A second century in consecutive days from Josh Cobb guided Leicestershire to a six-wicket win over the Unicorns.
27-May-2013 ScorecardJosh Cobb made his second century in as many days•Getty Images
A second century in consecutive days from Josh Cobb guided Leicestershire to a six-wicket win over the Unicorns. Cobb’s 128 off just 108 balls helped steer the Foxes past the Unicorns’ 253 with an over to spare as he and Shiv Thakor put on an unbeaten 136.For Cobb, 22, it followed his 130 in the victory against Somerset on Sunday and contained four sixes and nine fours.Tom Lancefield’s 58 had helped the home side set a potentially testing target at Wormsley but Cobb and Thakor steadied the ship after Leicestershire had been 120 for 4.Cobb and Niall O’Brien put on 66 for the first wicket before O’Brien came unstuck off the bowling of Aneurin Norman with Vishal Tripathi taking the catch. Greg Smith scored 14 before he fell lbw to Luke Beaven and Joe Burns followed for just 4 as Keith Parsons took a catch off Norman.And when Matthew Boyce was bowled by Michael O’Shea to leave Leicestershire 120 for 4, the Unicorns may have just been sensing their first win of the season. But Thakor’s unbeaten half-century provided able support for Cobb and sealed the win with a four off the bowling of Devon Endersby.Leicestershire put the Unicorns in and the home team were going at a good rate when the first wicket fell in the eighth over. Lewis Hill had scored 26 of the Unicorns’ 32 runs at that point but went as Burns took a catch off the bowling of Rob Taylor.Lancefield and O’Shea then put on 82 for the second wicket going at a brisk six an over but O’Shea was run out in the 21st over for 32. Lancefield followed as Taylor had him lbw but Garry Park and Tripathi then put on 71 for the fourth wicket in just nine overs before the latter was stumped for 43 off the bowling of Thakor.Park brought up his half-century off the final ball of the 35th over but Parsons fell for just three in the 36th to become Taylor’s third victim of the day. Park followed just six balls later as Boyce took a catch off Anthony Ireland.Norman was next to fall for 7 as Taylor took a catch off to give Ireland another wicket before Endersby was run out off the final ball of the innings.
Varun Chopra and Will Porterfield both struck centuries to open the new season in fine style for Warwickshire
ESPNcricinfo staff24-Mar-2013 ScorecardVarun Chopra struck his 11th first-class century•PA PhotosThe annexing of the Champion County match to the Emirates has marginalised its use as a proper warm-up for the County Championship but Varun Chopra and Will Porterfield will take confidence from a pair of centuries on the official opening day of the new season.The fixture will return to Lord’s in 2014 where a stand of 308 will be trickier to compile than the four-an-over stand Chopra and Porterfield put together for the second wicket this year.Porterfield’s innings, from 240 balls, was his first three-figure effort since joining Warwickshire, taking full advantage of a flat pitch and an attack toiling in temperatures more than 20 degrees warmer than Britain.Chopra had been the first to reach a century, his 11th in first-class cricket, from 165 balls. He went on to score 20 fours and three sixes – the pick of which was lifted over long on from a Peter Trego slower ball.”It was a great start to the season for me,” Chopra said. “The wicket was good and we made the most of winning the toss on a decent deck. Playing under the floodlights and with the pink ball was fine. Having two set batsmen definitely helped, especially during the twilight period, which can be a challenge, but I really enjoyed it out there today.”The treble century stand was by some distance the highest partnership of any wicket for Warwickshire against MCC. It came after Ian Westwood fell without a run on the board. He skied a pull from Trego and was taken at midwicket. But that was the most joy MCC enjoyed as their spin trio of Simon Kerrigan, James Middlebrook and part-time leg-spinner Dawid Malan failed to find any control as runs flowed merrily.Kerrigan eventually broke through when Chopra mistimed an attempted lofted off drive. Porterfield also fell playing in the air, driving loosely on the up to hand third seamer Chris Rushworth a wicket. But it was 102 runs later than it should have been; Rushworth having had Porterfield dropped in the slips on 60.
تألق الدولي المصري محمد صلاح لاعب فريق كرة القدم الأول بنادي ليفربول، خلال مباراة الريدز وليستر سيتي ضمن الجولة 36 من الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.
محمد صلاح صنع 3 أهداف، هدفين لـ كورتيس جونز في الشوط الأول، وفي الشوط الثاني صنع بالكعب هدفًا رائعًا لـ ترينت ألكسندر أرنولد.
وتمكن النجم المصري من المشاركة في 88 دقيقة، وكانت أهدافه المتوقعه 0.94، لكنه لم يتمكن من التسجيل في مرمى إيفرسن.
سدد محمد صلاح 3 تسديدات منهم واحدة بين الـ3 خشبات تصدى لها الحارس الدنماركي، بينما أنقذ الدفاع تسديدتين للفرعون المصري وخامس هدافي ليفربول عبر التاريخ.
وصنع أسطورة ليفربول فرصة هدف محقق لكن جاكبو لم يتمكن من تسجيلها، بينما لم ينجح في المراوغة رغم المحاولتين خلال الـ88 دقيقة.
ولمس محمد صلاح الكرة 60 مرة، ومرر 30 تمريرة بينية بدقة 38%، وصنع تمريرات افتتاحية 4 مرات، وأرسل 3 عرضيات منهم واحدة فقط صحيحة.
وفاز محمد صلاح بصراع واحد فقط من أصل 11 صرع أرضي، ولم ينجح في أي صراع هوائي، وفقد الاستحواذ 19 مرة. ملخص لمسات محمد صلاح أمام ليستر سيتي في الدوري الإنجليزي
The final decision over the whether to move the Pakistan women’s team base for the forthcoming Women’s World Cup out of Mumbai, fearing protests by political outfits, hangs in the balance
Nagraj Gollapudi and Umar Farooq15-Jan-2013
It is understood that the tournament organisers have been thinking of an alternate venue as a safeguard for Pakistan’s players•International Cricket Council
The final decision over the whether to move the Pakistan women’s team base for the forthcoming Women’s World Cup out of Mumbai, fearing protests by political outfits, hangs in the balance. At the end of the BCCI Working Committee meeting in Mumbai on Tuesday, BCCI president N Srinivasan did not reveal anything concrete except saying that the board had passed the relevant information to the ICC. “We have informed the ICC about it. They will have to examine it and take a view,” he said.The PCB has written to the ICC, asking it to take responsibility of the security of the Pakistan squad. “We have written to the ICC asking it to ensure the Pakistan team get a foolproof security after the hockey incidents,” PCB spokesperson Nadeem Sarwar told ESPNcricinfo. The PCB has also requested if the organsiers could shift the venue for the Pakistan matches.”The World Cup will be played at four venues across Mumbai, from January 31 to February 17. Wankhede Stadium, Brabourne Stadium, MIG Ground and the Bandra-Kurla Complex ground are the four venues. Pakistan, who are in Group B, are scheduled to play their league matches against Australia (January 31), New Zealand (February 3) and South Africa (February 5).However, it is understood that the tournament organisers have been thinking of an alternate venue as a safeguard, though no final venue has been decided. “We have not written anything to the ICC asking or informing them about any change of venue. We have just made them aware of what the ground situation is here in Mumbai in a few e-mail exchanges,” a board official told ESPNcricinfo. According to him, a final word on the change of venue should be decided in the next two days.On Sunday, the Shiv Sena activists held protests outside the Bombay Hockey Association Stadium, (which incidentally is adjacent to the Wankhede Stadium) opposing the presence of four Pakistan hockey players in the Mumbai Magicians’ squad in the recently launched Hockey India League. Though the team moved immediately to New Delhi, some Sena activists reached the practice venue in the Indian capital to cause further disruptions.The Sena went public about its intentions, saying it would not allow any Pakistan artistes to perform in Mumbai. “I don’t want to reveal our plans, but you already know of our policy. The Sena will not allow any artiste or sportsperson from Pakistan to perform or play in the city. That country is waging a proxy war against us. There’s no way we will allow them in Mumbai,” senior party leader Subhash Desai told on Monday.The BCCI, understandably, feels the protests could escalate to a higher level considering it is hosting a world event. “This being a World Cup, it will attract a little more attention from political outfits like Shiv Sena. With regards the hockey issue only few hockey players were involved but we are talking now about an entire Pakistan women’s squad,” the official said.Asked if the ICC had raised any concerns, the official said the final decision would have to be taken by India, the host country. “Any decision will be taken here rather than the ICC. It will be a BCCI decision if there is a shift of venue. The only decision when the ICC will get involved in would be in the extreme scenario of Pakistan pulling out of the tournament. But that happening is quite remote,” the official said.The ICC has been monitoring the situation but is happy to wait for the BCCI to deliver the final decision. “Safety and security of the players and ICC officials is always our priority and we constantly monitor and review every situation,” an ICC spokesperson said.
عقد الكابتن محمود الخطيب، رئيس النادي الأهلي، جلسة مشاورات اليوم مع لجنة التخطيط، برئاسة الكابتن محسن صالح، وعضوية الكابتن زكريا ناصف، وبحضور الكابتن حسام غالي عضو مجلس الإدارة، والكابتن شطة مدير عام الأكاديميات، وجاءت الجلسة في إطار تقييم الموسم المنصرم في قطاع الناشئين والأكاديميات والتحضير للموسم الجديد.
وطلب الخطيب تقارير كاملة حول طبيعة العمل والاحتياجات، والأداء والنتائج، والعناصر المتميزة المتواجدة بين فرق القطاع، وكذلك بالنسبة للأكاديمية ونشاط الأفرع في المحافظات، وتقديم خدمات لأبناء المحافظات والكشف عن المواهب، وإتاحة الفرصة لأكبر قاعدة من الناشئين.
اقرأ أيضا..الخطيب يعقد اجتماعًا مع شركة الأهلي للإنتاج الإعلامي
يذكر أن الأهلي فاز على الهلال السوداني، بثلاثية نظيفة، على استاد القاهرة الدولي، السبت الماضي، في حضور 50 ألف متفرج، وتأهل إلى دور ربع النهائي من دوري أبطال إفريقيا.
ويلعب الأهلي الأربعاء في ملعب ستاد القاهرة أمام غزل المحلة ضمن مواجهات الأسبوع الـ 23 من عمر مسابقة الدوري المصري.
ويحتل الأهلي صدارة ترتيب الدوري المصري برصيد 44 نقطة بعدما خاض 18 لقاء فاز في 13 وتعادل في 5 ولم يتلق أي خسارة، ومازال لديه 4 مباريات مؤجلة.
Danish Kaneria, the Pakistan legspinner, has been found guilty of corruption by an ECB disciplinary panel in relation to the spot-fixing case involving Mervyn Westfield
Alan Gardner and Andrew McGlashan22-Jun-2012
Danish Kaneria was banned for life after he was found guilty by an ECB disciplinary panel of inducing his former Essex team-mate Mervyn Westfield to underperform•Getty Images
Danish Kaneria, the Pakistan legspinner, has been banned for life from any cricket under the jurisdiction of the ECB after being found guilty of corruption by a disciplinary panel in relation to the spot-fixing case involving Mervyn Westfield.Westfield, a former Essex pace bowler, was also charged with bringing the game into disrepute to which he pleaded guilty and was given a five-year ban, although he will be allowed to play club cricket after three years.Kaneria’s career now seems at an end. Although his punishment was handed out by the ECB, the ICC’s anti-corruption code states that decisions based on a domestic board’s regulations should be upheld by boards around the world, including the PCB, which will now complete its own integrity committee hearing.Haroon Lorgat, the ICC chief executive, said: “It is opportune that the ICC Board meets this week in Kuala Lumpur and I will ask the Board to remind all members to put in place appropriate mechanisms to ensure that the sanctions imposed on both players in this case are appropriately recognised and respected outside of the ECB’s domestic jurisdiction.”The PCB indicated ahead of the judgment that they would honour any sanctions handed out by the ECB to Kaneria, who is Pakistan’s fourth highest wicket-taker – and leading spinner – in Tests.In his ruling Gerard Elias QC, chairman of the ECB’s cricket discipline commission, said: “We regard Danish Kaneria as a grave danger to the game of cricket and we must take every appropriate step to protect our game from his corrupt activities.”Summing up Kaneria’s role, Elias said he exploited his position in the game. “As a senior international player of repute he plainly betrayed the trust reposed in him in his dealings with fellow team-mates and we regard his persistent efforts to recruit spot fixers as being a seriously aggravating factor in his case.”With regard to Westfield, Elias said consideration had been given to the evidence he provided to the hearing, his plea, and his agreement to help with educating cricketers to the danger of spot-fixing in the future, but added that if the offence had been committed in 2012, the ban would have been nine years.”Let no one underestimate the seriousness of failing to perform – or agreeing so to do – on ones merits,” Elias said. “We bear in mind the fact that his conduct occurred in 2009, that he was targeted and pressurised by a senior team-mate. To the ECB’s charge he pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and is entitled to significant credit for that.”An ECB statement said: “ECB welcomes today’s decisions by the disciplinary panel following the hearing held in London. This sends a very clear message to everyone involved in the sport that corrupt activities will not be tolerated and those individuals who are alleged to have breached the ECB’s anti-corruption regulations will be fully investigated and where appropriate made subject to the full ECB disciplinary process.”Both players were charged in April, in the wake of Westfield’s imprisonment in February. Kaneria was implicated in spot-fixing during Westfield’s trial at London’s Central Criminal Court but denied the allegations.At the ECB hearing, which lasted for four days, Westfield gave evidence against Kaneria, revealing details about how the former Pakistan legspinner introduced him to an Indian businessman know as Arun or Anu Bhatt. Kaneria, who had been warned about Bhatt’s alleged connections to illegal betting, admitted putting the two in contact but claimed he had been trying to distance himself from Bhatt.However, phone records showed extensive contact between Kaneria and Bhatt in the days leading up to the September 2009 Pro40 match that Westfield accepted money to underperform in. Kaneria’s defence that Westfield was not a credible witness, due to his previous conduct, was also rejected.The disciplinary panel, which also included David Gabbitass and former England allrounder Jamie Dalrymple, concluded: “Danish Kaneria knowingly induced or encouraged Mervyn Westfield not to perform on his merits in the Durham match.” He was accordingly found guilty of both charges brought by the ECB, of attempting to induce Westfield to underperform and of bringing the game into disrepute.The panel were highly critical of Kaneria’s evidence. “We consider that in many respects the evidence of Danish Kaneria simply does not stand up to scrutiny and is plainly lies,” read the summary of their findings.As reported during the trial, Westfield was identified as a squad member susceptible to an approach. Kaneria told him, “You are young and it is hard to make money; I have a way that you can make money quicker”, which led to the setting up of meetings with two “Asian businessmen” and a deal being struck for the match against Durham. Further details emerged of various meetings that took place, including at an Essex nightclub and at a hotel before the match in question, when Westfield agreed to concede a set amount of runs from an over.Conclusions of ECB panel
Danish Kaneria knew the activity which Anu Bhatt was engaged in
Kaneria acted as a recruiter of spot fixers for Anu Bhatt
That Kaneria approached a number of what he saw as potential targets at Essex
Kaneria introduced Bhatt to Westfield with the intention that Westfield should be recruited into spot fixing
Thereafter, Kaneria cajoled and pressurised Westfield into becoming involved, well knowing that he was young and vulnerable
Kaneria was present at the meeting in Durham with Westfield and the two Asian men – one of whom was Anu Bhatt
Kaneria was present when Westfield was paid out by the Asian men
It was confirmed that Kaneria had been warned for his links with Bhatt, a man described as being “heavily involved in illegal betting”, by the ICC’s Anti Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) back in 2008, from which Alan Peacock, the ACSU’s senior investigator, provided evidence. Kaneria was revealed to have first met Bhatt in 2005, although he said he came to regard the businessman as a “dangerous” man to be involved with.The panel, however, disputed Kaneria’s suggestion that his contact with Bhatt – who he also provided with tickets for the Durham match – was intended to discourage.”There is no doubt – and no suggestion to the contrary – that one of the Asian men referred to by Westfield was Anu Bhatt,” the summary said. “Indeed, Danish Kaneria admits introducing Westfield to Bhatt in Dukes nightclub and confirms in his evidence that Bhatt was in Durham and attended the match with tickets obtained by Kaneria for him.”Other evidence against Kaneria was provided by former team-mates at Essex, who recounted that he had on more than one occasion “sought to instigate discussion about spot or match fixing”. Criticism was also made of the “many other unsatisfactory aspects to Danish Kaneria’s evidence”, including his “detailed recollections” of events that he had previously been unclear about.In summing up, the panel said of Kaneria: “We utterly reject his account of the telephone calls and texts to and from Anu Bhatt during the vital days in question. Analysis of the length, sequence and timing of these calls simply does not permit of the innocent explanations given by Kaneria. If, as we find, he is lying about these calls and texts, there can only be one logical reason – to tell the truth would be damning.”Further, we reject as nonsensical Kaneria’s claim that his invitation to Bhatt to attend Dukes nightclub was in order to keep him at arm’s length or similarly that obtaining tickets for him in Durham was with the same object. Again, we have no doubt that to tell the truth would implicate Kaneria as the link in the chain between Westfield and Bhatt … We reject his basic account that he had nothing to do with any arrangement between Westfield and Bhatt – indeed we are sure that he facilitated it.”Westfield was jailed for four months after he admitted to underperforming in a Pro40 match against Durham in September 2009. Kaneria, Essex’s overseas player for several seasons, was named by the judge at the Old Bailey as the orchestrator of the plot but, although he was arrested at the same time as Westfield in 2010, he was never charged by the police on the grounds of insufficient evidence.In reference to Westfield, the findings said: “In summary, we are satisfied that in September 2009 he was both vulnerable and naïve – relatively unworldly and unsophisticated. He may well have been going through a phase of self doubt and anxiety – whether objectively justified or not – about his cricketing future.”The panel also recorded that Westfield “was essentially unwavering in evidence” given to support his account and that they felt he was “plainly telling the truth”. Westfield will be allowed to return to club cricket after three years, but will remain banned from any level of the county game for another two.
Michael Chinouya picked up 5 for 35 as Mid West Rhinos beat Matabeleland Tuskers by three wickets at Kewkwe Sports Club to confirm their berth in the finals of the Pro50 Championship. Rhinos’ decision to bowl was vindicated by strong opening spells from Ed Rainsford and Chinouya. A 33-run opening stand between Gavin Ewing and Keith Dabengwa proved to be a false start, as the first five wickets tumbled for eight runs. Rainsford picked up three wickets and the Tuskers never recovered. They were bowled out in the 22nd over for 81.It was then the turn of Njabulo Ncube and Tawanda Mupariwa to wreak havoc with the new ball. Vusi Sibanda fell for a duck in the first over, but a 31-run stand for the second wicket put Rhinos on course for an easy win. Thereafter, Ncube got into the act, slicing through the top order with a five-for, that left Rhinos gasping at 42 for 7. Rainsford put his head down to score 21 off 35 balls, and along with Graeme Cremer sealed a nervous win in the 25th over. Rhinos will play Eagles in the final, in Harare on February 25.In another low-scoring thriller, Southern Rocks overcame Mountaineers by one wicket at Masvingo Sports Club. After being inserted, Mountaineers were shot out for 134 in 29.4 overs, their humble score embellished considerably by Timycen Maruma’s 72 off 82 balls. No one else in the Mountaineers line-up managed to cross 19, as the Rocks’ bowlers shared the spoils around. Natsai Mushangwe’s four-wicket haul made the Rocks strive for their runs. From a relatively comfortable 105 for 4, and later 125 for 6, they lost their nerve to go within a wicket of defeat, but Hilary Matanga managed to save them the blushes.
ScorecardKatie Perkins made 31 on debut but it wasn’t enough for New Zealand•Getty Images
Australia scraped home with one ball remaining after Jess Cameron’s half-century set up their successful chase in the first Twenty20 at North Sydney Oval. New Zealand made 7 for 145 having been sent in to bat in the first match of their tour and it was a tense finish as the Australians needed six off the final over.Amy Satterthwaite was handed the task of bowling the last over, with Sarah Coyte and the debutant Jess Jonassen at the crease. It came down to two from the final two balls and Coyte managed to drive a boundary through extra cover to ensure the hard work of Cameron, who was Player of the Match for her 59, was not wasted.Cameron and Alex Blackwell (35) guided Australia’s chase until they departed from consecutive balls, leaving New Zealand with a sniff. Ultimately, the visitors were a few runs short and needed someone to have posted a half-century to lead the way like Cameron did for Australia.Frances Mackay (31) and Suzie Bates (33) put on 63 for the opening wicket but they were the best scores, along with the 31 made by the debutant Katie Perkins. The series continues with the second T20 on Saturday.
Trent Copeland agrees a bleak injury prognosis for Shane Watson has greatly enhanced his chances of taking part in the first Test against New Zealand
Daniel Brettig24-Nov-2011Though Trent Copeland does not want to be considered Australian cricket’s best reserve, he agrees a bleak injury prognosis for Shane Watson has greatly enhanced his chances of taking part in the first Test against New Zealand in Brisbane.Having performed creditably in his first three Tests in Sri Lanka, Copeland found himself out of the team in South Africa, shaded first by Peter Siddle and later Pat Cummins.However the likelihood of Watson’s hamstring strain keeping him out of the Gabba Test means that Copeland’s knack for long spells will be valuable to a team lacking an allrounder. His ability to field in the slips, where Watson is usually posted, is another useful attribute.”That does help, and now I’m not in the XI, it may give me an extra opportunity,” Copeland told ESPNcricinfo. “But I certainly don’t look at it that way, I want to be in the best XI at all times, not just when people are injured.”In Sri Lanka I was picked where there was not one bowler in Australia injured but I was able to be in the best XI for three Tests. Provided the right situation occurs and the right conditions are there, then I’m still in the mix no matter who’s fit or who’s firing and all that kind of stuff.”Copeland will turn out for New South Wales in a Sheffield Shield match against Western Australia at the SCG from Friday, having been ruled ineligible for Australia A’s fixture against New Zealand, beginning a day earlier, due to his 12th man duties in Johannesburg.Originally ruled out of the Shield fixture as well as the tour match, Copeland was given permission to play a match ahead of the Gabba Test by Australia’s captain Michael Clarke.”Talking common sense as he does, he thought this Shield game starts the when the Test squad gets named and it is a good opportunity if I’m in that squad to get some match practice in beforehand, having bowled in the nets for quite a while the last couple of weeks,” Copeland said. “If I’m not in the squad then it gives me the opportunity to take some wickets and put my name back up in lights.”The scheduling quirk may also work in Copeland’s favour, for Ben Cutting, Mitchell Starc, James Pattinson and Ben Hilfenhaus were given some harsh treatment by Brendon McCullum at Allan Border Field.The match at the SCG is set to be played on a green tinged pitch due to a series of downpours in Sydney over the past week, and Copeland said his objectives were singular – making sure his control was at the precise level it needed to be to conquer international batsmen.”I want to go through the things I want to achieve, and whether I take no wickets or 10 wickets I’m not too fussed about that,” Copeland said. “It’s about being comfortable, ticking the boxes and getting preparation right in terms of building pressure, and when I want to bowl the ball in a certain spot that I actually land it there. My main asset is my control and my persistence and that sort of stuff, so I just want to be able to execute that well this week.”Copeland’s time on boundary’s edge in South Africa made him a keen observer of others, as he learned how best to meet the needs of the playing XI. But it also filled him with motivation to return to the team, on merit as well as through injuries to others.”You can’t help but learn things about how other people cope in pressure situations and how you can help and how you can contribute as the 12th, 13th, 14th man on tour,” Copeland said. “I learned a lot about that, but it also gives you the drive to get back into the team so you don’t have to do that, you can just worry about your own performances and helping the team win the game.”The Wanderers victory was significant for many reasons, not least the emergence of Pat Cummins, but Copeland disagreed with the contention that a defeat would have sent the team into another spiral of self-doubt and poor results.”It is probably a catalyst for good things to happen,” Copeland said. “The question has been posed that it was a necessary win and really we were on the brink of bad things and all this kind of stuff, but you wouldn’t feel that if you’re in the group. Michael Clarke’s got a very positive attitude about things, and honestly believes we’re on the cusp of good things, and so do I.”We weren’t far off producing a really good first Test, apart from that second innings batting display, and we really turned it around in the second Test and unearthed a potential superstar in Pat Cummins. There’s good things happening all around the place, everyone wants to get better every day, and no doubt Mickey Arthur is going to help that. It could prove to be one of those summers where Australian cricket turns a corner.”
Ruhuna advanced to the final of the Sri Lanka Inter-Provincial Twenty20 tournament, beating Kandurata by seven runs at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Asked to bat, Ruhuna’s batsmen put in a collective effort, with useful 20s from Dinesh Chandimal, TM Sampath, Janaka Gunaratne and Chinthaka Perera. Perera’s was the quickest, his 21 coming off 10 balls and boosting Ruhuna to 155 for 8. Kandurata faltered in their chase, struggling at 29 for 4. But Tharanga Paranavitana launched a fighting recovery with a 33-ball 46 and Jehan Mubarak made a steady 28 to give Kandurata hope. But left-arm seamer Chanaka Welegedara cut through the lower order to pick up three wickets and help Ruhuna edge the semi-final.The first semi-final between Basnahira and Wayamba at the Premadasa Stadium was decided by a coin toss, owing to persistent rain and the difficulty in accommodating a bowl-out to decide the finalist. Wayamba went through to the final after winning the toss. The winner of the final will take part in the qualifier stage of the Champions League to be held in India later in the year.