Kollam extend winning streak with third victory

Phoenix Medicine Kollam Kernals announced they will be the team to beat in the Kerala Premier League, being held at the International Cricket Council Global Cricket Academy. They extended their winning streak, beating Concord Ventures Palakkad Harvestors by six wickets to record their third consecutive victory. Starting off their campaign as debutants, Kollam registered an emphatic victory over Thumbay Kasargod Leopards, then shocked defending champions Kannur and Palakkad. The star of Kollam’s victory over Palakkad was 22-year-old Mohammad Qasim, who cracked an elegant 83 runs off 55 balls with six boundaries and four sixers. Speaking to Gulf News after the victory, Irfan Ansari, coach and manager of the Kollam team, said: “Palakkad posted a good total but since we knew it was a flat wicket we chased confidently. Our decision to field after winning the toss helped us a lot because in all our three matches we proved to be excellent chasers. By batting second it helped us because Palakkad bowlers found it hard to grip the ball due to dew.” Despite losing the toss, Palakkad had managed 92 for 3 by the 11th overs. The next nine overs Kollam bowled with excellent control led by their skipper and off spinner Asif Mumtaz, who picked three wickets for just eight runs from his four overs. Mohammad Bilal hit a fine 57 runs off 34 balls with five boundaries and four sixers. Krishna Chandra chipped in with 40 runs but they could not post a bigger total. Kollam chased with opener Qasim stroking beautifully. This aggressive right-hander, who hails from Sialkot in Pakistan, set the momentum for the chase. By the tenth over, Kollam scored 94 for 1. Hafiz Kaleem too rose to the challenge and hit 31 runs. By the 15th over it was clear Kollam will record an easy win with score board reading 143 for 3. Saqlain Hyder (16n.o) and Ayub Inayat, unbeaten on six, steered Kollam to victory with two overs to spare. From : Gulfnews