Lahore Badshahs storm into the finals of the ICL T20
by CricketArchive Staff Reporter


Scorecard:Chennai Superstars v Lahore Badshahs
Player:Inzamam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Yousuf, Imran Farhat, Imran Nazir, Saqlain Mushtaq, R Sathish, HK Badani, RP Arnold, IJ Harvey
Event:ICL 20s Indian Championship 2008/09

DateLine: 11th November 2008

 

Lahore Badshah beat Chennai Superstars by 6 wickets to storm into the finals of the ICL T20 here in Ahmedabad. Electing to field first after winning the toss, Lahore Badshahs ran into a rampaging Ian Harvey and Rusell Arnold who got Chennai Superstars to a flying start after the early loss of Vignesh. Chennai Superstars got to 50 in 5 overs before Harvey got out. Arnold who was going well was bowled by Saqlain Mushtaq who brought the run rate down drastically. Hemang Badani was involved in a good partnership of fifty runs with Sathish before Saqlain struck again to clean up Badani. Chennai Superstars then lost their way and the last five overs produced only thirty runs and Chennai who were once looking at a total of 190 ended up at 165 for 7 in 20 overs.

Lahore Badshahs chasing the score never looked in any spot of bother. The two Imran's Farhat and Nazir got them of to a flier. Imran Nazir got out early but Imran Farhat tore into the Chennai Superstars attack. He scored 45 of 24 balls to set up the win for Badshahs.But it was their captain Inzamam who was at his destructive best hammering the Chennai attack to all parts of the ground.He scored62 of 33 balls with eight fours and two sixes and his partnership of 87 with Mohammed Yousuf sealed the game for them.

Lahore Badshahs will face the winner of the second semifinal between Hyderabad Heroes and Royal Bengal tigers, which is going to be played today.With the return of Mohammed Yousuf to the ICL Lahore Badshahs suddenly look much more balanced and extremely dangerous.