Mohammed Shami’s Fiery Spell Leads Bengal to Eight-Wicket Win

Mohammed Shami showcased his brilliance with the ball, leading Bengal to an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Hyderabad in a Group A clash of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) on Monday. Playing his first white-ball tournament since the ODI World Cup last year, Shami’s three-wicket burst proved decisive as Hyderabad were bundled out for 137 in 18.3 overs.

Shami’s Impactful Spell

Shami finished with impressive figures of 3 for 21 in 3.3 overs, rattling Hyderabad’s batting order. He received ample support from Karan Lal and Shahbaz Ahmed, who picked up two wickets each, ensuring Hyderabad never found momentum.

Despite India batter Tilak Varma’s valiant 44-ball 57, Hyderabad struggled to put up a competitive total as wickets fell regularly.

Bengal’s Dominant Chase

Bengal chased down the target comfortably in 17.5 overs, thanks to a blazing start from their openers. Abhishek Porel (41) and Karan Lal (46) stitched an 84-run stand in just 9.5 overs, setting the platform for a straightforward win. The duo’s aggressive approach ensured Bengal maintained control throughout the chase.

Rinku Singh Shines for Uttar Pradesh

In another match, Rinku Singh starred for Uttar Pradesh with a quickfire 24-ball 45*, helping his team secure a seven-wicket win over Himachal Pradesh in Group C. Chasing a modest target of 100, Uttar Pradesh reached the finish line in just 13.3 overs.

Veteran legspinner Piyush Chawla delivered a stellar performance with the ball, claiming 4 for 12, while pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who was bought by Royal Challengers Bengaluru for INR 10.75 crore in the IPL 2025 auction, added a wicket to his tally.

Upcoming Matches

With Shami and Rinku Singh in sublime form, Bengal and Uttar Pradesh are shaping up as strong contenders in the tournament. As the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy progresses, fans can expect more thrilling performances from these teams and players.