UP defeat J&K by 109 runs in SMAT clash

Srinagar, Nov 28: After opening their Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign with a convincing win, Jammu & Kashmir crashed to a massive 109-run defeat in their second match against Uttar Pradesh at JU Second Campus, Kolkata, on Friday. The loss exposed sharp inconsistencies and intensified scrutiny over team selection, especially the prolonged lean patch of Vivrant Sharma.

Chasing 194, J&K’s batting crumbled to 84/9 in 15.3 overs, with only Kamran Iqbal (20), Musaif Ajaz (16) and Umran Malik (12) showing brief resistance. The top order fell early, partnerships never settled, and the highest stand was a mere 32.

The bowling unit, too, struggled. UP’s Aryan Juyal stroked a fluent 51, while Prashant Veer’s explosive 37 off 10 deliveries lifted the total to 193/6, well beyond par.

Vivrant Sharma, who once again failed to make an impact, continues to draw attention for his string of low scores. His selection over Yawer Hassan, who remains on the bench, is becoming a key talking point.

After a strong start to the tournament, this heavy defeat serves as a reminder of J&K’s volatility in T20 cricket. A recalibration in approach, execution, and selection may be crucial as they move deeper into the competition.