Confidence was sky high for Sporting Alfas going into the first semi-final against Pinatar Pirates. But the unbeaten favourites put in a horror show, losing the plot completely with underdogs Pinatar Pirates springing a HUGE shock with a convincing win to move into the final.
Confidence was sky high for Sporting Alfas going into the first semi-final against Pinatar Pirates. But the unbeaten favourites put in a horror show, losing the plot completely with underdogs Pinatar Pirates springing a HUGE shock with a convincing win to move into the final.
Restoring century maker Eddie Ballard to the top of the order, expectations were high for Sporting Alfas. However, Sporting stalwart Faran Afzal went first ball to a fine running catch from Kuldeep Lal off Lovejit Singh to start the rot. Jassie Jagdeep Singh took a fine catch at point off Dillpreet Singh to remove Jack Perman, before the prize scalp of Eddie Ballard really turned the screw. Christian Munoz-Mills drove a ball back firmly down the ground, but the bowler Jassie Jagdeep Singh athletically deflected the ball into the stumps leaving top run scorer Ballard agonisingly short of his ground.
Jassie Jagdeep Singh conceded just three from his two overs and also removed Munoz-Mills, who was no doubt still mulling over the unfortunate run out of Ballard.
With the innings in tatters at 26- 4 at halfway, Sporting Alfas eventually limped to 54-7 with Kieran Perman top scoring with 15 off 22. Without a single six, the lowest score in the tournament, just at the wrong time. Every Pinatar bowler was on the money in a keen performance in the field with special mention to Gulshan Kumar (1-9 off 2) and Rahul Maini (2-5 off 1).
In reply, the Sporting Alfas attack immediately came under pressure with star bowler Kamran Muhammad unavailable.
Depositing the first ball for six, Pinatar set the tone early and chased down 55 with ease with Spanish international Kuldeep Lal blasting 22 off the first over. It was a procession for the Pirates, losing only Kuldeep Lal for 41 off 14, sealing a nine wicket win off only 3.3 overs! An absolute mullering for the Sporting Alfas as the Pinatar Pirates progress to the final.
