Abu Dhabi T20: Multiply Titans through to final after thrashing Auckland Aces

Tony de Zorzi top scores with 34 as South African franchise set up championship match against Lahore Qalandars at Zayed Cricket Stadium

Tony de Zorzi top-scored for Multiply Titans with 34 in the victory over Auckland Aces on Saturday to set up a championship game in Abu Dhabi T20 against Lahore Qalanders. Pawan Singh / The National

Multiply Titans made short work of the Auckland Aces on Saturday to book a place in the inaugural Abu Dhabi T20 final against Lahore Qalandars later the same day at Zayed Cricket Stadium.

The Titans skittled out the New Zealand franchise for 80 in 16 overs and knocked off the winning runs for the loss two wickets in 12.1 overs to top Group B.

The two Titan wickets to fall were Andrea Agathangelou (19) at 30 in the fifth over and Tony de Zorzi (34), their centurion in the first game, leaving five required for victory. Theunis de Bruyn (17) and Albie Morkel (3) knocked off the winning runs with 47 balls to spare.

“I have never played two T20 games on the same day, and more importantly a final,” Morkel said.

“It’s going to be tough going into this final ... We knew the format from the onset and want to go out there and give our best shot.”

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Morkel won the toss and put the opposition to bat. That plan worked as the Aces were left reeling at three wickets down for five runs in two overs.

“That was the plan whether it worked out or not,” the Titans captain said when asked if the plan was to bowl the opposition out early.

“We can’t control that but luckily we happened to bowl them out quickly and that gives us another 40 minutes extra rest before the final.”

Morkel hasn’t played much part in the two games. He didn’t bat or bowl in the first game and bowled just two overs to take 1-5 and arrived at the crease to face a couple of deliveries.

“In the T20 format whether you face one or 20 balls you have to make a difference in the team,” he said.

“I don’t know yet the team that will go into the final and when it’s announced we’ll see what roles each one has been given to play.”

De Zorzi was once again the top scorer for the Titans. He struck 34 before slashing one outside the off stump to be caught behind when his side needed five to win.

“Before this tournament we picked him as an opening batsman and he seems to have cemented that place,” said Morkel of the 21-year-old batsman.

“He’s known to play more longer in 50-over cricket and now he certainly showed his game on this format to put the bowlers under pressure.”

In Saturday's early match, Yorkshire Vikings beat Hobart Hurricanes by nine wickets with Tom Kohler unbeaten on 72.