Last update on.From The HundredMen's Hundred Edgbaston Birmingham Phoenix 184-5 (100 ball): Smeed 65*(38), Moeen 60 (28); Payne 338 Welsh Fire 91 all-out (74 balls). Tahir 5-25, Howell 2--12 Phoenix won by the 93 runs Scorecard; TableBirmingham Phoenix won the men's Hundred with a stunning 93-run win over Welsh Fire at Edgbaston. It was the youngest and most senior player.Imran Tahir, at 42 years old, won the tournament's first-ever hat-trick. This was to end a disappointing Fire innings. Naturally, it ended in a lap of honour around the Edgbaston outfield. The tournament finished with 5-25.This was after Will Smeed, a 19-year-old player, smoked an unbeaten 65 from 38 balls. Phoenix then smashed their way up to 184-5 which was the tournament's highest score.Captain Moeen Ali was able to support Smeed, hitting a blistering 28 ball 59 and three consecutive sixes off Graeme White in front of a sold-out Edgbaston crowd that reached almost 18,000.Fire, now almost out, didn't get going in their reply. They lost regular wickets as they fell to 91 runs from 74 balls.Phoenix, who began the night in fifth place, rose above Trent Rockets' net run-rate, while Welsh Fire are in seventh.Manchester Originals could be the top table if London Spirit beats them on TuesdayPhoenix's star, Tahir, is bigTahir, who made his debut in class five years prior to Smeed's birth, was selected by Manchester Originals in November 2019 in the initial draft, but was released after teams were able re-draft due to the pandemic.The Phoenix cannot believe that they were able pick up a man who had 293 international wickets.He was already the big wicket holder of Glenn Phillips who is a man with the ability to win a game for a side and Leus de Plooy.The hat-trick that came next was pure theatre. Here's how it happened:Ball 72: Afghanistan spinner Qais Ahmed tries to win but fails. (cue Tahir racing around the ground in celebration part 1)Ball 73: This is the faster ball from Tahir. It skids past Adam Milnes and hits him in front. (Cue Tahir racing around the ground in celebration part 2).Ball 74: The googly and the ball goes between the bat pad and number 11 David Payne (cue Tahir racing around the ground in celebration part three).What a player. It was a great night."I just stand there and whack that."Smeed was called up late by the Phoenix and didn't play in their first three games.He has now scored 43 runs off 23 balls and a 28-ball score of 45 since he arrived. Tonight's 65 was his last. It's not bad, is it?The maths and economic undergraduate began like a tracer bullet, racing to 23 off 11 balls before Moeen could attack.He displayed maturity and calmness beyond his years, which allowed him to turn the strike.Smeed spoke in the intermission and told Sky Sports, "It was great."I don't know a lot about fancy stuff so for the moment, I just stand there and whack it."Smeed was all around the wicket for his 65Is Phoenix the complete package?The Phoenix of Birmingham are leading the charge. After two defeats, they have risen to the top of their tree with three consecutive wins.They have the power to conquer the summit with Smeed, Finn Allen from New Zealand, and Liam Livingstone (England) able to effortlessly clear the ropes.You might be able to get one, two, or three, but you will not get the fourth. Today's victims were Moeen and Smeed, who both hit rapid half-centuries and had nine sixes each.They are able to rely on quality in the middle, with Miles Hammond and Chris Benjamin - who have already accompanied Phoenix home twice - as well as Benny Howell.They've got the speed of Adam Milne with the ball - who has taken eight wickets, and was at the top of the tournament’s MVP standings.Phoenix is a formidable proposition thanks to this combination, as well as the canny spins of Moeen & Tahir and Pat Brown's variations.They will need a strong side to stop them. But they will be hoping England doesn't call for Moeen. This was something Chris Silverwood, head coach of England, said before the second Test against India at Lord's.Moeen stated that if Moeen is called up, playing for England would be the best thing. If I receive the call, then I'll be there.It's a win for me. Things are going really well here for me and for the team.
