Zaheer Rizvi's Blistering 59 Off 17 Balls Powers Calcutta Challengers to a 3-Wicket Win Over Merlion Lions
Man of the Match Zaheer Rizvi smashes 8 sixes in a 59 off 17-ball blitz, chasing down 108 in just 7.2 overs to seal a thrilling 3-wicket victory for Calcutta Challengers
Calcutta Challengers pulled off a thrilling 3-wicket win over Merlion Lions, chasing down a target of 108 in a lightning-quick 7.2 overs. Merlion Lions had posted 107/6 in their full 10 overs thanks to a late flourish from their captain, but Calcutta Challengers' reply was over almost before it began, built entirely around one extraordinary innings at the top of the order.
Man of the Match: Zaheer Rizvi 7
Zaheer Rizvi 7 produced one of the most destructive innings of the tournament, blasting 59 off just 17 balls — two fours and an astonishing eight sixes — at a strike rate of 347.06, before departing hit wicket. His innings alone was worth more than half of Calcutta Challengers' eventual total, and it single-handedly turned what looked like a stiff chase into a formality. It was a clear and emphatic Man of the Match performance.
Key Contributions from Teammates
With the ball, Ritam Bhattacharya was outstanding at the death, picking up 3/13 in just 1.2 overs to peg back Merlion Lions, while Ajit Naskar also took 3/35. Once Zaheer Rizvi 7 had blown the game open, Tanmay Karmakar chipped in with a quick 13 off 4, and lower-order contributions from Miraj (7* off 4) and Golok Bera (unbeaten) helped Calcutta Challengers get over the line despite losing regular wickets in the chase.
Merlion Lions' Notable Performances
Merlion Lions were given a strong finish by their captain Mohit Agrawal, who blazed an unbeaten 21 off just 5 balls (three sixes, SR 420.00) to lift the total past the hundred mark. Bishal das top-scored through the middle overs with 23 off 15 (two fours, two sixes), and Nitesh Kumar struck three sixes in a rapid 20 off 6. Devraj Ghosh retired hurt on 16 after a watchful 16-ball stay. With the ball, Piyush was the pick of the bowlers with 2/6 in a single over, while Sauvik Chaudhury, Debangshu, and Raju Akter shared a wicket apiece as Calcutta Challengers' chase raced along.
Looking Ahead
It's a statement win for Calcutta Challengers, built around one of the most explosive individual innings of the season, while Merlion Lions will rue not converting Mohit Agrawal's late burst into a total that could have tested the chase further. Both sides continue their campaigns in the rounds ahead.
Merlion Lions — Batting (107/6 in 10.0 Ov)
| Batsman | Status | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Siddhartha Sarkar | c Zaheer Rizvi 7 b Masud Rana | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 133.33 |
| Bishal das | c Zaheer Rizvi 7 b Piyush | 23 | 15 | 2 | 2 | 153.33 |
| Praphull Jha | c †hamzad b Piyush | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 66.67 |
| Devraj Ghosh | retired hurt | 16 | 16 | 2 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Rocky | c Sauvik Chaudhury b Debangshu | 7 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Nitesh Kumar | b Sauvik Chaudhury | 20 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 333.33 |
| Ritam Bhattacharya | c Sauvik Chaudhury b Raju Akter | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 75.00 |
| Shahnawaz Hussain (not out) | not out | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Mohit Agrawal (c) (not out) | not out | 21 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 420.00 |
| Extras (wd 8, nb 1) | 9 | |||||
| Total: 10.0 Ov, 6 Wkts | 107 (CRR 10.70) | |||||
To bat: Chaman Kumar, Ajit Naskar, Avik Mazumdar
Fall of Wickets — Merlion Lions
4-1 (Siddhartha Sarkar, 0.3 ov), 34-2 (Praphull Jha, 3.1 ov), 35-3 (Bishal das, 3.3 ov), 43-4 (Rocky, 5.1 ov), 65-5 (Nitesh Kumar, 6.3 ov), 83-6 (Ritam Bhattacharya, 8.5 ov), 83-6 (Devraj Ghosh, 8.5 ov)
Bowling — Calcutta Challengers
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | WD | NB | Eco |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Masud Rana (c) | 2 | 0 | 22 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 11.00 |
| Tanmay Karmakar | 2 | 0 | 35 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 17.50 |
| Piyush | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6.00 |
| Sauvik Chaudhury | 2 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4.00 |
| Debangshu | 1 | 0 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 20.00 |
| Golam Masud | 1 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12.00 |
| Raju Akter | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4.00 |
Calcutta Challengers — Batting (108/7 in 7.2 Ov)
| Batsman | Status | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| hamzad (wk) | b Ajit Naskar | 7 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 175.00 |
| Zaheer Rizvi 7 | hit wkt b Ritam Bhattacharya | 59 | 17 | 2 | 8 | 347.06 |
| Tanmay Karmakar | c Rocky b Chaman Kumar | 13 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 325.00 |
| Raju Akter | c Devraj Ghosh b Ajit Naskar | 8 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 133.33 |
| Golam Masud | c Siddhartha Sarkar b Ritam Bhattacharya | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Piyush | c Bishal das b Ritam Bhattacharya | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Debangshu | c Ritam Bhattacharya b Ajit Naskar | 6 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 85.71 |
| Miraj (not out) | not out | 7 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 175.00 |
| Golok Bera (not out) | not out | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Extras (lb 2, wd 6) | 8 | |||||
| Total: 7.2 Ov, 7 Wkts | 108 (CRR 14.73) | |||||
To bat: Masud Rana (c), Sauvik Chaudhury
Fall of Wickets — Calcutta Challengers
42-1 (hamzad, 2.1 ov), 75-2 (Tanmay Karmakar, 3.2 ov), 90-3 (Zaheer Rizvi 7, 4.4 ov), 90-4 (Golam Masud, 4.5 ov), 90-5 (Piyush, 5 ov), 101-6 (Debangshu, 6.3 ov), 102-7 (Raju Akter, 7 ov)
Bowling — Merlion Lions
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | Eco |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohit Agrawal (c) | 1 | 0 | 25 | 0 | 25.00 |
| AVIK MazumdaR | 1 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 16.00 |
| Ajit Naskar | 2 | 0 | 35 | 3 | 17.50 |
| Chaman Kumar | 2 | 0 | 17 | 1 | 8.50 |
| Ritam Bhattacharya | 1.2 | 0 | 13 | 3 | 9.75 |
Result
Calcutta Challengers won by 3 wickets — Merlion Lions 107/6 (10.0 Ov), Calcutta Challengers 108/7 (7.2 Ov)
- Man of the Match: Zaheer Rizvi 7 — 59 (17b, 2×4, 8×6, SR 347.06) 🏆
- Best Bowling (CC): Ritam Bhattacharya — 3/13 (1.2 Ov, Eco 9.75)
- Merlion Lions Finisher: Mohit Agrawal (c) — 21* (5b, 3×6, SR 420.00)
- Merlion Lions Top Scorer: Bishal das — 23 (15b, 2×4, 2×6, SR 153.33)
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