Royal and Markhor through to T20 final for the first time

By Richard Boxall

The two semi finals of the Cyprus Autumn T20 Cup, played on the same ground and same day, provided a stark contrast to each other. In both games the team batting first scored 180-plus, but in one match this was enough to secure a comfortable win, while in the other it was surpassed easily.

The morning game started in difficult under-foot conditions, and the Sri Lanka Lions bowlers struggled to contain Royal’s opening batsmen, Umar Shah and Karan Singh, who compiled an opening partnership of 83 inside 8 overs before both fell in quick succession, for 53 and 32 respectively.

Four wickets now fell for the addition of 7 runs, thanks to Srinath Rajith’s 3-24, but Royal got on top again with a stand of 81 between Sarpreet Singh, who made his second successive half century, and Rahul Behl, enabling their team to reach 184-6 from their 20 overs.

The Lions passed 50 with only one wicket down, through Nalin Pathirana (24) and Kavindu Arachchilage (32). But Royal bowled well, notably Muhammad Hamza (3-31) and Karan Singh (3-11). Umar followed his powerful batting by taking a wicket, three catches and, during a spell behind the stumps, a stumping and a run out, making him indisputably man of the match.

Srinath made 23 but received little support down the order and the Lions finished on 137-9, losing disappointingly by 47 runs, as Royal progressed to their first final.

In the afternoon match Nicosia Tigers’ first five batsmen all made useful contributions, led by Mofijur Sagor who hit powerfully to the legside for his 35, and Iftekar Jaman with 31, and their 183-9 appeared to be a demanding target for Markhor to chase.

However, Markhor are a formidable batting side and were soon hitting the ball out of the ground as they secured victory in 17 overs, assisted by a number of dropped catches by the Tigers fielders. The key was a century partnership for the third wicket between Muhammad Qamar Ali (47) and Awais Ahmad who smashed an unbeaten 70 from 29 balls, with 7 sixes and 3 fours.

These two are among the three top runscorers in the competition, behind only Royal’s Umar Shah, so the final between their teams promises to be a high-scoring match. However, cricket is a funny old game… Whatever happens, there will be a new name on the trophy.