Oval Invincibles Retain Hundred Title with Mahmood's Devastating Spell

Oval Invincibles emerged victorious in the Hundred final at Lord's, defeating Southern Brave by 17 runs. Saqib Mahmood's devastating spell of reverse-swing proved pivotal, as he claimed three wickets in seven balls to dismantle the Brave's chase.

The Invincibles, boasting the Hundred's most prolific spin attack, had earlier posted a competitive 147 for 9. Will Jacks' blistering 37 off 22 balls set the tone, while Sam Curran and Jordan Cox contributed valuable runs. However, Akeal Hosein's three wickets and Tymal Mills' economical spell kept the Brave in the hunt.

Southern Brave began their chase brightly, with Alex Davies scoring 35 off 23 balls. But Mahmood's introduction changed the game. He removed Leus du Plooy, Kieron Pollard, and Laurie Evans in quick succession, leaving the Brave reeling at 113 for 5.

Despite Chris Jordan's valiant effort, the Brave fell short as Adam Zampa cleaned him up. The Invincibles' victory marked their second consecutive Hundred title, matching the achievement of their women's team in 2021-22.

Mahmood's performance served as a timely reminder of his talent and could potentially earn him a recall to the England squad for the upcoming T20I and ODI series against Australia. The Invincibles' success is a testament to their balanced team, built around all-rounders and a strong spin attack.

Tags: #TheHundred, #OvalInvincibles, #SouthernBrave, #SaqibMahmood, #WillJacks