Baroda successfully defended 149 runs to defeat Harbhajan Singh's Punjab and lift the T20 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in a thrilling final. Aditya Waghmode, who had played the anchor in the semi-final against Delhi, was dismissed early by VRV Singh while key players like Kedar Devdhar and Ambati Rayudu were also sent back cheaply. However, brothers Yusuf and Irfan Pathan steadied the innings with a 49-run partnership, before an unbeaten 36 from Irfan helped Baroda reach a competitive total. In response, Punjab fell short by seven runs despite a valiant effort, giving Baroda their first T20 trophy.
Baroda Triumphs in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Defeating Punjab
In a thrilling final at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Baroda emerged victorious in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 tournament, defeating Harbhajan Singh's Punjab by seven runs.
Match Summary
Batting first, Baroda posted a competitive total of 149 runs for the loss of nine wickets. Despite losing key batsmen early on, brothers Yusuf and Irfan Pathan steadied the innings with a 49-run partnership. Irfan remained unbeaten on 36, guiding Baroda to a defendable score.
In response, Punjab fell just short of the target, scoring 142 runs for the loss of nine wickets. Baroda's bowlers put in a disciplined performance, led by Atit Sheth, who took three wickets.
Background
The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is an annual Twenty20 cricket tournament in India, named after the legendary Indian spin bowler. This year's tournament featured 38 teams, divided into five groups, with the top two teams from each group qualifying for the Super League.
Baroda, led by Krunal Pandya, had a strong showing throughout the tournament. They topped their group in the Super League, defeating strong teams like Mumbai, Rajasthan, and Karnataka.
Punjab, on the other hand, played under the leadership of veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh. They finished second in their Super League group, behind Saurashtra.
Significance
This victory marks Baroda's first-ever Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title. It is a significant achievement for the team, particularly under the leadership of Krunal Pandya, who is also the captain of the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
Q: Who was the captain of Baroda in the winning match? A: Krunal Pandya
Q: Which bowler took the most wickets for Baroda in the final? A: Atit Sheth (3 wickets)
Q: Who was the top scorer for Punjab in the final? A: Abhishek Sharma (35 runs)
Q: Which team won the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in 2021? A: Tamil Nadu
Q: Who is the all-time leading run-scorer in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy? A: Mandeep Singh (2,734 runs)
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