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DARWIN: A brilliant five-wicket haul by Faisal Akram went in vain as Perth Scorchers Academy held their nerve to edge out Pakistan Shaheens in a low-scoring thriller of the Top End T20 Series at TIO Stadium on Saturday.
Chasing a modest 112-run target, the Scorchers were jolted early, slipping to 34-3 inside five overs.
Joel Curtis and Nick Hobson, however, steadied the chase with a 42-run stand that put their side back on track.
Just when the Scorchers looked comfortable, Faisal Akram turned the contest on its head.
The left-arm spinner dismissed Hobson for 27 off 26 balls and then removed Matthew Spoors for a golden duck. He followed it up with the wicket of Luke Holt (4) to reduce the Scorchers to 86-6.
Faisal struck again in his next over, removing two more batters, including the well-set Curtis (27 off 26), to complete a superb five-for and leave the Scorchers reeling with 12 still needed and only two wickets in hand.
But Corey Rocchiccioli (8*) and Brody Couch (7*) held firm under pressure, sealing victory with seven balls to spare as Rocchiccioli launched Saad Masood for a six to finish the match.
Earlier, Pakistan Shaheens, opting to bat first after winning the toss, crumbled to 11-3 inside three overs and never recovered.
Mohammad Faiq’s cautious 21 off 24 briefly steadied the innings, but the collapse continued with the scoreboard reading 53-6 by the 11th over.
Saad Masood offered late resistance with a fighting 42 off 32 balls, laced with three sixes and a four, but ran out of support from the other end.
He was the last man dismissed as the Shaheens folded for 111 in 18.5 overs.
For the Scorchers, Matthew Kelly led the bowling with three wickets, while Bryce Jackson, Brody Couch, and Luke Holt chipped in with two apiece.
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