Punjab reigns supreme in the 2023 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) as they defeat Baroda by 20 runs in a high scoring game to clinch the title for the first time in the tournament history after losing four finals in a row.
After finishing the group stage as the table toppers of group c with six wins and one loss in seven matches they went onto defeat Uttar Pradesh by five wickets in the quarter final 1 and followed it up with another dominating win over Delhi by six wickets in the semi finals.
While on the other side Baroda led by Krunal Pandya marshaled his troops well in the group phase as they finished in second place with six wins and one loss in group A. In the quarter finals Baroda stunned Mumbai by three wickets, then dominated the semi final clash and won the match by six wickets against Assam in the semi final round.
Anmolpreet Singh lights up the final with a magnificent 100
Both teams were highly competitve ahead of the final clash of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2023. In the final Baroda won the toss and opted to bowl first. After being asked to bat first Punjab were in early trouble losing both the openers in the first four overs and were struggling at 18/2 in 3.2 overs. Anmolpreet Singh and Punjab captain Mandeep Singh joined forces and added crucial 62 runs for the third wicket.
Mandeep Singh was then dismissed by the opponent captain Krunal Pandya for 32 runs. Anmolpreet on the other end carried the onslaught and smashed a magnificent hundred in 58 balls. The 25- year old right hander scored 113 runs in 61 balls smashing 10 fours and 6 sixes. Nehal Wadhera from the other end played a blinder of a knock scoring 61 runs in 27 balls smashing 6 fours and 4 towering sixes.
Wadhera's onslaught in the end powered Punjab to a huge total of 223/4 in 20 overs. Krunal Pandya (1/30) and Soyeb Sopariya (1/43) were the top performers with the ball for Baroda.
Arshdeep Singh Weaves Magic with the ball for Punjab
Chasing down a huge total to win another trophy Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Baroda were in early trouble as they lost their opener Jyotsnil Singh (4 runs) in the second over. Ninad Rathva and Abimanyu Singh set the tone for the run-chase. The duo added 71 runs in 36 balls for the second wicket. Baroda looked well in control before Mayank Markande struck back by dismissing Ninad Rathva (47 runs in 22 balls)
Abhimanyu Singh carried on his mery way smashing a crucial half century before he threw his wicket away after scoring 61 runs in 42 balls smashing 3 fours and 4 sixes. Baroda captain Krunal Pandya and wicket keeper batsman Vishnu Solanki smashed Punjab bowlers to all corners of the ground. Baroda were right back in the chase scoring 24 runs in the 18th over.
Needing 33 runs in 12 balls with Krunal Pandya still out in the middle it looked like Baroda were clinching towards a famous win. But Arshdeep Singh had other plans he got the important wicket of Krunal Pandya (45 runs in 32 balls) on the very first ball of the 19th over. The young left arm pacer then added two more wickets to his tally and turned the game around in Punjab's favours finishing with match figures of 4/23.
With 29 needed of the last over the game was done and dusted as they managed to score 9 runs in the final over. Punjab won the match by 20 runs and win their maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) in the 2023 edition.
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2023 Award Winners
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2023 Finals: Anmolpreet Singh won the player of the match award for his magnificent hundred.
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2023 Player of the tournament: Abhishek Sharma wins the player of the tournament award scoring 485 runs 10 matches.
