Champions League T20 2012
Champions League 2012 in photos
Auckland make waves: One of the two teams that progressed from the qualifiers to the main draw of the Champions League T20 2012 was Auckland Aces. They saw off IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders but then, needing to win their last group match to keep their semi-final hopes alive, they faltered: against Perth Scorchers, they failed to chase down 141 and crashed out. Allrounder Azhar Mahmood proved to be quite effective, and his 5 for 24 against Hampshire in the qualifiers was the best bowling figures overall.•Getty Images
KP's comeback: England's Kevin Pietersen swapped his studio microphone and blazer for cricket kit, as he returned to competitive cricket with Delhi Daredevils.•AFP
Fun in the stands: While not all the matches were well-attended, some were sold out. Flags, funky hairdos, cheerleaders and peppy numbers blasted over the PA … the essential T20 ingredients were all there. •Getty Images
Knockout punch: This was a game Lions needed to win to seal their place in the semis, and knock three other teams out at one go. And win they did, albeit not at a canter. Chasing 132 against Yorkshire, they needed 43 off 43 with seven wickets in hand before a wobble. In the end, some big hitting from Jean Symes got them home and sparked wild celebrations. •Getty Images
Morris magic: In the first semi-final, it was Lions v Delhi Daredevils. Daredevils found themselves chasing just 140, but yet again, floundered in a knockout game - they are yet to win any. The killer blows were inflicted by seamer Chris Morris; he took two wickets and conceded seven runs in his four overs, accounting for the only two Daredevils' specialist batsmen who got into double digits: David Warner and Kevin Pietersen. End result? A 22-run victory for Lions.•AFP
Lumb leads the way: Sydney Sixers' opener Michael Lumb was the leading run-scorer in the tournament, with 226 at 56.50. And he saved his best for last …•Associated Press
Sensational Sydney: And then it was party time for Sydney Sixers.•Getty Images
Yorkshire carnage: Once the tournament proper began, Sydney Sixers began to strut their stuff. Their unbeaten run included a caning of Yorkshire. After Yorkshire crawled to 96 for 9 against their incisive pace attack, their batsman knocked off the runs in less than nine overs to complete the thumping.•Getty Images
Phangiso in the limelight: One of the finds of the tournament was Lions' left-arm spinner Aaron Phangiso. He finished the tournament with 10 wickets at 11.80, and an economy rate of 5.36. His best showing was against Sydney Sixers in the group stage, when he picked up 3 for 14, including the top three: Michael Lumb, Shane Watson and Dominic Thornely.•Getty Images
Sitting in the rain: Some of the fans were a determined lot. Even the pelting rain could not drive them away …•AFP
Dhoni's day off: Chennai Super Kings were out of contention for a place in the semis even before their final game, and captain MS Dhoni handed over the reins to Suresh Raina for the match. He also gave up the keeping gloves and had bowl instead, against Yorkshire. •AFP
Semi-classic: In what was probably the match of the tournament, Sydney Sixers saw off Titans in the second semi with a last-ball, two-wicket win. Pat Cummins, who had failed with the ball made amends with the bat, carrying them home with a nerveless, sensible cameo, reminiscent of the one he played for Australia to win them the Johannesburg Test against South Africa last year. •Getty Images
Race to the finish: After two weeks of T20 drama, it was Lions v Sydney Sixers in the final, battling it out for title, trophy and $2.5million.•Getty Images
Bringing out the beanie: The night-time temperatures in South Africa were not quite tropical, and the boys from the Caribbean felt it. Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Smith addressed the issue by sporting Mumbai Indians beanies.•Getty Images
The damper: Yes, rain had it's say in the tournament - four group matches were washed out - and Delhi Daredevils were the most affected, with two of their four Group A games ending in no results. •Getty Images
Downer for defending champions: Title-holders Mumbai Indians had a poor run in the tournament, failing to win even a single game. Their campaign ended with a 12-run loss to Sydney Sixers, as they fell short pursuing 137. •Getty Images
Starc stars with ball: Sydney Sixers pace attack was the sensation of the tournament, and their leader was Mitchell Starc. The left-arm pacer finished on top of the wickets chart, with 14 scalps in six games at 12.35 apiece. •Getty Images
Lions mauled: At one stage in the final, Sydney Sixers had Lions 9 for 4, and then their openers raced - Michael Lumb made 82* off 42 - to the target of 122 with all of 45 balls remaining. Safe to say, it was a one-sided game.•AFP