While the Fanatics are through to the Bronze Division semi-finals, the Falcons and the Dubai Qalandars will also feature in the last-four of the Silver Division of the Sprite Challengers Cup.

At the ICC Academy,  no one could deny the Fanatics a place in the next round of the Challengers Cup, given their excellent performance against the Jawahara Supergiants (14), after beating their opponents by 49 runs.

An equally impressive win came from the Falcons (64), who restricted DULSCO to just 24 runs, sealing passage through to the next round, where they will be joined by the Dubai Qalandars, who endured a nervous finish to their match.

Just 10 runs separated them from the Icons, who could only manage 38 runs, and the Qalandars in response did enough to warrant them a place in the semis.

While there was a significant margin of victory for the Fanatics, Abela & Co only managed to secure a semi-final berth through the skin of their teeth: just one run gave them victory over the Acosca Raiders (44), who were cruelly denied a place in the next round.

But both Abela and the Fanatics will be joined by the Shagarah Panthers (53), who enjoyed a 19-run win over Pharmatrade, and the Sandpipers, who overcame Al Naboodah (34) by 17 runs.

Meanwhile, Crystal Gallery are through to the semi-finals after a 14-run win over MIB (55).

Elsewhere, team Pacific Ventures, one of the favourites for the tournament, put up another six points on the board when they beat DBMSC (22) by 17 runs, and followed that up with a superb 15-run victory over the Knight Riders (29).

The Knight Riders though showed plenty of character to bounce back in their six-run win over DBMSC (30).