The Nottinghamshire Outlaws secured their place at Finals Day for the first time since 2020, edging past Surrey by seven runs in a tense Vitality Blast quarter-final at Trent Bridge. Opting to bat first on a worn pitch that offered little pace, the North Group winners posted 163 for six. Nottinghamshire struggled early, laboring to 62 for two at the halfway point, but an impressive unbeaten 75 from 54 balls by Jack Haynes provided the necessary momentum. Haynes added 68 runs with Joe Pocklington, who contributed 26 off 23 balls, before late-order contributions from Benny Howell and Liam Patterson-White helped the team add 41 runs in the final 22 deliveries.
Surrey's bowling attack, led by Chris Jordan, started strongly. Jordan claimed three for 22, including a maiden in the powerplay, while Reece Topley also bowled a maiden and dismissed Joe Clarke early. Despite these efforts, Surrey appeared to be in control during the chase. Jason Roy, who scored 76 off 50 balls, and Laurie Evans, who contributed 40 from 34, built a solid 101-run partnership for the first wicket in 12.1 overs. At 85 for zero after 10 overs, Surrey needed only 79 more runs to win.
The momentum shifted when left-arm spinner George Linde, who finished with two for 23, dismissed Evans and Dan Lawrence. A direct hit from substitute fielder Freddie McCann to run out Roy further dented Surrey's progress. With 21 runs required from the final two overs, the pressure mounted. Binura Fernando, who took two for 27, dismissed Ollie Pope and Tom Curran in the penultimate over. Olly Stone then successfully defended 12 runs in the final over, removing Jordan and Ollie Sykes to seal a seven-run victory for the home side.
