Dubai: One Stop Tourism LLC Kollam Kernels emerged as the new champions of Kerala Premier League (KPL) after a fierce battle against Seven Seas Trivandrum Royals on Friday night.
Kollam batsmen lost seven wickets in chasing down Trivandrum’s whopping score of 188 for six in 20 overs and reached the target with five balls to spare. Over 5000 spectators soaked in the action at the International Cricket Council Academy Oval ground on Friday night.
Kollam’s reward for their spectacular fighting cricket was Dh125,000, the biggest ever prize money for the winner in a domestic cricket tournament. At the stroke of midnight, Kollam team lifted the trophy cheered by thousand of spectators,
Speaking to Gulf News after leading Kollam’s lap of honour, Adil Mirza, owner as well as the opening batsman of the team, said: “The victory is the result the hard work of my boys. When the tournament began many had predicted we won’t even reach the quarter finals. Our coach Irfan Ansari instilled confidence in every player and trained them regularly.”
Kollam won the toss and elected to field. It looked like their decision had backfired when Trivandrum openers Waseem Rana and Sangeeth Joseph recorded a breezy 68-run partnership. Rana cracked an 18-ball 38 runs with five boundaries and two sixes. Joseph fell after scoring 22 runs in 19 balls.
Though Trivandrum lost wickets quickly after this partnership, Waheed Ahmed through an unbeaten 50 posted the challenging total. Kollam skipper Umar Ali was the best among the bowlers with two wickets.
Kollam openers Adil Mirza and Waqar Ahmad went for their shots right away and put on 32 runs. Shafqat Ali put the breaks on Kollam taking two wickets in successive balls. Trivandrum skipper and UAE spinner Mohammad Tauqir bowled some tight overs and it looked like Kollam losing the battle.
Umar Ali and UAE batsman Rohan Mustafa put on a 91-run partnership to come back into the game. Mustafa hit 41 while Umair scored 50. The run-rate was high but Pervaiz Nazir (25 n.o.) kept his cool and pulled the first ball of the last over to the boundary to ensure the victory.
“Losing the toss was a big setback for as bowling second with heavy moisture was tough but all credit to Kollam for their brilliant chase,” Tauqir said after receiving the runners-up trophy and cash prize of Dh60,000.
The final was also a triumph of domestic cricketers as both teams that played in the final were made up of local players without any imports. Malayalam film superstar and KPL director Suresh Gopi, along with brand ambassadors and actors Narain and Bhaama in the presence of KPL directors and Dubai Cricket Council officials gave away the prizes. The tournament was sponsored by CSS Group.
