KASHIF Ali propelled Worcestershire to a six-wicket win over Northamptonshire Steelbacks, keeping the side's T20 Blast qualification hopes alive.
Adam Finch and Tom Taylor impressed with the ball as Northants could only muster 153-9 in their 20 overs. Finding themselves 3-2 in reply, Ali unleashed an outstanding 88 to lead the repost for Worcestershire.
His stand of 127 with Gareth Roderick put the away side in control. They went on to ease to a six-wicket win with three overs remaining, maintaining their outside chance at qualification to the quarter finals with four games still to play.
Electing to field first, Tom Taylor nearly enjoyed the dream start as he saw an edge fly desperately close to the outstretched arm of Henry Cullen, who was mere millimetres from taking an outstanding catch off the rip.
Ben Dwarshuis went on to take a wicket with the first ball of his spell, before Taylor made a double breakthrough in his third over. First Adam Finch took a catch on the edge of the circle, before delivering a ball that nipped off a length and uprooted the batters off-stump, leaving the Steelbacks at 34-3.
Khurram Shahzad swapped ends but continued the side's strong start. The Pakistani international took the wicket of Steelbacks skipper David Willey, meaning Northants reached the halfway stage at 71-4.
Fateh Singh picked up the fifth wicket of the match, as Justin Broad departed for 19, mistiming the ball onto his own stumps.
Adam Finch then returned with an excellent display, taking two wickets in four balls.
He helped himself to another wicket in his final over, before Khurram topped it off with one further wicket, leaving the Steelbacks at 152-9 at the completion of their 20 overs.
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The side's pursuit did not start in the same flying form. Youngster Isaac Mohammed was caught in his first over before captain Brett D'Oliveira was bowled in the third over, leaving the away side pegged back at 3-2.
Kashif Ali and Gareth Roderick came in and began to change the tide for Worcestershire, as Ali drilled Ben Sanderson over his head for six.
He continued his assault, with Rapids ending the powerplay at 44-2.
Ali went on to fire his way to a second Vitality Blast half-century this season in just 24 balls.
The pair reached the halfway stage of Worcestershire's innings at 89-2.
Ali and Roderick notched their 100 partnership off just 52 balls, with Ali taking a magnificent 88 from 46 balls before being caught on the boundary.
He departed with his side at 130-3, with Worcestershire needing just 23 from the remaining five overs to win.
Roderick fell four balls later, as debutant Henry Cullen joined Ethan Brookes to knock off the remaining runs for the victory with three overs to spare.
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