Ahmad Mujtaba stepped up when it mattered most. The NL Stars were defending 154, looking to end a long wait for a Premier Division win, and it was Mujtaba—once a Panther himself—who turned the match on its head.
With the ball in hand, he didn’t waste time. From his very first over, Mujtaba bowled with real intent. He hit the deck hard, used the short ball wisely, and mixed it with sharp, full deliveries that kept the Panthers’ top order guessing. He wasn’t just fast—he was smart. He read the batters, adjusted quickly, and forced mistakes.
The Panthers began their chase with purpose, but Mujtaba’s spell sucked the momentum out of the innings. His lines were tight, and the length he operated on didn’t allow room to free the arms. It was relentless pressure, built one over at a time. The result was four crucial wickets for just 15 runs in 2.3 overs—an elite return in any format.
He bowled like a man with something to prove. Against his former team, he showed no hesitation, no softness. It was pure business. One over, one breakthrough. Another over, more damage. It was the kind of fast bowling that shifts games.
The Panthers couldn’t recover. Wickets fell at regular intervals. No partnership got going. Mujtaba’s pace, combined with his use of angles and variation, gave them nothing. Stars cleaned them up for 124 and walked off having delivered one of the most impactful spells of the season so far.
For the Stars, this win will mean more than just points. It’s a turning point. It’s confidence. It’s a sign that their bowling attack, led by a now-settled Mujtaba, can take down the best.