Matches Schedule (Visit the Official Website of AZTwenty20 for more details)

QF-1 (Intraedge Kings vs Arizona Vipers) & QF-2 (Metro Stars vs Phoenix CC)

Friday, August 21, 2009
Start time 18.50 local (21.50 EST)

QF-3 (Cavaliers Vs Tucson CC) & QF-4 (Metro Suns vs Taverners)

Saturday, August 22, 2009
Start time 18.30 local (21.30 EST)

The Big Picture

Intraedge kings, Metro Stars and Cavaliers enter into the quarter finals of AZTwenty20 undefeated. Despite some losses, Taverners, Metro Suns and PCC were always favorites for a quarter spot. A good ran rate ensured that Tornado Cricket Club made it to quarters safely despite their last game loss to Arizona Cricket club (ACC), a win that also edged Valley Eagles out of the Super -8.

At the end it does look like that the best 8 teams of the tournament have qualified for the Super-8. Even though some of the teams might look superior to others on paper based on recent forms in the tournament so far, the unpredictability of Twenty20 would never let you pick up four favorites for the semi finals immediately after the quarters on Sunday, the 23^rd. Would you take a chance?

AZTwenty20 form guide

(last six matches, most recent last)
Intraedge Kings – WWWWWW

Arizona Vipers - LLWWLW

Metro Suns – LWWLWW

Taverners – WLWWLW

Metro Stars – WWWWWW

Phoenix CC – WWLLWL

Cavaliers – WWWWWW

Tucson CC - LWWLWL

QF-1 : Intraedge Kings Vs Arizona Vipers @ Washington (E):

Champions from the last 2 editions with only one loss in as many as 24 games so far and an undefeated streak into 2009 edition surely make them a favorite for a semi birth. On the other hand all the three games that ACC has won to claim a spot in the super 8, have been massive and well timed when needed. If iKings have surely been the best batting side of the tournament, ACC could easily claim to be the surprise element of AZTwenty20. While iKings would try to carry on the consistency, Arizona Cricket Club has every reason to believe in them and fancy a semi final spot.

QF-2: Metro Stars Vs Phoenix Cricket Club @ Washington (W):

Based on pure numbers, Metro Stars is the best bowling team of AZTwenty20. They have registered massive wins against Metro Champs and CTS and they have defended low totals against Kings. They come up with a good experience but would you take a chance against PCC especially when the last time they met each other, it was a close contest? Even though Phoenix Cricket Club lost games in the group rounds, the ease with which they entered into quarters would scare any team to take them lightly.

QF-3 : Cavaliers Vs Tucson Cricket Club @ Washington (E):

Cavaliers, one of the most consistent teams of the Arizona League has maintained the same level of consistency in the shorter format of the game as well. They were the champions in the very first edition of the summer tournament way back in 2002 and would surely like to claim it back. A very experienced side with a good form behind would easily tempt you to mark them as another favorite in the final four but only when you know only one side of the story. Tucson Cricket Club only debuted last year but has become much stronger this season registering some good wins and securing a super-8 spot. However the later would have to play their best game to beat the former should be a very acceptable statement.

QF-4 : Metro Suns Vs Taverners @ Washington (W):

During the group rounds, Metro Suns had registered a straight forward win against Taverners. However that would not count much when they meet again on Saturday @ Washington (W). Both teams have won games easily and lost as well and stand next to each other in the points table. So in a way they have been similar on paper so probably this game would see the battle between the two closest teams in the Quarter Final round.

Pitch & conditions

Unrolled, grassy cricket pitches have always played the role of surprise elements in AZTwenty20. At times they have been disasters for players and teams and sometimes aided them pleasantly. Based on the recent trends, Washington (W) should offer better and consistent bounce but would be on the slower side. Washington (E) might not offer the same consistency in the bounce but should offer more pace than the West Park. Light condition is another important factor which is better on the East Park.

Stats and trivia:

• So far, out of the 48 games played so far, 20 have been won chasing the target while 27 have been won batting first and a game being forfeited.
• Cognizant Technology Solutions (CTS) and Metro Champs (MCMP) were the only teams that didn’t win a single game in the league rounds.
• Based on the recorded stats so far, Intraedge Kingfishers with a batting net run rate of 8.89 is the best batting side of the tournament while Metro Star with a net bowling run rate of 3.6 is the best bowling side of the tournament.
• Interestingly enough all the Super-8 teams ended up having positive net run rates and teams out of the super-8 had negative run rates.
• So far a total of 217 sixes and 486 fours have been hit which together constitute about 29.6 % of the total runs (10930) scored so far.
• 50 off the total 1763.4 overs bowled so far have been maidens with Ravi Jassal from Metro Stars bowling a maximum of 4 maidens.

Quotes

“Hot or burning hot, day or night, mat or no mat, prepared wickets or sand dunes .........Let's play cricket. Thanks to all teams for showing such a passion to play cricket."

Mahesh Naik, the chief organizer of AZTwenty20 shows his gratitude with full enthusiasm to all participating teams.

"It has been a wonderful experience to play under the flood lights in the hot evenings of Phoenix and nice breather after the Arizona’s 7 month long 40-40 over season."

Vivek Govekar, a Metro Star player as well as part of the AZTwenty20 Organizing team is all enthusiastic about the 20-20 format.

“It will be hard to repeat anything like that.”

Karan Wittke¸ from Intraedge Kings and also the leading scorer of AZTwenty20 realizes the enormity of the record he himself has set, 12 balls 50, 34 balls 100.