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Masters gear up for knockout stage

Dubai - Leo Lions and Sagittarius Strikers made the grade in the inaugural Masters Champions League (MCL) after coming through end of qualifying pool battles in Sharjah, Sunday night.

The entry to the last four stage paves the way for another kind of a scene altogether, whatever one might say about how a side finally made the grade - either cleanly or just scrapping through - reckons, Scott Styris, the Leo Lions skipper.
"It's all a new ball game now with a different sort of a stage to play on this weekend. As far as the Lions go, we have a revitalised team coming up for the new challenge that reaches a new summit in the tournament," Styris said in a pre-semis conversation with the media, on Tuesday.
Leo Lions and Sagittarius Strikers made the grade in the inaugural Masters Champions League (MCL) after coming through end of qualifying pool battles in Sharjah, Sunday night.
The impressive Virender Sehwag led Gemini Arabians with an all-win record (5-0) in the single round robin preliminary pool phase were already there leaving the remaining three spots to be fought for, on the last pool phase day.
Preferring not to be over confident or carried away by the early success of his side, Virender mentioned about the quality that has to be maintained by his side and not to get carried away by the early success. "We will take it one at a time and not go overboard talking about our encouraging current form."
Sagittarius Strikers captain, Adam Gilchrist, said: "Batting will be the criteria. We have the reserves to come tops especially in this department and the sporting Dubai surface should go our way while executing our game plan."
Gemini Arabians meet fourth-placed Sagittarius Strikers at 7.30 pm on Thursday at the semis single venue - the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. On Friday at 7.30pm the Leo Lions take on Virgo Super Kings. The final is slotted for the same venue start at 7.30pm which means back to back matches for the winners of the second semis.
Graeme Smith, Virgo Super Kings skipper, said: "Going back to the Dubai pitch will be a challenge of a new kind after the Sharjah rounds last weekend. All of us are excited to be back in Dubai when there will be this new stage and twist in the tournament."
Virgo Super Kings made the stage with a 12-run win over the Capricorn, while Leo Lions made sailed into the semis with a 11-run win against the winless Libra Legends, on Sunday.
The Virgo Kings and Leo Lions took their tally up to six points with three points each, while the Sagittarius Strikers also made it on account of a better net run-rate.
Leo Lions' last four date against the Virgo Super Kings will see an opportunity for them to come good after their reverse against the Kings in the preliminary stage. Styris said it will depend mainly on the wicket available in Dubai.
"It really does not matter how we have fared so far against any side so far. The conditions, next night, will be crucial," Styris added.
moni@khaleejtimes.com