Shah Rukh Khan’s side qualifies for the group stage of CL T20; Somerset join them
Kolkata Knight Riders have qualified for the second stage of the Champions League Twenty20 here on Wednesday. Chasing 167 for victory, the Shah Rukh Khan’s side failed to reach the target but crossed qualifying mark of 153 against Somerset in a thrilling finish. Ryan ten Doeschate emerged the hero of the team scoring 46 off 31 balls but the English county side won by 11 runs.
Earlier, Somerset opener Peter Trego scored an unbeaten 70 as Somerset posted 66 for six. Electing to bat, the Somerset openers got off to a good start scoring around nine runs an over. But their partnership came to an end off the first ball of the fourth over when Brett Lee removed Jones.
But that didn’t affect their scoring rate as Trego continued to bat with gusto forging partnership with incoming batmen on the way. Trego’s second wicket stand with Roelof van der Merwe saw the two batsmen score 72 runs. It proved to be the highlight of the Somerset innings as it was their stand that set the pace for things to come.
Van der Merwe lost his wicket to a Jaidev Unadakt ball off the first ball of the 13th over. Trego, however, carried his bat through scoring a 61-ball 70, hitting nine fours on the way, as Somerset put on a formidable total.
In an earlier match, Janaka Gunaratne and Asanka Silva scalped three each as Ruhunu Eleven defeated Leicestershire Foxes by four runs in a nail-biting finish. Riding on Dinesh Chandimal’s strokeful 51-ball 62, Ruhunu set a competitive total of 160 for six after being asked to bat and then restricted Leicestershire to 156 for eight. Veteran Pakistani Abdul Razzaq fought a lone battle for Leicesteshire, hitting a superb 68 off 46 balls, studded with six fours and two sixes, even as wickets kept falling at regular intervals at the other end.
Though Leicestershire batsmen managed to come near the target, it was the Ruhunu bowlers who had the last laugh. Ruhunu had lost to Trinidad and Tobago in their first match on Monday.
Chasing 161 for a victory, Leicestershire made a strong start. But some sensible bowling and quick wickets by Ruhunu ended the England outfit’s hopes. Openers — Joshua Cobbs (15) and Razzaq — gave the Foxes a flying start. The pair took the team to 31 in 2.2 overs before Janoda removed the former.
Brief scores
Somerset vs KKR: Somerset 166/6 in 20 overs (P Trego 70; J Unadkat 2/31) bt Kolkata Knight Riders 155/8 in 20 overs (R ten Doeschate 46; R van der Merwe 2/23) by 11 runs
Ruhunu vs Leicestershire: Ruhunu 160 for six in 20 overs (Dinesh Chandimal 62 not out; Harry Gurney 3/33) bt Leicestershire 156 for eight in 20 overs (Abdul Razaaq 68; Janaka Gunaratne 3/27)
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