Kottayam Kings open KCL account with thrilling win

Arab Beverages Kottayam Kings pulled off a thrilling one-wicket victory over Green Life Textiles Malappuram Sulthans in the Kerala Cricket League (KCL) organised by Willows Cricket Club and held under the auspices of Sharjah Cricket Council.

In the other match, Springs Cricket Academy Trivandrum Titans registered a comfortable seven-wicket victory over Challengers Cricket Club Dubai Pathanamthitta Panthers.

Put in to bat at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Mallapuram Sulthans were given a blazing start by openers Amjad Ali and Vijesh Babu who posted 61 runs.

Ali cracked two fours and a six in his 38 while Vijesh slammed four boundaries in his 21.

But Kottayam Kings’ bowlers fought back half way through picking up some quick wickets before Mubash Basheer hit a 17-ball 21 not out to ensure Mallapuram Sulthans had 134 for seven to defend in 20 overs. Nasir Aziz and Javed took two wickets each.

In reply, Kottayam Kings had a relatively slower start losing wickets at regular intervals before Ali Sajad and Rufide steadied the innings milking 61 runs for the fourth wicket to take the score past the three-digit mark.

Sajad scored 37 from 30 balls with one hit to the fence and three over it while Rufide was run out for 31.

Kottayam Kings again were in a state of bother once the duo departed followed by a triple strike by Irfan. But last man Mohammad Fazil held his nerves to crack a six and a boundary in the two balls he faced to give Kottiyam Kings victory.

In the other match of the day, Vineeth scored a brilliant half century while Ajmal bagged four as Trivandrum Titans hardly wasted much time easing past Pathanamthitta Panthers.

Chasing a modest target of 110, Vineeth and Irfan shared an unbroken 41-run stand for the fourth wicket as Trivandrum Titans achieved the target in only 11.5 overs.

While Vineeth took only 34 deliveries to reach his 51 consisting of six boundaries and a six, Irfan scored 25 not out with the help of three fours and a six.

Earlier, opting to bat first, Pathanamitha were shocked by a fiery spell by Ajmal who ran through the top order to bag four wickets in his 3.1 overs for only 13 runs. This amazing spell earned him the man of the match.

Only opener Bipin made 36 while none of the other batsmen could stick around as they were bundled out for 109 in 19.1 overs. Thanu wiped out the tail to pick up three wickets from his four overs conceding just 22 runs.

Brief scores:

Kottayam Kings bt Mallapuram Sulthans by one wicket: Mallapuram Sulthans 134 for 7 in 20 overs (Amjad Ali 38, Vijesh Babu 21, Mubash Basheer 21; Nasir Aziz 2-16, Javed 2-28). Kottayam Kings: 135 for 9 in 19.1 overs (Ali Sajad 37, Rufide 31, Mohammad Fazil 10no; Irfan 3-32, Fahad 2-6). Man of the Match: Ali Sajad. Umpires: Fida Abbas and Mohammad Aslam.

Trivandrums Titans bt Pathanamthitta Panthers by 7 wickets: Pathanamithitta Panthers 109 all out in 19.1 overs (Bipin 36; Ajmal 4-13, Thanu 3-22). Trivandrum Titans 115 for three in 11.5 overs (Faizan 14, Vineeth 51no, Irfan 25no). Man of the match: Ajmal. Umpires: Fida Abbas and Mohammad Aslam.

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