Bengal T20 League: Shahbaz's all-round show guides Rarh Tigers to victory over Smashers Malda
Kolkata, June 8
Riding on a dominant all-round performance from Shahbaz Ahmed, Shrachi Rarh Tigers defeated Sobisco Smashers Malda by five wickets in the Bengal T20 League Season 3 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Monday.
Asked to bat first, Sobisco Smashers Malda lost wickets at regular intervals and were eventually bowled out for 117 in 19.4 overs. Vikas Singh Sr top-scored with 33 off 22 deliveries, while the rest of the batting line-up struggled to build substantial partnerships.
Shahbaz starred with the ball, returning impressive figures of 4/15, while Rohit Kumar and Dipanjan Mukherjee chipped in with two wickets apiece to keep the opposition under pressure throughout the innings.
In reply, Shrachi Rarh Tigers chased down the target comfortably, reaching 118/5 in 16 overs. Shahbaz capped off a memorable outing with a brisk 31 off 18 balls, while Saurabh Kumar Singh contributed a steady 29 off 30 deliveries to help steer his side to victory.
The Bengal T20 League is in its Season 3 and is organised under the aegis of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB). The league features eight city-based franchises representing the breadth of West Bengal - Adamas Howrah Warriors, Novus Royals Purulia, Kolkata Royal Tigers, Murshidabad Kings and Kueens, Rashmi Nes Medinipur Wizards, Servotech Siliguri Strikers, Shrachi Rarh Tigers, and Sobisco Smashers Malda - competing across men's and women's competitions.
Men's matches are held at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, with women's matches at the JU Salt Lake Campus, Kolkata. Season 3 is anchored by the theme Ebar Jombe Khela! - a rallying cry that captures the league's spirit: fierce, uncompromising, and unmistakably Bengal.
Brief score:
Sobisco Smashers Malda 117 all out in 19.4 overs (Vikas Singh Sr 33; Shahbaz Ahmed 4-15) lost to Shrachi Rarh Tigers 118/5 in 16 overs (Shahbaz 31, Saurabh Kumar Singh 29) by 5 wickets
— IANS
Reader Comments
Finally some proper domestic cricket coverage! 🏏 These city-based franchises are giving local players a real platform. Smashers Malda need to work on their batting though - 117 was never going to be enough at Eden Gardens. But kudos to the CAB for organizing this so well.
Great to see the Bengal T20 League growing! Shahbaz's all-round performance shows why domestic cricket is so important. The theme "Ebar Jombe Khela" has a nice ring to it - captures the spirit perfectly. Hope they keep expanding and giving more local talent a chance.
Shahbaz Ahmed is proving his worth again! That 4/15 spell was world-class. The Bengal T20 League is doing exactly what it should - unearthing talent and giving them a big stage. Would love to see more women's matches covered too! Overall, a well-organized tournament 👏
Good to see domestic leagues getting recognition. But honestly, 117 all out in T20 is disappointing - even school teams score more. Hope the standard improves. Shahbaz was brilliant though, and Saurabh's 29 was steady. Still, Smashers Malda need to go back to the drawing board.
Love the grassroots development! Bengal cricket has always produced quality players - now they have a proper platform. Shahbaz showed exactly why he got that IPL contract. The league's theme "Ebar Jombe Khela" is catchy! Hope other states take inspiration from CAB.
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