KPL 2016: Namma Shivamogga vs Hubli Tigers - Tigers prevail in a nerve wracking encounter

Hubli Tigers won a close encounter

After winning the toss, Hubli Tigers opted to field first in the first game of this season’s Karnataka Premier League. Namma Shivamogga’s openers Sadiq Kirmani and Nikin Bose laid the solid foundation with an 83-run partnership for the opening wicket.

Despite the partnership, they were unable to score at a brisk place. When Bose fell at the score of 83 they had already consumed 13 odd overs.

The middle order batsmen found the going very tough as the last 5 wickets fell for only 25 runs. From 104/1, Namma Shivamogga ended with a score of 129/6 at the end of 20 overs. Sreenath Arvind was brilliant with his slower balls and cutters and finished with 3/16 in his quota of four overs.

He was ably supported by Stalin Hoover who chipped in with 2 wickets conceding just 25 runs.

Mohammed Taha and Abhishek Reddy began in brisk fashion for the Hubli Tigers hitting a couple of fours and sixes. However, at the score of 34, Reddy was run out by Bose while attempting a tough run.

He was followed by Stalin Hoover to the pavilion, as he was bowled first ball by Shreyas Gopal. Taha also departed soon as the Tigers were in a bit of bother with the reading 40/3.

Kunal Kapoor batted well with a well constructed 35 of 30 balls and Diksanshu Negi scored a quickfire 16 hitting two huge sixes. From 106/4, the Tigers collapsed to 107/8 and the match was tilted in the favour of Shivamogas.

Vinu Prasad was the savior for Tigers as he went on to score a match-winning 22 of 19 balls that ensured the hosts reached the target with an over to spare.

All matches of the Karbonn KPL 2016 will be telecast live and exclusive on Sony ESPN SD and Sony ESPN HD Channels.