Anmolpreet Singh's Record-Breaking Ton Powers Punjab To Maiden SMAT Title

Anmolpreet Singh scored 113 off 61 [X.com]

Riding on a record-breaking ton from Anmolpreet Singh and the Arshdeep Singh show with the ball, Punjab beat Baroda by 20 runs in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2023-24 Final in Mohali. Mandeep Singh and his men made history as Punjab clinched their maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

Anmolpreet Singh’s swashbuckling ton propels Punjab to record-breaking total

After being asked to bat first, Punjab got off to a shaky start as they lost in-form Abhishek Sharma and Prabhsimran Singh early in the powerplay. 

Anmolpreet, at three, found his team reduced to two down with only 18 on the board. He was joined by captain Mandeep Singh in the middle and the duo started the reconstruction job.

The pair went on to add 62 runs for the third wicket before Krunal Pandya removed Mandeep, who gifted an easy catch to Atit Sheth in the short third man. Anmolpreet paired up with Nehal Wadhera and what transpired after that was a sight to behold.

Following the wicket of Mandeep, Anmolpreet completed his half century and continued the run-flow from his end. Wadhera came out with all guns blazing and hit four boundaries in an over against Abhimanyu Singh. Anmolpreet did not stay back and hit Lukman Meriwala for three consecutive sixes in an over.

Krunal and co were left clueless with the kind of ball-striking was on display as Punjab scored a staggering 77 in the last four overs. Anmolpreet completed his century in 58 balls and became the first player to hit a ton in a Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Final. Wadhera notched up a superb 23-ball fifty as well and Punjab posted a record 223-run total on the board.

Arshdeep Singh's 4-fer stifles Baroda chase

Arshdeep Singh took 4 wickets in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Final. [Jio Cinema]

Chasing a mammoth 224, Baroda got off to a flying start as they managed 64 for the loss of one wicket at the end of the powerplay. Ninad Rathva continued from where he left in the semi-final and gave Baroda the start they needed. The southpaw scored a quickfire 22-ball 47 before being sent by Mayank Markande in his very first over.

Abhimanyu Singh, at three, started slowly but covered it up with three consecutive sixes against Markande to complete his half century. With 66 needed in the last four overs, Punjab seemed to be in the driving seat. Vishnu Solanki gave a glimmer of hope with some late fireworks but Punjab held their nerves to get things done pretty comfortably at the end.

Arshdeep Singh was the pick of the bowlers for Punjab as he finished with a figure of 4 for 23 in his 4 overs. His two overs in the death where picked 4 wickets and gave away just 13 sealed the game for Punjab. 

Brief Scores

Punjab won by 20 runs.

---

ALSO READ

'We Have Certain Protocols..'- Fourth Umpire Sheds Light On Mathews’ Timed Out Dismissal

---