Kochi Blue Tigers beat Calicut Globe Stars in semi-final; Kochi-Kollam clash in final

Kochi Blue Tigers beat Calicut Globe Stars in the second semi-final of the KCL and entered the final. Kochi defeated Calicut by 15 runs. Kochi Blue Tigers will face Kollam Sailors in the final to be held on Sunday. Batting first, Kochi scored 186 runs for the loss of eight wickets in 20 overs. In reply, Calicut could only score 171 runs for the loss of seven wickets in 20 overs. Mohammed Ashiq, who shone in batting, bowling and fielding for Kochi, was named the Player of the Match.

After winning the toss, Calicut sent Kochi to bat first. Kochi's innings, which started strongly, slowed down at times. However, with some big shots coming in the last overs, they moved towards a good total. Vipul Shakti opened the innings for Kochi along with Vinoop Manoharan. Vipul started Kochi's scoring by hitting four consecutive fours against Anfal in the second over. However, in the fifth over, Manu Krishnan gave Calicut a breakthrough by dismissing Vinoop Manoharan (16 runs) and Mohammed Shanu (1).

Kochi lost two more wickets in the tenth over. Harikrishnan dismissed Vipul Shakti and Sally Samson, who had scored 37 runs. Then, Nikhil Thotta's partnership with Ajeesh and Mohammed Ashiq took Kochi to a good score. Ajeesh scored 24 runs in 20 balls, while Mohammed Ashiq scored 31 runs in 10 balls, including two fours and three sixes. Nikhil remained unbeaten on 64 runs in 36 balls, including one four and seven sixes. Manu Krishnan, Ibnul Aftab and Harikrishnan took two wickets each for Calicut.

In reply, Calicut lost Rohan Kunnummal's wicket early on, who had scored nine runs. Amir Shah, who had scored 23 runs in 12 balls, was clean bowled by KM Asif. Ajnaaz also returned soon after with 15 runs. Akhil Skaria and Anfal added 39 runs for the fourth wicket. However, in the 13th over, Mohammad Ashiq dismissed Anfal and Sachin Suresh, turning the tide of the game in Kochi's favor.

Krishnadevan then came on as usual and made a devastating start. Krishnadevan, who scored 26 runs in 13 balls, put pressure on the Kochi fans at one point. However, Mohammad Ashiq came on again, creating a decisive turning point for the team. A direct throw from Ashiq near the boundary led to Krishnadevan being run out, paving the way for Kochi to win. Akhil Skaria, who hit a four and three sixes in the 20th over, fought till the end, but Calicut's reply ended at 171 runs. Akhil remained unbeaten on 72 runs off 37 balls. Mohammed Ashiq, who took three wickets, was the star bowler for Kochi.