Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Kerala survive late scare, continue winning run

Mumbai: Kerala survived a late scare to beat Chandigarh by seven runs and continue their winning streak in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy national T20 championship here on Saturday. 

Captain Manan Vohra's unbeaten 95 off 59 balls went in vain as Chandigarh fell short in their chase of 194. Needing 25 off the final over, Bhagmender Lather hit a couple of sixes and a four to bring down the equation to nine off three. However, Vinod Kumar sent back Lather (31 off 12) and then conceded only a single off the next two balls to seal the win. 

Kerala have 16 points from four matches in Group B. They next meet Sikkim on Monday (11 am).

Earlier, Sanju Samson led from the front with a 32-ball 52 as Kerala made 193/4.

Rohan Kunnummal and Varun Nayanar added 70 for the opening wicket after Sanju opted to bat.

Rohan made 30 off 24 balls, while Varun scored 47 off 27 balls.

The in-form Vishnu Vinod came in at No. 3 and smashed 42 off just 23 balls.

Sanju, who was slow to get going, cut loose in the final overs. The right-hander hit four fours and three sixes in his breezy knock. He scored 30 off the last 10 balls he faced.

Brief scores: Kerala 193/4 in 20 overs (Sanju Samson 52, Varun Nayanar 47, Vishnu Vinod 42, Rohan Kunnummal 30; Akash Sudan 2/46)  bt Chandigarh 186/6 in 20 overs (Manan Vohra 95 not out; Basil Thampi 2/40. Vinod Kumar 2/41).

Points: Kerala 4; Chandigarh 0.