Irfan seals last-over thriller; Razzaq, Misbah power New York into playoffs

California Knights rode on fine individual batting performances from Jacques Kallis and Ricardo Powell to clinch a thriller against Atlanta Riders by five runs. With this win, California climbed to the second spot as the race for playoffs intensified.

Once captain Aaron Finch fell for 2, Kallis led California with an unbeaten 38 off 27. Powell dispatched three consecutive Elias Sunny deliveries to the ropes to end a boundary drought before Kallis followed it with a six in the same over. Powell continued his attack as he ended the innings with two consecutive sixes off Mohammad Irfan to finish on 33 off 18, as California finished on 94 for 2.

Atlanta needed a win to lift themselves off the bottom of the table. They started positively as their captain Robin Uthappa and Lendl Simmons attacked before both holed out off Peter Siddle.

Hamilton Masakadza, who was spectacular in the last match, upped the ante by hitting Ben Laughlin for 14 runs off three deliveries, bringing down the equation to nine runs required off six deliveries. In a dramatic final over, Irfan Pathan maintained a strict line to concede only three runs while also dismissing Masakadza.

Abdul Razzaq dished out a whirlwind cameo of 35 off 14 to guide New York Warriors to a thrilling six-run victory over Texas Chargers. The win confirmed New York's presence in the playoffs of the US Masters T10.

Kamran Akmal started New York's attack against compatriot Sohail Tanvir by hitting him for a six and a four in the second over. After Tillakaratne Dilshan and Richard Levi failed to score much, Shahid smashed Thisara Perera for a couple of fours and a splendid six in the fifth over.

However, Kamran and Afridi were sent back in consecutive overs by Umar Gul and Tanvir, respectively. The duo of Razzaq and Misbah-ul-Haq (16* off eight) then forged an unbeaten stand of 57 runs off just 21 balls for the sixth wicket to power New York 115 for 5.

Texas's daunting task became more challenging after the early dismissals of Mohammad Hafeez, Upul Tharanga and Mukhtar Ahmed. Captain Ben Dunk lifted them by smashing two fours and a six, but he was eventually undone by Abdur Rehman, with Afridi taking a blinder at cover.

Surprisingly, Tanvir and Phil Mustard added 38 runs for the eighth wicket to keep Texas in the game but failed to apply the finishing touch in a close finish.

Corey Anderson put on a spectacular show with both bat and the ball to help Morrisville Unity script a 55-run victory over New Jersey Triton's to keep their playoffs hopes alive. Anderson smashed 40 off 18 and then picked up four wickets, while conceding just five runs.

Shehan Jayasuriya started things for Morrisville with his 34 off 18 while his opening partner Rajdeep Darbar retired hurt. After Jayasuriya fell in the sixth over, Anderson and Obus Pienaar (31* off 11) took the New Jersey bowling attack to the cleaners by finding the fence consistently. The duo forged an unbeaten stand of 71 runs off just 28 balls for the third wicket.

New Jersey were rocked early in the daunting chase as Sreesanth and Najaf Shah struck early. Cameron Delport and Yusuf Pathan tried to make amends and steadied the chase to take them to 50 for 2 runs after six overs.

However, Anderson derailed New Jersey's batting line-up by collecting two wickets in the seventh over and two more in the ninth to all but finish the game.