That's all that we have from the coverage of the Semi-Final 2 between Kochi Blue Tigers and Calicut Globstars with the former sealing their spot in the finals against Aries Kollam Sailors.
This is me Aditya Agarwal signing off on behalf of Saptak Sanyal, Deepak Prakash and Sahil. BYE, CHEERS!
Saly Samson (Kochi Blue Tigers Captain):"Ashik has been doing consistently well for the team. All the boys are putting in the same effort. I say a team effort. We can see the example of how a team works.
We have the bowlers and we have the trust on them too. It was a tactical idea for me to bowl. Yes the run out was the most crucial one.
For the final, everybody is available."
Rohan Kunnummal (Calicut Globstars Captain) : "I think we were just 15 runs short but the boys played well, we have to take it and move forward. I think everyone did their role pretty well. Yes, they stood up and took their side to a very good score, I wish them luck for the finals. I would like to continue doing good for my team. I really appreciate my staff and my team's effort."
Mohammed Ashik (Player of the Match):"(On that run out) Actually it was not an easy job. It happens. I didn't do it deliberately. I think the bowling was really good. Today I wanted to bowl a few pace-on deliveries while on the other days, I bowl cutters more. The ploy was to hit back of length.
I need to invite my friend Nikhil (Nikhil Thottath). Without him this was not possible. I want to share the player of the match award with him.
Player of the Match: Mohammed Ashik
Time for the presentations.
10:31 PM IST & Local Time | Kochi Blue Tigers march into the Finals of the KCL 2025, as they will take on Aries Kollam Sailors on Sunday after beating Calicut Globstars convincingly by a margin of 15 runs.
Earlier, Calicut Globstars won the toss and opted to bowl first. Kochi Blue Tigers were crawling at 66-4 at one stage in the half-way mark. However, a splendid knock by Nikhil Thottath (64* off 36 balls) and handy cameos from KN Ajeesh & NM Ashik helped their side to an over par score of 186/8.
Chasing 187, Ameersha SN started with some glorious shots and gave his side a good start. Midhun then removed Rohan Kunnummal in the fourth over. Ameersha departed soon after it.
Akhil Scaria and Pallam Anfal then put in a steady 39 run stand for the fourth wicket before the latter got to NM Ashik. Calicut Globstars never kept going and kept losing wickets at regular intervals.
Akhil Scaria played a lone hand, however his knock of 72* runs off 37 balls went in vain as the Calicut Globstars fell short of 15 runs. NM Ashik was the pick of the bowlers for his side as he bagged 3 wickets and gave away 26 runs in his quota of 4 overs. Stay tuned for the presentations!