Leo Lions, Sagittarius Strikers complete Masters Champions League semis line-up

Sharjah: The last two places for the semi-finals were filled up by the Leo Lions and the Sagittarius Strikers at the end of the preliminary round matches of the inaugural Masters Champions League (MCL) at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium here late on Sunday.

After the Gemini Arabians had prematurely booked their place in the last four with an all-clean record of five wins from five on Friday, there were four teams in the running for the remaining three spots going into the final day.

The Virgo Super Kings were the first to move earlier in the day with a 12-run win over the Capricorn Commanders in a low-scoring match, while the Leo Lions made it through with a comfortable 11-run victory against the winless bottom-placed Libra Legends.

The Virgo Kings and Leo Lions took their tally up to six points with three points each, while the Sagittarius Strikers also made it through, though on a better net run-rate and despite having four points to their credit along with the Capricorn Commanders.

The Libra Legends had to make an early departure having failed to win a single match from the five they played in this competition.

“I think the 30-run over at the end helped us put up a big score. It is very pleasing to put up such a performance. We got off to a good start from Neil (Carter) and Hamish (Marshall) and we could then play freely,” Leo Lions skipper Scott Styris said.

Their semi-final against the Virgo Super Kings will be an engrossing battle as the Leo Lions had lost to them in the preliminary round. “Much of that depends on what the wicket is like in Dubai. We should have beaten them the last time,” Styris said.

“We have to play well as they have three good spinners. It doesn’t matter how we have played now as it is the knockouts that matter,” he added.

The MCL will now take a well-deserved three-day break till the first semi-final between table toppers Gemini Arabians led by the irrepressible Virender Sehwag and fourth-placed Sagittarius Strikers, from 7.30 pm on Thursday (February 11).

Chasing 202 for their first win in five matches, the Libra Legends continued with their dismal form while reaching 190 for 6 at the end of the 20th over.

While Michael Lumb and skipper Jacques Kallis gave them a rousing start with a stand of 45 runs, the rest of the batsmen, particularly the middle order – barring an in-form Ryan ten Doeschate with a superb 36-ball 67 runs - failed to capitalize and press home for an unlikely first win.

Ian Butler scored a quick-fire 31 off 17 balls including three boundaries and two huge sixes towards the end as the Legends fell short by eleven runs.

Earlier, the Leo Lions had put up a handsome 201 for 3, thanks mainly to some clean hitting from skipper Scott Styris towards the end. The New Zealand all-rounder made a brisk 45 off 20 balls including a lone boundary and five sixes, while James Franklin joined him with a 16-ball 28 runs. Hamish Marshall had given the Lions a rollicking start with a clean 64 that came off 39 deliveries including six fours and three sixes.

Brief scores: Leo Lions def. Libra Legends by 11 runs: Leo Lions 201 for 3 (Hamish Marshall 64, Neil Carter 21, Brendan Taylor 26, James Franklin 28 not out, Scott Styris 45 not out) Libra Legends 190 for 6 (Jacques Kallis 26, Ryan ten Doeschate 67, Simon Katich 20; Johan Botha 2 for 23). Man of the Match: Hamish Marshall (Leo Lions).