Saleh Bhana
A six off the last ball of the match by rookie Asif Dassu has handed Dadabhai a one wicket win over Ahir 'A' in the final of the Panamanian cricket league on Sunday.
Played before a crowd of around 9,000 of Panama City's Indian community, the match started with Ahir A winning the toss and electing to bat on a very hot afternoon. Ahir captain Jagdish Ahir smashed a very quick half century and was dismissed by a brilliant stumping by Salim Jasat. Despite this, Ahir A managed to post a very good target of 159 runs in their 25 overs.
Dadabhai's reply began with a very aggressive batting by Imran Bulbulia and Harum Bhiku. That was until Bulbulia was hit in the face, via the top-edge of his bat retiring, which forced him to retire hurt and go hospital for seven stitches. Dadabhai's batting after the injury slowed down the and wickets began to fall.
Bulbulia returned to the match with 36 balls and 52 runs remaining. He scored some quick runs until bowled by Jagdish. After this wicket Ahir thought they had the game in their hands. Jagdish was also brilliant at bowling taking three very important wickets trying to take his team to the championship. His figures at bowling was 3 for 22 in five overs.
The last over of the match began with nine runs needed and one wicket remaining, Asif Dassu and Faruk Jasat were in the crease for Dadabhai CC, they took some singles and everything was going to be decided in the last ball of the match with Dassu at strike.
With a six needed to win the match, the rookie Dassu overcame the stress and nervousness of the moment and smashed one of the biggest six ever scored in Panamanian cricket and gave the championship to Dadabhai in a thriller.