One of the most bankable players in franchise cricket combined with a little-known, uncapped seamer from UAE to send Maratha Arabians through to the final of the Abu Dhabi T10.
First, Chris Lynn continued his extraordinary run-scoring streak, as he made 67 from 30 balls to take his side to 119-6 from their 10 overs against Qalandars.
Then Shiraz Ahmed, a 28-year-old left-armer who has lived in UAE for eight years but has yet to play international cricket, put the brakes on the run chase.
He went for just 11 runs from his 12 deliveries, and dismissed Phil Salt, who had looked like the biggest threat with the bat, as the Arabians beat Qalandars by seven runs.
Victory puts the Arabians directly into Sunday’s final, starting at 8pm at the Zayed Cricket Stadium.
Qalandars still have a chance of meeting them there. They face a last-chance eliminator play-off at 8pm on Saturday, where they will play the winner of the meeting between Deccan Gladiators and Bangla Tigers.
More to follow...
