Moeen Ali can look forward to playing in the final of the Indian Premier League after playing a key role in Chennai Super Kings four wicket win over Delhi Capitals in the First Qualifier in Dubai.
The Worcestershire Rapids Vitality Blast captain produced an excellent performance with the ball and then contributed an important cameo with the bat as the Super Kings chased down a 173 target with two balls to spare.
Now next on the agenda for the all-rounder is Friday’s final although an Eliminator and Second Qualifier have to be played before the Super Kings will know their opponents.
Moeen returned his side’s most economical figures with 1-27 from four overs in which he did not concede a four and only one six by Shimron Hetmyer.
He came into the attack at 60-2 for the eighth over and struck in his second over with a helping hand from former Rapids team-mate, Mitchell Santner.
Axar Patel (10) went for a big hit and picked out Santner, who had two spells at New Road, running in from long on.
Moeen then chipped in with 16 useful runs off 12 balls with two boundaries as the Super Kings chased the Delhi total of 172-5.
He was dismissed off the first ball of the final over from Tom Curran, caught at deep square leg, but MS Dhoni saw the Super Kings home with three boundaries.