NEWLY promoted Lagos Asians Cricket Club (LACC) over the weekend at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) oval narrowly defeated Foundation Cricket Club (FCC) to join Government College Ibadan Old Boys (GCIOB), and Government College Warri Old Boys (FGCWOB) in the semi-final of the on-going GTAssur Twenty20 tournament.The Asians won by a mere one by eight runs, but it was a victory made possible by some outstanding individual performances.Former Nigerian international, Jay Ghosalkar, led the batting onslaught with (23), Prakash Kewlani (22), Captain Ricky Sharma (17) and Khan Shehdaaz 13 runs not out to put FCC to the sword despite the heroics of old war horse, Olaolu Akerele, who took two wickets, 32 runs in four overs.Sharma and his troop notched up 115-7 in 20 overs.Perhaps, FCC could have had a better result in the game if it had remained focused throughout the tie. But it lacked patience in the batting crease, giving the duo of Sameneni Srinivas 4-21 and Sheikh Asim 3-21 an opportunity to rip through the batting prowess of FCC 1, who was bowled out for 107 in 20 overs.Even when FCC tried to rally to save the day, Kehinde Olanbiwonnu's 29 runs not out and Rotimi Adesanya's 21 runs could not avail it much as the Asians held their nerves to win the game.LACC will meet the winner of the April 14 quarter-final game between defending champion, BRFCC, and Ibeju Lekki Cricket Club.Earlier in the first game of the weekend, GCIOB continued its pursuit of two trophies this season by shoving aside RedBull Cricket Club with 30 runs in one of the quarterfinal fixtures of competition.Last year's losing finalist's decision to bat first paid off with some classy batting from Captain Tayo Atoloye, who posted 68 runs not out off 45 balls, with four fours and three sixes. His efforts were complimented by the league's best batsman, Kunle Adegbola, who scored a quick 66 runs off 38 balls, Femi John (21) and Abiodun Shittu's nine runs not out in a game that saw Majid Khan and Jawad Khan both taking one wicket each to end the first innings on 179 runs in 20 overs for loss of three wickets.Needing 180 runs to win in the second innings, left-hander, Rohit Khan, stabilised the game with his brilliant 65 runs, Jaymin Parab 20 and Abhinandan Jain 12 runs which saw RBCC end on 149 runs, eight wickets in 20 overs.Kunle Adegbola's 2-34 made him the best bowler for his side, which will now meet familiar foes, FGCWOB.To make the last four, FGCWOB took apart Foundation Cricket Club 2 by 53 runs in their quarterfinal match played on the new astro turf pitch.The Warri boys put up 131-9 in 20 overs with Nigerian international, Emmanuel Okwudili, in superb form with his half century. He was assisted by Prosper Mgbanwa (18), Femi Oduyebo (14) and Captain Roland Ilube 13 runs not out.Despite James Vifah's three wickets, 12 runs in two overs with support from Dele Oshodi and Yemi Adegbola, who both had two wickets each, the former league champions lost five overs owing to their inability to make quick changes after every over, which was against the rules guiding the tournament.Chris Shokoya (23) and Yemi Adegbola (22) began positively by forming a solid partnership before the trio of Taiwo Bakare,Azeez Salako and Meng-Eneji ensured that bond did not last long claiming one wicket each as FCC 1 got bowled out for 78 runs in 15 overs for loss of 6 wickets.The win was a sweet victory and a consolation for FGCWOBCC who lost their super four semi-final game with Government College Ibadan Old Boys Cricket Club last month.
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