Red Rose hit by final over woe in blow to Blast bid
LANCASHIRE snatched defeat from the jaws of victory as their hopes of qualifying for the quarter-finals of the Vitality Blast took a knock last night.
Needing just six to win from the final over against Durham, they lost three wickets and scored just one run as they slipped to a four-run defeat at Emirates Old Trafford.
It leaves them fourth in the North Group after 10 games, and they head to Headingley tomorrow to take on thirdplace Yorkshire desperate for a victory.
Having restricted second-placed Durham to 154-7 in their 20 overs, Lancashire looked to be on course for victory after a blistering start from Alex Davies, who made 53 from 33 balls.
Lightning needed 63 off the last 10 overs with six wickets left, but stuttered in the second half of the chase and finished on 150-9 after a stunning final over from left-arm spinner Liam Trevaskis, who finished with 4-16.
Earlier, Lancashire’s new Afghanistan spinner Zahir Khan impressed with 2-19 on his debut.
The 19-year-old, bowling left-arm chinaman, has signed for the rest of the season on Jos Buttler’s recommendation having been squad mates at Rajasthan Royals in the IPL earlier this summer.
He finished with identical figures to young seamer Danny Lamb, who was one of the three Lightning players to fall to Trevaskis in that dramatic conclusion.
Khan bowled flat and quick with variations aplenty, bowling Trevaskis around his legs as he tried to sweep and trapping Paul Collingwood lbw sweeping in an eye-catching four-over spell.
“They did incredibly well and stayed in the game,” said Dane Vilas, who captained Lancashire in the absence of injured Liam Livingstone.
“They kept putting on pressure, and it shows that you’re never really out of it. We’re bitterly disappointed.
“We would have been massive favourites going into the last over with six needed, but it shows that you have to stick to your plans and back yourself.
“I think we were happy to restrict a team like Durham to 155. That’s really good.
“We knew a good power play would put us in good stead for a good run chase.
“The way Al Davies came out and Lill (Arron Lilley) was incredible and put us on the front foot.
“We were happy, and we’re disappointed we lost that game.
“Zahir was incredible, and it’s good to see. He’s only been here four days. Hopefully he can be a good prospect for us.”