Cricket

ICL 1st Semi-Final: Lahore Badshahs beat Chennai Superstars

Lahore Badshahs marched into their second consecutive final of the ICL 20s Indian Championship as they beat the Chennai Superstars by six wickets in the first semi-final on Mondat at the at the Sardar Patel stadium in Ahmedabad.

Chasing a challenging 168, Lahore Badshahs reached home with seven balls to spare.It was a clinical batting display by the Badshahs with skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq leading from the front. The former Pakistan skipper clobbered a blistering 33-ball 62 with the help of eight boundaries and two sixes.

The Badshahs were jolted early in their chase with Imran Nazir falling for 15 and then pinch-hitter Rana Naved-ul-Hassan sent packing for 14. The game was evenly poised at that stage as Chennai reduced the Lahore team to 47-2 in the fifth over. But Imran Farhat and skipper Inzamam had other ideas. Just when it seemed that Farhat was running away with the match, Sathish struck his second blow of the match with the wicket of Farhat, out for a well made 46 off only 24 balls; including five fours and three mighty sixes.

But Inzamam was on song, taking Chennai to the cleaners with some breathtaking shots to take the score to 130 /3 putting the Lahore Badshahs in the front at the end of the 15th over in company of Mohammad Yousuf. Inzamam brought his second ICL fifty in the 17th over coming off only 28 balls. In the end a clinical 87 run partnership for the forth wicket, powered by a 62 run knock from the Lahore skipper Inzamam saw the Lahore Badshahs romp home to a 6 wicket victory in the 19th over.

Earlier after put in to bat, Chennai’s formidable opening combination of Vignesh and Harvey was off to a busy start till the quick Sami castled the dangerous Vignesh for six in the third over.

Tags: Chennai Superstars, ICL, Lahore Badshahs