Abdul Basith shines with ball and bat; Trivandrum Royals beat Kochi Blue Tigers

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Trivandrum Royals has secured a convincing 5-wicket victory over Kochi Blue Tigers in the league match of Kerala Cricket League on Monday. Trivandrum successfully chased down the target of 132 runs set by Kochi in 19.5 overs, losing only 5 wickets in the process. The foundation for this win was laid by Trivandrum's captain, Abdul Basith, who remained unbeaten on 50 runs. Basith's impressive performance earned him the man of the match award. This victory propelled Trivandrum Royals to the second spot in the points table, just behind Kollam.

Trivandrum Royals won the toss and sent Kochi Blue Tigers to bat first. Kochi's opener Jobin Joy was dismissed in the very first over bowled by TS Vinil. Kochi continued to lose wickets in quick succession and was struggling at 48/5 in 9.4 overs.

However, Nikhil Thottath and Sijomon put on a partnership to take the team's score to 87. Sijomon was dismissed by Abdul Basith for 13 runs off 18 balls, and Nikhil Thotath was clean-bowled by Basith for 37 runs off 20 balls. Unnikrishnan Manukrishnan (12) and Basil Thampi (12) failed to make significant contributions. In the final ball of the innings, Shine John Jacob was dismissed by Vinod Kumar off Abdul Basith's bowling, leaving Kochi all out for 131 runs.

Chasing a target of 132 runs, Trivandrum Royals lost their first wicket when the score was 36. Riyas Basheer was dismissed for 16 runs by Unnikrishnan. Govind Pai was also dismissed without scoring in the same over. However, captain Abdul Basith and AK Akarsh joined forces to take the team to victory. With four runs needed in the final over, Basith scored a single off the second ball to reach his half-century. His innings included five sixes and a boundary off 32 balls. Akarsh Ak was dismissed for 25 runs by Sijomon Joseph's catch on the fourth ball of the final over. With one ball remaining, Joffin Jose hit Anoop's delivery to the boundary, securing a win for Trivandrum Royals.