Former Kerala Ranji trophy player Chandrasekhar and young Kulith Rabel from Desert Cubs Academy steered Concord Ventures Pallakad Harvesters to an exciting win in a KPL Dubai 2012 – Season 2 league match.
The KPL tournament is organised by KPl Organising Committee and conducted under the auspices of the Dubai Cricket Council. Danube Buildmart are the sponsors for cash awards for best performers while Debonairs Pizza and Roti Mum are the food sponsors.
Pallakad needed 14 runs off the last over bowled by Ali Asad, a former medium pacer of UAE.
Chandrasekhar who now plays for State bank of Travancore drew on all his vast experience and struck a six and four of the first two deliveries and scampered across for a single off the third delivery.
The onus was now on young Kulith to shoulder responsibility which he did in fine style by taking a single off the fourth ball and hitting a four to mid-wicket of the last ball to help his senior partner make 17 runs off the last over and ensure a superb win for his team.
Chasing a target of 149, Pallakad openers Mohammad Iqbal (24) and Malintha Pereira (20) gave them a sound start which was built upon by Mohammad Bilal (33) and Kaushalya Weerarathne (26).
It was Chandrasekhar’s 23 in 14 balls with a six and two fours and Kulith Rabel's knock which saw them through.
Earlier, Thumbay Kasargod Leopards batting first notched up 149 runs with major contribution coming once again from the blade of Syed Maqsood who made a top score of 74.
He hit three sixes and six boundaries facing 55 balls and put on 92 runs for the third wicket with Asim Ijaz who a six and four boundaries to make 45 off 41.
Pallakad Harvesters have eight points with four wins each in group ‘A’ along with Phoenix Medicine Kollam.
Brief scores:
Concord ventures Palakkad Harvesters beat Thumbay Kasargod by 1 wicket:
Thumbay Kasargod 149 for 3 in 20 overs (Syed Maqsood 74no, Asim Ijaz 45, Kaushalya Weerarathne 2-30) Palakkad Harvesters 153 for 9 in 20 overs (M. Iqbal 24, Malintha Pereira 20, M. Bilal 33, Kaushalya W. 26, Chandrasekhar 23no, Ali Afzal 2-12, Aditya Mavuru 3-20)
Danube Buildmart Man of the match: Syed Maqsood of Thumbay Kasargod Leopards