At a qualifying game of the Legends League Cricket on Sunday between Bhilwara Kings and India Capitals at the Barkatullah Khan Stadium in Jodhpur, Mitchell Johnson and Yusuf Pathan got into a furious argument. The incident happened after Johnson had dismissed Yusuf with the final delivery of the 19th over of the BK innings. Yusuf had earlier pounded Johnson for 6 runs off the first 3 deliveries of the over; however, as Yusuf picked out the fielder at deep mid-wicket to lose his wicket, things got ugly.
Yusuf did not like what former Australia quick had to say, as Johnson could be seen murmuring to him. Unhappy, Yusuf approached Johnson to respond but continued to hear the two of them chirping while he was there. It got to the point where the two former cricketers almost collided with one another as they came face to face. Johnson objected when Yusuf drew too close and shoved the batter-to-be. The former India all-rounder did not back down either and continued to verbally attack Johnson till the two were physically removed by the on-field umpire while the fielders watched.
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Johnson eventually had the last laugh, though, as India Capitals defeated Bhilwara Kings by four wickets to advance to the championship game. Johnson had costly stats of 2/51. However, the Kings still have a chance because they will play The Gujarat Giants, and whoever wins will advance to the championship game. If the Kings defeat the Giants later tonight, Yusuf and Johnson might cross paths once more in the summit battle.
The Kings added 56 runs in the final three overs to set a difficult total thanks to an attack in the death overs from the in-form Yusuf (48 off 28) and Rajesh Bishnoi (36 not out off 11 balls). William Porterfield scored 59 runs off only 37 balls while Shane Watson scored a magnificent 65 runs off just 39 balls, hitting seven fours and three sixes. The Capitals successfully chased down the target with three balls remaining despite the Kings reaching 226/5 thanks to Yusuf's knock and half-centuries from Porterfield and Watson.
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Table-toppers India Capitals responded effectively while pursuing the Kings' total in a matchup of the league's Top-2 clubs. Ross Taylor kept them in the game by scoring quickly, scoring his fastest fifty of the year in just 20 balls, before being caught by Sudeep Tyagi on 84 with the side still needing 59 runs from 29 balls. Following Taylor's departure, Ashley Nurse and Liam Plunkett continued the challenge for the Capitals by maintaining the necessary run rate under control. Nurse hit back-to-back massive sixes to get his side cross the finish line when eight runs were needed off of five deliveries, and he also finished off his fifty-six in fine fashion.
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