SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates – Rovman Powell’s fiery half-century was not enough to save Northern Warriors from defeat in the qualifier final against Pakhtoons, but West Indies teammate Nicholas Pooran produced a cameo as Warriors bounced back with a win in the second eliminator final, to reach the grand final of the T20 League yesterday.
On a whirlwind day of playoffs at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Warriors went under by 13 runs in the first match, as Pakhtoons – featuring Andre Fletcher – qualified for the final with the victory.
Sent in, Pakhtoons rallied to 135 for five off their 10 overs, with skipper Shahid Afridi top-scoring with 59 not out from 17 balls and Shafiqullah getting 22.
When Shafiqullah fell in the sixth over, Afridi galvanised the innings, lashing three fours and seven sixes in a 57-run, fifth wicket stand with Liam Dawson (15).
In reply, Pooran (5) and Andre Russell (0) fell cheaply to leave Warriors on 15 for two in the second over but Powell slammed a scintlilating unbeaten 80 from 35 balls, to transform the contest.
The right-hander counted four fours and nine sixes, posting 67 for the third wicket with former Windies opener Lendl Simmons who made 24.
However, 24 runs off the final over proved too much for Warriors, even with Powell at the crease.
Former West Indies Twenty20 captain, Dwayne Bravo was the star of the second eliminator final, as his Maratha Arabians defeated Bengal Tigers by seven wickets.
It was his four for 16 from two overs which helped restrict Tigers to 135 for seven off their 10 overs, despite fellow T&T and West Indies teammate Sunil Narine’s 40 off 18 balls at the top of the order.
In reply, Arabians were propelled by Alex Hales unbeaten 87 off 32 deliveries while Bravo helped finish off the run chase with 27 not out off nine balls with three sixes.
Bravo had little impact, however, in the all-important second eliminator final as Arabians went down to Warriors by 10 wickets.
He made just 13 in his side’s 72 for eight and then watched as the left-handed Pooran, smote five fours and three sixes in a 16-ball 43 not out, to see Warriors easily to their target.
(CMC)