Hubli Tigers and Belagavi Panthers locked horns with each other in the 11th match of Karnataka Premier League (KPL) 2019 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on Wednesday (August 21).

Sent into bat first, Panthers rode on Manish Pandey’s unbeaten 102 off 50 balls (7 fours and 7 sixes) to post a mammoth 180/7 on the board.

David Mathias was the pick of the bowlers for Tigers, claiming 2 for 18 in his 2 overs. Vidyadhar Patil also chipped in with a couple of wickets by conceding 41 runs in his 4 overs.

In reply, openers Mohammed Taha and Luvnith Sisodia got Hubli Tigers off to a flying start. The duo added 40 runs in just 5 overs before Stallin Hoover drew the first blood by dismissing Sisodia on 17-ball 29. Batting at No. 3, Shishir Bhavane got out for just 12.

Taha, however, held the one end firmly and forged a 58-run partnership for the third wicket with KB Pawan to keep his team in the contest. Shubang Hegde broke the partnership by dismissing Pawan on 22 but Taha continued his dominance and stitched a 30-run stand for the fourth wicket with Praveen Dubey.

D Avinash sent Taha packing but not before the right-hander scored 75 off 55 balls with 4 fours and 5 sixes.

Afterwards, Dubey took the responsibility and smashed Zahoor Farooqui for 16 runs in the penultimate over. Needing 11 runs in the final over, Praveen Dubey (33 not out off 18 balls) kept his composure to guide the team over the line with five wickets and a ball to spare.

Brief Scores

Belagavi Panthers – 180/7 in 20 overs (Manish Pandey 102*; David Mathias 2/18) lost to Hubli Tigers – 181/5 in 19.5 overs (Mohammed Taha 75; Stallin Hoover 2/35) by 5 wickets.