Powered by Ahammed Imran's 69 and late heroics from skipper M.S. Akhil, Thrissur Titans defeated Calicut Globstars by four wickets to lift their first Kerala Cricket League crown.
Thrissur Titans overcame a late mid-innings collapse to defeat Calicut Globstars by four wickets in a tense final at the Sports Hub Greenfield Stadium, clinching their maiden Kerala Cricket League (KCL) title in a match that concluded in the early hours of Sunday.
Chasing 168 for victory, Titans lost opener Vishnu Raj in the very first over before Ahammed Imran took charge. Imran struck a crisp 69 off 49 balls, featuring seven boundaries and two sixes, while anchoring an 87-run third-wicket stand with concussion substitute Sanjeev Satheesan (29), who stepped in for the injured Shoun Roger.
Imran reached his half-century with a reverse-scooped boundary off Jose Perayil, placing Titans in a commanding position. However, Perayil reignited Globstars' hopes by dismissing both Imran and Sanjeev in the 16th over. The chase faltered further as T. Nikhil was caught in the deep for 14 and Mohammed Enaan fell for eight.
With the pressure mounting, Titans captain M.S. Akhil kept his composure to guide his side home. Akhil smashed an unbeaten 19 off 11 balls, fittingly sealing the victory in the final over by driving Ibnul Afthaf over the deep square-leg fence as Titans finished at 169 for six in 19.3 overs.
Earlier, Calicut Globstars opted to bat but were pegged back during the PowerPlay. Akhil Scaria (45) and Aswin Anand (40) revived the innings with a rapid 70-run partnership for the third wicket. The stand was broken when Biju Narayanan forced a misshot from Scaria, and leg-spinner Akhil removed Aswin shortly after.
Titans tightened the screws during the death overs, limiting Globstars to just 50 runs from their final six overs as designated finishers Krishna Devan and Abdul Basith failed to acceleration. Left-arm medium-pacer Abdul Ramees was the standout bowler with 3 for 32—including the key wicket of Salman Nizar—while Anand Joseph (2/24) and Sarath (2/32) ensured Globstars were held to 167 for nine.
Reporting sourced from The Hindu Sport. Photo courtesy The Hindu Sport.