RAIPUR (India): A 29-ball 52 from Northern Knights — and New Zealand international — Kane Williamson led his team to a seven-wicket win in their truncated Champions League T20 qualifying match against Southern Express on Saturday.

The Knights never looked in any trouble, and paced their chases well as Daniel Harris (10 not out) hit the winning boundary with three balls remaining.

Farveez Maharoof was the pick of the Express’ attack with 2-14 off his two overs.

Earlier, Sri Lanka’s Express scored 92 for five off 10 overs, having been asked to bat after a soggy outfield delayed the start and reduced the match to 10 overs-a-side.

The Express started off quite briskly, scoring 42 in their first five overs.

Their cause was greatly assisted by no fewer than six dropped catches from the Knights, before Kusal Perera eventually lost his wicket to Scott Styris for 37.

Danushka Gunathilaka laid into the slow left-arm deliveries of the bearded Anton Devchich, taking him for a four and two towering sixes before Trent Boult removed the threat in the very next over for 39 (26 balls).

Boult also sent the Express captain, Jehan Mubarak (1), packing in the same over, as the over only yielded four runs, as the New Zealand quickie finished his two overs with 2-12.

Summarised scores: SOUTHERN EXPRESS 92-5 in 10 overs (Kusal Perera 37, Danushka Gunathilaka 39; Trent Boult 2/12); NORTHERN KNIGHTS 96-3 in 9.3 overs (Kane Williamson 52; Maharoof 2/14).

Published in Dawn, September 14th , 2014