Kerala Cricket League: First loss for Aries Kollam Sailors; Kochi Blue Tigers moves up in point table

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In the first match of the sixth day of the Kerala Cricket League( KCL), Kochi Blue Tigers has defeated Aries Kollam Sailors by 18 runs. Batting first after winning the toss, Kochi Blue Tigers scored 147 runs for the loss of nine wickets in 20 overs. Aries Kollam Sailers were bowled out for 129 in 18.1 overs in their reply batting.

Half-centuries by Anand Krishnan and Jobin Joby gave Kochi Blue Tigers a good score. Anand Krishnan scored 54 runs off 34 balls which included five 6s and two 4s. Jobin Joby scored 51 runs off 50 balls with the help of two 6s and five 4s. The batting ended at 147 for the loss of nine wickets in 20 overs.

Chasing a victory target of 148 runs, Kollam lost four top-order batsmen for 14 runs. Abhishek Nayar (2), Arun Paulose (2), captain Sachin Baby (2) and AK Arjun (3) lost their wickets. Only NM Sharafudheen managed to score significant runs. Sharafudheen scored 49 runs off 24 balls with the help of five sixes and three fours. Aries Kollam were all out for 129 in 18.1 overs. Kollam, who has won three of the four games they have played so far in the league, are losing for the first time.

For Kochi, Basil Thampi took three wickets for 17 runs in 3.1 overs. K M Asif took four wickets for 23 runs in his four overs. Kochi Blue Tigers, who were at the bottom of the points table after losing their first two games, moved to second place in the points table just behind Aries Kollam Sailors with Saturday's win.

The match between Thrissur Titans and Kochi Blue Tigers is at 2.30 pm on Sunday. The match between Adani Trivandrum Royals and Aries Kollam Sailors will happen at 6.45 pm.