Southern Spartans handed Madhya Pradesh Tigers their maiden defeat in Big Cricket League on Wednesday while Northern Challengers defeated Rajasthan Regals in the second game. It was truly a day for the keeper-batters to shine as Phil Mustard and Upul Tharanga led their sides to emphatic wins with quickfire knocks with the bat. SS beat MPT by 5 wickets while NC beat RR by an emphatic 8-wicket margin.
Southern Spartans beat MP Tigers
Batting first in the contest, MPT openers Naman Ojha and Saket Sharma โ both who have been in phenomenal form in BCL 2024 โ failed to fire. Jatin Saxena was the top-scorer for the side with a 54-run knock studded with six fours and two sixes. Contributions from Munaweera and Trego allowed MPT to amass 176-run total in the 1st innings but that wasnโt enough.
In reply, SS opener Phil Mustard scored a whirlwind 51-run knock off just 29 deliveries to set the stage for a perfect finish for Spartans. Abhimanyu Mithun (24) and Aman Khan (29) finished off the game for SS with brilliant cameos to end MPTโs winning reign.
Latest news
Northern Challengers outclass Rajasthan Regals
NC clinched a clinical 8-wicket victory over Regals. In what was a low-scoring contest, RR managed to set just a 144-run target for the Challengers. Skipper Dilshan top-scored for the side with a 39-run knock. The rest of the batting line-up failed, barring Shahbaz Nadeemโs 20-run cameo off 10 deliveries.
In response, Upul Tharanga (63) and Samiullah Shinwari (52) got off NC to an explosive start. NC wrapped up the game in just 11.1 overs, clinching a dominating win over RR. With this win, NC have qualified for the semi-final.
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ก๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ต ๐๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐บ ๐ถ๐ป๐๐ผ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ฒ๐บ๐ถ๐! Congratulations to the @NorthernChall, led by @SDhawan25 on becoming the fourth team to book their spot in the semi-finals!#BCLT20 #BigCricketLeague #AbSapneBanengeHaqeeqat pic.twitter.com/YaFH8P85Qu
โ Big Cricket League (@bigcricleague_) December 18, 2024
The post Big Cricket League: Wicketkeepers rule roost as SS, NC qualify for semi-finals appeared first on Inside Sport India.