Shahid Afridi
A file picture of Shahid Afridi.Reuters

T10 Cricket League (TCL) teed off on a successful note at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Thursday (December 14) with veteran Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi producing a hat-trick on the opening night.

The 37-year-old Afridi, who has dazzled in the shortest format of the game - Twenty20, once again proved his worth, this time in T10s. Thanks to his three-wicket burst in the fifth over, Pakhtoon defeated Virender Sehwag-led Maratha Arabians by 25 runs in the second match of the inaugural day.

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Chasing 122 in 10 overs, Arabians were restricted to 96/7. Captain Afridi took a hat-trick in the fifth over, dismissing Rilee Rossouw (five), Dwayne Bravo (zero) and Sehwag (zero). The Indian batsman was LBW first ball to give Afridi a hat-trick.

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Afridi took three wickets off the first, second and third ball of the fifth over. Rossow was caught by Najibullah Zadran at long-on while Bravo too was LBW. His overall figures read 2-0-19-3. Each bowler is allowed to bowl two overs.

Earlier, England opener Alex Hales blazed his way to a 26-ball 57 with five fours and four sixes but his efforts were not enough for Arabians to cross the line.

Pakhtoon's score of 121/4 in 10 overs revolved around Fakhar Zaman (45 not out) and Liam Dawson's (44) batting.

In the opening match, Kerala Kings defeated Bengal Tigers by eight wickets. Ireland's Paul Stirling was the Man-of-the-match with 27-ball 66 not out (10x4, 3x6).

The tournament ends on Sunday (December 17). There are six teams in the fray.