The door is closing for those sides still trying to make it through to the business end of the SNTTAMakemytrip Challengers Cup at the ICC Academy at Dubai Sports City.
Just two quarter-final places remain up for grabs in both the Bronze and Silver sections of the tournament, while Danube has established a vice-like grip at the top of the Gold section.
In the Bronze section, Team Legendary, 3M, Emax Electronics, Al Tayer Motors, Dubai Building and Farnek Mannschaft are all through to the last eight, while seven sides still harbour hopes of joining them, although only two can advance.
Pharmatrade is a strong contender for a last eight spot from Pool E, but their fate hangs on the outcome of the game between Omnicom Media Group and Sinnara Gold.
In Pool H, it is still all to play for between Carfare Group, Europcar Team, NAMSHI and Mediclinic Welcare 1, but only one of these sides can progress.
Six of the quarter-finalists in the Silver section have also been decided. In Pool A, Dulsco and DNA Health will both go forward, although the upcoming meeting between them will determine which side tops the pool.
In Pool B, Oxford Marine and Radio 4 are through to the last eight, and in Pool C AEN CC and the Fitness Firsters can start preparing for the knock-out stage.
In Pool D, matters are still to be determined with Transmed, Bafco, One Dream and Jumbo Electronics all still in with a realistic chance of progressing.
In the Gold section, Danube, the winner of four indoor titles at the ICC Academy in 2013, rule the roost with three wins from three so far.
Danube’s position is significant as the side that tops the group goes straight through to the Gold section Grand Final.
The matches are eight-a-side, played over the shortest format of the game of just eight overs an innings. Teams bat in pairs, with each pair spending two overs in the middle, with five runs deducted every time a wicket falls.
The Cup involves three sections – Gold, Silver and Bronze – featuring 100 matches played by 54 teams over 41 days through to mid-May.
