KCL 2025, WATCH | Kochi Blue Tigers chase down 237 as Ashique finishes game with maximum

‌The season for state T20 franchise tournaments has continued to steal the limelight as the Kochi Blue Tigers chased down a massive score of 237 in the eighth match of the Kerala Cricket League against defending champions Aries Kollam Sailors. This was a dramatic game that went down to the wire and featured some great knocks from domestic icons from the Kerala cricket fraternity. While there were some great knocks from Vishnu Vinod and Sachin Baby from the Sailors, it was Sanju Samson who set the tone with an incredible century for the Tigers. Apart from Samson, the other heroic performer for the team was seam-bowling all-rounder Muhammad Ashique, who stole the show with his incredible finishing to ensure that his team won their third consecutive game in a row this season.

Though the game seemed to be tilting towards the Kochi franchise, the inaugural champions got the game back in the balance with Ajayaghosh NS dismissing Samson on the first delivery of the 19th over. Despite the dismissal, a couple of sixes came in the over as the Tigers needed 17 runs of the last six balls. The over was bowled by Sharafudeen, who was put under the pump by Ashique as he edged the ball over the third man region for a boundary, and followed it with a six in the next ball. But the game was still not over as the right-arm pacer came back in the next three balls, where he only conceded one run and affected a runout as well. The match was finally down to the last ball with the Tigers needing a six to win the game. It was Ashique who won the battle of the nerves as he tonked the final delivery down the ground to complete the chase and win the game for his team. This win also ensured that they continued their unbeaten streak in the tournament.

The all-rounder’s knock of 45 off 18 made a big difference in the high-scoring fixture.