Mysuru: An inspiring knock by opener Md. Taha (83) and an 78-run valuable fifth wicket partnership in 55-balls with M. Nidish (29) helped Bijapur Bulls to register a well earned four-wicket win over Hubli Tigers in the Karnataka Premier League (KPL) match played at the SDNR Wadiyar Stadium here yesterday.

Needing 160-to win, Bijapur Bulls lost skipper Bharath Chipli (0) and D. Negi (2) early, both falling leg-before to left-arm spinner Abhishek Sakuja , and were left struggling at 17 for two in 1.4 overs. M.G. Naveen  (12) too were departed early and were reeling at 37 for three.

Opener Md.Taha fought along with M. Nidish and took heavy toll of Hubli Tiger’s bowlers and reduced the target to 52-runs off 42 balls. Taha departed for a well compiled 83 (45b, 4×4, 9×6) caught at mid-wicket off left-arm spinner Abhishek Sakuja.  Nidish played a valuable knock of 29 (33b, 2×4) and set it up for A.M. Kiran (20 n.o, 12b, 2×6) and A. Mithun (1 n.o.) to finish it off and their team coasted to a four-wicket win. Abhishek Sakuja was the most successful bowler for Hubli Tigers taking four for 21.

Abhinav Manohar, Gautham star for Ballari Tuskers

Excellent batting by Abhinav Manohar ( 47, 24b, 3×4, 4×6) and wicket-keeper batsman C.M. Gautham (45 n.o, 34b, 4×4, 2×6) and their vital fifth wicket partnership of 88-runs in 48 balls helped Ballari Tuskers to register their first win the KPL 2017 in the second match of the day.

Needing 162 for a win, Ballari Tuskers started badly losing opener Rohan Kadam (2) early (9 for one in 2.5 overs).  Skipper Amit Verma (27, 11b, 2×4, 2×6) and opener Pawan batted well and added 52-runs in 31-balls.

K.B. Pawan (26, 19b, 3×4, 1×6) and Kunal Kapoor (5) were dismissed by Shreyas Gopal, C.M. Gautham and Abhinav Manohar had to go for quick runs and succeeded in taking on the Mysuru Warriors bowlers by scoring at will.

Ballari ended up scoring 163 for five in 19.3 overs and registered a five-wicket win.

Earlier, winning the toss and electing to bat, Mysuru Warriors got off to a shaky start losing opener K.C. Avinash (15) early off medium-pacer Zahoor Farooqi. Vineet Yadav (3) and opener Arjun Hoysala (23, 23b, 2×4) were dismissed quickly and Mysuru Warriors were reduced to 53 for three in 9.4 overs.  Mysuru Warriors ended up scoring 161 for six in 20 overs.

Brief Scores: Hubli Tigers 159 for eight in 20 overs (K.V. Siddarth 34, Mayank Agarwal 33, Kranthi Kumar 27, M.G. Naveen two for 13, Ronit More two for 27) lost to Bijapur Bulls 162 for six in 18.4 overs (Md.Taha 83, M.Nidish 29, Abhishek Sakuja four for 21).

Mysuru Warriors 161 for six in 20 overs (Suneel Raju 78 n.o., Zahoor Farooqi two for 30, Amit Verma two for 41) lost to Ballari Tuskers 163 for five in 19.3 overs (Abhinav Manohar 47, C.M. Gautham 45 n.o, Amit Verma 27, K.B. Pawan 26, Shreyas Gopal two for 19).

Today’s Match

Bengaluru Blasters Vs Namma Shivamogga

Venue: SDNR Wadiyar Stadium, Manasagangothri, Mysuru.

Tomorrow’s Match

Belagavi Panthers Vs Ballari Tuskers

Venue: SDNR Wadiyar Stadium, Manasagangothri, Mysuru.

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