Billings takes wonder catch in Pakistan Super League
Friday 5th February 2016
Sam Billings took a wonder catch and scored a brisk 26 as his Islamabad United side lost their opening two matches in the Pakistan Super League.
On a bowler-friendly surface at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, runs have been at a premium and the 24-year-old Kent ‘keeper scored 2 on his debut against Quetta Gladiators in the event’s curtain-raiser on Thursday.
United slipped to 128 for seven which Quetta chased with four overs to spare – Sussex skipper Luke Wright top-scored with 86 not out off 53 balls.
On Friday, Peshawar Zalmi won the toss and invited United to field and opener Mohammad Hafeez fell to a spectacular Sam Billings catch, diving at full stretch to his right to give Australia all-rounder Shane Watson his first wicket.
Billings BLINDER! Watch the superb catch by the Islamabad United keeper to dismiss Professor Hafeez
Posted by Pakistan Super League on Friday, 5 February 2016
United restricted Zalmi to 145 for seven but only Watson (28 off 31) and Billings (26 off 20) got going against a disciplined Zalmi attack.
Former Kent paceman Wahab Riaz made the key breakthroughs as he removed West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell and Billings in successive balls, both caught in the deep by Mohammad Asghar.
Asghar won man of the match for 3-20 from four overs and those two catches which snuffed out United’s hopes of victory.
Next up for Billings is Karachi Kings on Sunday in Dubai before the action moves to Sharjah enxt week with matches against Lahore (Wednesday 10), Quetta (Thursday 11), Peshawar (Friday 12) and Karachi (Sunday 14).