Khan leg-spin propels Rockets towards the knockout stages
Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan inspired Trent Rockets to a win which virtually guarantees the Trent Bridge side a spot in the knockout stages of the Hundred.
A brilliant spell from Khan, who finished with three for 16, pegged Manchester Originals back as the visitors collapsed from 70 for one to 135 for eight. England white-ball star Dawid Malan’s 52 anchored the reply while Samit Patel’s unbeaten 35 from 23 balls provided the muscle to get the hosts over the line.
It means Rockets go level on 10 points with Birmingham Phoenix. Oval Invincibles and Southern Brave are both on nine points, but meet each other at the Ageas Bowl on Monday, when a win for either would see the Rockets progress.
Khan is one of the best white-ball bowlers in the world and was the first pick in the draft for this tournament. His leg-spin, fizzing and turning in each direction, provided 11 dot balls from his 20 deliveries. The Afghan also took two catches.
Rockets, who have now completed their eight group stage games, could yet go straight through to the final as the top-placed side. The two teams who finish second and third play for a spot in the Lord’s showpiece.
In the early game at Trent Bridge, Rockets Women had blown their own hopes of qualifying for the knockouts with an error-strewn performance against the Originals.
They needed a win to have a chance of making Friday’s play-off, but lost with 13 balls to spare as the Originals, who had already been eliminated, chased down 122.
Lizelle Lee hit 47 not out and Emma Lamb 46 after being dropped on six.
In the Royal London Cup, Tim David struck a 73-ball 102 as Surrey booked a semi-final with Durham.
David, who represents Singapore in international cricket, completed his second hundred of the competition as Jamie Smith’s side chased down Gloucestershire’s total of 242 with 44 balls to spare.
Surrey will now travel to Chesterle-street tomorrow to compete for a place in Thursday’s final at Trent Bridge.
In Jamaica, West Indies held their nerve as tail-enders Kemar Roach and Jayden Seales guided them to a thrilling one-wicket win over Pakistan in the first Test.
Roach scored 30 and Seales two in an unbeaten 17-run partnership as the home side reached their target of 168 for the loss of nine wickets after the West Indies had bowled Pakistan out for 203 in their second innings, with Seales taking five for 55.