With 2 overs to go, the DownUnder Daredevils needed just 8 runs to win. Spectators started leaving the stands—the outcome was clear, there was nothing left in the match.

Shaheen, the captain of the Curry Cruisers threw the ball to Lubna, for the penultimate over.

‘The ball is swinging well. Let’s give it our best shot, Lubna,’ she said, before running back to her fielding position.

Lubna nodded tacitly.

The first ball Lubna bowled was hit for a single by Doyle, giving Warne the strike. The next ball was struck well by Warne and would have fetched them 4 runs, was it not for some inspired fielding by Shaheen, who leapt sideways to stop it. Doyle and Warne still managed to take 2 runs.

5 runs needed. Ten balls in hand.

The third ball by Lubna was a beauty—Warne misread it completely, which almost cost her her wicket.

5 runs needed. Nine balls in hand.

Shaheen walked over to Lubna. ‘Allow Warne an easy single so that Doyle is on strike,’ she said.

The next ball by Lubna was slightly short of a length, and Warne nudged it into a gap in the field placement, getting a comfortable single. Warne was keen to come back for a second, but the fielding was too sharp for them to take the risk.

4 runs needed. Eight balls in hand.

The next ball was slower and Doyle misjudged it completely. She tried the pull shot, but without the pace, the ball ended up straight in a fielder’s hands.

The Curry Cruisers leapt up in joy at the dismissal. Every little step counted.

The new batter in was Lily Daunt.

4 runs needed. Seven balls in hand.

Lubna took her run up and Daunt hit the ball for a single, just as Lubna had hoped. Warne didn’t look keen to take the single because that would mean that Daunt would retain the strike, but Daunt had already started running.

It was the last over of the tournament and the DownUnder Daredevils needed just 3 runs to win.

Shaheen tossed the ball to Inaya, amidst an audible gasp from the crowd, who had all expected that the last over would be bowled by the Curry Cruisers’ ace bowler, Alia.

‘They don’t know your style. I’m counting on that element of surprise,’ said Shaheen, as Inaya looked at her, quite taken aback to have been given this huge responsibility. ‘I’ve seen you bowl at the nets. You have a killer instinct. Go for it.’

She patted Inaya on the back and darted off.

Inaya took a deep breath. She looked around the field and signalled to fine leg and point to move up closer. She sent the fielder at sweeper cover further back.

Warne was not on strike, but with 6 balls to spare, the DownUnder Daredevils needed just 3 runs to win. All the batter had to do was get bat on ball, pinch a single and give the strike to Warne. But Inaya had other ideas in mind.