Calicut Globstar with highest score in KCL; second defeat for Kochi Blue Tigers

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kochi Blue Tigers with their second defeat in the Kerala Cricket League. Calicut Globestars defeated Kochi Blue Tigers by 39 runs. The Blue Tigers won the toss and sent the Globestars to bat. Calicut's captain Rohan Kunnummal's wicket was taken by Kochi's captain Basil Thambi in the very first over. Although the first 3 wickets fell quickly, the following combination of Salman Nisar and M Ajnas gave Calicut a good score.

Ajnas completed his half-century off 36 balls. Ajnas scored 57 runs off 39 balls including two sixes and eight boundaries before he got out through an LBW by Shine John Jacob. Salman Nisar completed his half-century from 36 balls including a six and four fours. Salman, who scored 55 runs in 39 balls including a six and six boundaries, was dismissed by Basil Thambi.

Anfal PM scored 37 off 19 balls to boost Calicut's score sharply. At the end of twenty overs, Calicut scored 197 runs for the loss of seven wickets. This is the highest score in KCL. Basil Thampi took four wickets for Kochi after conceding 36 runs in four overs.

Batting in reply, Kochi lost Anand Krishnan (4) in the first over. Shoun Roger and opener Jobin Joby combined to make it 39 runs in five overs. Kochi's score crossed 50 in the seventh over. After 10 overs, Kochi were 71 for two wickets. Roger, who scored 45 runs in 34 balls including four sixes and a boundary, got out, becoming a setback for Kochi. After 20 overs, Kochi managed to score only 157 runs for the loss of eight wickets.

Akhil Scaria took four wickets for Calicut conceding 29 runs in four overs. Abhijit Praveen and M Nikhil took two wickets each. Calicut's M Ajinas is the man of the match.