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CLT20 PHOTOS: Mumbai crush Perth to storm into semi-finals
Rohit Sharma blasted an unbeaten half-century to help Mumbai Indians crush Perth Scorchers by six wickets and qualify for the semi-finals of the Champions League T20, in Delhi, on Wednesday.
Chasing 150 for victory, Mumbai eased to victory in 13.2 overs to win with 40 deliveries to spare to advance to the last four as the second team from Group A ahead of Otago Volts.
After being put in to bat, Perth struggled at the start with openers Ashton Agar and Simon Katich putting on 55 runs in 9.2 overs before the former was bowled by Pragyan Ojha for 35.
The left-arm spinner claimed another wicket in his first over when Katich was also bowled after a struggling innings of 13 from 19 balls.
Coulter-Nile shines with the ball
Pacer Nathan-Coulter Nile bowled a wonderful spell in which he took three wickets to keep the Australian side down to a manageable score.
The Australian took three for 19 in four overs as Perth struggled to lift the run rate right through their innings.
Whiteman hits quickfire fifty to lift Perth
Whiteman came to Perth's rescue with a quickfire half-century as the lower order struggled and kept losing wickets at regular intervals.
He slammed 51 not out from 32 balls, with the help of six fours and two sixes, to take Perth to 149 for six in their 20 overs.
Tendulkar falls for a duck
Mumbai Indians, who needed to chase the target of 150 in 14.2 overs to progress to the semi-finals, were dealt an early blow.
Veteran opener Sachin Tendulkar was dismissed for a duck in the second over when he holed out pacer Jason Behrendorff to the fielder at deep square leg.
Smith's attack lifts Mumbai
Dwayne Smith went on the attack right from the start.
He hit left-arm spinner Michael Beer for a boundary and a six in the first over to set the tone for the rest of the Mumbai Indians' innings.
The West Indian slammed a quickfire 48 from 25 balls, with the help of five fours and three sixes, to give his team the perfect start.
Sharma's fifty lifts Mumbai to victory
Rohit Sharma led from the front with a sizzling half-century that helped Mumbai canter to a convincing six-wicket victory in 13.2 overs that ensured their passage to the semi-finals at the expense of Otago Volts.
Sharma blasted 51 not out from 24 balls, with the help of four sixes and three fours, as he smashed the Perth bowlers all around the park at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium.
Mumbai finish second in Group A
Kieron Pollard played second fiddle to his captain Sharma, who was attacking the bowlers from the other end.
Pollard made 23 from 18 balls before he was bowled by veteran spinner Brad Hogg but Ambati Rayudu hit two consecutive sixes to carry Mumbai Indians to a thumping victory.
IPL champions Mumbai finished second in Group A with two victories, one wash out and a loss from their four matches behind Rajasthan Royals, who won all their four group games.