Legend League Cricket Season-2 | Southern Superstars beat Manipal Tigers by 5-wickets

Jammu, Nov 27: Aaron Finch-led Southern Superstars Monday thrashed Harbhajan Singh-led Manipal Tigers by five wickets in a nerve-wracking T-20 match played at M A Stadium Jammu under Legend League Cricket (LLC) 2023- Season-2.

Manipal Tigers (MT) won the toss and opted to bat and posted a modest score of 124 in the stipulated 20 overs after losing nine wickets. Southern Superstars (SNSS) achieved the target in 19.4 overs for five wickets.

Pawan Negi of SNSS was declared as the ‘Man of the Match’ for his significant contribution in his team’s victory. The Southern Superstars' bowlers showcased exceptional discipline in the first innings, paving the way for a well-deserved victory against the Manipal Tigers.

Interestingly this was Southern Superstars' first victory in the tournament. The Manipal Tigers are still placed at the top of the points table with two wins from three matches while Southern Superstars are now placed at fifth spot with a better NRR from Bhilwara Kings.

Jammu’s refurbished M A Stadium is hosting four matches of LLC Season-2.

Out of a string of four matches, scheduled to be held in Jammu, today it was the first match while on the overall, it was the ninth match of the LLC 2023-Season-2, being played in different parts of the country.

Ross Taylor from New Zealand, while speaking to the media, described people of Jammu as "lovely crowd" and extended gratitude to them for their warm hospitality. For a big cricketing event, tight security arrangements were put in place. The event had enthused the sports lovers, mainly the cricket enthusiasts in Jammu. It also brought cheers among the business community with the prospects of an economic boom.

M A Stadium is hosting any international match after 30 years. In 1988, it hosted a match between India and New Zealand.

Rest of three matches will be played on November 29, 30 and December 1 at the same venue between Bhilwara Kings and Southern Superstars; India Capitals and Gujarat Giants and Bhilwara Kings and Urbanrisers Hyderabad respectively.

Earlier in the match, after winning the toss, Manipal Tigers elected to bat first. They were quickly reduced to 14/2 in just the third over. After losing the openers Robin Uthappa (11) and S Badrinath (2), Hamilton Masakadza (26) tried to build an innings but was dismissed by Johan Botha in the 11th over. Angelo Perera was the lone warrior for Manipal who scored 47 of 34 balls with two fours and two sixes and helped his team to register a score of 124/9 at the end of 20th over. Thisara Perera (13) also made a small contribution in the later part of the innings.

Pawan Negi (2/12), Abdur Razzak (2/18) and Johan Botha (2/22) were the pick of the bowlers for Southern Superstars. Ashok Dinda and Chaturanga de Silva also made a valuable contribution by picking one wicket each.

With a target of 125, the Southern Superstars started the innings cautiously. Jesse Ryder (30) and Upul Tharanga (30) put up a solid first wicket partnership of 60 runs. They were then reduced to 90/5 at the end of the 17th over. Captain Harbhajan Singh displayed exceptional bowling skills and claimed the initial wicket for his team, leading to a significant boost in their morale. Additionally, his teammates made valuable contributions in curbing the opponent's scoring opportunities. Shreevats Goswami (19) and Pawan Negi (25) came to the rescue of Southern Superstars as the duo added 35 runs without giving away their wicket.

With 16 runs needed off the last over, Thisara Perera was handed the ball to defend the total, but he couldn’t restrict Pawan Negi in finding two crucial boundaries. At last, with six runs needed off the last three balls, Negi didn’t waste any time and sealed the match for his side with a six over deep midwicket.