Thrissur’s Titans overcame a stutter to beat a resilient Calicut Globstars to win its maiden KCL title at the Sports Hub Greenfield stadium on Sunday.
Captain M.S. Akhil slammed Ibnul Afthaf over a deep square-leg fence to lead Thrissur Titans to a dramatic four-wicket win in the final over. The Titans almost messed up their chase and needed a late cameo from Akhil (19 not out 11b, 1×4, 1×6) to steer them home for their maiden title
After restricting Calicut Globstars to an under par total of 167 for nine, the Titans were cruising to victory with Ahammed Imran (69) going great guns.
But Jose Perayil gave Globstars a big boost in the 16th over, dismissing both Imran and Sanjeev Satheesan (29). T. Nikhil (14) perished to a catch in the deep, and Mohammed Ennan (8) also fell as Titans neared victory. However, Akhil kept his cool to snatch the win for his side.
Imran underlined his growing stature as Kerala’s next big star by playing a well-paced knock until a rush of blood cost him his wicket. He walked in after opener Vishnu Raj fell in the first over. He began by uppercutting Akhin Sathar for a boundary and followed it up with a crisp cover drive off Afthab.
He was the dominant partner in the 87-run third-wicket stand with Sanjeev (who was the concussion sub for the injured Shoun Roger). Imran reached his fifty by reverse-scooping Jose for a boundary, and his dismissal against the run of play gave Globstars a sniff of a chance.
Ahammed Imran led the way for the Titans with the bat, scoring a 49-ball 69.
| Photo Credit:
NIRMAL HARINDRAN
Ahammed Imran led the way for the Titans with the bat, scoring a 49-ball 69.
| Photo Credit:
NIRMAL HARINDRAN
Earlier, batting after winning the toss, Globstars were pegged back by the loss of openers Varun Nayanar and Rohan Kunnummal in the PowerPlay.
Akhil Scaria (45) and Aswin Anand (40) added a brisk 70 for the third wicket, taking chances against the spinners. Biju Naryanan broke the threatening stand, forcing a bad shot from Akhil, and Aswin soon followed, falling to leg-spinner Akhil. However, Globstars struggled to force the pace against some crafty bowling by Titans medium pacers at the death.
Left- arm medium pacer Abdul Ramees bowled an excellent spell and took the big wicket of Salman Nizar. The designated finishers Krishna Devan and Abdul Basith couldn’t fire as the Globstars could only add 50 runs from the last six overs.
Published on Sep 06, 2026
