Big Cricket League 2026: Abhishek Singhal’s Blazing 97 Powers Southern Spartans to Dominant 10-Wicket Win Over MP Tigers

Greater Noida, June 5: The Southern Spartans produced a batting masterclass to register the first 10-wicket victory of Big Cricket League Season 2, crushing MP Tigers by 10 wickets in a one-sided contest at Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik International Cricket Stadium here on Friday (June 5).

Chasing a target of 158, the Spartans openers Abhishek Singhal and Arshad Pathan dismantled the MP Tigers bowling attack with an unbeaten opening stand of 160 runs, completing the chase in just 14 overs and with 36 deliveries to spare.

The emphatic victory not only underlined the Spartans’ batting firepower but also sent an early warning to the rest of the teams in the tournament.

Rahul Yadav Anchors MP Tigers Innings

After being put under pressure by disciplined bowling early on, MP Tigers recovered to post 157/4 in their allotted 20 overs. The innings got off to the worst possible start when captain Tillakaratne Dilshan was dismissed for a duck in just the second delivery of the innings, caught by Shailesh Bhondekar off Ankit Rajpoot.

Babar Ali attempted to counterattack with 14 off 14 balls but was cleaned up by Ishwar Pandey, leaving MP Tigers at 37/2.

The recovery was led by wicketkeeper-batter Rahul Yadav, who anchored the innings with a composed 51 off 44 deliveries. His knock included seven boundaries and helped rebuild the innings alongside Dilshan Munaweera.

Munaweera contributed 19 runs from 19 balls before Narendra Meena broke the partnership. Meena struck again soon after, removing Rahul Yadav for a well-made half-century.

Late Flourish Pushes Tigers to 157

With the innings threatening to stall, Pawan Negi and Diwesh Pathania provided the late acceleration. Negi remained unbeaten on 31 from 23 balls, while Pathania smashed an entertaining 32 not out off just 18 deliveries, striking two fours and two sixes.

The duo added valuable runs in the closing overs to lift MP Tigers to 157/4, a total that appeared competitive at the halfway stage.

For Southern Spartans, Narendra Meena was the standout bowler, returning exceptional figures of 2/15 from his four overs. Ankit Rajpoot and Ishwar Pandey claimed a wicket each, while the rest of the attack kept scoring opportunities under control.

## Singhal and Pathan Turn Chase into a Procession

Any hopes MP Tigers had of defending their total were quickly extinguished by Southern Spartans’ opening pair.

Arshad Pathan played the aggressor initially, racing to an unbeaten 61 from just 36 deliveries. His innings featured six boundaries and four sixes as he consistently found gaps and cleared the ropes with ease.

At the other end, Abhishek Singhal delivered one of the finest knocks of the tournament so far.

The right-hander remained unbeaten on 97 off just 48 deliveries, hammering eight fours and eight sixes at a staggering strike rate of 202.08. Singhal dominated the chase from start to finish and fell agonisingly short of what would have been a memorable century.

The pair’s unbeaten 160-run partnership left the Tigers bowlers without answers as the required run rate was effortlessly surpassed.

MP Tigers Bowlers Endure Difficult Evening

The MP Tigers bowling unit struggled throughout the chase as none of their bowlers were able to create meaningful pressure. Pawan Negi conceded 40 runs in three overs, while Manpreet Gony leaked 34 runs from his three-over spell.

Chander Kant and Ankit Stephen both conceded 30 runs from three overs each, and Zaigham Wasi Khan’s solitary over went for 10 runs.

The inability to take wickets or slow down the scoring rate allowed the Spartans openers to dominate from the outset.

Statement Victory for Southern Spartans

The comprehensive victory gives Southern Spartans a major boost early in the tournament and significantly strengthens their net run rate.

More importantly, the manner of the win showcased both batting depth and aggressive intent. While the bowlers laid the platform by restricting MP Tigers to 157/4, it was the devastating opening partnership between Abhishek Singhal and Arshad Pathan that stole the show.

Earlier in the day, UP Brij Stars defeated Northern Challengers by 24 runs to secure their second consecutive win of the season.