Sharjah: Victoria Thrissur Thunders emerged as the champions of the first Createav Alliance India Premier League, defeating Colatta Kottayam Blasters by 46 runs in the final held at Hamriya ground.
This tournament, contested by six teams named after different cities in India, was intensely fought with many former Ranji Trophy players competing in the event.
Thrissur posted an impressive 203 for in the allotted 20 overs riding on openers Vinu Vijayan’s 87 runs from 51 balls and Abdul Rahman’s 43 runs from 34 balls. Together they put on 111 runs. Previn Achutan chipped in with 38 runs from just 17 balls to swell the total.
Chasing the target, Kottayam began well with inform Sharad Nair hitting 24. Skipper Asim Shaikh’s scored 32 runs while Renjith Mani hit 33 runs. Thrissur skipper Sajeesh Babu and S. Sajith bowled tightly to pick two wickets each. Vinu Vijayan of Thrissur was adjudged the man of the final.
The event was backed by Global Computers and supported by Armaf Perfumes, Pocari Sweat, Carfare Group, Colatta Chocolates and Victoria Cricket Academy. The six team too got title sponsorships and were called Carfare Hyderabad Warriors, Furnish Bengaluru Bulls, Colatta Kottayam Blasters, Victoria Thrissur Thunders, Wels Karkala Gladiators and Petrotek Nucaf Tellicherry Super Kings.
The presentation ceremony was attended by Khalaf Bukhatir, former UAE captain Khurram Khan, present captain Rohan Mustafa, Nash Khan of Createav Alliance, former Kerala Ranji Trophy players C.T.K. Mashood, and Krishna Chandran Karate in the presence of organisers Ajmal Masahir, K.K. Najeeb and V.K. Basheer Mohammed Niaz and Mudaasir Ali.
Brief scores:
Thrissur Thunders bt Kottayam Blasters by 46 runs. Thrissur 203 for 4 in 20 Overs (Vinu Vijayan 87, Abdul Rahman 43, Praveen Achuthan 38) Kottayam Blasters 157 for 8 in 20 Overs (Renjith Mani 33, Asim Shaikh 32 , S. Sajith 2 for 27, Sajeesh Babu 2 for 16)
Individual awards:
Best batsman, wicketkeeper and Highest individual scorer: Vinu Vijayan (Thrissur)
Man of the series, best bowler, best economy bolwer and fastest century: CP Rizwan (Hyderabad)
Fastest fity: Ratheesh Poojari (Thrissur)
Maximum fours: Sharad Nair (Kottayam)
Maximum sixes: Krishna Chandran (Tellicherry)
Best fielder: Subin Sulaiman (Tellicherry)
Best spell: Gurdip Singh (Karkala)
AIPL Emerging player: Remin Mohammadali (Kottayam)
Budding cricketer: Aditya Vinod.
Best captain: Asim Shaikh (Colatta Kottayam Blasters)
