Perth Scorchers thrashed Pakistan Shaheens by 48 runs in the semi-final in Darwin on Sunday to reach the Top End T20 Series Final.
Batting first, Scorchers reached 155/8 in the allocated 20 overs. They earlier lost six wickets for 69 in the wake of complete domination by Faisal Akram, Mehran Mumtaz and Saad Masood.
Nicholas Hobson and Matthew Kelly added 44 runs for the seventh wicket to put Scorchers back on track. And they ultimately finished at 155/8.
Hobson was the highest scorer with a 43-ball 59. Kelly contributed 23 off 19 balls. Leg-spinner Saad remained the most successful bowler, taking three wickets for 21 runs. Mehran and Mohammad Wasim Jr bagged two wickets each. Left-arm spinner Faisal managed to pick up a wicket, conceding 36 runs in the process.
In reply, Shaheens lost three wickets inside five overs with only 17 runs on the board. Khawaja Nafay and captain Irfan Khan then came together and added 38 runs for the fourth wicket. Before it right-handed batter Nafay ran out for 26 off 24 balls, which included one four and two sixes.
Irfan got dismissed for 17 off 15 balls, hitting one four. He was named player of the match in the previous game against Nepal.
After the departure of the skipper, Shaheens lost wickets in quick succession. They were bundled out for 107 in 17.1 overs. Wasim (25) was the last man to return to the pavilion.
For Scorchers, player of the match Keaton Critchell bagged three wickets. Bryce Jackson and Kelly took two wickets each.
Before the semi-final, in the 11-team tournament, Pakistan Shaheens had finished second on the table with four wins from six matches.
Scores in brief:
Perth Scorchers thrash Pakistan Shaheens by 48 runs
Perth Scorchers: 155-8 (Nicholas Hobson 59, Teague Wills 29, Matthew Kelly 23; Saad Masood 3-21, Mehran Mumtaz 2-18, Mohammad Wasim Jnr 2-35)
Pakistan Shaheens: 107 all out (Khawaja Nafay 26, Mohammad Wasim Jr 25; Keaton Critchell 3-13, Matthew Kelly 2-8, Bryce Jackson 2-14)
