Isuru Udana is representing Paktia Panther in the ongoing Afghanistan Premier League in Dubai.
In the 4th game for Paktia Panthers against Nangarhar Leopards, the Sri Lankan T20 specialist worked his magic in all aspects of the game. The game was a last-over thriller in which the Panthers opted to bat first. The team made only a 127 in their 20 overs. Even though the team featured some of the world’s most exciting T20 batsmen like Afridi and Shezhad, there were plenty left for Udana to contribute coming late down the order. Udana was only second to Sikandar Raza who made 51 at the top of the order while the rest went crashing down. He made a run-a-ball 23 which definitely came in handy, given the fact that the game went on to the last over and the leopards fell only 10 runs short.
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Following that, Udana opened the bowling for Panthers and impressed right from the word go. He bowled Stirrlings out in just the 4th ball of the innings paving early inroads to the Leopards batting order. He went on to pick 2 more wickets in the innings conceeding just 19 runs in his quota. Among his wickets was an outstanding return catch of Ashgar Afhgan which he held on to in a matter of seconds.
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Udana was very impressive in the field too accounting for 2 catches and a brilliant run out. These all-round performances earned him the Man of the Match award.
The league took off on the 5th of October in Sharjah, UAE. It consists of five teams representing Paktia, Kabul, Balkh, Nangarhar and Kandahar. Giant names in T20 cricket like Gayle, McCullum, Afridi and Russell are taking part as icons of the tournament.
Brief Scores
Paktia Panthers 127 (18.2) – Sikandar Raza 51, Isuru Udana 23, Sayed Shiraz 4/19, Waqar Salamkheil 2/19
Kandahar Knights 118 (19.4) – Karim Janat 27, Najibulla Zadran 20, Isuru Udana 3/19, Sharafuddin Ashraf 3/31
