Shan Masood’s Efforts in Vain as Derbyshire Outperforms Leicestershire

BIRMINGHAM: Shan Masood, Pakistan’s Test captain, demonstrated resilience by scoring a valuable 43, guiding Leicestershire to a total of 196-5 in their 20 overs against Derbyshire on Saturday in the Vitality Blast 2025. However, Derbyshire successfully chased the score.

Leicestershire’s Innings

Leicestershire, led by Louis Kimber, enjoyed an encouraging start as openers Rishi Patel and Sol Budinger formed a partnership of 50 runs during the powerplay. Their collaboration established a strong base before Patel was removed for nine runs by Pat Brown, making the score 52-1 in 5.2 overs.

Budinger was dismissed in the eighth over, narrowly missing his half-century at 49 runs from 24 balls, caught by veteran all-rounder Samit Patel.

Masood then partnered with Rehan Ahmed, contributing 71 runs for the third wicket. Ahmed scored 29 from 23 balls before being dismissed by Pat Brown, leaving the score at 136-3 in 14.2 overs.

Masood maintained the scoring momentum. He reached 43 runs off 26 balls, including two fours and three sixes, with a strike rate of 165.38.

Late hitting from Ben Cox, who remained unbeaten with 28 runs from 18 balls, and Logan van Beek, who hit 26 runs from 12 balls, boosted Leicestershire’s total.

Derbyshire’s Chase

Derbyshire effectively pursued the target, achieving it in 18.2 overs with three wickets down. Captain Samit Patel anchored the innings with an unbeaten 52 from 32 balls, while Aneurin Donald scored 60 runs off 25 balls.