Zurich Lions Edge Past Nomads in a Thriller Lit by Mayur's Magic and Kersley's Class

Zurich Lions Edge Past Nomads in a Thriller Lit by Mayur's Magic and Kersley's Class

Zurich Lions Roar to Victory as Mayur Daftari and Kersley Corder shone in a CSPL Classic

Embrach, June 8:

In a thrilling CSPL 2025 league clash, Zurich Lions CC pulled off a memorable 3-wicket win over Zurich Nomads CC, thanks to a sensational all-round show from Mayur Daftari and a composed half-century from Kersley Corder.

The match had all the drama you'd expect - early wickets, a standout all-round show, and a chase anchored with nerves of steel.

And at the heart of it all stood two names: Mayur Daftari, the destroyer with the ball and the ice-cool finisher with the bat, and Kersley Corder, the lion-hearted batter who tamed the Nomads' bowling with a measured half century.

First innings: After electing to bat, Zurich Nomads struggled to find any fluency against a disciplined Zurich Lions bowling attack that put on a clinical exhibition. Mayur lit up the field with a devastating spell of 4-1-9-4, slicing through the Nomads’ middle and lower order like a hot knife through butter. His control, guile, and variations left the batters clueless. He dismissed key players including Miskeen Jatoi (41), Tasal Kamwal, Omer Hussain Khan, and Sheraz Sarwari, ensuring Nomads never found momentum in the latter half of their innings.

Supporting him brilliantly were Ashwin Prakash (9-0-32-3), who broke through the top order, and Kenardo Fletcher (9-2-23-1), who kept things miserly at one end. Not to forget Kanishk, who took out the supreme wicket of the best batter currently if any, in Cricket Switzerland - Faheem Nazeer and that too for duck - half the batte won.

Despite a fighting 41 from Miskeen Jatoi and a breezy cameo from Sheraz Sarwari (16 off 9), the Nomads were bundled out for 165 in 35.2 overs, heavily aided by 32 extras.

Second innings: Zurich Lions’ reply got off to a shaky start. Reduced to 49/3, and later 85/6, it looked like the Nomads were clawing back into the contest. Osama Mahmood, leading from the front yet again, picked up 3/17 in a sharp 4-over spell, keeping the game in the balance.

The chase wasn’t a walk in the park either. When Zurich Lions slipped to 85/6, staring at the brink of collapse Kersley walked out with poise and purpose. His 56 off 71 balls, laced with six fours and two sixes, was a masterclass in controlled aggression and calmness under pressure.

Amidst the chaos he stood firm, cool as ever. His knock was the backbone of the chase. He soaked up the pressure, rotated strike smartly, and dispatched the bad balls with ease.

Just when things began to tilt again, Mayur already the star with the ball showed nerves of steel with the bat. His unbeaten 32 off 55 deliveries guided the Lions over the line sealing a memorable victory. Fletcher added a valuable cameo at the end with 10* off 7 balls to wrap things up.

Mayur Daftari - The Game Changer

If ever there was a spell that flipped a match on its head, Mayur's 4-1-9-4 was it. Bowling with searing accuracy and smart variations, he ripped the middle order apart and broke the backbone of Nomads’ innings. Precision. Pressure. Perfection.

And he wasn’t done yet. Walking in with his side in trouble at 85/6, Mayur showed his versatility with the bat, soaking in the pressure with a crucial unbeaten 32 off 55. Calm, calculated, and clutch! His all-round brilliance lit up the Embrach afternoon.

Kersley Corder - The Commander in Chase

Every chase needs an anchor, and Kersley was just that. Walking in at 49/3, he constructed a classy 56 off 71 balls, holding firm while wickets fell around him. Six boundaries and two sixes sailed off his willow, and his steady partnership with Mayur for the 7th wicket worth 51 runs brought Zurich Lions back from the brink.

His composure and shot selection were top-notch, and when he finally fell at 148, the damage had been done. A high-quality knock under pressure, the best of the lot.

Ashwin's Sparkling Spells Amid the Fireworks & Fletchers Cameo

Ashwin, too, deserves plaudits. Returning 9-0-32-3, he removed Osama and dented Nomads at the top with a disciplined spell that dried up runs and took out key batters.

Fletcher was miserly with the ball and added a valuable cameo at the end with 10* off 7 balls to wrap things up.

Player of the Match: Mayur Daftari - 4 wickets, a match-winning unbeaten 32 – a performance for the ages.

Match Summary:

• Zurich Nomads CC: 165 all out in 35.2 overs (Miskeen Jatoi 41, Osama Mahmood 33; Mayur Daftari 4/9, Ashwin Prakash 3/32)

• Zurich Lions CC: 167/7 in 40.2 overs (Kersley Corder 56, Mayur Daftari 32*; Osama Mahmood 3/17)

  
  

Result: Zurich Lions CC won by 3 wickets