Srinagar: Toyam Hyderabad outplayed India Capitals by 7 wickets with 8.3 overs to spare in the Legends League Cricket (LLC) Eliminator fixture at Bakshi Stadium here on Sunday.
The Hyderabad franchise will face Konark Suryas Odisha (KSO) in Qualifier 2, which is effectively the semifinal, at the same venue on Monday.
It will be redemption time for Konark Suryas Odisha, who lost to Southern Super Stars (SSS) in Qualifier 1 (No. 1 vs No. 2 teams in league stage) on Saturday.
KSO were soundly thrashed by 7 wickets despite putting up a total of 148/8, but the tournament debutants now get a second chance to book a berth in the final.
Konark Suryas, who had two of their league fixtures washed out in Surat, have blown hot and cold in the LLC. Pushed to a do-or-die situation in their final league game, Irfan Pathan’s men produced a stellar display against Chris Gayle & Co. to easily overpower Gujarat Giants and qualify for the playoffs as second-placed team.
Pacer Kevon Cooper’s 4/25, including a hat-trick, along with fine knocks by Dilshan Munaweera (47) and Kevin O’Brien (43 not out) powered KSO to a crucial and impressive victory.
Yet, Konark Suryas failed to contain SSS batters in Qualifier 1 the very next day after Irfan and Yusuf Pathan had given them hope with a 61-run partnership.
Come Monday, the Pathan brothers have to again bring their A-game to the field, along with Munaweera and the others, in a bid to lift KSO to the LLC final.