Foster fireworks light up MCL

Sharjah: James Foster smashed an unbeaten 23, while Azhar Mahmood came with a fine all-round show to help the Virgo Super Kings to an exciting four-wicket win over the Brian Lara-led Leo Lions in the Masters Champions League (MCL) at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium late on Thursday.

Needing 15 off the final over, it was drama till the very last ball of the inning with Foster ruling the roost with an unbeaten 23 in eleven deliveries.

Chasing a modest 147 for a win, the Virgo Super Kings made a hash of things against a disciplined bowling attack from the Leo Lions.

But former Pakistani all-rounder Azhar Mahmood, later adjudged man of the match, stood tall with a fighting 48 from 28 deliveries to give them hope.

However, Lara brought off a splendid catch off the very first delivery from Kyle Jarvis to send Mahmood back to put the Super Kings in a spot of bother at 129 for 5.

Jarvis then clean bowled John Mooney off the second last delivery and the Super Kings had a mountain to climb.

And then it was Englishman Foster who put a clinical end to the proceedings as he took the necessary 15 runs needed in the last six deliveries to see his team notch their second win from three matches.

After three matches each, it is the Gemini Arabians at the top of the six-team table with six points, followed by the Sagittarius Strikers and Super Kings with four points apiece, while the Leo Lions and Capricorn Commanders are with two points each and Libra Lions are yet to open their account.

Action will continue with two more matches on Friday with the Sagittarius Strikers taking on the Gemini Arabians at 3 pm, while the Capricon Commanders will face the Libra Legends at 7.30 pm.

Brief scores:

Virgo Super Kings def. Leo Lions by 4 wickets

Leo Lions 146 for 7 in 20 overs (James Franklin 44 not out, Scott Styris 21, Heath Streak 21 not out; Murali Kartik 3 for 18, Azhar Mahmood 2 for 27).

Virgo Super Kings 149 for 6 in 20 overs (Azhar Mahmood 48, Neil McKenzie 30, James Foster 21 not out, Mohammad Yousuf 19; Kyle Jarvis 2 for 21, Robin Peterson 2 for 39). Man of the Match: Azhar Mahmood (Virgo Super Kings).