Samson brothers dim, but Ashik, Asif share 8 wickets as Kochi fire past Alleppey in KCL

Kochi Blue Tigers sealed their second consecutive win in the second edition of the Kerala Cricket League, as Muhammed Ashik and KM Asif's four-wicket haul and Vinoop Manoharan's half-century powered them to victory over the Alleppey Ripples at Greenfield Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram, on Saturday.

Batting first, Kochi Blue Tigers posted a total of 183/8, and Aleppey Ripples fell short by 33 runs, bowled out for 149 in 19.2 overs.

Manoharan anchored Kochi's innings with a well-made 66, while opener Vipul Shakti gave them a flying start. The pair added 48 runs for the first wicket in just 3.3 overs before Shakti was dismissed by IPL-fame Vignesh Puthur, his only wicket of the match.

After the opening stand, wickets fell at regular intervals. Skipper Saly Samson, who began with a six, was dismissed for just six runs on the third ball he faced. His younger brother Sanju was also disappointed with just 13 runs scored off 22 balls with no boundaries. 

Following Manoharan’s dismissal, Alfi Francis played a brisk, unbeaten knock of 31, smashing four sixes and a boundary to push Kochi's total to 183.

Chasing 184, Akshay Chandran and Jalaj Saxena gave Aleppey Ripples a flying start, putting up 43 runs for the opening wicket. Saxena was the first to fall, dismissed for 16. Skipper Mohammed Azharuddeen followed soon after, managing just 11 before heading back to the dressing room.

Akshay Chandran looked steady but was caught and bowled by Manoharan for 33, after which Aleppey’s batting order collapsed. Abhishek Nair offered brief resistance with a valuable 29, but wickets continued to fall at regular intervals.

Arjun Suresh Nambiar remained unbeaten on 17, but with no support from the other end, Aleppey were bowled out for 149.