Azeem Ascends, Bulls Buckle – Kerala Super Kings Reign Supreme in Style
- October 5, 2025
At the DCS You Selects Arena, Rahmaniyah, Sharjah, the Tranquil Developers You Selects IPL 2025 (Exhibition) delivered another cricketing spectacle as Sloggers Kerala Super Kings outclassed KCC Kanhangad Bulls by 62 runs in a high-voltage clash under the floodlights. It was a night painted in yellow as Kerala’s batting brilliance and disciplined bowling left the Bulls chasing shadows.
Batting first after winning the toss, Kerala Super Kings made full use of the Sharjah surface. Azeem Ashraf was the anchor and the aggressor, producing a stunning 75 off 56 balls with seven crisp boundaries and a pair of towering sixes. His control over strike rotation and placement through the covers was textbook T20 batting. Faisal Ahamed (41 off 17) provided explosive support in the death overs, clobbering four sixes to ensure momentum never dipped. Early fireworks from Abbas KT and a brief cameo from Shafeek Bin Ashraf (19 off 8) kept the scoreboard galloping. The captain, Akhil Mohanan, chipped in with a brisk 11 before falling late, as the Kings piled up a commanding 213/8 in 20 overs — a total that looked insurmountable on this surface.
The Bulls’ bowling attack was left in tatters, though Sujith and Sulthan Siqhandar toiled admirably. Sujith’s four overs of controlled pace yielded four crucial wickets for 23 runs — the only spell that managed to put a lid on Kerala’s momentum. But for most of the innings, boundaries rained freely as Kanhangad’s bowlers struggled with consistency and line.
Chasing 214, KCC Kanhangad Bulls started with promise but couldn’t sustain it. Their innings flickered briefly before being extinguished by a combination of poor shot selection and tight bowling. Skipper Saeed Chithari fought with composure, scoring 24 off 22, while Riyaz Mohammed’s classy 49 off 32 balls was the lone standout. His fluent drives and crisp pulls momentarily revived hopes, but wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals. Kerala’s bowlers were clinical — Sujith (4/23) led the attack with guile and aggression, while Faisal Ahamed, Mohammed Faraz Hussain, and Shafeek Bin Ashraf chipped in with key breakthroughs. Every time the Bulls tried to rebuild, Kerala’s bowlers struck back with precision, eventually restricting them to 151/9 in 20 overs.
In the field, Shafeek Bin Ashraf was Kerala’s livewire, pouching a sharp catch at point to dismiss Jamshad, setting the tone for an electric performance. His energy was infectious, and Kerala’s fielding intensity reflected a team hungry for dominance. With this win, the Super Kings stamped their authority in the league, blending power, precision, and discipline.
Star of the Match – Azeem Ashraf
Sloggers Kerala Super Kings
A batting exhibition under pressure — 75 runs off 56 balls, holding the innings together with elegance and aggression.
Master Blaster – Riyaz Mohammed
KCC Kanhangad Bulls
A lone warrior for the Bulls, smashing 49 off 32 balls with classy stroke play that briefly threatened Kerala’s dominance.
Power Arm – Sujith
Sloggers Kerala Super Kings
Four wickets for 23 runs, breaking the Bulls’ backbone with his relentless accuracy and variations.
Safe Hands – Shafeek Bin Ashraf
Sloggers Kerala Super Kings
Pulled off a sharp catch to dismiss Saeed Chithari, setting the tone for Kerala’s fielding brilliance.
“Azeem set the tone with the bat, and our bowlers kept it tight. A perfect team performance.”
Akhil Mohanan
Captain – Sloggers Kerala Super Kings
“We fell short with our shot selection, but credit to Kerala — they played fearless, complete cricket.”
Ali CK
Captain – KCC Kanhangad Bulls
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