Punjab captain Mandeep Singh exults after SMAT 2023 win (BCCI Domestic)
Punjab, under Mandeep Singh, defeated Krunal Pandya’s Baroda in a high-scoring Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2023 thriller to bag their first-ever T20 trophy.
Middle-order batter Anmolpreet Singh top-scored in the match with a 61-ball 113, while speed veteran Arshdeep Singh claimed four Baroda wickets in their fruitless run-chase as Punjab prevailed by 20 runs at Mohali’s INS Bindra Stadium.
Punjab defeated Krunal Pandya-led Baroda by 20 runs in the final of the 2023 SMAT season to clinch their first-ever T20 title. Featuring the likes of captain Mandeep Singh, Abhishek Sharma, Prabhsimran Singh, Anmolpreet Singh, and Indian international Arshdeep Singh in their ranks; the team outclassed third-time title chasers Baroda in all aspects of their blockbuster showdown in Mohali.
Watch: Punjab players celebrating SMAT 2023 win
Earlier in the match, Punjab batters stacked up 223-4 after being put into bat first by Krunal Pandya. Anmolpreet Singh at number three bludgeoned 10 boundaries and six sixes on his way to shaping up a 61-ball 113. Nehal Wadhera clubbed an unbeaten 27-ball 61 in the death overs, while captain Mandeep Singh listed 32 from his end.
Later in the evening, seasoned veteran Arshdeep Singh delivered a tight four-over spell, conceding just 23 runs while claiming the wickets of Pandya, Shivalik Sharma, and Bhanu Pania in an aggressive three-wicket burst in the penultimate over of the match. The speedster eventually finished with figures of 4-23 from his four overs, while Harpreet Brar and Mayank Markande also pocketed a wicket each in their spells.
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