Calicut set KCL record as Rohan Kunnummal slams fastest fifty; defeat Samson’s Kochi by 33 runs

The Calicut Globstars have made the highest total in Kerala Cricket League, scoring a massive 249/4 against the Kochi Blue Tigers and clinched a 33-run victory in the match at Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday.

Calicut’s innings was powered by Rohan Kunnummal, who smashed the fastest fifty of the tournament in just 19 balls. He went on to score 94 runs, playing a key role in setting a daunting target of 250 for Kochi.

However, Kochi’s chase fell 33 runs short, as they were bowled out for 216 in 19 overs. Without their star player, Sanju Samson, Kochi's innings was led by Mohammed Shanu, who scored a brisk 53 off just 22 balls. Contributions from Vinoop Manoharan (36), K Rakesh (38), and Muhammad Ashik (38) brought them closer to the target, but the total proved to be out of reach.

Skipper Saly Samson scored just nine off eight deliveries. Akhil Scaria led the bowling attack for Calicut, taking four wickets while giving out only 37 runs. He took the key wickets of Shanu and Ashik. 

Batting first, Calicut had a dream start against Kochi, with the opening pair of Sachin Suresh and Rohan Kunnummal putting together a 102-run stand for the first wicket. After Sachin was dismissed for 28, M Ajnas joined Rohan in the assault. However, Rohan’s blistering innings came to an end when the team total was 130, with Afrad Nazar claiming the wicket. 

Ajnas and Akhil Scaria then continued the onslaught, giving the Kochi bowlers little room to recover. Ajnas was eventually dismissed for 49, narrowly missing a half-century. Akhil, however, powered the innings to a final total of 249, remaining unbeaten on 45 off just 19 deliveries.