Kanpur Superstars Edge Out Meerut Mavericks in Rain-Interrupted Thriller

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Sameer Rizvi’s blazing 68 sets up a crucial DLS win in Lucknow

Lucknow – T20 cricket thrives on unpredictability, and Match 16 of the Uttar Pradesh Premier League (UPPL) 2025 had it in spades. Amid drizzly skies at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Kanpur Superstars (KSS) held their nerve to secure a 14-run victory (DLS method) over the Meerut Mavericks (MRM).

The rain-affected contest swung back and forth before ending prematurely after eight overs of the Mavericks’ chase. With the DLS par score slipping out of reach, KSS walked away with two vital points and a major boost in their playoff push.

First Innings: Rizvi Turns It On

Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, Meerut Mavericks hoped the overcast conditions would aid their seamers. Early signs looked promising. Opener Aryan Juyal (18 off 15) and Adarsh Singh (12 off 10) departed within the Powerplay, both undone by pacer Ankit Singh, who struck twice in a fiery spell.

At 35/2 in the 5th over, Kanpur looked wobbly. But then came Sameer Rizvi, the 21-year-old prodigy known for his fearless batting. Rizvi counterattacked brilliantly, mixing power with placement. His 68 off 42 balls (7 fours, 3 sixes) was the innings that defined the night.

The highlight came in the 12th over, when Rizvi launched Shivam Sharma for back-to-back sixes over deep midwicket, shifting the momentum firmly towards Kanpur.

Support came from Vaibhav Arora (25 off 18) and *Rishabh Rai (20 off 12)**, who ensured the Superstars closed at a competitive 149/6 in 20 overs.

Key stands:

Rizvi–Arora: 52 off 45 balls
Rizvi–Rai: 38 off 28 balls

MRM’s bowlers kept things tight, with Ankit Singh finishing 2/25, but dropped catches – two off Rizvi alone – came back to haunt them.

Second Innings: Mavericks Stumble Before Rain

Chasing 150, the Mavericks started brightly. Openers Yashwardh Singh (18 off 12) and captain Akash Singh (10 off 8) took on the Kanpur pacers, racing to 28/0 in 3 overs.

But KSS fought back. Left-arm spinner Shahbaz Ahmed trapped Yashwardh lbw with a beauty, while Arora dismissed Akash Singh shortly after, reducing MRM to 32/2 in 6 overs.

As Ankit Rajpoot (8 off 5)* began to rebuild, the heavens opened. By the 8th over, MRM were 41/2, still 15 runs short of the DLS par score of 56 (16 overs target). With conditions worsening, umpires Vinod Seshan and Nitin Menon called off play, sealing Kanpur’s victory.

Key Performances

Sameer Rizvi (KSS): 68 off 42 balls – Match-winning knock under pressure. (Player of the Match)
Ankit Singh (MRM): 2/25 – Best bowler on the night, unlucky not to get more rewards.
Vaibhav Arora (KSS): 25 runs + 1/12 in 2 overs – Crucial all-round impact.

Turning Points:

Rizvi’s fifty partnership with Arora rescued KSS after early wickets.
Sharp fielding – Rizvi’s low catch to dismiss Akash Singh swung momentum.
Rain stoppage – denied MRM’s explosive middle order (including Nitish Rana) a chance to chase down the target.

Reactions

Aryan Juyal (KSS captain): “Sameer’s innings was special. Our bowlers executed plans well in testing conditions. This win gives us real momentum.”

Akash Singh (MRM captain): “We bowled well, but batting partnerships never got going. Rain didn’t help, but credit to Kanpur for holding their nerve.”

Impact on the Points Table

The win lifts Kanpur Superstars to 3rd place with 8 points from 5 matches, solidifying their playoff credentials. Meerut Mavericks slip to 5th with 6 points from 6 games, leaving them under pressure in the second half of the league.

Attendance was modest, with 12,500 fans braving the rain in a 50,000-capacity stadium. The night also saw UltraEdge technology assisting DLS calculations, ensuring transparency in the decision-making.

What’s Next

The UPPL 2025 carnival rolls on with Lucknow Falcons vs Noida Knights scheduled for August 26 at the same venue. With the playoff race heating up, fans can expect more drama, more rain twists, and more heroes like Rizvi stepping up when it matters most.

📌 Match Summary: