Picture Credits: Twitter
The recently-concluded match between Asia Lions and World Giants in Legends League Cricket rolled back the years for cricket fans as everyone got an opportunity to witness a 'Kevin Pietersen special'. While chasing the target of 150 runs, World Giants' opener wreaked havoc as he smashed the ball all over the park, setting the stage on fire.
During the run-chase, Giants suffered an early blow in form of Herschelle Gibbs, who lost his wicket to Nuwan Kulasekara, with score reading 28-1. However, Pietersen and Kevin O'Brien steadied the ship for World Giants and played some cracking shots leaving Asia Lion's bowlers scratching their heads. The partnership between both of them was studded with several boundaries, coming from the bat of both batters.
ALSO READ | BCCI announces India's 18-member squad for series against WI
However, it was 6th over the second innings, which drew all the limelight, as Kevin Pietersen was in no mood to spare Sanath Jayasuriya. He came heavily on the veteran left-arm spinner and the six deliveries of the over read as follows:
5.1 - FOUR (towards deep extra cover)
5.2 - SIX (over long-off)
5.3 - FOUR (towards sweeper cover)
5.4 - FOUR (towards deep mid-wicket)
5.5 - SIX (over long-on)
5.6 - SIX (straight down the wicket)
Just when everyone thought that the destruction will stop now, KP continued his explosive batting in the next over as well, when Dilhara Fernanado came to bowl. After a no ball, Kevin O'Brien took a single and Pietersen resumed from where he left in last over.
6.2 - FOUR (towards backward square leg)
6.3 - FOUR (Byes/No Ball)
6.3 - SIX (over deep extra-cover)
6.4 - FOUR (towards deep extra cover)
Watch the video here:
ALSO READ | Star Player to be back with India Maharajas for final league game
Kevin Pietersen played a match-winning knock and was looking to end the game much before, but another wizard from Sri Lanka - Muttiah Muralitharan - trapped him in his spin and dismissed him. However, the damage had already been done as when England's former batsman was out, the team's total was at 128-2, and Kevin's score read as 86 off 38 balls.
After Kevin returned to the pavilion, Kevin O'Brien drove the scoreboard and played some cracking shots to ensure the team's victory. He got reasonable assistance from Corey Anderson's cameo, before Brad Haddin hit the match-winning boundary to seal the game in 13 overs. As expected, KP was adjudged man of the match for his blistering knock.