Lions Reach Final With Easy Win

Durban: Chris Morris (2-7) and Aaron Phangiso (2-18) helped Highveld Lions book their place in Champions League Twenty20 final as they beat Delhi Daredevils by 22 runs in the first semifinal on Thursday.

Chasing a modest 140-run target, Delhi lost wickets at regular intervals and were restricted to 117 for 9 in their 20 overs.

For Delhi, Kevin Pietersen scored 50 off 44 balls to lead the chase but the English batsman didn't get much support from the other end. Pietersen hit a six and three boundaries in his patient innings before becoming second victim of Morris in the seventeenth over.

The only other major contributor for the IPL outfit was opener David Warner, who hit 21 off 18 balls which included four hits to the fence. Apart from the two, only Morne Morkel (18* off 16) was in double figure, which completed the sorry picture of the Daredevils.

Lions will play the winner of the Friday's second semifinal between Titans and Sydney Sixers in the summit clash on Sunday.

Earlier, Gulam Bodi and Neil McKenzie guided Highveld Lions to 139/5.

Gulam Bodi slammed a gritty fifty while Neil McKenzie scored a fiery unbeaten 46 to guide Highveld Lions to a modest total.

Invited to bat, Lions got off to a steady start as the openers found scoring tough against the Delhi attack.

Umesh Yadav gave Delhi first breakthrough by dismissing Highveld Lions' Alviro Petersen (24) after a 34-run stand for the first wicket with Bodi.

Qde Kock then joined Bodi at crease to accelerate the scoring rate.

However, Ajit Agarkar got rid of Kock in the 10 th over.

Before Lions' could recover, Pawan Negi dismissed D Pretorius to reduce Lions to 63/3.

Bodi, however, stood firm and paired up well with McKenzie to steer his side to a modest total.

Yadav dismissed Bodi just after his fifty. However, McKenzie remained unbeaten after a fiery 28-ball knock.

Brief scores
Highveld Lions 139 for 5 (Bodi 50, McKenzie 46*, Yadav 2-20)
Delhi Daredevils 117 for 9 (Pietersen 50, Morris 2-7, Phangiso 2-18)
Result Highveld Lions won by 22 runs
MOM Neil McKenzie (Highveld Lions)

Scores	Upcoming	Results
Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings - 42nd Match 43rd Match - Delhi Capitals v Mumbai Indians - April 27, 10:00 GMT 44th Match - Lucknow Super Giants v Rajasthan Royals - April 27, 14:00 GMT 4th T20I - Pakistan v New Zealand at Lahore New Zealand won by 4 runs 41st Match - Sunrisers Hyderabad v Royal Challengers Bangalore at Hyderabad Royal Challengers Bangalore won by 35 runs

Related links

Champions League Twenty20 News

Sydney Beat Lions to Clinch CLT20 Title [+]

Sydney Sixers produced an all-round clinical display to clinch the Champions League Twenty20 title with a dominating 10-wicket victory over Highveld Lions.

Unchanged Sydney Opt to Bowl in Final [+]

Sydney Sixers won the toss and elected to bowl against Highveld Lions in the title clash of Champions League Twenty20 final on Sunday.

Sixers Are Favourites Against Lions [+]

Sydney Sixers are favourites for the title but Highveld Lions would look to upset the Australian powerhouse when the two sides clash in the CLT20 final.

Sydney Beat Titans in Last Ball Thriller [+]

Sydney Sixers held their nerves in the end to reach the final of the Champions League Twenty20 as they beat Nashua Titans by 2 wickets in a last-ball thriller.

Unchange Titans to Bat Aganst Sydney [+]

Titans skipper Martin van Jaarsveld won the toss and decided to bat against Sydney Sixers in their Champions League T20 semifinal match at the SuperSport Park in Centurion.

Sixers Look to Seal Final Berth [+]

Sydney Sixers would look to maintain their winning momentum and book a berth in the final when they take on Titans in the second semifinal of the CLT20.

Lions Reach Final With Easy Win [+]

Chris Morris (2-7) and Aaron Phangiso (2-18) helped Highveld Lions book their place in Champions League T20 final as they beat Delhi Daredevils by 22 runs.

Delhi Opt to Bowl in 1st Semi-final [+]

Delhi Daredevils won the toss and elected to bowl against Highveld Lions in the first semifinal of the Champions League Twenty20 on Thursday.

Fights Between Delhi Batting and Lions Bowling [+]

Delhi Daredevils' batting might would be put through a stern test by the bowling attack of Highveld Lions when the two sides clash in the first CLT20 semifinal.

Delhi Top in Group After Washout [+]

The Champions League Twenty20 match between Delhi Daredevils and Titans was abandoned due to rain without a ball being bowled in Centurion.