THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Salman Nizar's impressive batting performance helped Calicut Globstars secure a thrilling three-wicket win over Kochi Blue Tigers. Kochi Blue Tigers, who batted first, scored 169 runs in 20 overs, losing four wickets. Chasing a target of 170 runs, Calicut Globstars achieved victory in 19.5 overs. The crucial factor in Calicut's victory was indeed Salman Nizar's performance. He scored 73 runs off 43 balls, including six sixes and three boundaries, without getting out.
Calicut, who won the toss, put Kochi into bat. Thanks to Shaun Roger's excellent batting, Kochi managed to put up a good score. Shaun scored 78 runs off 38 balls, including five sixes and seven boundaries. Despite Shaun Roger's impressive batting, which significantly increased the run rate, Kochi's batting lineup faced challenges as wickets fell at regular intervals. However, the crucial partnership between Shaun Roger and Nikhil Thottath helped propel the score beyond 160. Nikhil made a valuable contribution, scoring 30 runs off just 12 deliveries, featuring two sixes and two boundaries, and remaining unbeaten.
Calicut's innings got off to a shaky start, with captain Rohan Kunnummal (16 off 8) falling to Sijo Mon's bowling when the score was just 24. Calicut lost Omar Abubakar (26 off 23 balls) when the score was 49. Following this, Akhil Scaria (16), M Ajinas (1), Pallam Anfal (0), and Abhijith Praveen (4) were dismissed quickly, leaving Calicut struggling at 79/6. Salman Nizar and M Nikhil's partnership helped Calicut cross the 100-run mark in the 15th over. By the end of the 16th over, Calicut had scored 111 runs, losing six wickets. The duo scored 25 runs in the 17th over bowled by Unnikrishnan Manukrishnan.
The partnership was broken when Nikhil was dismissed in the fifth ball of the 18th over bowled by Basil Thampi. With 12 balls remaining, Calicut needed 30 runs to win. However, Salman Nizar's impressive batting display continued in the 19th over, bowled by Anoop, as he smashed a huge six and also reached his half-century, bringing Calicut closer to their target. With 21 runs required in the final over, Salman Nizar hit sixes off the first three balls bowled by PS Jerin. Salman then hit a single in the 5th ball of the over, guiding his team to a thrilling victory.