KCL | Vignesh’s five-for helps Globstars edge Royals and enter the last four; Vishnu’s brilliant ton in vain

T20 is a game of fine margins and Calicut Globstars tried its best to test that theory at the Sports Hub Greenfield stadium on Thursday!

Globstars six dropped chances, including four from centurion Vishnu Vinod, yet held its nerve to eke out a seven-run win over Trivandrum Royals to move into the semifinals of the Kerala Cricket League.

Leg-spinner Vignesh Puthur with the season’s first five wicket haul (five for 13) was the standout performer for Globstar and the lone bowler not to receive the punishment from Vishnu who battled as a one-man army for Royals.

Vishnu blasted a blazing century (118, 62b, 10×4, 8×6) making full use of the reprieves to keep his side in the hunt. However, his luck ran out when he top-edged a pull from Akhil Scaria and Rohan Kunnummal covered sufficient ground from long-off to complete the catch at mid off.

Chasing 185, Royals were in control when Vishnu Vinod and Krishna Prasad added 51-runs for the second wicket. But the introduction of Vignesh in the 10th over changed the contest. He dismissed Krishna Prasad (14), slogging a catch to Akhil Scaria at long on and had Govind Dev Pai (0) stumped.

Vignesh’s two more wickets — Sijomon Joseph (2) and M. Nikhil (0) — in the 14th over swung the match in favour of Globstar as Royals slumped to 97 for six.

But Vishnu refused to give up and took 19 runs from the 16th over bowled by M.U. Harikrishnan. He clattered three sixes and slogged Akhin Sathar over midwicket for a boundary to reach his hundred from 56 balls. However, Scaria came back to dismiss Vishnu and with it ended Royals’ hopes.

Earlier, lower order contributions from Salman Nizar (31 not out) and Aswin Anand (24 not out) helped Globstars post 184 for six.

The scores: Calicut Globstars 184/6 in 20 overs (Rohan Kunnummal 35, Jose Perayil 31 Salman Nizar 31 n.o.) bt Trivandrum Royals 177 in 19.3 overs (Vishnu Vinod 118, Vignesh Puthur 5/13, Ibnul Afthab 2/26, Akhil Scaria 2/39).

Wednesday’s match: Calicut Globstars 175/4 in 20 overs (Varun Nayanar 36, Abdul Basith 62 n.o, Salman Nizar 50 n.o., Mohammed Ishaque 2/18) lost to Aries Kollam Sailors 179/4 in 17.2 overs (Vathsal Govind 42, M. Ajinas 64 n.o., Akhin Sathar 2/32).