🏏 Perth Scorchers Win Against Pakistan Shaheens in Nail-Biting T20 Clash

Date: August 16, 2025 Venue: TIO Stadium, Darwin Series: Top End T20 Series (Australia) Match: 8th Fixture – Day/Night

📰 Match Overview

In a thrilling encounter at Darwin’s TIO Stadium, the Perth Scorchers Academy clinched a two-wicket victory over Pakistan Shaheens in the eighth match of the Top End T20 Series. Despite a heroic five-wicket haul from left-arm spinner Faisal Akram, the Shaheens couldn’t defend a modest total of 111, suffering their first defeat of the tournament.

🧨 Pakistan Shaheens Innings: A Fragile Foundation

After winning the toss, Shaheen’s captain, Irfan Khan Niazi, chose to bat first. The decision backfired as the team struggled against a disciplined Scorchers bowling attack.

• Saad Masood stood tall with a fighting 42 off 32 balls, including three sixes and a four.
• Mohammad Faiq contributed 21 off 24 balls.
• Maaz Sadaqat chipped in with 14 off 12.

However, the rest of the batting lineup faltered. Eight batters failed to reach double figures, and the team was bowled out for 111 in 18.5 overs.

🔥 Scorchers Bowling: Ruthless and Efficient

The Scorchers bowlers maintained relentless pressure throughout the innings:

Kelly’s early breakthroughs and Holt’s control in the middle overs were key to restricting the Shaheens.

🎯 Scorchers Chase: A Tense Finish

Chasing 112, the Scorchers stumbled early:

• They were 34/3 inside the power play.
• Joel Curtis (31 off 30) and Nicholas Hobson (27 off 26) steadied the innings with a 42-run partnership.

But Faisal Akram’s return in the 12th over changed the game:

• He broke the Curtis-Hobson stand.
• Took two wickets in the 12th over, one in the 14th, and two more in the 16th.
• Reduced Scorchers to 101/8, still needing 11 runs.

The match was sealed by an unbroken 14-run ninth-wicket stand between Corey Rocchiccioli (8* off 5) and Brody Couch (7* off 10), guiding the Scorchers to 114/8 in 18.1 overs.

🌟 Player of the Match: Faisal Akram

Despite ending on the losing side, Faisal Akram was named Player of the Match for his sensational spell:

• Figures: 4 overs, 16 runs, 5 wickets
• He dismantled the Scorchers’ middle and lower order with flight, turn, and accuracy.

📊 Scorecard Summary

Pakistan Shaheens – 111 all out (18.5 overs)

• Saad Masood 42, Mohammad Faiq 21
• Matthew Kelly 3-14, Luke Holt 2-18

Perth Scorchers Academy – 114/8 (18.1 overs)

• Joel Curtis, 31, Nicholas Hobson, 27
• Faisal Akram 5-16

🧠 Tactical Takeaways

• Shaheens’ batting woes: Over-reliance on the top order and lack of depth hurt their chances.
• Scorchers’ composure: Despite a collapse, their lower order held nerve under pressure.
• Faisal’s brilliance: A reminder of Pakistan’s rich spin talent pipeline.

🗣️ What’s Next?

Perth Scorchers beat Pakistan Shaheens in the match. Moreover, Pakistan Shaheens will face Melbourne Renegades Academy on August 18 at the same venue. With one win and one loss, they’ll be eager to bounce back and stay in contention for the semi-finals.

See More: Ahmad Daniyal