Samad ton powers Shaheens to emphatic win over Renegades

E-Paper | March 14, 2026

DARWIN: Pakistan Shaheens batter Abdul Samad plays a shot during the Top End T20 series match against Melbourne Renegades at the TIO Stadium on Monday.—courtesy Top End T20 Media

DARWIN: A scintillating unbeaten century by Abdul Samad guided Pakistan Shaheens to a commanding 73-run victory over Melbourne Renegades in the Top End T20 Series at TIO Stadium on Monday.

Samad’s 110 off 63 deliveries, featuring six fours and as many sixes, lifted the Shaheens to 178 for five after a top-order collapse had left them reeling at 2-2 in the opening over. The right-hander reached his century in just 56 balls and was involved in a 109-run fifth-wicket stand with captain Mohammad Irfan Khan, who made 23 off 23 balls with a four and a six.

Earlier, Samad had steadied the innings with a 32-run partnership alongside Mohammad Faiq (21 off 18) after both Shaheens openers departed without scoring. Maaz Sadaqat fell in the 10th over, leaving the side at 55 for four, before the momentum swung decisively through the Samad-Irfan alliance.

For Renegades, five bowlers claimed a wicket apiece, with Oliver Peake returning the most economical figures of 1-12.

In reply, Melbourne Renegades were bowled out for 105 in 19.2 overs. Josh Brown was the only top-order batter to show resistance, scoring 36 off 30 deliveries. No other top-eight batter reached double figures as the Renegades slumped to 66 for eight before a late-order effort carried them past the 100-run mark.

Xavier Crone (11), Callum Stow (15) and Michael Archer (14 not out) added some respectability from the lower order, but the target proved well out of reach.

Left-arm spinner Maaz Sadaqat starred with the ball, returning figures of 3-22 in four overs, while Faisal Akram, who had claimed a five-wicket haul in the previous outing, finished with 2-19. Mubasir Khan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Ubaid Shah and Saad Masood chipped in with one wicket each.

The win was Shaheens’ second of the tournament. They are scheduled to face Chicago Kingsmen in their next fixture on Tuesday.

Scores in brief:

PAKISTAN SHAHEENS 178-5 in 20 overs (Abdul Samad 110 not out, Mohammad Irfan Khan 23, Mohammad Faiq 21; Oliver Peake 1-12)

MELBOURNE RENEGADES 105 all out in 19.2 overs (Josh Brown 36; Maaz Sadaqat 3-22, Faisal Akram 2-19).

Published in Dawn, August 19th, 2025

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