ISPL 2025: Fardeen Kazi emerges maverick as Tiigers of Kolkata secure first win

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Fardeen Kazi starred with a brilliant knock as the defending champions Tiigers of Kolkata won a thriller to register their first victory of ISPL 2025 on Friday (January 31).

Put in to bat, Chennai Singams rode a collective batting effort from the top three - Ketan Mhatre, Jagannath Sarkar and Sumeet Dhekele to pile up a mammoth 105/5 in their stipulated 10 overs.

While Ketan top-scored for the Men-in-Yellow with a 23-ball 33, laced with a couple of boundaries and as many sixes, his opening partner Jagannath came up with a blistering 16-ball 25, inclusive of three fours and a six, to set the tone for the mighty total. Sumeet provided the late blitzkrieg with an unbeaten 13-ball 26, coupled with three fours and two monster hits out of the fence to power his side to the three-figure mark.

In response, defending champions Tiigers of Kolkata bounced back from a precarious 9/3, courtesy Kazi's whirlwind half century to clinch the contest by five wickets, and finally record their first win of the season.

Kazi anchored the Kolkata innings to perfection, remaining unbeaten on 61 off mere 31 deliveries, with his knock containing five glorious boundaries and three sixes. He received notable assistance from captain Thomas Dias, who contributed with 17 runs and got a crucial six in the 50-50 over.

With Kolkata needing 22 off the final over, Kazi slammed the first ball for a six, before taking a couple of singles. With the equation further down to 14 from three, Kazi deposited Rahul Sawant over the boundary twice to seal the contest in Kolkata's favour.