The Kanpur Superstars have secured their place in the Uttar Pradesh T20 League 2024 final, emerging victorious in a dramatic Super Over clash against the Lucknow Falcons. The game, which was marred by persistent rain, saw Sameer Rizvi hit a match-winning six off Bhuvneshwar Kumar, a moment reminiscent of MS Dhoni’s iconic finishes with the Chennai Super Kings.
Rain and Drama: A Super Over Decides Qualifier 2
Rain was a significant factor in the lead-up to Qualifier 2. The weather conditions were so severe that the match’s status was uncertain for much of the day. Persistent showers left the pitch drenched, leading to a delayed start and heightened tension.
Despite the weather challenges, the groundsmen worked diligently to prepare the field, allowing the game to proceed with a high-stakes Super Over to determine who would advance to the final. Lucknow Falcons batted first in the Super Over but struggled under pressure. Their innings started poorly with Samarth Singh being dismissed on the very first ball. Captain Priyam Garg added a boundary and a few runs before being caught out, leaving a modest target of seven runs for Kanpur.
Rizvi’s Heroics Propel Kanpur to the Final
In pursuit of just eight runs to secure their place in the final, the Kanpur Superstars approached their chase with caution. Sameer Rizvi, embodying the composure and finishing skills of his idol MS Dhoni, played a crucial role. While Abhishek Pandey contributed with a single, Rizvi was the key player in the final moments.
With four runs required from the last three balls, Bhuvneshwar Kumar delivered a full-length ball. Rizvi’s response was a powerful swing that sent the ball soaring over long-off for six runs. The crowd erupted as the ball cleared the stands, securing a thrilling victory for the Kanpur Superstars with three balls to spare. Rizvi’s finish was reminiscent of Dhoni’s trademark style, and it propelled his team into the UP T20 League 2024 final against the Meerut Mavericks.
Final Showdown: Meerut Mavericks vs. Kanpur Superstars
The stage is set for a thrilling championship match between the Kanpur Superstars and the Meerut Mavericks. On Saturday, September 14, 2024, the grand finale will be held in Lucknow’s Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium. The game is set to begin at 8:00 PM IST.
Meerut Mavericks have been formidable throughout the league, securing their final berth after defeating Lucknow Falcons in the first Qualifier. Meanwhile, Kanpur Superstars have displayed resilience and skill, particularly with Rizvi’s match-winning performance in the Super Over.
Weather and Pitch Conditions
Six times the covers came on and went off. One ball, one sixer turned the tide.
Ye hai #MahaSangramKaAakhriPadhaav! #CricketKaMahaSangram — Watch live for free on @JioCinema and @Sports18. 📺@UPCACricket #UPT20 #UPT20League #Cricket #UttarPradeshCricket… pic.twitter.com/PVPLSMz1Jn
— UP T20 League (@t20uttarpradesh) September 12, 2024The weather forecast for the final predicts partly cloudy skies with no chances of rain. Humidity levels will be between 81-87%, and the pitch conditions are expected to be average for both batting and bowling.
Expected Playing XIs
Meerut Mavericks:
- Akshay Dubey
- Swastik Chikara
- Uvaish Ahmed
- Madhav Kaushik (C)
- Rituraj Sharma
- Diyansh Rajput
- Yash Garg
- Vishal Chaudhary
- Zeeshan Ansari
- Vijay Kumar
- Ritik Vats
Kanpur Superstars:
- Shoaib Siddiqui
- Shaurya Singh
- Adarsh Singh
- Sameer Rizvi (C)
- Ankur Malik
- Abhishek Pandey
- Pankaj Kumar
- Mohsin Khan
- Vineet Panwar
- Mukesh Kumar
- Shubham Mishra
Match Prediction
The final promises to be a riveting encounter. Meerut Mavericks have been a dominant force in the league, finishing atop the table with 16 points from 8 victories. Kanpur Superstars, though in fourth place with 10 points, have shown great form, particularly in their recent matches. The Mavericks boast a strong opening pair and effective spin bowlers, while the Superstars have demonstrated resilience and depth, especially in their recent performances.
With both teams showcasing their strengths throughout the season, the UP T20 League 2024 final is set to deliver another thrilling contest.
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