KHURRAM Shahzad held his nerve in the final over as Worcestershire Rapids rescued an unlikely tie against Nottinghamshire Outlaws in their One-Day Cup opener.
Shahzad conceded just three runs off the final over in a reduced overs clash at the John Fretwell Sporting Complex.
Rain earlier in the game saw each team bat 47 overs as the Rapids closed on 312-7.
Notts required a revised target of 327 in reply and finished on 326-9 which meant the game ended in a tie.
The Outlaws won the toss and elected to bowl as James Hayes (4-63) removed both Rapids openers.
However, the visitors recovered from 44-3 to reach 224-4 as Jake Libby (112 not out) and Kashif Ali (101) both made a centuries.
The 180-run stand eventually came to an end as Henry Cullen (27) and Matthew Waite (13) added late runs to help the Rapids beyond the 300-run mark.
Rain ultimately brought an end to the Rapids’ innings as Libby finished with an unbeaten century.
The hosts made a solid start in reply as Ben Slater (41) and Jack Haynes (51) chipped away at the revised target.
A fine spell from Ethan Brookes (3-51) looked to put the Rapids in command at the Outlaws slipped to 145-7.
However, Robert Lord (83) and Joe Pocklington (54) powered the home side back into the contest.
And tail order hitter Brett Hutton (27 not out) put the Outlaws on the brink of victory.
However, needing just four runs from the final over, the hosts could only score two singles and leg bye off the final delivery as the game ended in a dramatic tie.
Worcestershire are next in action against Essex on Sunday, August 10 with the game to start at 11am at the County Ground in Chelmsford.
