By IANS
Panchkula (Haryana) : The Inzamam-ul Haq-led Lahore Badshahs and Chris Harris’ Hyderabad Heroes will lock horns in the best-of-three finals of the Indian Cricket League’s 20s Grand Championship starting here Friday evening.
The second final will be played Sunday and, if required, the third one Monday at the same venue, Tau Devi Lal Cricket Stadium here, near Chandigarh.
The Lahore side, which topped the league standings and also remained unbeaten in the league phase, scored a hard-fought seven-run win over Kolkata Tigers in the second semi-final here Friday night while Hyderabad Heroes had beaten Chennai Superstars in the first semi-final Wednesday to book their berth in the title round.
In the thrilling second semi-final, Inzamam-ul Haq won the toss and Lahore Badshahs posted 182 for seven wickets in 20 overs and then restricted Kolkata Tigers to 175 for four wickets in 20 overs to win a close match.
Former South Africa all-rounder Lance Klusener, playing as an opener in the tournament, hammered a 57-ball 91, including 11 boundaries and three sixes, to bring the Tigers close to victory.
But the Badshahs kept their nerves to ensure a berth in the final. The Lahore side owed their victory to Shahid Nazir, who bowled a tight four-over spell during which he conceded just 12 runs and bagged two wickets.
Nazir had earlier top scored for his team with 42 off 35 balls (4x4s, 2x6s) as an opener. Wicket-keeper Humanyun Farhat made 39 (24 balls, 4x4s, 2x6s) and Inzamam made a 28-ball 33 (3x4s).
Before the first final Friday, losing semi-finalists Chennai Superstars and Kolkata Tigers will play for the third place.
Brief scores:
Lahore Badshahs: 182 for seven wickets in 20 overs (Imran Nazir 42, Humayun Frahat 39, Inzamam-ul Haq 33, Shibsagar Singh 2/19) Kolkata Tigers: 175 for four wickets in 20 overs (Lance Klusener 91, Shahid Nazir 2/12)
Result: Lahore Badshahs won by seven runs Man of the Match: Lance Klusener (Kolkata Tigers)