By IANS
Gurgaon : Chennai Superstars defeated Ahmedabad Rockets by 22 runs to move closer to the semi-finals of the Indian Cricket League’s 20s Grand Championship here.
With this win at Tau Devi Lal Stadium Thursday night, the Superstars took their points tally to eight while the Rockets suffered their fifth successive defeat. The Ahmedabad side are languishing at the bottom of the eight-team competition with two points.
Sri Lankan Russel Arnold, who top scored with 69 (51 balls, 6x4s, 1×6), and Hemang Badani (45, 47 balls, 3x4s, 1×6) helped Chennai Superstars to 161 for five wickets in 20 overs. Former Australian pacer Jason Gillespie bagged three wickets for 25 to be the best bowler for Ahmedabad.
Superstars’ Pakistani pacer Shabbir Ahmed captured four wickets for 20 to skittle out Ahmedabad Rockets for 139 in 19.4 overs for his team to inch closer to the semi-finals.
The Superstars, who won the first ICL tournament last year, have completed their league engagements while the Rockets will play their seventh and final game against the undefeated and leaders Lahore Badshahs in Hyderabad Sunday. The Badshahs have 10 points from five matches.
Brief scores:
Chennai Superstars: 161 for five wickets in 20 overs (Russel Arnold 69, Hemang Badani 45, Jason Gillespie 3/25) Ahmedabad Rockets: 139 in 19.4 overs (S. Sriram 30, Shabbir Ahmed 4/20)
Result: Chennai Superstars won by 22 runs