Notts Outlaws secured their place in the Yorkshire Bank 40 final with a complete team performance to see off Somerset under the Trent Bridge floodlights.
After reducing the visitors to 119 all out with ten overs to spare, accomplished knocks from Michael Lumb and Samit Patel saw the total knocked off with ease.
Seamer Ajmal Shahzad took the key wicket of Craig Kieswetter to help break the back of the Somerset top order, before ending the innings after trapping Kirby without scoring.
“We couldn’t have asked for a better result,” he said.
“We delivered tonight, executed our skills right on the head and to get any team all out for 120, especially Somerset, is impressive.
“To then chase it down in the way we did, everyone’s chuffed to bits.”
A blistering attack led by Shahzad, Steven Mullaney and man of the match winning Jake Ball saw the match out of sight early doors, and the Outlaws batsmen knocked off the total inside twenty overs. From a personal perspective, however, Shahzad has wanted more.
“I’ve got some wickets in the YB40 this season but overall I’d like to have done better,” he said.
“I haven’t got to the stages where I wanted to be, but I’m still collecting wickets and it all adds to the team performance and that’s what I want to do, to contribute to the team’s success.
“If it isn’t going so well for myself I don’t mind, because I can keep giving to the team.”
“His yorker to see off Jamie Overton was a beautiful ball, he couldn’t have asked for better." Ajmal Shahzad
Jake Ball will rightfully take the plaudits for his 4-25, including two stunning deliveries to see off James Hildreth and Chawla. This came on his return after being hit for early boundaries by Craig Kieswetter.
“It was unbelievable,” said Shahzad on his performance.
“To come back from where he was, after being hit for a couple of boundaries early doors and hit back to back wickets was excellent.
“His yorker to see off Jamie Overton was a beautiful ball, he couldn’t have asked for better.
“I said to him, once he gets a bit older, more mature and stronger, send those balls down at 86, or 87 miles an hour, he won’t just be hitting people on the toes he’ll be knocking them over, hitting those stumps out of the ground.”
Notts are to face Glamorgan at Lord’s, who saw off the holders Hampshire on Saturday. With this the last chance of silverware for Notts, Shahzad has been eyeing a trophy since his arrival ahead of this season.
“The trophy is just what we need,” he said.
“We want to get this for the gaffer. He’s been looking for one-day trophies for a long time so if we can do it for him it would be fantastic.
“We’re one game away, so let’s make this happen.
“I’d love to see us lift the trophy at Lord’s. If I can pull out a match winning performance like Jake did today out I the final and bring that silverware home, that’ll be a good season for us.”
Yorkshire Bank 40 Final - Ticket and Travel Information
The YB40 Final will take place at Lord's on Saturday 21 September.
Tickets are now available to purchase directly from the Lord's online ticket office. Click here to secure your seats.
Notts members and supporters can purchase tickets in the Edrich Stand. Tickets cost £40 in the Upper Tier and £25-£30 in the Lower Tier. Tickets for under 16s cost £5.
Yorkshire Bank are offering a “Free Road to Lord's” and will provide five coaches free of charge to transport Notts members to Lord's. To qualify, members must have pre-purchased match tickets for the final.
Seats are limited and available on a first come first served basis.
The coaches will leave from the Dixon Gates at the ground at 7.00am on Saturday 21st, returning after the match.
Bookings for free coach travel will be available from 9.30am on Wednesday 11 September by calling 0844 811 8711 or visiting the Trent Bridge ticket office. You will need to note the payment reference number from your Lord's ticket purchase.
Non-members (and members not able to obtain a ticket through the promotion) can purchase a coach ticket to travel to Lord's, at a cost of £30 for adults and £15 for under 16s from the Trent Bridge Ticket Office or via our ticket hotline on 0844 811 8711.