and finished with 42 not out off 33 balls with two sixes and four fours. The right-hander thrilled those on hand with his explosive batting and the win has now brought the US All Stars right back into the tournament. The All Stars now have two wins from three matches and will be looking to win their final round robin match on Saturday to ensure they book a place in the semi-finals. They won their opening match against Brampton Pacers, before going under to Cavalliers.
SCORES: NDCC Mace Royals 93/8 (20) (Pankaj Kampli 30, Ali Shiekh 30, Fidel Edwards 2/2, Jacobus Pienaar 4/12) vs US All Stars 94/1 (Zishawn Qureshi 42no, Lendl Simmons 36, Ali Shiekh 2/14). US All Stars won by 9 wkts.
