Zurich Lions beat St. Gallen CC by 7 wickets to qualify for Pickwick Cup T20 2025 semifinals

Date - 22nd June 2025 Sunday @ Grundenmoss, St. Gallen

Pickwick Cup T20 (Elite Division) – Match Report

Roaring into the Semis: Zurich Lions Maul St. Gallen in All-Round Dominance. Osama, Kersley stars as Zurich Lions cruise into Pickwick Cup T20 semis

In a clash that carried semi-final stakes, Zurich Lions CC turned up the heat and beat St. Gallen CC by 7 wickets at their own den in Grundenmoos. Backed by a clinical bowling unit and a swagger-filled finish, the Lions marched into the semi-finals of the Pickwick Cup T20 Elite Division 2025, roaring loud and proud.

First Innings: Osama, Snehil, Mayur & Kersley Hunt in a Pack

Asked to bowl first on a deck that looked full of runs, the Lions brought out their claws from the get-go. It was a disciplined, relentless, all-fangs-out performance from a bowling attack that operated like a well-oiled unit. It started with a crisp run out from Najeeba to draw first blood.

Leading the attack was Osama, who ran through the top order with a spell that screamed intent: 3-0-16-3. He removed the danger man Ali Abbas Chachu with a fighting 44 off 36.

Snehil (3-0-20-2) mixed it up beautifully, using the crease and pace variations to keep the batters guessing, while Mayur (2-0-26-2) came in and broke the back of the middle order with quick strikes.

And just when St. Gallen thought they could sneak a few at the death, Kersley (1-0-8-2) decided to end the party before it even began. He rolled in, took two wickets in no time, and shut the door completely.

There were flashes Muhammad Jafar’s 29 off 21, a couple of meaty blows but they were just that: flashes. St. Gallen CC were bundled out for 114 in just 14 overs, and the writing was already on the wall. St. Gallen CC never found the momentum they desperately needed.

Second Innings: Calm, control Ashwin Anchors, Kersley Closes with Fireworks

Chasing 115 was never going to be Everest, but the Lions knew they had to be measured. And they were. They’ve been here before, they’ve done this before. Ashwin played the role of the anchorman to perfection with a gritty, unbothered 27 off 43 balls*, absorbing pressure and keeping things steady when early wickets fell.

Skipper Kanishk (16 off 23) and Senthil (17 off 20) did the holding job, keeping the scoreboard ticking.

And then came Kersley walking in with a bat in hand and fire in his eyes and said, “Let’s go home early.” 

It was Corder's Carnage. He smoked 24 off just 7 balls*, launching 3 sixes and a four, making a mockery of the equation and blasting Zurich Lions into the semis with 14 balls to spare.

Lions romped home at 119/3 in 17.4 overs, with wickets in hand and intent in the air.

Discipline, Fire, and the Semi-Final Ticket

Zurich Lions didn’t just win they dominated every phase. The bowlers were sharp, the fielders taking chance except few blips, and the batters calm under pressure. It wasn’t just a win; it was a statement.

With this win, the Zurich Lions are through to the semifinals of Pickwick T20 Elite Division 2025, and if today’s show is anything to go by, they aren’t just here to participate they’re here to take it all.

Player of the Match: Osama Zaman

3-0-16-3 , Once again living his charming life, Osi broke the back of St. Gallen’s innings with relentless pressure and perfect lines.

Match Summary:

St. Gallen CC – 114 all out in 14.0 overs(Ali Abbas 44, Muhammad Jafar 29; Osama Zaman 3/16, Snehil Joshi 2/20, Mayur Daftari 2/26, Kersley Corder 2/8)

Zurich Lions CC – 119/3 in 17.4 overs(Ashwin Prakash 27*, Kersley Corder 24*, Senthil Lakshmanan 17; Safi Mohabatullah 1/17)

Result: Zurich Lions CC won by 7 wickets