Shahzad Manna was in blistering form as his century powered Kannur Royals to a comfortable 48-run win over Thrissur Tigers in the Kerala Cricket League.
– NZvSL: New Zealand on top in Dunedin
The all-rounder played a singlehanded role as his shots left his team-mates and opposition in awe at the Sevens Stadium.
With five of his team-mates scoring less than 10, Manna took things into his own hands. With 14 boundaries and two sixes off just 72 balls, he propelled his team’s score to 159-5 from 20 overs.
Thrissur had only Syed Ubadah (43) and Senthil Prabhu (32) to put up a fight but could manage only 118-8 from their 20 overs.
Elsewhere, Waheed Ahmed’s sixwicket haul went in vain as Pathanamtaitta Panthers choked in their chase against Trivandrum Titans by five runs.
Ahmed finished with figures of 6-21 as Titans were all out for 130 in 19 overs. With Panthers at 62-6, Waheed joined Abdul Basit and kept their hopes alive until the latter was out for 38.
A good 57-run partnership between Waheed (24) and Asif Mumtaz (24 not out) took Panthers within striking distance but Waheed’s wicket at a crucial juncture ensured his team fell five runs short of victory.
In another result, Mohammad Boota’s half-century proved to be the difference in Cochin Cannons’ triumph. His 75 from 49 balls (five boundaries and three sixes) was enough to steer his side to a 47-run victory over Idukki Icons, who were all out for 113.
