Aries Kollam Sailors edge out Alleppey Ripples by two runs in thrilling Kerala Cricket League match

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Aries Kollam Sailors won by two runs against Alleppey Ripples in the Kerala Cricket League. Batting first, Kollam scored 163 runs for the loss of five wickets, while Alappuzha could only score 161 runs for the loss of eight wickets in 20 overs. Abhishek Nair-Arun Paulus opening partnership of 49 runs for Aries Kollam, who lost the toss and batted first. Abhishek, who scored 26 runs off 27 balls, was trapped LBW by Vishweshwar Suresh.

The excellent partnership between Captain Sachin Baby and Rahul Sharma gave Kollam a good score. Captain Sachin Baby (55 off 33 balls), who scored a half-century off 29 balls, returned with a catch to Krishna Prasad as he attempted to drive Anand Joseph's ball to the boundary. Vishweshwar Suresh conceded 15 runs in four overs and took three wickets for Alappuzha.

Alleppey Ripples, who went into bat with a target of 164 runs, got off to a good start with the partnership of Mohammad Azharuddin and Krishna Prasad. Together, the score crossed 50 in six overs. Alappuzha lost the wicket of Krishna Prasad when the score reached 68. When 10 overs were completed, Alappuzha were in a strong position of 84 for the loss of one wicket. Alappuzha captain Mohammad Azharuddin scored a half-century by taking a single off the last ball of the 10th over.

The half-century included two sixes and five boundaries in 30 balls. Alleppey score crossed 100 in 13th over. Biju Narayanan dismissed Muhammad Azharuddin who scored 56 runs from 38 balls and it was the turning point of the game. After that, it was an advantage for Kollam to take consecutive wickets. Alappuzha needed 11 runs to win in the last over.

Faisal Fanoos hit a six in the last over and gave hope of victory, but three runs were needed off the last ball to win. Alappuzha's Neil tried to hit Sunny Asif's ball for a boundary, but Mithun had to get out after giving a catch. Kollam won by two runs.