Thiruvananthapuram: In an electrifying second semifinal of the Kerala Cricket League, Abhishek Nair’s spectacular century propelled the Kollam Sailors to a thrilling 16-run victory over the Thrissur Titans. This triumph has set the stage for an eagerly awaited final clash with the Calicut Globstars on Wednesday.

The semifinal match, held on Tuesday, saw the Kollam Sailors posting a formidable total of 210/2 in their allotted 20 overs. Abhishek Nair was the standout performer, smashing an impressive 103 runs off just 61 deliveries. His aggressive batting laid a solid foundation for the team. Supporting him was the captain Sachin Baby, who remained unbeaten with a brilliant 83 runs from 49 balls, ensuring the team maintained its momentum.

Chasing the daunting target, the Thrissur Titans managed to score 194/8 in their 20 overs. Despite valiant efforts from their batsmen—Akshay Manohar (48), MD Nidheesh (42), Vishnu Vinod (37), and Varun Nayanar (33)—the Titans fell short. The Kollam Sailors’ bowlers, especially Basil NP with figures of 3/34 and Biju Narayanan with 2/34, played crucial roles in restricting the opposition.

Brief scores summary:
– Kollam Sailors: 210/2 in 20 overs (Abhishek Nair 103, Sachin Baby 83 not out)
– Thrissur Titans: 194/8 in 20 overs (Akshay Manohar 48, MD Nidheesh 42, Vishnu Vinod 37, Varun Nayanar 33; Basil NP 3/34, Biju Narayanan 2/34).

The Kollam Sailors’ remarkable performance has not only secured their place in the final but also set high expectations for their upcoming match against the Calicut Globstars. Cricket enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating this final showdown, which promises to be a gripping contest.