Uttar Pradesh pulled off a nail-biting four-wicket win over Andhra Pradesh in the pre-quarterfinals of the (SMAT) Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy, thanks to an extraordinary all-round show from new recruit Vipraaj Nigam. The explosive late-order batting of Nigam, coupled with a decent contribution from Rinku Singh, helped Uttar Pradesh pull off a tense win and book a quarterfinal berth in the tournament.
Storming Finish by Nigam in SMAT quarterfinals
Advertisement
The match played on Monday, was seen with Uttar Pradesh chasing the target of 157 runs set by Andhra Pradesh, but for that, it managed to complete six wickets in its hand. Uttar Pradesh was at a precarious 109 for six, still requiring 48 runs from the final four overs to win. But Vipraaj Nigam then turned the tables.
The Delhi Capitals’ newest recruit had a stunning cameo with an unbeaten 27 runs off just eight balls. His blazing knock had three sixes, one each over backward point, extra cover, and wide long-on, helping Uttar Pradesh accelerate their chase in dramatic fashion.
Rinku Singh’s Composed Hand
While Nigam chipped in with fireworks towards the death, it was Rinku Singh who took control of the innings in a big way. As Singh remained not out on 27 from 22 balls, he provided stability together with Nigam down the tail-end of the game, their partnership aggregating 48 runs in just three overs proving the turning point of the match and taking Uttar Pradesh home within an over.
The win marked a great moment for both players as Rinku proved himself to anchor the innings while Vipraaj, fresh from his IPL contract with Delhi Capitals, showed why he is one of the promising talents as he went about with all-round skills.
Contribution with the Ball by Nigam
In addition to his heroics with the bat, Vipraaj Nigam also contributed with the ball. He took two wickets for 20 runs in four overs that included a crucial middle over that helped check the flow of runs, apart from giving his state some hope by not allowing the opponents to build long alliances in a match in which Uttar Pradesh was outperformed by Andhra Pradesh in nearly every department.
Advertisement
That made it a very big season opener for Nigam who emerged as a rising hope in Uttar Pradesh cricket.
Struggling Andhra Pradesh Comes Late in this Match
Early in their innings, Andhra Pradesh went through the motions without their rhythm. The team struggled to go beyond 113 in 17.2 overs but was looking certain to fall for a poor total. A late surge from KV Shashikant and SDNV Prasad pushed them beyond 150. The partnership between the two added 43 runs in just 2.4 overs as Shashikant scored 23 not out off 8 balls, while Prasad scored 34 not out from 22 balls.
Their efforts brought Andhra Pradesh to a total of 156 for six, which, at one stage, seemed highly competitive and came close but was short of the mark as the Uttar Pradesh chase came alive.
Uttar Pradesh’s SMAT Quarterfinals Route
With the win, Uttar Pradesh confirmed their place in the quarterfinals of the (SMAT) Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. They will face Delhi there. Rinku Singh and Vipraaj Nigam were the two who came up when it mattered most, and their performances will be crucial as the team progresses further in the tournament.
For Vipraaj Nigam, the match was a statement of intent following his acquisition by Delhi Capitals for ₹50 lakh in the IPL. His ability to deliver in high-pressure situations with both bat and ball showcased his potential as an exciting all-rounder to watch out for in the future.
Uttar Pradesh’s confidence in the quarterfinals will be enhanced by the dynamic performance of Rinku Singh and Vipraaj Nigam, who are looking to make a big difference in the remaining phase of the tournament.
ALSO READ: Top 5 Hottest International Cricketers Around The Globe
Advertisement