By Deepak Sharma
E-mail: spacewalker008@gmail.com
Jammu, India, 03-10-2024: In a thrilling encounter at the Maulana Azad Stadium, Jammu, Manipal Tigers clinched their first win in the Legends League Cricket 2024 by defeating Toyam Hyderabad in a Super Over. The match featured brilliant performances from both teams in a nail-biting finish.
Winning the toss, Manipal Tigers elected to bat first. Phil Mustard and Manoj Tiwary opened the innings, but they could only manage a partnership of 20 before Tiwary was dismissed for 9 off 8 balls by Isuru Udana. The Tigers quickly slipped to 38/3 within 6 overs. Obus Pienaar contributed 11 off 10 balls, and Angelo Perera showed some promise with a knock of 18 but was clean bowled by Nuwan Pradeep. The star of the innings was Thisara Perera, who played a vital knock, remaining unbeaten on 48* from 27 balls, guiding his team to a total of 144/7 in their allotted 20 overs. No other batter was able to reach double figures.
For Toyam Hyderabad, Bipul Sharma (2/20) and Gurkeerat Singh Mann (2/24) stood out with the ball. Nuwan Pradeep and Isuru Udana picked up one wicket each.
In response, Toyam Hyderabad began their chase with openers Chadwick Walton and George Worker. Walton was dismissed for 15 by Rahul Shukla at the score of 19, while Worker made 15 off 15 balls. Shaun Marsh steadied the innings with a composed 38 off 35 balls, while captain Gurkeerat Singh Mann added 37 off 35 balls. Stuart Binny provided a late burst, scoring an unbeaten 20* off 10 balls. However, with 2 runs needed off the final ball, Gurkeerat was run out trying to complete the second run, leaving the score tied at 144/7 after 20 overs.
Rahul Shukla (2/48) was the pick of the bowlers for Manipal Tigers, while Praveen Gupta (1/21), Asela Gunaratne (1/16), and Obus Pienaar (1/12) contributed with one wicket each.
With the scores level, the match proceeded to a Super Over. Toyam Hyderabad batted first, but could only manage 4/2 in their 6 balls. Asela Gunaratne bowled superbly, dismissing Stuart Binny for 0, while Shaun Marsh was run out off the last ball. Chadwick Walton remained unbeaten on 3* from 2 balls.
Chasing just 5 runs in the Super Over, Thisara Perera and Daniel Christian came out to bat for Manipal Tigers. Christian sealed the win with a six off the first ball he faced, while Perera scored 3* from 2 balls, guiding the Tigers to victory in just 3 balls.