Malinga Bandara spins Virgo Super Kings to semi-finals

Virgo Super Kings 131-9 (McKenzie 43) beat
Capricorn Commanders 119-9 (Bandara 4-16) by 12 runs
14th match, Masters Champions League, Sharjah

Malinga Bandara registered a four-wicket haul while conceding just 16 runs as Virgo Super Kings defended 131 against Capricorn Commanders by 12 runs to qualify for the semi-finals of the Masters Champions League.

Neil McKenzie was leading the Super Kings in the absence of Graeme Smith and he decided to bat first after winning the toss.

After the fall of two early wickets, McKenzie (43) and Owais Shah (18) added 46 for the third wicket but the duo along with Azhar Mahmood (0) fell in a span of four deliveries.

A 29-ball knock from Hasan Raza (32 not out) helped the Super Kings post 131 for nine in the 20 overs.Ben Laughlin (4-18) was exceptional in the middle overs picking a four-wicket haul. 

Ashwell Prince (30) and Andrew Symonds (21) gave the Commanders a steady start of 53 but they lost five wickets for the next 41 runs with Bandara (4-16) getting into the action.

There was a brief resistance from the Commanders in the form of Abdul Razzaq (23) and Rikki Clarke (17) but the pressure were too much to handle with Brett Lee (2-25) picking two wickets at the death.

Capricorn Commanders managed only 119 for nine in the 20 overs falling short of the target by 13 runs. Bandara and Lee shared six wickets between them

The Super Kings ended with six points which guaranteed them a position in the semi-finals. 

© Cricket World 2016