Gemini Arabians are already into the final of the Masters Champions League (MCL) after beating Sagittarius Strikers in the first semi-final of the tournament. Now, it is time for Leo Lions and Virgo Super Kings to battle it out for a place in the final against the mighty Arabians who won their sixth straight game in this season on Thursday.
There is hardly any difference between the Lions and the Super Kings before they face each other in the second semi-final of the MCL at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday.
Both sides have come this far after winning three games, respectively, during the league stage of the MCL.
Scott Styris has been the standout performer for the Lions after Brian Lara's exit from the tournament. He has done extremely well both with the bat and ball. He has an economy of 4.87 in this edition of the MCL, which is the best so far.
The Lions bowling attack did not concede many runs, thanks to Murali Kartik, Jacob Oram and Johan Botha. The only bowler from the Lions bowling attack who has been taken to the cleaners in almost all the matches is Fidel Edwards. That issue has to be addressed ahead of the second semi-final against Virgo Super Kings.
Meanwhile, the Super Kings will be boosted with their captain Graeme Smith's return. He had to sit out for a couple of games because of a minor injury.
Neil McKenzie has been the best batsman for the Super Kings. The former South African batsman has given them solid start at the top of the order. He will want to repeat the same in the semi-final alongside Smith on Friday.
The conditions won't change much. The wicket will also remain the same as the one that hosted the 1st semi-final. Therefore, one can expect yet another run feast.
"The priority was trying and getting to this point, but now all teams, whether unbeaten or having won just two games, are just two games away from winning the trophy. We're just trying to win those two," Styris was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
Leo Lions: Scott Styris (C), Darren Gough, Simon Jones, Brian Lara, Fidel Edwards, Herschelle Gibbs, Robin Peterson, Johan Botha, Hamish Marshall, James Franklin, Heath Streak, Brendan Taylor, Kyle Jarvis. Ramesh Powar, Neil Carter, Mohammad Tauqir.
Virgo Super Kings: Graeme Smith (C), Owais Shah, James Foster, Gareth Batty, Brett Lee, Dirk Nannes, Neil McKenzie, Jonty Rhodes, Mohammad Yousuf, Azhar Mahmood, Hasan Raza, Humayun Farhat, Jacob Oram, Murali Kartik, Malinga Bandara, John Mooney.
Where to watch live:
The 2nd semi-final of the Masters Champions League - Leo Lions vs Virgo Super Kings is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. local time (9 p.m. IST, 8:30 p.m. Pakistan time, 10:30 a.m. EST & 3:30 p.m. GMT) start. The live coverage of the T20 game in India will be on Sony SIX andSony SIX HD. The live streaming option will be available on Sony LIV.
Leo Lions vs Virgo Super Kings will be broadcast live on PTV Sport in Pakistan. Fans can stream the 2nd semi-final of the MCL T20 2016 on GeoSuper.
Fans in the Middle-East can watch the live action of Leo Lions vs Virgo Super Kings on Ten Sports.
Supersport Africa will telecast Leo Lions vs Virgo Super Kings live in the Sub-Saharan countries.
Audience in the Caribbean island can watch the 2nd semi-final of the MCL - Leo Lions vs Virgo Super Kings live on SportsMax.
There will be no live telecast of the Masters Champions League in the UK, But the fans of the game should not be disheartened as they can stream the MCL games on Watch Sky Sports.
ESPN 3 will broadcast the game live in the US. Watch ESPN will live stream the MCL games.
