Former Indian cricket star Suresh Raina showcased his enduring brilliance in the ongoing National Cricket League (NCL) in the USA, captivating spectators with an explosive half-century. Playing for the New York Lions, Raina unleashed a whirlwind knock of 53 runs off a mere 28 deliveries against the Los Angeles Waves.
Raina’s innings was a symphony of power and precision, featuring three towering sixes and six boundaries. Two of those sixes came off the bowling of Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who was left reeling after conceding 18 runs in a single over. Raina’s dominance forced Shakib to withdraw from bowling for the remainder of the match.
The New York Lions, after being put into bat, faced an early setback with the dismissal of opener Asad Shafiq for just 3 runs. However, Raina and former Sri Lankan opener Upul Tharanga (40 off 23) forged a formidable partnership, guiding their team to a formidable total of 126 runs in 10 overs.
In response, the Los Angeles Waves lost Stevie Eskinazi for a golden duck off the very first ball. Despite valiant efforts from Adam Rossington (31 off 15), Tim David (19 off 10), and Joe Burns (17 off 9), Los Angeles fell short of the target. Shakib Al Hasan, who had recently endured a disappointing Test series loss to India, failed to make an impact with the bat, scoring only 13 runs off 16 balls.
Young American bowler Shourya Gaur emerged as the standout performer for New York, claiming three wickets. Seasoned South African spinner Tabraiz Shamsi also contributed with two wickets. The New York Lions CC became the second team to secure a victory in the Sixty Strikes format, following the triumph of the Texas Gladiators CC in the inaugural match.
Raina’s scintillating performance serves as a testament to his enduring talent and the enduring appeal of cricket. The NCL provides a platform for former international stars and emerging talents to showcase their skills and entertain fans around the world.
