Assam Premier League: Barpeta Braves Beat Guwahati Royals to Win Inaugural APL Title

Barpeta Braves produced a composed chase under pressure to beat Guwahati Royals by five wickets and claim the inaugural Assam Premier League title at the Assam Cricket Association Stadium in Guwahati on Sunday.

Chasing 166, Barpeta were given early momentum by Saurav Mousum Dihingia, who raced to 33 from only 16 balls, striking six fours and a six. Hrishikesh Das continued the chase with a steady 35 off 32, but the Braves slipped to 99/4 and the contest appeared evenly poised.

That was when Arun Sonar stepped up. The right-hander played the defining innings of the final, remaining unbeaten on 34 from 20 balls and finding the boundary six times. He added a crucial 59-run stand with Abhilash Maurya, who scored 24 off 20, before finishing the chase with captain Kunal Sarma. Barpeta reached 166/5 in 18.5 overs.

Earlier, Guwahati's total of 165 was built almost entirely around a breathtaking 90 from Rohit Sen. The wicketkeeper-batter smashed 10 fours and six sixes in a 37-ball assault at a strike rate of 243.24. Rishav Das added 34, but Barpeta's bowlers kept taking wickets around Sen's counterattack. Pranjal Paul led the attack with 2/18, while Shubham Kumar Gupta and Dipjyoti Saikia took two wickets each.

Barpeta's victory completed a memorable campaign and made them the first champions of the Assam Premier League.

Assam Premier League 2026 Final Scorecard

Guwahati Royals - 165 all out, 19.4 overs

Rohit Sen 90, Rishav Das 34
Pranjal Paul 2/18, Shubham Kumar Gupta 2/36, Dipjyoti Saikia 2/36

Barpeta Braves - 166/5, 18.5 overs

Arun Sonar 34*, Hrishikesh Das 35, Saurav Mousum Dihingia 33
Bastab Roy 1/25, Deepak Gohain 1/17

Result: Barpeta won by 5 wkts