Saint Helena's batting collapse in the middle overs handed Seychelles a golden opportunity, but it was Rashen De Silva's grit that clinched a two-wicket victory in a match that swung repeatedly. The turning point came in the 12th over when Saint Helena lost three wickets in quick succession. Joey Thomas (26 off 29) and Jamie Essex (19 off 24) had stitched a steady platform, but the middle order folded under pressure. Mazharul Islam's two-wicket haul exposed the fragility within their batting unit, leaving Saint Helena stranded at 95—a total that always looked vulnerable on this ground.
Seychelles chased with conviction but not comfort. Entering the death overs needing 25 from 18 balls, they faced a real contest. This was the second pivotal moment: Thiwanka Rajapaksha's unbeaten 26 off 25 deliveries injected momentum exactly when it mattered. He rotated strike intelligently, taking the pressure off De Silva while keeping the asking rate manageable. De Silva himself played the anchor's role beautifully, scoring 51 off 57 without taking needless risks.
The third shift came in over 16 when Seychelles needed just 14 from the final five overs. Saint Helena's bowling lost its discipline here—wides and short balls gifted runs. De Silva finished things off calmly, walking away with a two-wicket win that owed more to composure than brilliance. Seychelles advance, but they'll know they were made to work for this one.