Darwin, August 24, 2025 – Pakistan Shaheens’ dream run in the Top End T20 Series 2025 came to an abrupt halt as they crashed out in the semifinals, losing to Perth Scorchers by 48 runs. With this victory, Scorchers secured their place in the final, while Shaheens suffered the disappointment of a second consecutive semifinal exit in the tournament.

Scorchers’ Fightback with the Bat

Winning the toss, Shaheens opted to bowl first. Their bowlers made early inroads, reducing Scorchers to 69 for 6, but a remarkable recovery followed. Nicholas Hobson played a match-defining knock, smashing 59 runs off 7 fours and 2 sixes, guiding his team to a competitive 155 for 8 in 20 overs.

For Pakistan, Saad Masood shone with the ball, picking 3 wickets for 21 runs, while Mehran Mumtaz and Mohammad Wasim Jr. chipped in with two wickets each. Despite the solid bowling effort, Shaheens let the momentum slip in the death overs.

Batting Collapse Sinks Shaheens

Chasing 156, Pakistan Shaheens never looked settled. Their innings faltered right from the start as Yasir Khan fell for a duck in the opening over. Soon after, Muaz Sadaqat departed for just 5 runs, both dismissals claimed by Matthew Kelly.

Middle-order batters tried to resist, but none could convert their starts. Abdul Samad (10), Khawaja Nafe (26), and captain Irfan Khan (17) fell in quick succession, leaving Shaheens reeling at 65 for 5 in the 10th over.

From there, the chase spiraled out of control. The lower order offered little resistance, and the entire team was bundled out for 107 in 17.1 overs.

Scorchers’ Dominance

This win marked the second consecutive victory for Perth Scorchers over Shaheens in this series, highlighting their dominance. While the Scorchers showed resilience and tactical awareness, Shaheens once again faltered under pressure in a knockout game.

Another Heartbreak for Shaheens

For Pakistan Shaheens, this semifinal defeat adds to their woes, as they were also eliminated at the same stage in the previous edition of the tournament. The team showed flashes of brilliance, including a commanding win over Adelaide Strikers earlier, but inconsistency remained their biggest downfall.

Looking Ahead

With the Scorchers now eyeing the championship in the final, Shaheens will return home with lessons to reflect on—particularly their fragile batting lineup under high-pressure situations.