Karnataka defeat Maharashtra to clinch maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy

Karnataka defeated Maharashtra to win their maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore on Thursday.

Chasing a target of 156 runs, Mayank Agarwal (85*) took charge of Karnataka's innings after the fall of opener Belur Sharath (2) and anchored a match-winning partnership of 92 runs off 59 balls with left-hander Rohan Kadam (60) for the second wicket.

After Kadam's departure, Karun Nair (8*) supported Agarwal in an unbroken third wicket stand of 53 runs off 38 balls. Agarwal then finished the match in style with a sixth boundary off seamer Divyang Hinganekar.

Maharashtra had early hiccups after sent in to bat. Naushad Shaikh, with his unbeaten 69, was the only run-getter from his side. Shaikh along with Ankit Bawne (29) put Maharashtra back on track for the fourth wicket.

At a point it seemed the duo would post a competitive target, however, the fall of Bawne off pacer Abhimanyu Mithun restricted Maharashtra to 155 for four.

Brief scores: Maharashtra 155/4 (Naushad Shaikh 69 not out, Rahul Tripathi 30, Abhimanyu Mithun 2/24) lost to Karnataka 159/2 (Mayank Agarwal 85 not out, Rohan Kadam 60).