Shaikh Lights Up Grace Road With Match-Defining Century
There are performances that simply demand attention, and Hamza Shaikh's 104 off 109 balls at Grace Road was very much one of them. The 20-year-old, who only joined Leicestershire from Warwickshire a month ago, walked to the crease and batted as though he had spent years at the club. His innings, laced with seven fours and two sixes, proved the cornerstone of a total that ultimately proved beyond Notts Outlaws as the Foxes triumphed by 23 runs to book their place in the One-Day Cup final against Middlesex.
Leicestershire posted 303-7 from their 50 overs — a challenging total on any day — and their bowlers held their nerve to dismiss the visitors for 280 in 49 overs. For a county that claimed this very title back in 2023, this is familiar territory, and they will head to Trent Bridge brimming with confidence.
A Partnership That Put Notts Under Pressure
Shaikh did not do it alone. Nick Kelly contributed a composed 53, and the pair's 117-run fourth-wicket stand was arguably the innings within the innings. It shifted the momentum decisively in Leicestershire's favour and left Notts Outlaws facing a target that asked serious questions of their batting lineup. Shaikh was eventually removed by Liam Patterson-White, while Dillon Pennington was the pick of the Notts attack, finishing with 3-65.
From a tactical perspective, Leicestershire's batting order showed real depth and awareness of the situation. Building a partnership of that size in a List A semi-final, under pressure, is no small feat — particularly from a player still settling into a new county environment.
Notts Fight Hard But Fall Short
To their credit, the Outlaws gave themselves every chance. Openers Ben Martindale and Freddie McCann raced to 63 in just 11 overs, threatening to set a blistering pace. However, England all-rounder Rehan Ahmed changed the complexion of the chase immediately with his very first delivery, trapping Martindale lbw for 43. That wicket proved a turning point.
Freddie McCann (64) and skipper Haseeb Hameed (54) steadied things with a 69-run stand, but a costly run-out ended McCann's innings on 63, injecting fresh uncertainty into the chase. Kyle Verreynne was beginning to look dangerous on 43 when 19-year-old Alex Green, who was magnificent throughout, dismissed both Verreynne and Farhan Ahmed inside four balls in the 48th over. Green's final figures of 4-40 were thoroughly deserved, and at that point, Leicestershire's place in the final was effectively sealed.
Notts had been aiming for their first home final since the List A decider relocated to Trent Bridge from Lord's in 2021, but it was not to be.
Final Awaits — And the Betting Markets Will Be Taking Notice
Leicestershire now face Middlesex in what will be the sixth One-Day Cup final staged at Trent Bridge since the competition departed Lord's in 2019. Historically, the finals at Trent Bridge have been won by counties who might be considered unfashionable — Glamorgan, Kent, Worcestershire, and Leicestershire themselves among them. That trend is very much alive heading into this year's decider. This result will shorten the Foxes' outright odds considerably, and rightly so — they look a well-balanced, confident unit with match-winners throughout the side.
For Leicestershire fans, the prospect of a second One-Day Cup triumph in just four seasons will feel very real right now. Shaikh, Green, Ahmed — there is exciting young talent throughout this squad, and Grace Road has every reason to be buzzing ahead of the trip to Nottingham.
