Rashid Khan’s breezy cameo helped Sussex reach their first semi-final of the Vitality T20 Blast in three years following their five-wicket win over Yorkshire in the first quarter-final at Chester-le-Street.
Sussex needed 43 in 21 balls when Rashid came to bat at No. 6. He smashed three fours and two sixes in his blistering 9-ball 27 not out to take his side home with two balls to spare.
Opting to bat, Yorkshire lost Adam Lyth (6), David Willey (16) and Harry Brook (1) inside the first five overs. Tom Kohler-Cadmore (55 in 49 balls) and Gary Ballance (55 in 37) then revived the innings, adding 85 for the fourth wicket before the latter fell to George Garton in the 16thover.
Kohler-Cadmore struggled to get going in the initial stages, and found his touch late before Tymal Mills (3-39) in the 19th over. Jordan Thompson played a quickfire 8-ball 16 to take Yorkshire to 177/7. They added 107 in the final 10 overs.
Coming to the chase, Phil Salt (27) and Luke Wright (54 in 39) got Sussex off to a rousing start. The pair added 72 off 51 balls before Thompson dismissed Salt to give Yorkshire the first breakthrough. Ravi Bopara (9) fell to Thompson (3-28) in his next over as Sussex were 91/2 in 10.3 overs.
Wright looked ominous during his stay, but failed to remain till the end. Adil Rashid cleaned him up in the 14th over. Delray Rawlins (27) and David Wiese (19) also chipped in with handy contributions before Rashid’s fiery short stint stole the show.
Brief scores: Yorkshire 177/7 in 20 overs (Kohler-Cadmore 55; Mills 3-39) lost to Sussex 178/5 in 19.4 overs (Wright 54; Thompson 3-28) by 5 wickets with 2 balls to spare. Player of the Match: Rashid Khan.