The much-anticipated second qualifier match of the UP T20 League took place on Thursday, September 12, featuring a showdown between the Lucknow Falcons and the Kanpur Superstars. In a bizarre turn of events, the match concluded in just 8 balls, with a total of 15 runs scored and 2 wickets falling. This unusual outcome left many cricket fans astounded, as a 20-over match typically spans far longer.
The match, scheduled to be held at Lucknow’s Ekana Stadium at 7:30 PM, faced significant delays due to continuous rainfall, which necessitated covering the pitch multiple times. Eventually, the match was resolved through a super over much later in the evening. Lucknow scored a mere 7 runs in 5 balls while losing 2 wickets, a score that was swiftly chased down by Kanpur in just 3 balls.
Key Moments of the Super Over
In the super over, Kanpur Superstars’ captain Sameer Rizvi won the toss and opted to bowl first, handing the bowling responsibilities to Mohsin Khan. On the Lucknow side, Kritagya Kumar Singh and Samarth Singh took the crease under the captaincy of Priyam Garg. The first ball yielded 1 run, but the momentum shifted quickly as Mohsin Khan took a wicket on the second ball, dismissing Samarth Singh.
Captain Priyam Garg then stepped up to the plate and managed to score 6 runs through a boundary and a double before he too was caught off a short ball on the fifth delivery. Consequently, Lucknow set a target of 8 runs for the Kanpur Superstars in the super over, which operates under the unique rule of permitting only 2 wickets instead of the usual 10.
Kanpur’s Swift Response
With Bhuvneshwar Kumar taking the bowling reins for Lucknow, Kanpur’s captain, Sameer Rizvi, took charge of the chase. The Superstars quickly added 2 runs on the first two balls, and on the third delivery, Rizvi struck a six off Bhuvneshwar’s bowling, sealing the match in dramatic fashion. This thrilling conclusion meant that the entire match was finalized in a mere 8 balls, with Mohsin Khan rightfully awarded the Player of the Match for his outstanding performance on the bowling front.
Looking Ahead to the Finals
Prior to this match, the Meerut team, led by Rinku Singh, had secured their place in the finals by defeating Lucknow in the first qualifier. Following the thrilling qualifiers, the two finalists of the UP T20 League have been determined. Fans can look forward to an exciting final match between Meerut and Kanpur, which will take place on September 14 at 7:30 PM. This highly anticipated encounter will be available for viewing on Jio Cinema and Sports 18.
