Rizwan Jan put on a thrilling late cameo to lead Amity University to a narrow nine-run win over Murdoch University in the DCC Maxtalent Pride Cup.
Amity were only able to muster 117 runs in their allotted overs, but it could have been much worse had Jan not smashed off 29 off 16 balls deep into the innings.
Murdoch University opted to bowl after winning the toss hoping to get an early advantage at the Fairgrounds Oval, a wicket that has proved tricky in the tournament.
The tactic appeared to have failed early on when openers Omar Mohammed and Abhinav Guha adopted a cautious approach when stitching together a 48-run partnership.
Things turned south, however, once Mohammad was dismissed for 19 while trying to play a cross shot and was caught. The loss of the first wicket triggered a collapse as birthday boy Sarkhail Mazhar took three wickets for just 21 runs.
Amity were dealt a further blow when Guha was rightly adjudged to have been run out when on 17 off 25 balls. At 78-5 after 13 overs, in walked Jan who turned the entire game on its head with a quick-fire 29 of just 16 deliveries.
Amity University eventually managed 117 runs and appeared confident going into the field after Jan had provided them with some much needed momentum.
Amity bowlers got down to business early on, choking Murdoch University openers Sarkhail Mazhar and Sabih Hassan, restricting them to just 17 off the first five overs.
The game only started to tip in favour of Murdoch University after Tahir Sultan and skipper Jawad Qazi upped the scoring tempo, putting on 44 runs for the second wicket.
Sultan’s innings came to an end after he was clean bowled by Omer Mohammad. Jawad Qazi too departed quickly, but not before smashing 27 runs.
Amity University then took control of the game and eventually limited Murdoch University to 108 runs at the end of 20 overs.
Rizwan Jan was adjudged the Man of the Match for his late cameo which in the end proved to be the game changer.
* For breaking news, follow us on @Sport_360 or find us on Facebook.
