Delhi Jets entered the semi-finals of the inaugural Indian Cricket League’s (ICL) Twenty20 tournament with a thrilling six-wicket win over Chennai Superstars at the Tau Devi Lal Cricket Stadium in Panchkula on Wednesday.

Jets captain Marvan Atapattu, who was also adjudged the Man of the Match, scored a brilliant 64 off 43 balls in his team’s 175-run chase. Chennai Superstars have already qualified for the semis.

Put in to bat first, Chennai Superstars started on a positive note with opener Ian Harvey (30) and G. Vignesh (18). Chris Read was the top scorer with 37 as the Chennai team posted 174 for six in 20 overs.

Delhi Jets also started their chase at a brisk rate with openers Taufiq Umar (20) and Monish Mishra (37). Captain Atapattu smashed six fours and two sixes in his 64 and guided his team to a six-wicket win.

Karachi : The PCB on Wednesday said it was not aware of Mohammad Yousuf taking the India Cricket League to the court but reiterated support to the batsman on the issue.

Some media reports had claimed that Yousuf has filed a suit in a Lahore civil court in which he has asked for a hefty 21.5 crore rupees as compensation for damaging his reputation and causing him mental anguish.

The reports further claimed that he made the former captain Moin Khan, who is working as an agent for the ICL, a party in the case.

“Yes we are 100 percent behind Yousuf in any move by the ICL to drag him to court or claim damages from him for not playing for them. But until now we do not have any knowledge of Yousuf having filed any petition in Lahore,” Shafqat Naghmi, a Board official said.

“I think given the way we have been involved in this ICL issue if Yousuf decided to file any petition he would talk to us about it,” Naghmi said.

Yousuf has claimed, as per reports, that he had returned the first instalment of the contract money and for the cancellation of his ICL contract.

The ICL has summoned Yousuf for an arbitration hearing in India on December 16 as they claim that he violated his contractual obligations by not playing for them and instead signing another contract with the Pakistan Cricket Board.

The PCB has been backing Yousuf in his stand-off with the ICL.

Naghmi expressed surprise over the media reports.

“I do not know how it can happen because he has been in India since last month. But yes we will support him if he needs our help,” he said.

However, Naghmi admitted that the Board had sought legal advice in India for Yousuf when the ICL first sent him a legal notice.

Naghmi maintained that PCB’s policy on players, who have opted to play for the ICL remains unchanged.

“The players who have now appeared in ICL will not be considered for national selection until there is a change in policy.”

Pakistan has six players appearing in the ongoing ICL matches including former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq.

PANCHKULA: Mumbai Champs had nothing to play for but pride. Even if too late in the tournament, Champs, after four defeats, won by seven runs, leaving Kolkata Tigers a dejected lot in the Indian Cricket League on Monday.

Mumbai Champs thrived on some erratic bowling by Kolkata Tigers to project a challenging target and the latter committed tactical mistakes and made a mess of the chase.

With the last set of matches to go, Tigers, Chennai Superstars, Delhi Jets, Chandigarh Lions and Hyderabad Heroes all remain in the race for the semifinals.

The scores:

Mumbai Champs 187 for three in 20 overs bt Kolkata Tigers 180 for nine in 20 overs (Abhishek Jhunjhunwala 32, Deep dasgupta 31, Nathan Astle three for 26).

Panchkula : Brian Lara on Tuesday said that Indian Cricket League is an excellent platform for upcoming players and BCCI closing the door of national team for ICL players was unfortunate.
“I feel this (restraining players) is unfortunate. Individuals must be given options and doors should not be closed on them. For any cricketer the ultimate dream is to represent ones country,” Lara said.

“Many of those playing in ICL have been on national squads earlier. However, I am optimistic that this is just an aberration and the Boards will allow players the option to play for their country,” he said.

Lara, captain of Mumbai Champs, one of the six teams featuring in ICL’s Twenty20 tournament, said youngsters have learnt a lot in the company of former international players.

“The confidence and motivation of some of the Indian players playing in this tournament is something to watch for. It is great to see these players learn valuable things here and I am sure four or five years from now they will be playing international cricket,” 37-year-old Lara said.

Besides Lara, former international stars like Marvan Atapattu, Chris Cairns,, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Stuart Law and Craig Macmillan are captaining other teams taking part in the 17-day long tournament, finals of which will be played on Sunday.

Lara’s Mumbai Champs were ousted as they lost four consecutive matches and the West Indian himself in poor touch.

“I feel I am still adapting to the Twenty20 cricket. It has been the first tournament and I hope things will not be the same next time,” he said.

Brian Lara’s Mumbai Champs grabbed their first win of the Indian Cricket League with a narrow seven-run victory against the Kolkata Tigers at the Tau Devi Lal Cricket Stadium in Chandigarh, in yesterday’s day/night 20/20 encounter.

Lara was not needed at the crease in his team’s innings of 187 that cost them just three wickets, Man-of-the-Match Shreyas Khanolkar registering one of two half-centuries for the Champs in their 20 overs.

The consolation win came as they then skittled the Tigers’ lower order to restrict them to 180 for nine when the overs ran out.

Former New Zealand all-rounder Nathan Astle led the bowling with three for 26 in his four overs.

The Champs, skippered by Lara, lost their previous encounter on Sunday against the Chandigarh Lions by 38 runs, after Astle’s countryman Chris Cairns blasted 70 in just 26 balls.

In his team’s chase of the Lions’ total of 219, Lara opened in a losing effort after scoring just nine runs, the Champs being out for 181.

Brief Scores:

Mumbai Champs - 187 runs for 3 wickets in 20 overs.

Batting: SN Khanolkar - 64 runs from 39 balls, Subhojit Paul - 50 runs from 41 balls.

Bowling: Lance Klusener - 2 wickets for 29 runs.

Kolkata Tigers: 180 runs for 9 wickets from 20 overs

Batting: AA Jhunjhunwala 32 runs from 22 balls

Bowling: Nathan Astle - 3 wickets for 26 runs