Hampshire captain Dimi Mascarenhas admits his side’s form will count for nothing tonight.

The Royals have won 16 of their last 17 t20 games but Mascarenhas insists that does not make his side favourites against Lancashire, who qualified for the last eight as runners-up in the North Division.

He said: “Before the tournament started I asked the team to be more consistent and we’ve put in really good performances throughout.

“Only losing once has been brilliant but it means nothing unless we win. We’ve got ourselves in this position and it’s time to go out there and do it.”

Mascarenhas continued: “Our consistency has been better with the bat this year, not quite as good with the ball but we’ve been exceptional in the field.

“The whole team’s played a lot of finals now, which is a huge plus and so is home advantage, but we’ve got to play our best cricket to beat these guys as they’re a very good team.

“Kat’s form has been unbelievable in all forms, Stephen Moore’s got them off to great starts and McClenaghan’s come in and taken wickets at crucial times.

“They probably think they’re underdogs but it’s 50/50.”

Sohail Tanvir is expected to be recalled tonight after missing the last three group games while on international duty.

Hampshire’s overseas signing took 3-29 against Kent in his last FL t20 outing before taking 2-20 as Pakistan beat the West Indies in St Vincent ten days ago.

Tanvir returned for Hampshire’s LV County Championship match against Glamorgan and, should the Royals win tonight, would also be available for Finals Day at Edgbaston a week on Saturday after extending his stay until August 28. He is likely to replace David Griffiths tonight.

Hampshire (from): Carberry, Vince, Adams, McKenzie, Ervine, Dawson, Mascarenhas, Wheater, Tanvir, Wood, Briggs, Griffiths, Bates.

Lancashire (from): Moore, Smith, Brown, Katich, Croft, Prince, Cross, Kabir Ali, Chapple, Lilley, McClenaghan, Kerrigan.