Coming up against a DIA Wolves side, who were appearing in their third straight quarter-final, last season’s U-15 champions had a frustrating time at the crease.
Their cause wasn’t helped by Wolves’ Hrithik Bhatia and Akbar Khan, who made things difficult with their bowling variations.
Despite losing an early wicket, Martis upped the ante with a blistering 68-run knock from just 46 deliveries.
His runs were crucial considering only he and Mohammed Ajmal (40) reached double figures in their challenging score of 150-7.
Wolves were 30-4 inside seven overs before Fernandes took charge, finishing with figures of 3-6 while Vishal Raj’s three-wicket haul sealed the 35-run victory.
For Martis, it was his second half-century and having not been part of the squad last year, the 17-year-old is desperate to get his hands on the trophy. “It’s a good feeling to score big,” said Martis, who has already hit a century in the group stage this season.
“I wasn’t part of the winning team last year and I want to take the team all the way to the end.”
Next up for Zenith is an intriguing last-four clash against SKBZ Pak Eagles.
The Abu Dhabi outfit made the long trip to Dubai with a perfect record and that continued after a comfortable win against JC Heat.
Mohammad Anwar’s 70 runs proved to be the difference, smashing 10 boundaries and a maximum off just 41 balls to help his team post 169-8 in their 20 overs.
Yuvraj Jaisingh (45) top-scored for Heat but it wasn’t enough.
In the other semi-final, it will be another DPS derby as rivals Falcons and Sharjah meet for a place in the January 30 final.
Rohit Bokhil’s three-wicket haul saw DPS Sharjah defeat Dubai’s Modernite by 61 runs.
Falcons ended Cambridge’s run on their debut as Harsh Bobade’s patient 48-run knock saw them chase their 99-run target down with nine wickets to spare.
