KPL: Samarth shines for Bijapur Bulls
Hubbali: R. Samarth’s brilliant unbeaten 87 propelled defending champions Bijapur Bulls to a seven-wicket win over Hubli Tigers in the fifth edition of the Karnataka Premier League at the KSCA stadium in Rajnagar on Monday.
Opener Mohammed Taha’s (89, 56b, 7x6, 5x4) innings powered hosts Hubli Tigers to a handsome 188/7. Fellow opener Abhishek Reddy made 42 (33b, 2x6, 3x4) while Stallin Hoover grabbed two wickets.
In reply, Bulls rode on Samarth’s (87 n.o, 54b, 3x6, 7x4) knock to chase down the target with two balls to spare in front of an excellent crowd that wildly cheered their heroes.
Samarth joined the ever-dashing Uthappa (51, 33b,1x6, 6x4) to add 112 runs in 66 balls to record their first win of the campaign.
For the Tigers, Abhimanyu Mithun, Naveen MG and leg-spinner Sinan Khader took two wickets each.
In the second match, opener Nishant Shekhawat became the first batsman to score a century in KPL-5 as Mangalore United defeated Rockstars by 53 runs.
Shekhawat’s 106 off 61 deliveries was studded with five sixes and four boundaries.
Brief scores: Hubli Tigers: 188/7 in 20 overs (Md. Taha 89, Abhishek Reddy 42; Stallin Hoover 2/32) lost to Bijapur Bulls: 191/3 in 19.4 overs (Samarth 87 n.o, Uthappa 51, Abhimanyu Mithun 2/48, Sinan 2/28, Naveen MG 2/23) by 7 wickets.
Mangalore United: 195/3 in 20 overs (N Shekhawat 106, C Gautam 32, H Basavraj 24 n.o; R More 2/9, Bhareth NP 2/27) beat Rockstars: 142/7 in 20 overs (M Mohan 32, R Bhatkal 49; R Bhatkal 1/35) by 53 runs.