The first editon of the Master Champions League (MCL) is at its business end. Four teams will battle it out in the semifinals for a spot in the big final of the tournament.
Gemini Arabians, Sagittarius Strikers, Leo Lions and Virgo Super Kings are the four teams that have made it to the semifinals.
The Gemini Arabians reached the semifinals after dominating all the other teams in the league stage. They have been near-invincible. The Virender Sehwag-led Gemini Arabians won all five of their matches in the MCL T20 2016 so far, and that too comprehensively.
To no one's suprise, they are the clear favourites to seal a spot in the final, which will be played on Sunday at the Dubai International Stadium, with victory over the Sagittarius Strikers.
The Arabians' batsmen -- Kumar Sangakkara, Brad Hodge and Sehwag -- have been in terriffic form. Sangakkara is the highest scorer of the MCL so far, with Sehwag close behind. The Gemini Arabians bowlers, especially Muttiah Muralitharan and Saqlain Mushtaq, have almost been unplayable. Both legends have an economy rate of under 5 runs an over in this season's MCL.
The Adam Gilchrist-led Sagittarius Strikers are a good side too, but they lost three matches in the process of making it to the semifinals of the MCL. Gilchrist and Mahela Jayawardene at the top of the order have done well, while the bowling department has been led by Krishmar Santokie and Yasir Arafat.
Santokie's hat-trick against the Arabians was one of the highlights of the league phase of the MCL. In that match, the former West Indian left-arm seamer picked up four wickets from four balls in the last over of the Arabians' innings.
The second semifinal will be between the Leo Lions and Virgo Super Kings.
The Leo Lions have been the second-best team in this MCL, with Brian Lara leading the team well. James Franklin, Scott Styris and Brendan Taylor have impressed wih the bat in the middle-order.
We are yet to see some runs from the Lara's bat, though, and one can expect it in the semifinals, when they face the Virgo Super Kings.
The Virgo Super Kings will be banking on their bowlers mainly, as their batsmen have not done that well in this tournament. With Brett Lee, Dirk Nannes, Malinga Bandara and Azhar Mahmood in their ranks, the Super Kings have one of the best bowling attacks in the MCL.
It will be intersting to see how they play against the Lions in the second semifinal of the MCL.
MCL semifinal schedule:
1st semifinal: Gemini Arabians vs Sagittarius Strikers:
Date: Thursday, February 11.
Venue: Dubai International Stadium.
Timings: 7:30 pm local time (9 pm IST, 10:30 am EST & 3:30 pm GMT).
2nd semifinal: Leo Lions vs Virgo Super Kings:
Date: Friday, February 12.
Venue: Dubai International Stadium.
Timings: 7:30 pm local time (9 pm IST, 10:30 am EST & 3:30 pm GMT).
TV listings: India: SONY SIX/HD. Pakistan: PTV Sport. Middle East: Ten Sports. South Africa and Sub Saharan Africa: Supersport. USA: ESPN 3.
