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Imran Qayyum took 5-21 as Kent Spitfires beat Somerset by 41 runs in T20 Blast

Match-winner Imran Qayyum admitted his five-wicket haul against Somerset on Saturday night felt ‘surreal’.

Qayyum upstaged the county’s big names with a career-best 5-21 to spin Kent Spitfires to a 41-run win at Canterbury.

Kent had made 165-9 in their 20 overs, and it proved more than enough thanks to their star-studded bowling attack.

Ollie Robinson is congratulated by Imran Qayyum after a nice piece of work behind the stumps to dismiss Tom Abell. Picture: Ady Kerry
Ollie Robinson is congratulated by Imran Qayyum after a nice piece of work behind the stumps to dismiss Tom Abell. Picture: Ady Kerry

“I did think we were 10-15 runs under par but we put up a fight and that’s exactly what we needed to do,” said Qayyum.

“In the field, everyone was running around. That’s the buzz we create in training and it worked for us.

“It’s a bit surreal to be honest. I had my plans and they worked, I’m grateful to God that they worked.

“The boys supported me as well with some very good catching, as Jordan Cox did in the deep, and Ollie Robinson’s quick thinking with the stumping. Everything just seemed to work.”

Qayyum even produced a run out as Somerset lost six wickets for 20 runs as their middle order was blown away.

“We all work very hard on our fielding so that felt good,” added Qayyum.

Kent's Imran Qayyum took figures of 5-21 against Somerset. Picture: Ady Kerry
Kent's Imran Qayyum took figures of 5-21 against Somerset. Picture: Ady Kerry

“It’s very important to start winning, winning is a habit and we really want to keep that flowing and win at Hampshire.

“I know we’ve lost to Somerset in other formats (this season) but in T20 we seem to beat them most of the time.”

It completed a day when Qayyum contributed with bat and ball – hitting an unbeaten 13 from six balls with the bat, including a six over deep square leg.

“I’ve been working on my batting so hard and that’s my one shot – luckily it came off!” he joked.

“I’ve got another shot, it’s in the locker still. That did give me a little buzz and going into the bowling, the little cameo innings at the end did help.”

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