KCL semifinal line-up is set; champions Kollam to play Thrissur, Kochi to face Calicut

The semifinal line-up of the second season of Kerala Cricket League (KCL) was finalised on Thursday.

Thrissur Titans will play defending champions Kollam Sailors in the first semifinal, starting 2.30 pm. Kochi Blue Tigers face Calicut Globstars in the second match, starting 6.45 pm. Both semifinals will be played on Friday at the Greenfield Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram.

In the final group matches, Titans defeated Globstars by 4 wickets to storm into the second position. In an earlier match, the Sailors registered their fifth win of the season by defeating Ripples by 4 wickets.

Anand Krishnan top-scored with 60, while Aju Paulose made 44 as the Titans chased down a target of 166 in 18.1 overs.

Sanju Samson had played a crucial part in powering the Kochi franchise to the knockout stages. However, the star wicketkeeper batter will not be available for the semifinal and the final as he has joined the Indian team for the Asia Cup starting next week in the UAE.

Brief scores: Alleppey Ripples 137/9 in 20 overs (Akarsh AK 46, Anuj Jotin 33, Akash Pillai 33, Amal AG 3/22, Pavan Raj 2/13) lost to Kollam Sailors 139/6 in 17 overs (Vishnu Vinod 39, Rahul Sharma 26, Abhishek Nair 25, Adhi Abhilash 4/28)

Calicut Globstars 165/9 in 20 overs (Rohan Kunnummal 40, Ameersha SN 38, Suresh Sachin 32, Krishna Devan 26, Amal Ramesh 2/15, Sibin Gireesh 2/32, Sarath Prasad 2/38) lost to Thrissur Titans 169/6 in 18.1 overs (Anand Krishnan 60, Aju Paulose 44, Shoun Roger 34, Ajith Raj 2/26, PM Anfal 2/33)