AZHAR MAHMOOD smashed Surrey to a 10-run victory to virtually end Hampshire's hopes of reaching quarter-finals of the Twenty20 Cup.

Mahmood's 65 off 30 balls included four sixes and was part of a lightning last four overs as the Brown Caps notched 61 runs to give themselves a respectable total of 141 at the Rose Bowl.

The 2003 winners, who have never failed to make the knockout stages, were too strong for Hampshire, despite the absence of captain Mark Butcher through a back injury.

Winning the toss and electing to bat, Surrey looked in a nervy position at 52 for four at the halfway stage.

Hampshire's Billy Taylor was the chief protagonist, removing the wickets of stand-in captain Rikki Clarke and Mark Ramprakash and finishing with figures of two for 16.

Mahmood's half-century, which earned him a deserved man-of-the-match award, was ably supported by Scott Newman, who hit a solid 20 not out.

Australian Dominic Thornely was the unfortunate recipient of Mahmood's batting prowess, taken for 51 off four overs.

With a run rate of little more than 14 an over, and on a familiar wicket, a win seemed a realistic possibility for Hampshire.

However, once in-form batsman Michael Carberry was clean-bowled by Mahmood in the first over, the omens did not look good.

Youngster Mitchell Stokes showed excellent timing, racing to 28 before being bowled by Jade Dernbach.

Greg Lamb and Chris Benham tried at will to keep things on track for a grandstand finish but their team-mates failed to match their efforts.

Surrey slow bowler Nayan Doshi came to the wicket with seven overs remaining and promptly took the crucial wicket of Benham for 38 and a further three Hampshire batsmen.

Chasing 12 runs off the final two overs, Shaun Udal - two balls after smashing a mammoth six off Mahmood - slipped at the non-strikers end to hand Doshi an easy run out.

With one wicket remaining, Ramprakash then endured the boos of the Rose Bowl crowd when he ran Billy Taylor out, ripped his shirt off and put his finger to his lips to celebrate the win.