Javed Miandad lauds Dinesh Karthik for recreating the magic of last-ball six

Miandad had pulled off a similar heroic against India back in 1986.

Dinesh Karthik celebrates after hitting the last-ball six against Bangladesh in Nidahas Trophy final | AP

Team India clinched the Twenty-20 tri-series on Sunday (March 18) by registering a nerve-wrecking four-wicket victory in the final against Bangladesh at R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. Dinesh Karthik was the hero for India as he smashed a last-ball six off Soumya Sarkar to seal the deal.  

Pakistan’s legendary batsman Javed Miandad, who had pulled off a similar heroic against India back in 1986, on Tuesday (March 20) congratulated Karthik for his awe-inspiring show.

“I didn’t watch Karthik’s knock, I read about it in the papers. It requires a lot of confidence to hit a last-ball six. It is a pity for the bowler though,” Miandad said according to Deccan Chronicle.

“Hitting a last-ball six has not remained unusual in modern-day cricket. My six is always compared with the other batsmen but one should remember that in those days, it was very difficult to pull it off. No batsman would ever think of it,” he added.

Chasing Bangladesh’s target of 167 runs, India were requiring 34 runs in the last 2 overs and Karthik managed to turn things around by scoring 22 runs in the penultimate over off Rubel Hossain. Needing 12 runs in the 20th over, Karthik effortlessly launched Soumya Sarkar over extra cover in the final delivery to complete the chase. He finished the final with a breathtaking 8 ball-29.

The former Pakistan captain also opined that the inception of Twenty-20 cricket has changed the dynamics of the game.

“Power hitting has become common these days. Now, even scoring 30 runs in an over is possible. I am proud that my last ball six is still remembered by the fans,” Miandad concluded.

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 21 Mar, 2018

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