Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Sanju, Sachin's fifties in vain as Kerala go down to Saurashtra

Sanju Samson. File photo: PTI

Kolkata: Sparkling fifties by captain Sanju Samson and his deputy Sachin Baby went in vain as Kerala lost to Saurashtra by nine runs in the pre-quarterfinals of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 Championship at the Eden Gardens here on Sunday.

Chasing a stiff target of 184, Kerala could manage only 174/4 despite Sanju's 38-ball 59 and Sachin's unbeaten 64 off 47 balls.

The two added 98 off 65 balls for the third wicket.

Prerak Mankad picked up 2/26 for Saurashtra off his three overs.

Earlier, Sheldon Jackson's 44-ball 64 powered Saurashtra to 183/6 after Chetehswar Pujara opted to bat. Samarth Vyas smashed 34 off 18 balls. Pujara was dismissed by Manu Krishnan for 11.

K M Asif was the pick of the Kerala bowlers with figures of 3/33.

Kerala had lost to eventual champions Tamil Nadu in the quarterfinals last season.

Brief scores: Saurashtra 183/6 in 20 overs (Sheldon Jackson 64, Samarth Vyas 34; K M Asif 3/33) bt Kerala 174/4 in 20 overs (Sachin Baby 64 not out, Sanju Samson 59; Prerak Mankad 2/36).

The comments posted here/below/in the given space are not on behalf of Onmanorama. The person posting the comment will be in sole ownership of its responsibility. According to the central government's IT rules, obscene or offensive statement made against a person, religion, community or nation is a punishable offense, and legal action would be taken against people who indulge in such activities.