Jodhpur: In an exhilarating encounter at Barkatullah Stadium on Friday evening, Konark Suryas Odisha etched their name in the annals of Legends League Cricket history by securing their maiden victory. The thrilling match saw them narrowly edge out defending champions Manipal Tigers by a mere 2 runs, a testament to their tenacity and skill.

Despite the low-scoring nature of the match, both teams displayed formidable bowling prowess. Konark Suryas Odisha emerged triumphant, underscoring their determination and strategic acumen on the field.

After losing the toss and being sent in to bat, Konark Suryas Odisha had a rocky start. Richard Levi and Ambati Rayudu opened the innings but faced early setbacks. Rayudu was dismissed for just 8 runs, leaving the team reeling at 28/3 within 3.3 overs. Richard Levi managed to score only 6 runs, while Kevin O’Brien contributed a quick 6 from 5 balls. Dilshan Munaweera added 11 runs before being stumped. The captain, Irfan Pathan, played a crucial role by scoring 18 runs, while Yusuf Pathan and Rajesh Bishnoi each chipped in with 3 runs. Ross Taylor added some stability with 14 runs, and towards the end, Navin Stewart’s 17 and Vinay Kumar’s unbeaten 11* helped the team reach a total of 104/9 after the allotted 20 overs.

For Manipal Tigers, Obus Pienaar was the standout bowler, claiming 2 wickets for just 10 runs in his 4 overs. Anureet Singh also impressed with figures of 2/26 in his 4 overs. Skipper Harbhajan Singh, Sheldon Cottrell, and Rahul Shukla each took one wicket, contributing to a disciplined bowling performance.

Chasing a modest target of 106, Manipal Tigers faltered early. Robin Uthappa was dismissed for a duck, leaving the team struggling at 4/3 within just 2.5 overs. Manoj Tiwary could only muster 2 runs before his dismissal, and Saurabh Tiwary added a mere 5 runs to the tally.

Asela Gunaratne managed to score 15 runs, but it was the partnership between Daniel Christian (30) and Obus Pienaar (34) that offered some resistance. Together, they added 49 runs for the seventh wicket, but their efforts ultimately fell short of the target.

Konark Suryas Odisha’s bowlers were instrumental in defending the low total. Shabhaz Nadeem, Dilshan Munaweera, and Vinay Kumar each took two wickets, applying consistent pressure on the Tigers’ batsmen. Ben Laughlin and Irfan Pathan also contributed with one wicket apiece, sealing a memorable victory for their team.

This match not only highlighted the competitive spirit of Legends League Cricket but also showcased the tactical brilliance and resilience of Konark Suryas Odisha as they celebrated their historic win.