Thiruvananthapuram: In a thrilling encounter at the Greenfield Stadium on Tuesday, the resilient Calicut Globstars clinched a spot in the final of the inaugural Kerala Cricket League by defeating the Trivandrum Royals by 18 runs. This victory came after the Royals let the first semifinal slip through their fingers.

Chasing a challenging target of 174 runs, the Royals seemed to be cruising towards a comfortable victory. The duo of Riya Basheer and Govind Pai orchestrated a magnificent 136-run partnership, marking the second-best stand in the history of the Kerala Cricket League. Their commanding performance had put the Royals in a favorable position.

After both batsmen reached their half-centuries, they shifted gears. Basheer unleashed consecutive sixes, while Govind followed suit by sending one soaring over extra cover, amassing 21 runs off Akhil Dev’s 15th over. This impressive over brought the required run rate down to below 8, setting the stage for what appeared to be an imminent Royals victory.

However, the tide turned dramatically as Basheer and Govind failed to manage their emotions and succumbed to pressure. In the span of just four balls, both players lost their wickets attempting ambitious shots. The collapse did not stop there; skipper Abdul Basith also fell cheaply. Akhil Scaria emerged as the standout bowler for the Globstars, delivering an exceptional spell and finishing with figures of 4/18.

Earlier in the day, Calicut Globstars’ captain Rohan Kunnummal anchored their innings with a solid 68 runs. Akhil Scaria, promoted up the batting order, contributed a vital 55 runs. Their efforts helped the Globstars to post a competitive total of 173/5 in their allotted 20 overs.

Brief scores for the match are as follows: Calicut Globstars posted 173/5 in their 20 overs, with notable contributions from Rohan Kunnummal (68), Akhil Scaria (55), and Salman Nizar (23 not out). Vinil TS was the pick of the bowlers for the Royals, claiming 2/23. In response, Trivandrum Royals managed 155/7 in their 20 overs, with standout performances from Riya Basheer (69) and Govind Pai (68). Akhil Scaria’s exceptional bowling figures of 4/18 and Nikhil M’s 2/27 were crucial in sealing the win for the Globstars.

The Calicut Globstars’ triumph sets up an exciting final, showcasing their resilience and skill in overcoming a formidable opponent like the Trivandrum Royals.