Kanpur Superstars took on Gorakhpur Lions in Match 30 of the Uttar Pradesh T20 2024 on Monday. The contest, played at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, was the final game of the league stage.
Gorakhpur Lions’ struggle with the bat
The Gorakhpur Lions, batting first, struggled against a disciplined bowling attack from the Kanpur Superstars. They were all out for 104 runs in just 19.2 overs. Hardeep Singh was the standout performer for the Lions, scoring 29 runs off 16 balls, including 3 fours and 1 six. Despite his efforts, the rest of the lineup faltered, with Anivesh Choudhary and Akshdeep Nath being the only other notable contributors with 13 and 17 runs, respectively.
Kanpur Superstars’ efficient chase
The Kanpur Superstars chased down the modest target of 105 with ease, achieving 108/3 in 17.3 overs. Shoaib Siddiqui was the anchor for the Superstars’ innings, scoring a crucial 48 runs off 54 balls, with 5 fours and 1 six. Adarsh Singh also played a vital role, adding 35 runs off 39 balls. The quick chase was marked by steady contributions from Osho Mohan and Sameer Rizvi, who provided the necessary support to complete the victory.
Sameer Rizvi’s heartening gesture
During the match, Sameer made a memorable impression on the enthusiastic crowd. As the game unfolded, a fan approached Sameer with a request for an autographed jersey. The star cricketer, known for his generosity, didn’t hesitate to make the fan’s day. He promptly signed the jersey and, with a warm smile, handed it over as a gift. This thoughtful gesture not only delighted the lucky fan but also earned Sameer admiration from many supporters who witnessed this kind act. It was a moment that highlighted Sameer’s connection with his fans and his commitment to making their experience special.
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Here is the video:
Sameer Rizvi gifts his signed jersey to a young fan #Cricket #UPT20 @t20uttarpradesh #kanpursuperstars #SameerRizvi pic.twitter.com/6vP9zhocOQ
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) September 10, 2024
Mukesh Kumar’s impressive bowling
The Kanpur Superstars’ bowlers were exceptional, with Mukesh Kumar being the pick of the bowlers. Mukesh claimed 2 wickets for just 11 runs in his 3 overs, playing a key role in dismantling the Lions’ batting lineup. Vineet Panwar was also impressive, taking 3 wickets for 28 runs in 4 overs. The other bowlers, including Pankaj Kumar and Shubham Mishra, supported well, ensuring the Lions’ innings never gained momentum.
For the Gorakhpur Lions, Ankit Rajpoot and Shivam Sharma were the only bowlers to take wickets, with Rajpoot claiming 1 wicket for 14 runs and Shivam taking 1 wicket for 23 runs in his 4 overs. However, their efforts were not enough to halt the Superstars’ chase.
Mukesh’s impactful bowling performance earned him the Player of the Match award. His crucial wickets and tight economy rate were instrumental in restricting the Gorakhpur Lions to a below-par total.