PCA Masters take 20/20 semi place

PCA masters celebrated after two bowl outs went their way

The start of the first International 20:20 Club Championship was decided by bowl outs because of rain in Leicester.

England seamer Jon Lewis held his nerve as the PCA Masters booked their place in the semi-finals with victory over the Nashua Titans from South Africa.

Lewis' side had beaten the Chilaw Marians, of Sri Lanka, 6-2 in the first bowl out of the opening day.

The other bowl-out saw Leicestershire Foxes beat Faisalabad Wolves of Pakistan 5-3 at Grace Road.

Darren Maddy, HD Ackerman, John Sadler, Jim Allenby and Jeremy Snape were on target as the batsmen showed the bowlers the way.

Although Abdul Manan and Mohammad Hafeez scored hits with their first deliveries for the Wolves, they struggled after that with only Imran Khalid being successful.

Lewis wrapped up the opening day with success for the PCA as he was on target to tie 5-5 then, after Paul Harris had missed, Lewis rattled stumps again.

The organisers will hope for better weather on Friday when reigning English champions Somerset face Faisalabad in the first match.

And there is a repeat of this year's Twenty20 Cup semi-final planned for the evening, with the Sabres facing 2004 champions Leicestershire.