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Chandigarh Lions enter ICL final

December 15, 2007 22:28 IST

Chandigarh Lions set up a summit clash with Chennai Superstars after skipper Chris Cairns [ Images ] and Andrew Hall [ Images ] helped the local favourites pip Delhi [ Images ] Jets by four wickets in a thrilling semi-final in Panchkula on Saturday.

Chasing a modest target of 149, the Lions pulled off the win in the final over with former South African all-rounder Hall hitting a boundary. Hall's knock of 20 came off just 11 balls while Cairns scored unbeaten 26 off 18 balls.

With 48 needed in 32 balls, the former Kiwi all-rounder and Hall weaved an unbeaten partnership of 48 runs, which came off just 24 balls to see the side through.

The Jets, led by Marvan Atapattu [ Images ], were left to regret giving away 20 extra runs.

The Lions will face Chennai Superstars in the final to be played on Sunday.

The Lions started their run chase on a confident note and raced to 37 in the fourth over before losing Hamish Marshall (12), Imran Farhat [ Images ] (19), T P Singh (6) and Chetan Sharma (6) in quick succession as T P Sudhindra came up with a three-wicket burst.

Abid Nabi then removed well-set Dinesh Mongia (23) to raise the hopes of a win but Cairns and Hall took the match away from the Jets.

Earlier, the Jets, riding on Syed Abbas Ali's quick-fire 57 (40b, 4x6) and Sudhindra's 22-ball 33, scored 148 for four wickets in their stipulated 20 overs.

The late charge did not help much and the Jets had to pay for a turgid start with the first 10 yielding 60 runs.

Dale Benkenstein made just 28 consuming 37 balls while fellow opener Monish Mishra scored one of six balls.

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