CLT20: Cape Cobras Win Super Over Thriller vs Barbados Tridents

Cape Cobras on Friday held their nerves at key moments as they outwitted Barbados Tridents in a thrilling 'Super Over' contest in the Champions League T20, here on Friday to keep their slender hopes of qualifying for the semifinals alive. (Scorecard)

Chasing a fighting target of 175, Cobras started in a whirlwind fashion only to lose momentum and finally scramble home at 174 for five to tie the scores. Jonathan Carter's brilliant unbeaten 111 for Tridents went in vain as the South African outfit came up trumps in a pulsating affair.

In the 'One Over Eliminator' or 'Super Over' Cobras managed to score 11 with Dane Vilas hitting a boundary off Ravi Rampaul. In reply, Tridents could only manage 10 in the end giving Cobras their first win in the tournament as offie Sybrand Engelbrecht bowled a tight last over.

It was a match that Tridents could have won when Cobras required three runs off the final delivery bowled by Ryad Emrit with Engelbrecht at the crease. Englebrecht couldn't time his pull-shot properly and along with partner Justin Kemp set off for an improbable two.

Raymon Reifer threw from the deep and wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich made a mess trying to gather the ball as Engelbrecht put in a desperate dive to save the situation.

However Cobras had started with bang as burly opener Richard Levi smashed 39 off 18 balls with three sixes and fout boudaries as the South African outfit reached 50 inside four overs. Levi's illustrious opening partner Hashim Amla (59, 42 balls, 7x4, 1x6) also complemented him well as the duo put on 56 for the opening stand.

Once Levi was gone, Cobras got into a shell as they couldn't force the pace. Once Amla was gone in the 15th over, Tridents had the upperhand but their chase tapered off towards the end.

But Engelbrecht and Kemp added 31 in last three overs to take the issue to Super Over.

Engelbercht deservedly won 'man-of-the-match' award for his impressive show with bat and ball under pressure situation.

Earlier, Barbados Tridents overcame early jitters as Carter posted a brilliant unbeaten century to steer his team to 174 for eight after being put into bat.

Carter anchored the Tridents' innings with a well-crafted 111 not out off just 68 balls that consisted of 10 boundaries and five sixes, while opener Dilshan Munaweera (42) was the second highest scorer.

It was all credit to the West Indian, who almost single-handedly took the team past 170-run mark, even as only three batsmen in the side could reach the double-digit mark.

Put into bat, Carter and Munaweera lifted the team after they were reduced to two for seven in the third over of the match itself, with opener Shane Dowrich (0) and one-down batsman Raymon Reifer (1) getting out cheaply.

The combo of Carter and Munaweera consolidated the innings, putting on a solid 75 runs together for the third wicket to bring Tridents back on track.

Dropping Carter at 26 proved costly for the Cobras, as he stole two fours and a six in that very over of Justin Kemp.

However, it was an unfortunate end to Munaweera's knock that came off 21 balls, studded with five fours and two sixes, as the Sri Lankan batsman was run out.

Carter, however, stuck to his guns at one end, although his new partners in James Franklin (3), Jeevan Mendis (10), Jason Holder (0), Ashley Nurse (0) and Akeal Hosein (6) were back to the dressing room in quick succession.

Carter alone went on doing his job to perfection even as wickets kept falling at the other end. The left-handed batsman kept on hitting every loose balls to maintain a high run-rate.

For Cobras, Sybrand Engelbrecht (2/24) and Charl Langeveldt (2/29) finished with two wickets each.

Brief Scores:

Barbados Tridents: 174/8 in 20 overs (Jonathan Carter 111 no, Dilshan Munaweera 42)

Cape Cobras: 174/5 in 20 overs (Hashim Amla 59, Richard Levi 39, Jeevan Mendis 4/27).

Super Over: Cape Cobras 11/0 in 1 over. Barbados Tridents 10/1 in 1 over. Cape Cobrs won via Super Over.